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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]B/K for sure. No regrets whatsoever!

- A full B/K family[/quote]

OP again.  Here's another question: how can a student make the most out of attending a big state university like UMD?  (Both parents went to privates, so this is foreign territory for us).  We would like for DD to experience study abroad, internships, and research.  Saving money will make study abroad very likely and there should easily be opportunities for research as a Banneker Key scholar.  We don't have to worry about paid internships, as student will not be stressed about money.  We live in the DC area, so it will be easy for DC to commute to summer opportunities, whether paid or not.

Are there any other opportunities that we should encourage DD to make?  One point of sadness is that DD will not experience having a significant international cohort at her school.  One of the previously mentioned schools (USC, Georgetown, Emory, Carnegie Mellon) would probably present more job opportunities after graduation, regardless of major, if DD decided not to do grad school. However, at this time, DD is strongly considering grad school.  I do not see DD being interested in investment banking or management consulting.

Also slightly worried that UMD administration does not seem to be as organized as that of many other privates.  This information has been gleaned from reading listservs about how different universities have responded to the coronavirus crisis.  However, DD is very excited about UMD and that is what is important.

Does anyone else think that UMD might become overenrolled next year due to the shaky economy?[/quote]

PP you were responding to. We were lucky enough to have more than 1 B/K scholar. If your daughter is self-driven student (and I assume she is given she is a B/K scholar), you really don't have to worry about any of the concerned you raised. UMD, due to its size and focus (research), there is little to no hand-holding by the Administration. Once the school starts, each student goes his/her own way. Looking for research/lab opportunities, studying, and whatever. Research opportunities are there but not because your kid is a B/K scholar. Do not expect special treatment of any kind. [b]My kids had to "walk the hall" knocking on professors' doors during winter vacation introducing themselves and handing out resume. [/b]Also, do not let her think she is special because she is a B/K scholar. Other kids don't know. Most kids don't care. At the end of the day in 4 years, it's all about her accomplishments, not about B/K. Good luck. [/quote]

OP.  Great advice about how to get research opportunities.  We definitely have emphasized humility about the BK selection.  DD is accomplished, but so many of the top quarter or top third of UMD students are.  Selection can seem a bit random.  DD is very motivated in classes, but not necessarily opportunity-savvy.  I think that this latter quality comes from either the family or school.  In DD's case, high school was not very competitive.

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