Anonymous
02/04/2025 16:56
Subject: UMD - Spring Admission
I am in the UMD parents Facebook group and people have asked this question recently. The overwhelming response is that it’s a great program, the students loved it, and there’s no difference aside from the later classes that first semester.
Anonymous
02/04/2025 16:47
Subject: UMD - Spring Admission
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My son was offered the same last year. We passed. But in examining the offer, they did offer him to live on campus and even take classes in the fall. BUT, I don't think you would have much say in which dorm you would be assigned for the fall (so my first semester Freshman could be paired with a Junior in a dorm that is NOT mostly freshman) and the classes he could take were limited to evening classes. To me it just sounds like a terrible way to start out your college experience...feeling "other than" from the start. [b]Such a gross money grab for UMD. We're from DC so instate tuition wasn't a hook for us.
Huh? Would you have preferred a denial?
Frankly, yes, absolutely we would have preferred a denial. UMD only does it to cover themselves for kids who flunk out after 1st semester, go overseas for semester abroad, etc. And good luck getting any merit aid. If you show that your kids is so desperate to go to MD that he/she is willing to sit out fall semester, there's no way they're giving your family any help.
I think you guys need to look into this more. Kids in freshman connection are in the same dorms as all other freshmen. They can choose roommates in advance like any other freshmen. No one knows they're freshman connection unless they themselves reveal it (though perhaps people could guess because of their course schedule)--the point is that they're eligible for everything else in the same way anyone else is. The only actual difference is that their first semester classes are taken after 3pm. This is only for one semester. These have dedicated sections so it's not a challenge to enroll in them. Of course these kids aren't offered merit aid-- it only goes to the very top % of kids admitted to UMD (actually, pretty rare), so kids in FC wouldn't be in that group even if they were admitted for regular matriculation.
I'm not saying you should do it-- your kid should choose the best university for them. But you seem to be misrepresenting the program for everyone else who might read this thread.
Thank you for this - upsetting to read so many misunderstandings about the program. FC is wonderful, my student felt hurt at first for not getting a regular admit - but quickly realized all the benefits still on campus, still in the dorms - smaller classes at a big state school. It was a brilliant way to ease into their freshman year. They said they would do it all over again and recommend it for others.
Would you mind describing the process for how your child got their dorm assignment? Was the timing and process the same as for fall admits? Did they get a roommate? Was that roommate a freshman? Were they invited to offer preferences for housing?
Anonymous
02/04/2025 16:08
Subject: UMD - Spring Admission
I read somewhere that FC connection kids actually end up with higher GPAs that regular admits. I can’t find the source but maybe you can. It doesn’t matter.
Anonymous
02/04/2025 15:22
Subject: UMD - Spring Admission
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My son was offered the same last year. We passed. But in examining the offer, they did offer him to live on campus and even take classes in the fall. BUT, I don't think you would have much say in which dorm you would be assigned for the fall (so my first semester Freshman could be paired with a Junior in a dorm that is NOT mostly freshman) and the classes he could take were limited to evening classes. To me it just sounds like a terrible way to start out your college experience...feeling "other than" from the start. Such a gross money grab for UMD. We're from DC so instate tuition wasn't a hook for us.
Huh? Would you have preferred a denial?
Frankly, yes, absolutely we would have preferred a denial. UMD only does it to cover themselves for kids who flunk out after 1st semester, go overseas for semester abroad, etc. And good luck getting any merit aid. If you show that your kids is so desperate to go to MD that he/she is willing to sit out fall semester, there's no way they're giving your family any help.
I think you guys need to look into this more. Kids in freshman connection are in the same dorms as all other freshmen. They can choose roommates in advance like any other freshmen. No one knows they're freshman connection unless they themselves reveal it (though perhaps people could guess because of their course schedule)--the point is that they're eligible for everything else in the same way anyone else is. The only actual difference is that their first semester classes are taken after 3pm. This is only for one semester. These have dedicated sections so it's not a challenge to enroll in them. Of course these kids aren't offered merit aid-- it only goes to the very top % of kids admitted to UMD (actually, pretty rare), so kids in FC wouldn't be in that group even if they were admitted for regular matriculation.
