UMBC Admissions Counselors' Blog

We’re back!

Scott — Wed, 04 Jan 2012 21:56:15 +0000

I’m sure many of you are feeling the same pain that we are this week – the first days back to school (well, for us, work) after a few glorious weeks off for the winter holidays! We’re busy getting back into the groove of things and preparing to continue reading your applications. It’s certainly a busy time of year!

I also have the distinct pleasure today of being back in cold, semi-snowy Maryland after spending a week in balmy Florida in 80 degree weather. My week was spent splitting my time in Disney World and the western beaches of Florida. I can’t say that I’m any tanner, but I can say that I’m super relaxed and ready for what the new year has to bring.

What did you all do for the winter holidays? Did anyone go anywhere super far?

Happy Chrismahanukwanzakah!

Coleen from UMBC — Fri, 23 Dec 2011 16:06:51 +0000

The Admissions Office, and UMBC, will be closed from December 23 until after the New Year when the university will reopen on January 3, 2012. Enjoy your Winter Break and eat lots of good food!

And for a throwback… Hopefully y’all remember this commercial and I’m not showing my age. These were the cool cell phones when I was in high school!

Fall 2012 Early Action Decisions: What do they mean?

Josh from UMBC — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 20:31:36 +0000

As many of you have figured out, either through social media or because you actually received a decision letter, our Fall 2012 Early Action decision letters were recently sent. If you’ve not yet received a letter, don’t panic. You should check your myUMBC account to make sure that your application is complete. If your application is complete and you’ve not yet received a letter just allow the mail person a little time to deliver your letter. Since we use old-school snail mail we cannot guarantee that everyone will get their letter on the same day, but you can expect something soon.

What does my decision mean?

Admit: Well, this one is pretty obvious, but nonetheless, congrats! Take some time to feel good about your accomplishment and share the news with family. If you were offered admission during Early Action you received an admissions packet with a bunch of information on next steps. Our enrollment deadline is not until May 1 but make sure you read through your entire admit packet. During January our Scholarships Office will begin sending merit-based scholarship offers to qualified candidates, and make sure that you also work on your FAFSA. If you have any questions about admission to UMBC and next steps please let us know.

Deferral to Regular Decision: This would be the decision letter that prompts the most questions. What is important to know about UMBC’s Early Action program is that it is more competitive than Regular Decision and we actually accept a smaller percentage of students during Early Action. A deferral to Regular Decision is not a “no” decision. Our Early Action criteria is strict so if you happen to have been deferred to Regular Decision just keep in mind that your application will be reviewed again. Early Action applicants who were deferred to Regular Decision do not need to send any additional items for their application (unless we contact you to specifically ask for something). When I’m on high school visits in the fall I always tell students to not be discouraged if they are deferred to Regular Decision; our Early Action program is simply more competitive than Regular Decision. If your application was deferred you’ll receive another decision letter toward late-February.

Once again, congratulations to our Early Action admits for the fall 2012 semester! For deferred students, just keep in mind that we’ll still be making many more offers of admission to UMBC for the fall term. As always, let us know if you have questions.

Fall 2012 Early Action Decisions

Josh from UMBC — Wed, 14 Dec 2011 14:20:13 +0000

Ahh, it sure feels good to send those college applications off, right? Nothing to do but sit back and relax after you hit all those early deadlines, knowwhatI’msayin’? Okay so maybe this is wishful thinking. You and I both know that senior year of high school is a busy time, and even after all that hard work on college applications you still have exams, papers, homework, and a bunch of other obligations. On top of all of that you’re waiting to hear back about your admissions decisions. Well my piece of advice is to take it one step at a time. Senior year of high school is going to fly by and it will be a great time. College decision letters will start rolling in, and no matter what the decision may be you’re probably going to be okay. While you’re waiting for decisions just look at pictures of puppies and the anxiety will melt away.

Adorable animals = stress reliever

The reason I know many of you are anxious to receive decisions letters is because you’re actually walking up to me on the streets, shaking me, and pleading for your decision letter. Well, okay, maybe this isn’t actually happening. I honestly don’t hold that much power. However, I have been in the “admissions game” for a few years and I know it’s exciting for students to receive their decisions. UMBC will be releasing Fall 2012 Early Action decision letters soon. We don’t provide an exact drop date for letters but Early Action applicants (who completed their applications) can expect a decision letter in late-December. Our Early Action review period is competitive, more competitive than Regular Decision, so do not be discourage if your application is deferred to Regular Decision.

