UMD: 4 Essay Questions Request

[dasgut]

Apparently, UMD is asking for more info from certain applicants:

http://www.thegradcafe.com/survey/index.php?q=math*

Anyone know what's up? What are the questions?

[goombayao]

To paraphrase, the questions are

Tell us about:

1) your perseverance
2) your academic mentors
3) your academic initiative
4) why Maryland?

[cincodemayo5590]

To paraphrase, the questions are

Tell us about:

1) your perseverance
2) your academic mentors
3) your academic initiative
4) why Maryland?

Gross. Isn't this stuff that was already in your personal statement / statement of purpose?

[radagastBrown]

If you care, here's the exact wording:

Dear AMSC applicant,

Congratulations! Your application has been nominated for further review. The AMSC admissions committee requests that you answer the following questions. See below for upload and email instructions.

The deadline for both upload and email submission is Friday, February 17, 10:00 am, EST.

We look forward to reviewing your responses.


AMSC Admissions Committee
2011-2012

-----------------------------------------------------
Short Answer Response
Answer all 4 questions.

1) Describe a time in your life where you have demonstrated perseverance. (250 words or less)

2) Who are the mentors who have been most important to you during the last 4 years? How did the relationship develop, how did you work together, why was it important? (250 words or less)

3) How have you shown initiative in your academic studies? Explain. (250 words or less)

4) Why are you interested in the University of Maryland? (250 word or less)

And yeah, 4 (and to some extent 1 and 3) were SOP material. Guess I should use different examples if I don't want to get repetitive. ;p

I know based on sleuthing around that they have sent these questions out every year; what I don't know is if there are students whose qualifications so wholly surpass their expectations that they accept them on the spot (i.e., whether these questions are only for borderline cases).

[goombayao]

My favorite part is the fact that I have to upload my answers, resubmit my application, and then email them with the answers again.

[castlevania87]

another 1000-word essay.

I heard about this before. That's why I didn't apply to UMD.

[goombayao]

another 1000-word essay.

I heard about this before. That's why I didn't apply to UMD.

Maximum of 1000 words.

[YNWA2406]

I don't mind doing this extra stuff actually. My only worry is that I might've used up all of my good stories of perseverance in my personal statement! But does anyone know if people get accepted immediately, or does everyone have to do this?

[I<3 Gauss]

Anybody know if Masters applicants get the questionnaire?

[sasha]

Congrats everyone,

Looks like I'm the only one who didn't receive any word after that questionnaire

Is it possible that they are now done sending out admits??

[dragoonlp]

I even don't receive that questionnaire....

[dasgut]

I even don't receive that questionnaire....

Sucks to be us doesn't it?

[sasha]

I even don't receive that questionnaire....

Sucks to be us doesn't it?

Don't be worried just yet.

Seeing that I haven't been accepted maybe the questionnaires don't always mean admission.
(what an irony for me...)

[goombayao]

I even don't receive that questionnaire....

Sucks to be us doesn't it?

Don't be worried just yet.

Seeing that I haven't been accepted maybe the questionnaires don't always mean admission.
(what an irony for me...)

Be advised: they may email you a decision in the middle of the night. Literally.

[YNWA2406]

Sucks to be us doesn't it?

Don't be worried just yet.

Seeing that I haven't been accepted maybe the questionnaires don't always mean admission.
(what an irony for me...)

Be advised: they may email you a decision in the middle of the night. Literally.

Seriously. I got my admission offer email at 5 am this morning (east coast time zone).

[sasha]

Really?? that's odd... but perfect for my time zone in Asia.
the admission staff who sent the e-mail seems like a very nice guy, btw.

I guess it's best to put my mind off this and go do something else.

Thanks for the good info!

[dragoonlp]

I just got my offer from UMD, with TA-ship and Dean's fellowship.

[sasha]

I just god my offer from UMD, with TA-ship and Dean's fellowship.

That's great! Congratulations!

Having taken a peek at your profile, I realized they took too long to make an easy decision.

[sasha]

I finally e-mailed UMD and they told me that my application was still under review, and that they hope to send out final decision by April.

Does this mean I am now on the waitlist or even rejected?
it seems a bit like a roundabout way of saying just that.

[dasgut]

I finally e-mailed UMD and they told me that my application was still under review, and that they hope to send out final decision by April.

Does this mean I am now on the waitlist or even rejected?
it seems a bit like a roundabout way of saying just that.

It's definitely that. I'm in the same boat too. I personally think it's pretty terrible when departments do that. Just tell us if we're waitlisted or not. It's pure cruelty to keep us hoping if the sword has already fallen.