I'm not saying you should do it-- your kid should choose the best university for them. But you seem to be misrepresenting the program for everyone else who might read this thread.
Thank you for this - upsetting to read so many misunderstandings about the program. FC is wonderful, my student felt hurt at first for not getting a regular admit - but quickly realized all the benefits - still on campus, still in the dorms - smaller classes at a big state school. It was a brilliant way to ease into their freshman year. They said they would do it all over again and recommend it for others.
Anonymous
02/04/2025 15:15
Subject: UMD - Spring Admission
Anonymous wrote:My son was offered the same last year. We passed. But in examining the offer, they did offer him to live on campus and even take classes in the fall. BUT, I don't think you would have much say in which dorm you would be assigned for the fall (so my first semester Freshman could be paired with a Junior in a dorm that is NOT mostly freshman) and the classes he could take were limited to evening classes. To me it just sounds like a terrible way to start out your college experience...feeling "other than" from the start. Such a gross money grab for UMD. We're from DC so instate tuition wasn't a hook for us.
No one gets a say in which dorm they get assigned. The only possible sure thing is if you are in honors college. They get assigned dorms by honors program.
Anonymous
02/04/2025 14:09
Subject: UMD - Spring Admission
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My son was offered the same last year. We passed. But in examining the offer, they did offer him to live on campus and even take classes in the fall. BUT, I don't think you would have much say in which dorm you would be assigned for the fall (so my first semester Freshman could be paired with a Junior in a dorm that is NOT mostly freshman) and the classes he could take were limited to evening classes. To me it just sounds like a terrible way to start out your college experience...feeling "other than" from the start. Such a gross money grab for UMD. We're from DC so instate tuition wasn't a hook for us.
Huh? Would you have preferred a denial?
Frankly, yes, absolutely we would have preferred a denial. UMD only does it to cover themselves for kids who flunk out after 1st semester, go overseas for semester abroad, etc. And good luck getting any merit aid. If you show that your kids is so desperate to go to MD that he/she is willing to sit out fall semester, there's no way they're giving your family any help.
I think you guys need to look into this more. Kids in freshman connection are in the same dorms as all other freshmen. They can choose roommates in advance like any other freshmen. No one knows they're freshman connection unless they themselves reveal it (though perhaps people could guess because of their course schedule)--the point is that they're eligible for everything else in the same way anyone else is. The only actual difference is that their first semester classes are taken after 3pm. This is only for one semester. These have dedicated sections so it's not a challenge to enroll in them. Of course these kids aren't offered merit aid-- it only goes to the very top % of kids admitted to UMD (actually, pretty rare), so kids in FC wouldn't be in that group even if they were admitted for regular matriculation.
I'm not saying you should do it-- your kid should choose the best university for them. But you seem to be misrepresenting the program for everyone else who might read this thread.
My son who was offered spring semester start was accepted at 15 schools and offered merit aid from all but 2. Hey, if it works for your kid and they want to go to UMD so badly or your family needs in-state tuition so badly, then go for it. It just wasn't the way our son wanted to start college and he want a different path.
Sounds like your student has/had plenty of options.
Anonymous
02/04/2025 14:02
Subject: UMD - Spring Admission
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My son was offered the same last year. We passed. But in examining the offer, they did offer him to live on campus and even take classes in the fall. BUT, I don't think you would have much say in which dorm you would be assigned for the fall (so my first semester Freshman could be paired with a Junior in a dorm that is NOT mostly freshman) and the classes he could take were limited to evening classes. To me it just sounds like a terrible way to start out your college experience...feeling "other than" from the start. Such a gross money grab for UMD. We're from DC so instate tuition wasn't a hook for us.
Huh? Would you have preferred a denial?
Frankly, yes, absolutely we would have preferred a denial. UMD only does it to cover themselves for kids who flunk out after 1st semester, go overseas for semester abroad, etc. And good luck getting any merit aid. If you show that your kids is so desperate to go to MD that he/she is willing to sit out fall semester, there's no way they're giving your family any help.
