UMD decision 2026

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$400+ gas bills in winter, $600+ electric bills in summer, $15k a year in property taxes, crazy car registration fees, 3-4 soles trap mail in tickets per year, and my kid with a 4.4w/3.9 uw taking 4 aps senior year gets rejected. This state sucks.

You must have a huge house. Quit your griping and move to bama if you want a big cheap mcmansion. Our moco house is 3,000 sq ft and we pay $6k in property taxes, $200 in electric in hottest months and around $300 in gas in winter.

It sounds like the previous poster lives in Baltimore. Property taxes in the city are insane and the old houses aren't fuel efficient. But also, I would wager moco has more McMansions than all of Alabama combined. Lord.

That's not a Maryland problem, that is a Baltimore problem and you should know that when you buy there or move to the county.

I’m the original complainer and live in Moco. I’m not whining about the property taxes per se, yes we knew what they would be when we bought. But kids of tax paying parents with 4.4w/3.9uw and 4 ap classes senior year should get into umd.

Here is the problem. Almost 40% of B-CCs class has a weighted average over 4.51 according to their school profile. And they are not a terribly large school or the most high performing.

My kid who really isn’t an academic superstar has a 4.8+. I think MCPS just has a lot of kids with very high GPAs and they can’t realistically admit them all.

It's because the MCPS grading system is awful and set up for inflation. 89.5 in no respected institution equates to an A. They need to fix this or else the top academic kids won't be able to differentiate themselves from the kids who are barely scraping by.

The change to the grading system will make this much easier, but I'm not sure about other counties, which might make it difficult to do a straight "top 10%" like they do in some other states. But some states use a combo of GPA plus SAT/ACT -- that would be a viable way to do it. They could also start re-weighting the GPAs to take out the fake weighting -- a lot of state college systems do that. My kid is a junior and reports that most of the kids with the highest GPAs are NOT taking the hardest classes -- if it's weighted it's only because everything is honors, they aren't taking the hard APs, so under the current dumb weighting system, there's really no extra boost for taking higher rigor.

Are APs a scam?:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1294379.page

Colleges don't give credit for all the APs. Some will let you to next level class with a 3 on AP test. But everyone knows students are taking APs in high school for other reasons.

They seem to be and that’s the lesson we learned this year with our kid. Don’t take max rigor and risk getting b is a couple ap classes. Take the easiest classes you can to keep your gpa high. There’s too many applicants, even at very selective schools and academies, it’s gpa and sat/act. They don’t have time to look and see which classes you’re taking. I’m not even sure how much extracurriculars, service, or the essays matter.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rejected. 1540 SAT, 3.5 UW / 4.5 W GPA, 11 APs, W-school, high income. Varsity sports, solid community service and leadership activities. Really bummed.

good SAT score, but the GPA is probably on the low side for a W school.

My kid had super high stats (1580, 4.0/4.92 wgpa from a magnet) and was rejected at schools like UIUC. They did get into UMDCP. It was an ego hit and shocking to all of us really that such high stats would get them rejected to UIUC. Didn't help that they are a CS major.

Your kid will find a good fit and be happy where they land. I think most kids do. But, it is a real bummer initially.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rejected. 1540 SAT, 3.5 UW / 4.5 W GPA, 11 APs, W-school, high income. Varsity sports, solid community service and leadership activities. Really bummed.

What is your (estimated) class rank UW? Probably not that high. And they are only taking so many from your school. And its probably a lot. But you're on the wrong side of the line apparently. And or maybe essay/recs were a factor. Obv you're well qualified to attend but so are a lot of people.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rejected. 1540 SAT, 3.5 UW / 4.5 W GPA, 11 APs, W-school, high income. Varsity sports, solid community service and leadership activities. Really bummed.

good SAT score, but the GPA is probably on the low side for a W school.

My kid had super high stats (1580, 4.0/4.92 wgpa from a magnet) and was rejected at schools like UIUC. They did get into UMDCP. It was an ego hit and shocking to all of us really that such high stats would get them rejected to UIUC. Didn't help that they are a CS major.

Your kid will find a good fit and be happy where they land. I think most kids do. But, it is a real bummer initially.

