Maryland 2011 Applicants Forum

[2things2]

Sitting in on the Maryland chat right now.....I'm kind of frustrated that they always seem dodgy about questions.

a very, very dodgy chat session just now. i liked what i heard, but ultimately i didn't learn much. scholarships seem scarce, and the jd/mba program i'm vying for seems to be quite a bitch with law classes in baltimore and business classes at college park. not sure how i feel about this place.

This is ultimately why I decided not to go there.....every time I went to one of the chats I just felt like some information was being withheld, and I really didn't like the idea of living in Baltimore. Compared to my other options like Washington, D.C., or Chapel Hill, N.C., and possibly Charlottesville, V.A., I think Baltimore sounds not so hot.

well duh with those options.

[DeeCee]

well duh with those options.

Well I've been trying to pick a well-regarded place for enviro law too, hence the reason I was considering UMD.

[2things2]

I wish I could hear back sooner than later about a scholarship -- the admissions officers in the chat earlier said we may not hear about scholarships til "over the summer", but I'm kind of basing my decision on a scholarship.. so.....

[sparty99]

Why would they wait until the summer? The first deposit is in April. Correct?

[2things2]

Why would they wait until the summer? The first deposit is in April. Correct?

Correct.

[misspoopers]

withdrawing my Maryland app tomorrow...good luck to everyone here!

[sparty99]

Deferring a year so you can get in-state tuition sounds like a deal.

[gens1tb]

Deferring a year so you can get in-state tuition sounds like a deal.

have people done this with success?

[kxz]

If you have questions you can PM me as I'm a current 1L.

The area surrounding the school is pretty damn safe compared to the rest of BC -- it's probably no different from different areas of DC.

Scholarships are rare and MD is very stingy with money. If you didn't get a scholarship letter through the mail, you probably won't get one.

[NCtoDC]

If you have questions you can PM me as I'm a current 1L.

The area surrounding the school is pretty damn safe compared to the rest of BC -- it's probably no different from different areas of DC.

Scholarships are rare and MD is very stingy with money. If you didn't get a scholarship letter through the mail, you probably won't get one.

From an OOS perspective, and in regard to their placement in the rankings, I think it is very foolish for them not to offer more scholarships. Nobody in their right mind, from OOS, would pay sticker for UMD.

This is the response I got in regard to scholarships:

"Our scholarship process works a little differently than at some other schools. Our Admissions Committee selects candidates for our Leadership Scholars Program during the initial review of their files and notifies them shortly after they are admitted. Applicants selected are invited to a scholarship interview day which will take place in April.

If you were not initially selected by our Committee but would like to submit a request for scholarship consideration, feel free to send a brief statement of interest to me. I will forward it to the Committee for their review. Please note that scholarship awards are not just based on academic performance but the committee will also consider leadership skills, professional accomplishments, community service and extra-curricular activities in which you played a major role."

[bobloblawlawblog]

Admitted on 2/8, withdrawing today. Good luck guys!

[LSATclincher]

Pretty unprofessional...

My status checker says "decision made" on 2/23. They couldn't bother to actually put "accepted" or "denied" as the status? They said they mailed a decision letter on 2/23. I guess I'll have to wait.

Anyone else have positive or negative results after the "decision made" status?

[YankeesFan]

They don't release any decision over status checker. All decisions, both good and bad, come in the letter.

[waitlisteddd]

I wish I could hear back sooner than later about a scholarship -- the admissions officers in the chat earlier said we may not hear about scholarships til "over the summer", but I'm kind of basing my decision on a scholarship.. so.....

seriously? i think this means that i am withdrawing tomorrow...

[DeeCee]

Pretty unprofessional...

My status checker says "decision made" on 2/23. They couldn't bother to actually put "accepted" or "denied" as the status? They said they mailed a decision letter on 2/23. I guess I'll have to wait.

Anyone else have positive or negative results after the "decision made" status?

I was accepted when I got that status. They notify everyone by mail no matter what the decision was. I actually think that's more professional then not even sending a letter unless you're accepted, although that method is more eco-friendly.

[kkklick]

In review since Feb 1st, the longest I've had to wait with the reivew status so far this cycle so I am impatient. Hopefully they let me know ASAP I have decisions to make.

[haleydee]

DR on 2/23, preferred waitlist letter today

[cowgirl_bebop]

Pretty unprofessional...

My status checker says "decision made" on 2/23. They couldn't bother to actually put "accepted" or "denied" as the status? They said they mailed a decision letter on 2/23. I guess I'll have to wait.

Anyone else have positive or negative results after the "decision made" status?

It means nothing. I was accepted with that status and got scholarship information shortly afterward.

On another note, Im not bothering with UMD. That April 1 interview date for the scholarships is too late for me as I have to reply to a bunch of other schools by then. Im going to be withdrawing within the week. Hopefully some of you WLs can get my spot!

[karate1243]

DR on 2/23, preferred waitlist letter today

+1

[ab633]

So, there is a waitlist and a preferred waitlist?

[karate1243]

So, there is a waitlist and a preferred waitlist?

It seems that way

[LSATclincher]

Received the letter today, and I am on the "preferred waitlist." The language in the letter was pretty strong. It basically said most on the preferred waitlist usually get accepted once seats open up. There was no need to add that line in the letter, so I believe them. Unfortunately, they referenced visiting the school as something that would aid in acceptance. But I am out of state, so that's not as realistic unless they paid for my visit. Anyone with experience familiar w/ the "preferred waitlist" process?

[JDHopeful]

Received the letter today, and I am on the "preferred waitlist." The language in the letter was pretty strong. It basically said most on the preferred waitlist usually get accepted once seats open up. There was no need to add that line in the letter, so I believe them. Unfortunately, they referenced visiting the school as something that would aid in acceptance. But I am out of state, so that's not as realistic unless they paid for my visit. Anyone with experience familiar w/ the "preferred waitlist" process?

Got the same letter yesterday and I too think the language is interesting.

[qtcherrysyrup]

Do you mind sharing a little bit of what the preferred waitlist letter says? I think I just got a regular waitlist letter and I want to compare.... =(

[LSATclincher]

Do you mind sharing a little bit of what the preferred waitlist letter says? I think I just got a regular waitlist letter and I want to compare.... =(

It specifically states, "because of your excellent credentials, we would like to place your application for admission on a 'preferred waitlist.'" The letter is pretty standard, but the line that stood out was, "Our preferred waitlist is a small list; most commonly, all applicants on that list are offered a seat." Then they offer an invitation to participate in the visit Maryland program to allow them to meet me personally, for me to take a tour, etc. It looks like they just want to see how much you're really interested in attending, so they offer a chance to visit, which should help in being removed from the waitlist. It also states my file will not be reviewed again, so I think a letter of interest wouldn't carry much weight compared to a visit.

The only way I'd attend here is if I could obtain residency and in-state tuition after year 1 (it does appear to be possible). I have another cheaper option on the table, but Maryland is certainly a top choice.

Good luck to the rest of the waitlist and preferred waitlist applicants.