I think you guys need to look into this more. Kids in freshman connection are in the same dorms as all other freshmen. They can choose roommates in advance like any other freshmen. No one knows they're freshman connection unless they themselves reveal it (though perhaps people could guess because of their course schedule)--the point is that they're eligible for everything else in the same way anyone else is. The only actual difference is that their first semester classes are taken after 3pm. This is only for one semester. These have dedicated sections so it's not a challenge to enroll in them. Of course these kids aren't offered merit aid-- it only goes to the very top % of kids admitted to UMD (actually, pretty rare), so kids in FC wouldn't be in that group even if they were admitted for regular matriculation.
I'm not saying you should do it-- your kid should choose the best university for them. But you seem to be misrepresenting the program for everyone else who might read this thread.
My son who was offered spring semester start was accepted at 15 schools and offered merit aid from all but 2. Hey, if it works for your kid and they want to go to UMD so badly or your family needs in-state tuition so badly, then go for it. It just wasn't the way our son wanted to start college and he want a different path.
Anonymous
02/04/2025 13:59
Subject: UMD - Spring Admission
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My son was offered the same last year. We passed. But in examining the offer, they did offer him to live on campus and even take classes in the fall. BUT, I don't think you would have much say in which dorm you would be assigned for the fall (so my first semester Freshman could be paired with a Junior in a dorm that is NOT mostly freshman) and the classes he could take were limited to evening classes. To me it just sounds like a terrible way to start out your college experience...feeling "other than" from the start. Such a gross money grab for UMD. We're from DC so instate tuition wasn't a hook for us.
Huh? Would you have preferred a denial?
Frankly, yes, absolutely we would have preferred a denial. UMD only does it to cover themselves for kids who flunk out after 1st semester, go overseas for semester abroad, etc. And good luck getting any merit aid. If you show that your kids is so desperate to go to MD that he/she is willing to sit out fall semester, there's no way they're giving your family any help.
You are submitting out fall semester. You have on campus housing. You just take classes from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sorry meant to say "you are not sitting out fall semester."
your kid could choose to sit out fall semester and start in the spring. joining connection is not a requirement
Anonymous
02/04/2025 13:57
Subject: UMD - Spring Admission
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My son was offered the same last year. We passed. But in examining the offer, they did offer him to live on campus and even take classes in the fall. BUT, I don't think you would have much say in which dorm you would be assigned for the fall (so my first semester Freshman could be paired with a Junior in a dorm that is NOT mostly freshman) and the classes he could take were limited to evening classes. To me it just sounds like a terrible way to start out your college experience...feeling "other than" from the start. Such a gross money grab for UMD. We're from DC so instate tuition wasn't a hook for us.
Huh? Would you have preferred a denial?
Frankly, yes, absolutely we would have preferred a denial. UMD only does it to cover themselves for kids who flunk out after 1st semester, go overseas for semester abroad, etc. And good luck getting any merit aid. If you show that your kids is so desperate to go to MD that he/she is willing to sit out fall semester, there's no way they're giving your family any help.
I believe it primarily fills the classroom space vacated by December graduates. Can live in the dorms in the fall, but restricted to late afternoon/evening classes for one semester.
Anonymous
02/04/2025 13:50
Subject: UMD - Spring Admission
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My son was offered the same last year. We passed. But in examining the offer, they did offer him to live on campus and even take classes in the fall. BUT, I don't think you would have much say in which dorm you would be assigned for the fall (so my first semester Freshman could be paired with a Junior in a dorm that is NOT mostly freshman) and the classes he could take were limited to evening classes. To me it just sounds like a terrible way to start out your college experience...feeling "other than" from the start. Such a gross money grab for UMD. We're from DC so instate tuition wasn't a hook for us.
Huh? Would you have preferred a denial?
Frankly, yes, absolutely we would have preferred a denial. UMD only does it to cover themselves for kids who flunk out after 1st semester, go overseas for semester abroad, etc. And good luck getting any merit aid. If you show that your kids is so desperate to go to MD that he/she is willing to sit out fall semester, there's no way they're giving your family any help.
You are submitting out fall semester. You have on campus housing. You just take classes from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Sorry meant to say "you are not sitting out fall semester."