UIUC CS has a less than 7% acceptance rate. A rejection there is nothing to beat yourself up about. Plus UMD CS is one of the best. Your kid will land somewhere great––UMD or another place they like more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rejected, but dc isn’t upset. It was not a top choice and they have much better options elsewhere for their intended major. Only applied because we’re in state.

So UMD figured that out and protected their yield

There’s no way UMCP can figure that out.

The reality is plenty of Marylanders can’t afford to send their high stats kids out of state and desperately want their kids to get into our flagship.

But the reality is certain kids from mcps are simply shut out.

A college counselor I know very well says UMCP is irrationally unpredictable. Pretty much sums it up.

They have the option for CC to flagship. I know that route isn’t as popular here in Maryland, but it’s not uncommon for people to start at community college or directional universities and later transfer to their state flagship. Or if they are DCUM middle class, look for the OOS schools where they have a chance of merit and it’s not the public ivies. It might be more than UMD but it it won’t be private school triple the cost more expensive. I will also add that my co-workers are amazing and we all went to different schools including UMBC and Towson. Some people could only afford to live at home and go to a college nearby or start at community college first. That didn’t mean they weren’t smart or hard working.

Sure.

But imagine having to tell your 4.0 UW kid they need to go to MC and transfer to UMCP when their peers with lower stats got into UMCP while your kid was rejected. It stinks.

And there’s a reason we have this same conversation on dcum year after year.

DP. Oh, please. This isn't happening. 4.0 kids with decent rigor are all getting in. It's when someone posts their weighted 4.4 as if that's a grand thing. UMD wants 4.75 and up for MCPS really. That's usually around a 3.8UW + rigor. Higher for LEPs. 4.4W is like a 3.6UW. The poster who said their kid has a 3.9UW and 4.4W seems fictional to me. With all MCPS hon classes getting a full point bump, even with lower rigor, it would be much higher. Look at the Scattergrams, People.

UMD wants BIPOCs, but especially URM-BIPOCs. That is who’s getting in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rejected, but dc isn’t upset. It was not a top choice and they have much better options elsewhere for their intended major. Only applied because we’re in state.

So UMD figured that out and protected their yield

There’s no way UMCP can figure that out.

The reality is plenty of Marylanders can’t afford to send their high stats kids out of state and desperately want their kids to get into our flagship.

But the reality is certain kids from mcps are simply shut out.

A college counselor I know very well says UMCP is irrationally unpredictable. Pretty much sums it up.

They have the option for CC to flagship. I know that route isn’t as popular here in Maryland, but it’s not uncommon for people to start at community college or directional universities and later transfer to their state flagship. Or if they are DCUM middle class, look for the OOS schools where they have a chance of merit and it’s not the public ivies. It might be more than UMD but it it won’t be private school triple the cost more expensive. I will also add that my co-workers are amazing and we all went to different schools including UMBC and Towson. Some people could only afford to live at home and go to a college nearby or start at community college first. That didn’t mean they weren’t smart or hard working.

Sure.

But imagine having to tell your 4.0 UW kid they need to go to MC and transfer to UMCP when their peers with lower stats got into UMCP while your kid was rejected. It stinks.

And there’s a reason we have this same conversation on dcum year after year.

DP. Oh, please. This isn't happening. 4.0 kids with decent rigor are all getting in. It's when someone posts their weighted 4.4 as if that's a grand thing. UMD wants 4.75 and up for MCPS really. That's usually around a 3.8UW + rigor. Higher for LEPs. 4.4W is like a 3.6UW. The poster who said their kid has a 3.9UW and 4.4W seems fictional to me. With all MCPS hon classes getting a full point bump, even with lower rigor, it would be much higher. Look at the Scattergrams, People.

UMD wants BIPOCs, but especially URM-BIPOCs. That is who’s getting in.

That's not true. Most of my child's school and graduating class are white, and 80-90% of those admitted are white. The minorities at school are the ones who moved here because it's far easier to get into HYPS and the Ivys and do not apply to UMD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rejected, but dc isn’t upset. It was not a top choice and they have much better options elsewhere for their intended major. Only applied because we’re in state.

