Univ of MD versus Univ of Delaware Honors College

[Anonymous]

My daughter (MCPS high school) is deciding between Univ of MD Freshman Connection and UDel Honors College. She's smart, great stats. Freshman Connection is unattractive because she keeps thinking about evening classes and missing out on dinners with any kids not in Freshman Connection and not being able to join clubs first semester. Thoughts about choosing between the two?

[Anonymous]

I’d go with UDel Honors if you can swing it financially. Freshman Connection seems like the students are kind of an afterthought but I’d probably want to try to hear directly from some who had done it (I’m sure UMD admissions or even your MCPS college counselor can connect you with someone).

[Anonymous]

My kid would've loved FC, but he is not a morning person lol. I really don't think it puts kids at a disadvantage, but maybe see if you can talk to some kids who did it. When we went to an info session, we heard from kids who did it who said it was no big deal.

[Anonymous]

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1255116.page for FC discussion

It is just one semester and there will be plenty of kids eating at a variety of times, whether or not they are FC. Make the decision based on overall 4-yr program and financials, not on how special the school made you feel by how they admitted you.

[Anonymous]

That's wild that you'd get into Honors next door to FC.

Shows what a lottery admissions is, and how Honors College doesn't mean anything.

[Anonymous]

What is the $$ for each?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1255116.page for FC discussion

It is just one semester and there will be plenty of kids eating at a variety of times, whether or not they are FC. Make the decision based on overall 4-yr program and financials, not on how special the school made you feel by how they admitted you.

+1 I get the "oh they didn't *really* want me", but FC doesn't seem to be a big deal. No one knows who's in it. Just say you're not a morning person so you would rather take the late classes. Also, your kid won't be the only one in FC, so you will find people to socialize with.

My DC's friend was in FC. It didn't hurt their social life. Their social life is more active than my DC's, but then they aren't as academically focused. But, that's a personal issue rather than due to FC issue.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's wild that you'd get into Honors next door to FC.

Shows what a lottery admissions is, and how Honors College doesn't mean anything.

Nah, I think it just shows how competitive UMD is, and UDel is not.

[Anonymous]

FC is really not a big deal. Classes 3-9pm M-Th, 8-5 F for one semester.

[Anonymous]

With the merit aid from Univ of Delaware, the difference isn't that big but MD is cheaper since we are in-state. She is at one of the better high schools in MCPS and is nursing the hurt from FC offer still. The panel of FC students at the admitted students day gave off the impression that it's a little annoying but only one semester.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:That's wild that you'd get into Honors next door to FC.

Shows what a lottery admissions is, and how Honors College doesn't mean anything.

No need to cut down the student’s acceptance into UDel Honors—sheesh!

I think it also shows that UMD is a really gigantic school with a somewhat impersonal experience and registering/enrolling for classes can be a challenge there (FC is one way they try to manage the incoming class). Having smaller honors classes, special housing, enrichment programs, research opportunities, and priority registration as some of the honors perks at UDel seems like a nice benefit!

What major, OP? That may help with deciding.

[Anonymous]

History or Public Policy leaning

[Anonymous]

UDel is great. My company hires a lot of their graduates, and I'm always impressed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1255116.page for FC discussion

It is just one semester and there will be plenty of kids eating at a variety of times, whether or not they are FC. Make the decision based on overall 4-yr program and financials, not on how special the school made you feel by how they admitted you.

+1 I get the "oh they didn't *really* want me", but FC doesn't seem to be a big deal. No one knows who's in it. Just say you're not a morning person so you would rather take the late classes. Also, your kid won't be the only one in FC, so you will find people to socialize with.

My DC's friend was in FC. It didn't hurt their social life. Their social life is more active than my DC's, but then they aren't as academically focused. But, that's a personal issue rather than due to FC issue.

My DC attended UMD from MCPS. DC ran into a HS classmate studying and they went for coffee. The classmate said “oh, I’m FC,” but my DC wouldn’t have known the difference- just thought friend was living at home to save money.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:That's wild that you'd get into Honors next door to FC.

Shows what a lottery admissions is, and how Honors College doesn't mean anything.

No need to cut down the student’s acceptance into UDel Honors—sheesh!

I think it also shows that UMD is a really gigantic school with a somewhat impersonal experience and registering/enrolling for classes can be a challenge there (FC is one way they try to manage the incoming class). Having smaller honors classes, special housing, enrichment programs, research opportunities, and priority registration as some of the honors perks at UDel seems like a nice benefit!

What major, OP? That may help with deciding.

+1 I'd lean toward UDel with Honors.