We’ve had a great time reading your applications! And do yourself a favor, don’t check your mailbox every day for a decision letter. The letter will arrive when it arrives, and the process will happen as it happens. Take care and keep up the hard work!

B-more

Julie from UMBC — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 03:09:29 +0000

This past weekend, my friend from Philly came for a short visit to check out Baltimore. Let’s call him Bob. Bob has never been to Baltimore (B-more), so I was his tour guide. If you have never given a tour of your own town or city, I highly recommend it. You will explore all those places you pass by and never make the time to check out.

Let me tell you; I am quite the seasoned B-more tour guide I’m so good that I know the exact places to get lost in order to show off all kinds of Baltimorean sights!

We did get to explore the Federal Hill area a bit. It was a chilly day, but the sun was out and the skies were spotless. The decorations were awesome too. I honestly have not really felt that “holiday spirit” in the air until this weekend. All of the beautiful lights, decorations, and the crisp air did the trick. There are also tons of little shops and restaurants. We had sweet potato fries that were a-ma-zing!

After grabbing some food, we headed over to the actual Federal Hill that has old cannons and everything! This is yet another beautiful historical spot. Also, if you want to get some intense speed rolling down a hill, this is your spot. This also happens to be my ultimate favorite view of the city, and that’s saying a lot. You can see everything from the Raven’s Stadium, to the Inner Harbor, to the big Domino’s Sugar Sign.

The Domino Sugar sign

Bob and I on top of Federal Hill

Side Note: If you are hungry, check out Paper Moon. If you like colors and toys glued strategically on the walls and ceilings, this is your place.

Bob has to come back because there are just too many other things that he did not get the chance to see or do. We really wanted to check out the Baltimore Aquarium. (I love their dolphin show!) The water front in Fells Point was another place I really wanted to show him, with all of their coffee shops and little boutiques. We never made it to Fort McHenry, a historical sight where Baltimore fought off the Brits. (When I was showing my friends from London around, I got a big kick out of taking them there.) Edgar Alan Poe’s grave is another sight to check out. On the evening of Poe’s birthday, since 1949, a mysterious stranger leaves a tribute on Poe’s grave with a partial bottle of cognac and three roses. No one really knows for sure why the bottle is left, however the three roses are thought to be for Poe, his wife, and his mother-in-law, all of whom are buried there.

So much to do, so little time!

The President Meets the President

Scott — Thu, 08 Dec 2011 13:41:58 +0000

I have the extreme good fortune of writing blogs on weeks that UMBC is featured in the news. And we always make the news for great reasons, usually something to do with the innovation and leadership that sets UMBC apart.

This week, it is no different. Our president, Dr. Hrabowski, and nine other distinctive leaders of colleges, universities, and university systems have been invited to a unique meeting with President Obama. The goal of this meeting, made all the more important by the involvement of the nation’s president, is to discuss national educational policy, especially tuition systems and the affordability of college. Chancellor of the University System of Maryland William Kirwan was also present at the meeting, giving Maryland two representatives (Maryland pride!).

According to news reports the meeting was a success and Hrabowski expects for more meetings of this nature to occur in the future. I am so incredibly proud that UMBC and the USM can be a model for this discussion!

For more information, visit news sites here, here, and here.

Happy (almost) New Year!

MikefromUMBC — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 22:36:20 +0000

Something easy to forget is that unlike most people, college students do not think about December 31^st as being the last day of the year. Instead, as enrolling in graduate school has reminded me, the end of the (school) year is the day of one’s last final, and the weeks leading up to that last final are especially hectic. UMBC is no exception in this regard, however, despite being busy with finals, there are certain responsibilities that a new spring transfer student should not neglect. For students transferring into UMBC, a top priority is signing up for orientation. Orientation for students transferring into UMBC is more than just a chance for one to learn how to best experience our campus, but it is also where transfers will first meet with an adviser and register for spring classes. Orientations are filling up fast, however, so if you are looking for a way to be productive in your study breaks, taking the time to sign up then is a great option. To do so simply log onto your myUMBC account and follow the directions posted there, don’t forget that in order to do so you must have paid your spring deposit. I’m going to get back to studying for my finals now, and best of luck to each of you on yours, and don’t forget to signup for orientation!

