MD In-state options beyond College Park

[Anonymous]

What the, of course it's worth applying!.

I may be wrong but I also heard spring admits can study abroad their first semester

But I would definitely visit St Mary's too

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hey OP,
If your DS really wants UMD, don’t give up on it yet. With a 1300 SAT he could likely get in for Freshman Connection. Also, I just want to give you a little bit of perspective as I have a student at UMD as well as a student at SMCM.

UMD is awesome; full of spirit and amazing research and fun things to do right off campus. But it isn’t for everyone. My DC at St. Mary’s would never have been happy at UMD and vice versa. I actually think either one would have been happy at UMBC so consider that also.

This thread, like many things on DCUM, has gotten quite nasty and negative and full of misinformation and rumors. Do your own research, apply widely, ignore the haters, and your kid will know where they will fit and be happy.

I do have a bias towards recommending St. Mary’s and feel that it is really a special place. It isn’t perfect but students love it and get a great, affordable liberal arts education in a beautiful location. My DC is set to graduate soon and I am sorry that he will not be around to enjoy all the wonderful new things that are just getting started at the school. He really grew as a person in his time there, made some wonderful friendships, and had amazing professors who helped and mentored him along the way. I am going to miss visiting him there and taking walks by the river and through Historic St. Mary’s City. It is truly one of the most beautiful campuses I’ve ever seen!

OP here. Thank you so much for this post. I had not heard of freshman connection. I suppose it is worth applying to CP in that case!

You’re very welcome! I hope you enjoy visiting St. Mary’s. If you have time, I would recommend taking a stroll over to Historic St Mary’s City and stop at the quaint new bakery (Enzo’s ?). Yum!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hey OP,
If your DS really wants UMD, don’t give up on it yet. With a 1300 SAT he could likely get in for Freshman Connection. Also, I just want to give you a little bit of perspective as I have a student at UMD as well as a student at SMCM.

UMD is awesome; full of spirit and amazing research and fun things to do right off campus. But it isn’t for everyone. My DC at St. Mary’s would never have been happy at UMD and vice versa. I actually think either one would have been happy at UMBC so consider that also.

This thread, like many things on DCUM, has gotten quite nasty and negative and full of misinformation and rumors. Do your own research, apply widely, ignore the haters, and your kid will know where they will fit and be happy.

I do have a bias towards recommending St. Mary’s and feel that it is really a special place. It isn’t perfect but students love it and get a great, affordable liberal arts education in a beautiful location. My DC is set to graduate soon and I am sorry that he will not be around to enjoy all the wonderful new things that are just getting started at the school. He really grew as a person in his time there, made some wonderful friendships, and had amazing professors who helped and mentored him along the way. I am going to miss visiting him there and taking walks by the river and through Historic St. Mary’s City. It is truly one of the most beautiful campuses I’ve ever seen!

A 1300 is likely not going to be enough to get into UMD anymore. Our DD had a 1320 this year and didn't even get Freshman Connection.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hey OP,
If your DS really wants UMD, don’t give up on it yet. With a 1300 SAT he could likely get in for Freshman Connection. Also, I just want to give you a little bit of perspective as I have a student at UMD as well as a student at SMCM.

UMD is awesome; full of spirit and amazing research and fun things to do right off campus. But it isn’t for everyone. My DC at St. Mary’s would never have been happy at UMD and vice versa. I actually think either one would have been happy at UMBC so consider that also.

This thread, like many things on DCUM, has gotten quite nasty and negative and full of misinformation and rumors. Do your own research, apply widely, ignore the haters, and your kid will know where they will fit and be happy.

I do have a bias towards recommending St. Mary’s and feel that it is really a special place. It isn’t perfect but students love it and get a great, affordable liberal arts education in a beautiful location. My DC is set to graduate soon and I am sorry that he will not be around to enjoy all the wonderful new things that are just getting started at the school. He really grew as a person in his time there, made some wonderful friendships, and had amazing professors who helped and mentored him along the way. I am going to miss visiting him there and taking walks by the river and through Historic St. Mary’s City. It is truly one of the most beautiful campuses I’ve ever seen!

A 1300 is likely not going to be enough to get into UMD anymore. Our DD had a 1320 this year and didn't even get Freshman Connection.

Yes getting into UMD is getting harder but OPs kid should still give it a try but also apply to other state schools like those being discussed here.

[Anonymous]

I know kids with 27ACT that got into Freshman connect.

Where can I find out info on the Fall abroad and Spring admittance.

I'm feeling challenged that I can't find it.

[Anonymous]

Loyola MD gives really good merit based academic scholarships. My daughter did not go but got $25k a year off all 4 years no strings attached. I don't qualify for aid so this was pure academic based

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hey OP,
If your DS really wants UMD, don’t give up on it yet. With a 1300 SAT he could likely get in for Freshman Connection. Also, I just want to give you a little bit of perspective as I have a student at UMD as well as a student at SMCM.

