Experience with UMD FIRE program?
![[Post New]](/jforum/templates/default/images/icon_minipost_new.gif){kind=icon}
Anonymous
| Kid was accepted into UMD and the FIRE program which we had never heard of. Any experiences to share? https://www.fire.umd.edu/about |
Anonymous
| I hadn’t heard of this but it looks really interesting. Hopefully someone familiar with it can give some insight! |
Anonymous
| No personal experience but my friend's kid is in the program and loves it. He's doing research in some sort of cellular/molecular biology. |
Anonymous
| My DD is a freshman in FIRE and she’s enjoying it so far, but the real research portion doesn’t start until next year. Great way to get into all types of research early on. |
Anonymous
| I wonder how they decide who to admit to Honors College, Scholars, and FIRE. Many stats seem so similar. |
Anonymous
Agree, I’m the OP and nothing about my kid’s profile said research. Humanities major, no research experience or demonstrated interest. |
Anonymous
Meanwhile my Bio admit whose recommender talked about his research aptitude got Honors College but no FIRE invite. FIRE does sound pretty great, OP, congrats! |
Anonymous
Wanna trade?? 😝 my kid wanted honors… |
Anonymous
 My guess is they try to spread out the opportunities given so many accomplished applicants. I guess Honors is most desirable mainly because it comes with housing perks but FIRE does sound like a really nice experience.
|
Anonymous
DP. My kid is turning down his HC invite, so fingers crossed your kid will get one. We wanted him to consider it but he had his heart set on a small private and was just admitted (shy kid, found UMD campus a little overwhelming). FIRE sounds great, too! |
Anonymous
|
For anyone interested in FIRE, looks like they will take some (uninvited) kids by application as well.
https://www.fire.umd.edu/join-applications |
Anonymous
| Is this a newer program? |
Anonymous
Relatively, about a decade old. |
Anonymous
Thanks! Looks like it's easy, too. No essays just basic info. |
Anonymous
| Does FIRE acceptance mean more chance to get merit? |