The Best Way to Spread Christmas Cheer is Singing Loud for All To Hear!

Coleen from UMBC — Mon, 05 Dec 2011 14:28:06 +0000

So, for those of you have been to the Admissions Office for a Tour and Information Session (if you have not you totally should… and you can sign up online) and walk down the hallway to our Presentation Room there is a door that you’ll see a door that says “STAFF ONLY.” That is where all of the Admissions Counselors hang out and read your applications. Ever since we’ve gotten back from Thanksgiving Break, it has been a non-stop Christmas music extravaganza (my Pandora account is currently playing “Simply Have a Wonderful Christmas Time” by Paul McCartey). This weekend, Jaime and I decided to get into the Christmas Spirit and make Christmas Cookies!

Before (note: my mom didn’t tell me that my Aunt’s recipe made 9 dozen cookies- we gave up after seven)

After (and after we had given a dozen away!)

So if you are as Christmas-obsessed as our office is, you will not find a short supply of Christmas-related activities at UMBC! Whether it is listening to our Camerata signing Christmas Carols on Main Street in the Commons, drinking Egg Nog, Sparking Cider, and Hot Chocolate at the Erickson Hall’s Holiday Happy Hour , or playing holiday games (and eating delicious food) at CWIT’s Stress Free Holiday Party, you will definitely get your Christmas fix here! And if you need a Christmas fix of your own, here is one of my favorite scenes from Will Ferrell’s movie Elf!

Cheap Date

Jaime from UMBC — Wed, 30 Nov 2011 14:48:00 +0000

We’re not the only ones who love College (I mean come on, we never really left), there’s someone else who has grown fond of the University culture. Beware, because in the midst of writing essays, studying for exams and doing homework, you could become victim to … CUPID. Yes, you may laugh at this at first, but I’ve met many a person who has found that special someone in their Res Hall, during an on-campus job, or in Biology 101. Why, you ask, does Cupid strike on a college campus (where we all thought we were safe)?! Maybe it’s because you’re surrounded by 10,000 people your same age, or MAYBE it’s because of all of the cheap date opportunities.

You start with dinner in the city (romantic right?). By going to Baltimore Collegetown’s Website, you can find a list of 65 restaurants with inexpensive menus. They give you a description, map of the surrounding area and even a picture of the restaurant. You’ll be incredibly prepared.

Then, you take them to a romantic movie night. UMBC’s Student Events Board (or SEB) plays a movie each weekend for just $2 a ticket. And, the best part is, you get to pick the movie! Before the start of each semester, they hold a poll that lets current students choose the movies that will be played throughout this semester. This semester’s poll includes movies like Puss in Boots, Moneyball, and The Muppets.

Finally, you end the night with a warm cup of hot chocolate (from one of the 2 coffee places on campus, including Starbucks) and a stroll around the campus pond.

I know you’re all probably wishing you would have come up with this idea, but fear not! You may steal it as you please

Until next time,

Cupid

I Am Thankful for the New Performing Arts and Humanities Building + Technology

Julie from UMBC — Thu, 24 Nov 2011 19:21:30 +0000

I don’t pass by the lot where the new building is being built very often, but when I do, wow!! It is no longer just a computerized image on a presentation board or a delicate miniature modle. This is for real, for real… If you haven’t had the chance to check it out, you have to. This is not only going to benefit the Arts and Humanities departments on campus, but everyone at UMBC. There are going to be truly awesome facilities to showcase the crazy amounts of creativity and talent that is ready to burst into the even hotter spotlight.

(In comes why I am thankful for technology.)

*Check it Out* Even if you do or do not have facebook, you can see the new building and all the progress that is being made. It is unbelievable! Students of Fall 2012 and beyond, watch out. The art world of UMBC will be strutting its stuff, even better than your favorite turkey.