[omgmath]

Well the problem for the potential rejects is that many schools will want to fill their class before they can afford to reject the rest of the applicants. Of course schools like MIT and Princeton can afford to notify all applicants early (their yield is going to be sufficiently high anyway), but other schools have to be careful about turning down people early.

If you emailed the department, and they haven't made up their mind on your application yet, then your application is probably right on the margin.

I can relate with this ugly waiting game that we're all stuck in. I just hope we are all left with an offer in the end.

[sasha]

That's lovely. I must be on two waitlists!

Now I am so tired of waiting that I'm even looking forward to an unfunded MS offer from NYU.

Anybody hear from NYU lately? I think I've seen a couple of admits here and on thegradcafe.

[dragoonlp]

That's lovely. I must be on two waitlists!

Now I am so tired of waiting that I'm even looking forward to an unfunded MS offer from NYU.

Anybody hear from NYU lately? I think I've seen a couple of admits here and on thegradcafe.

I am also waiting for NYU....Is there anybody know when will they send off their results? Or we already lost our chance to get a good offer from NYU? An "AD" from NYU is not acceptable for me.... I can‘t pay 50k each year by myself.....

[dasgut]

That's lovely. I must be on two waitlists!

Now I am so tired of waiting that I'm even looking forward to an unfunded MS offer from NYU.

Anybody hear from NYU lately? I think I've seen a couple of admits here and on thegradcafe.

I am also waiting for NYU....Is there anybody know when will they send off their results? Or we already lost our chance to get a good offer from NYU? An "AD" from NYU is not acceptable for me.... I can pay 50k each year by myself.....

NYU apparently sent out an acceptance today based off of what gradcafe says. No idea if it's true.

[castlevania87]

That's lovely. I must be on two waitlists!

Now I am so tired of waiting that I'm even looking forward to an unfunded MS offer from NYU.

Anybody hear from NYU lately? I think I've seen a couple of admits here and on thegradcafe.

I am also waiting for NYU....Is there anybody know when will they send off their results? Or we already lost our chance to get a good offer from NYU? An "AD" from NYU is not acceptable for me.... I can pay 50k each year by myself.....

NYU apparently sent out an acceptance today based off of what gradcafe says. No idea if it's true.

Yes, first round of offer was out in mid Feb, three reported on gradcafe, but I think those students got in early b/c some professors really want them in their research group. and typically they also have offers from UCB, MIT, Princeton, NYU doesn't wanna lose to these schools, though it always.

Second round is out today. I got in, yesssssssssss, but I haven't reported on gradcafe yet. I need to thank my advisors first.

[dasgut]

Yes, first round of offer was out in mid Feb, three reported on gradcafe, but I think those students got in early b/c some professors really want them in their research group. and typically they also have offers from UCB, MIT, Princeton, NYU doesn't wanna lose them, although it always.

Second round is out today. I got in, yesssssssssss, but I haven't reported on gradcafe yet. I need to thank my advisors first.

Know if the entire second round is out? Did it go out via the website?

[castlevania87]

Yes, first round of offer was out in mid Feb, three reported on gradcafe, but I think those students got in early b/c some professors really want them in their research group. and typically they also have offers from UCB, MIT, Princeton, NYU doesn't wanna lose them, although it always.

Second round is out today. I got in, yesssssssssss, but I haven't reported on gradcafe yet. I need to thank my advisors first.

Know if the entire second round is out? Did it go out via the website?

informed via email.

[sasha]

@dragoonlp, I don't think I can pay for the MS myself either, but at least it is *some sort of* an admission

@castlevania87, Congrats!! NYU is also a dream school for me.

Now I see a third "accepted" post on NYU. Looks like the second round has begun.

Plus, I received rejection from CAM Cornell. I imagined just as much.

[dragoonlp]

@dragoonlp, I don't think I can pay for the MS myself either, but at least it is *some sort of* an admission

@castlevania87, Congrats!! NYU is also a dream school for me.

Now I see a third "accepted" post on NYU. Looks like the second round has begun.

Plus, I received rejection from CAM Cornell. I imagined just as much.

I think the second round has ended... if you look at their last year result, u will see...
NYU is always my dream school...but, seems like this dream school, stay as my dream school forever.

PS: there is an error on my post, I mean I "can't" pay... but I miss the "'t" part...

[sasha]

@dragoonlp well, we can't know for sure if it has ended, but you are probably right.

PS. I did get that you missed a "not".

[dragoonlp]

@dragoonlp well, we can't know for sure if it has ended, but you are probably right.

PS. I did get that you missed a "not".

Oh, i already edited my post. before i typed as "I "can" pay 50k"....

[mrcrzister]

I've just declined my UM offer. I hope someone would get it!
Good luck!