UMD is awesome; full of spirit and amazing research and fun things to do right off campus. But it isn’t for everyone. My DC at St. Mary’s would never have been happy at UMD and vice versa. I actually think either one would have been happy at UMBC so consider that also.

This thread, like many things on DCUM, has gotten quite nasty and negative and full of misinformation and rumors. Do your own research, apply widely, ignore the haters, and your kid will know where they will fit and be happy.

I do have a bias towards recommending St. Mary’s and feel that it is really a special place. It isn’t perfect but students love it and get a great, affordable liberal arts education in a beautiful location. My DC is set to graduate soon and I am sorry that he will not be around to enjoy all the wonderful new things that are just getting started at the school. He really grew as a person in his time there, made some wonderful friendships, and had amazing professors who helped and mentored him along the way. I am going to miss visiting him there and taking walks by the river and through Historic St. Mary’s City. It is truly one of the most beautiful campuses I’ve ever seen!

My DC was rejected from UMD this year with an SAT of 1480. Not even offered freshman connection. It was easier last year and it will be even harder next year.

My son just got admitted with a 1300 SAT so you never know (3.7, 4.46 (w) gpa). My other son is at Salisbury and likes it. Fun clubs and good professors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Loyola MD gives really good merit based academic scholarships. My daughter did not go but got $25k a year off all 4 years no strings attached. I don't qualify for aid so this was pure academic based

Still makes it about $15K/year more than a Maryland state school...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Hey OP,
If your DS really wants UMD, don’t give up on it yet. With a 1300 SAT he could likely get in for Freshman Connection. Also, I just want to give you a little bit of perspective as I have a student at UMD as well as a student at SMCM.

UMD is awesome; full of spirit and amazing research and fun things to do right off campus. But it isn’t for everyone. My DC at St. Mary’s would never have been happy at UMD and vice versa. I actually think either one would have been happy at UMBC so consider that also.

This thread, like many things on DCUM, has gotten quite nasty and negative and full of misinformation and rumors. Do your own research, apply widely, ignore the haters, and your kid will know where they will fit and be happy.

I do have a bias towards recommending St. Mary’s and feel that it is really a special place. It isn’t perfect but students love it and get a great, affordable liberal arts education in a beautiful location. My DC is set to graduate soon and I am sorry that he will not be around to enjoy all the wonderful new things that are just getting started at the school. He really grew as a person in his time there, made some wonderful friendships, and had amazing professors who helped and mentored him along the way. I am going to miss visiting him there and taking walks by the river and through Historic St. Mary’s City. It is truly one of the most beautiful campuses I’ve ever seen!

OP here. Thank you so much for this post. I had not heard of freshman connection. I suppose it is worth applying to CP in that case!

You’re very welcome! I hope you enjoy visiting St. Mary’s. If you have time, I would recommend taking a stroll over to Historic St Mary’s City and stop at the quaint new bakery (Enzo’s ?). Yum!

Visit now when nothing’s going on and think about “what would my kid do on campus?”

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Second tier, small (but still good) LAC's routinely give $20-$30,000 to strong students from this area. And full rides to the best and the brightest.

As as example, my DC--who had a 3.7 UW GPA, 4.2 W-- got $5,000 in merit aid from SMCM and five times that from multiple SLAC's (private, OOS).

Very bad example since your son has a GPA high enough for admission to Maryland.

[Anonymous]

But my child wanted a small school. I am encouraging the OP not to be misled by private school sticker prices

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:But my child wanted a small school. I am encouraging the OP not to be misled by private school sticker prices

She won’t get as much aid with the lower gpa. Your kid has over a 4.0 and hers does not. There is a big difference when it comes to merit aid.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But my child wanted a small school. I am encouraging the OP not to be misled by private school sticker prices

She won’t get as much aid with the lower gpa. Your kid has over a 4.0 and hers does not. There is a big difference when it comes to merit aid.

So many variables. The important thing to know is the total cost after merit aid. For most students, even a $20-25k award at a private or OOS public is still going to cost more than the cost of a state school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:But my child wanted a small school. I am encouraging the OP not to be misled by private school sticker prices

She won’t get as much aid with the lower gpa. Your kid has over a 4.0 and hers does not. There is a big difference when it comes to merit aid.

So many variables. The important thing to know is the total cost after merit aid. For most students, even a $20-25k award at a private or OOS public is still going to cost more than the cost of a state school.

Wish
It is true private’s give a lot of 15k or so “discount” merit aids. But they are rarely ~30k per year. If PP can list which schools she is referring to (small privates and OOS public) that would be tremendously helpful.

[Anonymous]

Question about Freshman Connection - many posters are saying that their high stats kids weren't even offered Freshman Connection. Does this come at the same time as a rejection or later? Do you apply separately? Can you appeal and request this? Thanks!