Anonymous
02/04/2025 13:49
Subject: UMD - Spring Admission
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My son was offered the same last year. We passed. But in examining the offer, they did offer him to live on campus and even take classes in the fall. BUT, I don't think you would have much say in which dorm you would be assigned for the fall (so my first semester Freshman could be paired with a Junior in a dorm that is NOT mostly freshman) and the classes he could take were limited to evening classes. To me it just sounds like a terrible way to start out your college experience...feeling "other than" from the start. Such a gross money grab for UMD. We're from DC so instate tuition wasn't a hook for us.
Huh? Would you have preferred a denial?
Frankly, yes, absolutely we would have preferred a denial. UMD only does it to cover themselves for kids who flunk out after 1st semester, go overseas for semester abroad, etc. And good luck getting any merit aid. If you show that your kids is so desperate to go to MD that he/she is willing to sit out fall semester, there's no way they're giving your family any help.
You are submitting out fall semester. You have on campus housing. You just take classes from 3 to 6 p.m. Monday through Thursday and friday 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Anonymous
02/04/2025 13:44
Subject: UMD - Spring Admission
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My son was offered the same last year. We passed. But in examining the offer, they did offer him to live on campus and even take classes in the fall. BUT, I don't think you would have much say in which dorm you would be assigned for the fall (so my first semester Freshman could be paired with a Junior in a dorm that is NOT mostly freshman) and the classes he could take were limited to evening classes. To me it just sounds like a terrible way to start out your college experience...feeling "other than" from the start. Such a gross money grab for UMD. We're from DC so instate tuition wasn't a hook for us.
Huh? Would you have preferred a denial?
Frankly, yes, absolutely we would have preferred a denial. UMD only does it to cover themselves for kids who flunk out after 1st semester, go overseas for semester abroad, etc. And good luck getting any merit aid. If you show that your kids is so desperate to go to MD that he/she is willing to sit out fall semester, there's no way they're giving your family any help.
I think you guys need to look into this more. Kids in freshman connection are in the same dorms as all other freshmen. They can choose roommates in advance like any other freshmen. No one knows they're freshman connection unless they themselves reveal it (though perhaps people could guess because of their course schedule)--the point is that they're eligible for everything else in the same way anyone else is. The only actual difference is that their first semester classes are taken after 3pm. This is only for one semester. These have dedicated sections so it's not a challenge to enroll in them. Of course these kids aren't offered merit aid-- it only goes to the very top % of kids admitted to UMD (actually, pretty rare), so kids in FC wouldn't be in that group even if they were admitted for regular matriculation.
I'm not saying you should do it-- your kid should choose the best university for them. But you seem to be misrepresenting the program for everyone else who might read this thread.
Anonymous
02/04/2025 13:28
Subject: UMD - Spring Admission
It is extremely insulting.
Anonymous
02/04/2025 13:25
Subject: UMD - Spring Admission
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My son was offered the same last year. We passed. But in examining the offer, they did offer him to live on campus and even take classes in the fall. BUT, I don't think you would have much say in which dorm you would be assigned for the fall (so my first semester Freshman could be paired with a Junior in a dorm that is NOT mostly freshman) and the classes he could take were limited to evening classes. To me it just sounds like a terrible way to start out your college experience...feeling "other than" from the start. Such a gross money grab for UMD. We're from DC so instate tuition wasn't a hook for us.
Huh? Would you have preferred a denial?
Frankly, yes, absolutely we would have preferred a denial. UMD only does it to cover themselves for kids who flunk out after 1st semester, go overseas for semester abroad, etc. And good luck getting any merit aid. If you show that your kids is so desperate to go to MD that he/she is willing to sit out fall semester, there's no way they're giving your family any help.
Anonymous
02/04/2025 13:16
Subject: UMD - Spring Admission
Anonymous wrote:Anonymous wrote:My OOS pretty high stats kid got it and I’m not at all bothered. Way better (for him) than what some other colleges offer…Semester abroad, summer start, satellite campus etc. Looks to be almost 1000 kids who do it…that’s a huge amount all in the same boat!
Personally we are not letting the spring admit at UMD be a show stopper. Not getting direct into Business however is a concern and might rule out UMD
Business is not competitive. Just need to satisfy prerequisites and you're in.
It can be competitive. You need a 3.6 overall GPA after the gateway classes and I think 45 credits to be directly admitted. With a 3.0-3.59 GPA, your application goes to a competitive review.