So UMD figured that out and protected their yield

There’s no way UMCP can figure that out.

The reality is plenty of Marylanders can’t afford to send their high stats kids out of state and desperately want their kids to get into our flagship.

But the reality is certain kids from mcps are simply shut out.

A college counselor I know very well says UMCP is irrationally unpredictable. Pretty much sums it up.

They have the option for CC to flagship. I know that route isn’t as popular here in Maryland, but it’s not uncommon for people to start at community college or directional universities and later transfer to their state flagship. Or if they are DCUM middle class, look for the OOS schools where they have a chance of merit and it’s not the public ivies. It might be more than UMD but it it won’t be private school triple the cost more expensive. I will also add that my co-workers are amazing and we all went to different schools including UMBC and Towson. Some people could only afford to live at home and go to a college nearby or start at community college first. That didn’t mean they weren’t smart or hard working.

Sure.

But imagine having to tell your 4.0 UW kid they need to go to MC and transfer to UMCP when their peers with lower stats got into UMCP while your kid was rejected. It stinks.

And there’s a reason we have this same conversation on dcum year after year.

DP. Oh, please. This isn't happening. 4.0 kids with decent rigor are all getting in. It's when someone posts their weighted 4.4 as if that's a grand thing. UMD wants 4.75 and up for MCPS really. That's usually around a 3.8UW + rigor. Higher for LEPs. 4.4W is like a 3.6UW. The poster who said their kid has a 3.9UW and 4.4W seems fictional to me. With all MCPS hon classes getting a full point bump, even with lower rigor, it would be much higher. Look at the Scattergrams, People.

UMD wants BIPOCs, but especially URM-BIPOCs. That is who’s getting in.

That's not true. Most of my child's school and graduating class are white, and 80-90% of those admitted are white. The minorities at school are the ones who moved here because it's far easier to get into HYPS and the Ivys and do not apply to UMD.

No school is prioritizing BIPOC this year or last. There was speculation that schools would find a way to give a bump even after the SCOTUS decision but statistics aren't bearing that out in any way, and schools are really running scared this year-- trying to stay off Trump's radar.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rejected. 1540 SAT, 3.5 UW / 4.5 W GPA, 11 APs, W-school, high income. Varsity sports, solid community service and leadership activities. Really bummed.

Seriously? Was it that the was *just* not high enough?

[Anonymous]

^* the gpa

[Anonymous]

3.5 GPA from a W school is on the low side.

SAT is awesome!

Sad but move on. There is a school out there they will love and be a great fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rejected. 1540 SAT, 3.5 UW / 4.5 W GPA, 11 APs, W-school, high income. Varsity sports, solid community service and leadership activities. Really bummed.

good SAT score, but the GPA is probably on the low side for a W school.

My kid had super high stats (1580, 4.0/4.92 wgpa from a magnet) and was rejected at schools like UIUC. They did get into UMDCP. It was an ego hit and shocking to all of us really that such high stats would get them rejected to UIUC. Didn't help that they are a CS major.

Your kid will find a good fit and be happy where they land. I think most kids do. But, it is a real bummer initially.

UIUC CS has a less than 7% acceptance rate. A rejection there is nothing to beat yourself up about. Plus UMD CS is one of the best. Your kid will land somewhere great––UMD or another place they like more.

UIUC was brutal this year!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Rejected. 1540 SAT, 3.5 UW / 4.5 W GPA, 11 APs, W-school, high income. Varsity sports, solid community service and leadership activities. Really bummed.

good SAT score, but the GPA is probably on the low side for a W school.

My kid had super high stats (1580, 4.0/4.92 wgpa from a magnet) and was rejected at schools like UIUC. They did get into UMDCP. It was an ego hit and shocking to all of us really that such high stats would get them rejected to UIUC. Didn't help that they are a CS major.

Your kid will find a good fit and be happy where they land. I think most kids do. But, it is a real bummer initially.

UIUC CS has a less than 7% acceptance rate. A rejection there is nothing to beat yourself up about. Plus UMD CS is one of the best. Your kid will land somewhere great––UMD or another place they like more.

UIUC was brutal this year!

