"Niche" part of Application

Mario2144
Wed, 05 Sep 2007 20:42:05 +0000

After finishing my essay, I clicked on “Next”. Imagine my surprise when I came across the “Niche” section of the application. What kind of time-consuming, nonsense does Maryland make you submit?!?! Did anyone read this garbage?

Maryland has my essay, grades, SAT scores and extra curricular activities. I am not wasting my time filling out any more information, especially the “Niche” portion. Who does Maryland think they are - Harvard?

I do not want to go to any school that makes its applicants answer these crazy questions, or to paraphrase Grouch Marx, I do not want to go to any school that would have me as a student:

The University of Maryland is one of the country’s premier research universities, with a wide range of opportunities in the classroom, the laboratory, and the studio. Part of the challenge over the next four years will be to find your niche here at Maryland; part of our commitment is to help you find that niche. Answering the following questions can help you begin to sort out your own thinking and will help us, on campus, advise you well. Please respond to the following questions using short answers (e.g., 5-7 sentences or a paragraph in length).

a. Write about your academic interests and the personal or academic experiences that have led to or nurtured those interests. What did you enjoy learning about in high school either through your classes, extra curricular, leisure activities or your involvements in the community? If you have any career aspirations at this point, explain how your interests match these aspirations.
b. Does multi-disciplinary team research with a faculty mentor, lasting throughout your undergraduate years and dealing with the social implications of science and technology appeal to you? If yes, briefly tell us why and what are some of the interests, experiences and skills that you would bring to such a research team. If No, please focus on questions a and c.
c. Which of the following would you prefer and why. The opportunity to take a wide range of courses across a range of disciplines including the sciences, social sciences, and humanities, or the opportunity to focus on courses in one discipline that deeply interests you?

I AM NOT GOING TO MARYLAND

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