UMBC Honors college

[Anonymous]

Is it worth it? UMBC is on DS' list but the Honors college supplemental essays are more onerous than that of many other higher ranked schools. If it's too difficult to get in or its just a meh experience, he'd like to skip applying.

[Anonymous]

hahahahahaha

[Anonymous]

Yes, it is worth it. My kid was accepted and ended up with additional merit money.

[Anonymous]

My kid attends UMBC and is in the Honors College. He spent far more time on the supplemental essays than the Common App essay (and then on the application for the living learning community dorm floor). For him, it was worth it, as he wanted a STEM program, but not the large school experience (and attending out of area higher ranked STEM options not an option due to health related). The HC can be a good way to meet people, especially if living in the LLC first year. It can also help the student explore interest areas outside of their major via the honors seminars. My student enjoys the peer group, esp. the year 1 dorm experience with like-minded studious friends. With a relatively small graduate school, options to work in labs or academic areas for undergrads on campus have been good. There are gatherings and off campus trips throughout the year. IME, the HC stats were higher than the 2022 fall admit stats listed online: 2022 First-Time First-Year Class Total First-Year Enrollment: 2,144 Average GPA: 3.96 Average SAT Score: 1303 (2-part). Good luck in whatever you decide!

[Anonymous]

My DD goes there and chose to apply to the arts LLC instead of the HC. It’s a pretty studious place to start with and she felt she didn’t need more, haha. It’s been great for her, fwiw. She switched into a science major and has had great professors and classes so far.

[Anonymous]

Please explain the arts LLC?

Also are living arrangements better for honors college? My friends son is doing HC at Purdue and one advantage is that the dorms are better. Due to housing scarcity these days some schools are putting 3 in a double room. But honors college is was exempt from that.

Also how does your DD like the social scene? My son is not a big partier but wouldn’t want to go somewhere where all of the kids go home on the weekend. UMBC has a reputation of being a commuter school but I think this is outdated?

[Anonymous]

PP here- I see the arts LLC here and the Discovery Scholars program looks cool.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:PP here- I see the arts LLC here and the Discovery Scholars program looks cool.

Do these need extra essays or do you just apply after admission?

[Anonymous]

The arts LLC at UMBC is actually in a nicer dorm than the HC. My DD wrote a short essay for that once she was admitted, I believe. She ended up friends with a bunch of art kids as a result, which is a nice change from her science major.

Some kids do go home on the weekend, that’s true. And my kid drives (near) home on Saturday evenings to work, but all three of her good friends and suite mates stay there. There are something like 10k students, but it feels like a small college bc only 3k live on campus.

It’s a nice vibe on campus, kids are friendly and kind and it looks like MCPS in terms of diversity.

I was skeptical bc my husband and I went away away for school, but my DD was sure and we quickly got over feeling weird about it. She had zero interest in rah rah sports and really didn’t want to go to UMD. She chose it over several more selective schools at the last minute.

Her profs have been amazing. They recommended her for an internship after freshman year, and then again after sophomore year and have been kind of amazing. She joined a club sports team and has a gang she works out with every day at the gym.

Anyway, it’s been a good fit for her and I would have wanted this perspective when she was a senior… HTH.

[Anonymous]

Thanks! My son thinks he wants UMD or other state flagship but he is a junior and has not toured anywhere yet. He is not a rah rah sports kid and this seems more up his alley. We booked a tour for both in November so hope he enjoys it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks! My son thinks he wants UMD or other state flagship but he is a junior and has not toured anywhere yet. He is not a rah rah sports kid and this seems more up his alley. We booked a tour for both in November so hope he enjoys it.

+1

[Anonymous]

+1 We will see if my DS hits the essay wall though. He can be stubborn.

[Anonymous]

Do they go over these programs at the tour?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Do they go over these programs at the tour?

I was on a tour where the guide brought us into the library. He pointed out the honors lounge, the free printing for honors college students, and a bit about his own experience in the honors college.