For CS is always is

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$400+ gas bills in winter, $600+ electric bills in summer, $15k a year in property taxes, crazy car registration fees, 3-4 soles trap mail in tickets per year, and my kid with a 4.4w/3.9 uw taking 4 aps senior year gets rejected. This state sucks.

You must have a huge house. Quit your griping and move to bama if you want a big cheap mcmansion. Our moco house is 3,000 sq ft and we pay $6k in property taxes, $200 in electric in hottest months and around $300 in gas in winter.

It sounds like the previous poster lives in Baltimore. Property taxes in the city are insane and the old houses aren't fuel efficient. But also, I would wager moco has more McMansions than all of Alabama combined. Lord.

That's not a Maryland problem, that is a Baltimore problem and you should know that when you buy there or move to the county.

I’m the original complainer and live in Moco. I’m not whining about the property taxes per se, yes we knew what they would be when we bought. But kids of tax paying parents with 4.4w/3.9uw and 4 ap classes senior year should get into umd.

Here is the problem. Almost 40% of B-CCs class has a weighted average over 4.51 according to their school profile. And they are not a terribly large school or the most high performing.

My kid who really isn’t an academic superstar has a 4.8+. I think MCPS just has a lot of kids with very high GPAs and they can’t realistically admit them all.

It's because the MCPS grading system is awful and set up for inflation. 89.5 in no respected institution equates to an A. They need to fix this or else the top academic kids won't be able to differentiate themselves from the kids who are barely scraping by.

The change to the grading system will make this much easier, but I'm not sure about other counties, which might make it difficult to do a straight "top 10%" like they do in some other states. But some states use a combo of GPA plus SAT/ACT -- that would be a viable way to do it. They could also start re-weighting the GPAs to take out the fake weighting -- a lot of state college systems do that. My kid is a junior and reports that most of the kids with the highest GPAs are NOT taking the hardest classes -- if it's weighted it's only because everything is honors, they aren't taking the hard APs, so under the current dumb weighting system, there's really no extra boost for taking higher rigor.

Are APs a scam?:
https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1294379.page

Colleges don't give credit for all the APs. Some will let you to next level class with a 3 on AP test. But everyone knows students are taking APs in high school for other reasons.

They seem to be and that’s the lesson we learned this year with our kid. Don’t take max rigor and risk getting b is a couple ap classes. Take the easiest classes you can to keep your gpa high. There’s too many applicants, even at very selective schools and academies, it’s gpa and sat/act. They don’t have time to look and see which classes you’re taking. I’m not even sure how much extracurriculars, service, or the essays matter.

That is a good plan, but your student will need max rigor if they want engineering or CS.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:$400+ gas bills in winter, $600+ electric bills in summer, $15k a year in property taxes, crazy car registration fees, 3-4 soles trap mail in tickets per year, and my kid with a 4.4w/3.9 uw taking 4 aps senior year gets rejected. This state sucks.

You must have a huge house. Quit your griping and move to bama if you want a big cheap mcmansion. Our moco house is 3,000 sq ft and we pay $6k in property taxes, $200 in electric in hottest months and around $300 in gas in winter.

It sounds like the previous poster lives in Baltimore. Property taxes in the city are insane and the old houses aren't fuel efficient. But also, I would wager moco has more McMansions than all of Alabama combined. Lord.

That's not a Maryland problem, that is a Baltimore problem and you should know that when you buy there or move to the county.

I’m the original complainer and live in Moco. I’m not whining about the property taxes per se, yes we knew what they would be when we bought. But kids of tax paying parents with 4.4w/3.9uw and 4 ap classes senior year should get into umd.

I agree with you, but you don't have any recourse. This is just how it is with UMDCP.

The best thing to do is to share this information with parents with younger children. Sadly, our instate flagship is not easy to get into.

You are silly. People with no kids also pay taxes. It is not a ticket get into U of MD!

(You obtained good public schools , safe roads, free parks, libraries, police and fire services, government employees, etc etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Rejected. 1540 SAT, 3.5 UW / 4.5 W GPA, 11 APs, W-school, high income. Varsity sports, solid community service and leadership activities. Really bummed.

I'm sorry. I'd be bummed, too.
Your kid sounds great and I hope they land somewhere great for them!