This question, or a variation of it comes up, every year and there is no easy answer.
Both groups are composed of talented students. In terms of process, the Honors College gets first pick of students., and then Scholars gets to pick.
Most people looking at decision results, as you will be, focus on the reported Stats of the students who get Honors and those who get Scholars. But Stats are not the only factor. ECs, LORs, and Essays play an important role. I personally believe that Essays are Very important in the Honors/Scholars decisions.
But no one really knows.
There will probably be about 4.000 or so students admitted into the Honors College, and maybe a similar number for Scholars.
About 1,000 from Honors will actually enroll and maybe 800 will probably enroll from Scholars.
I guess I would say that both are Competitive. but not in a way that outsiders can see.
There is another point I want to make. People will be focusing on and perhaps getting upset about the Decisions tomorrow.
The Honors College and Scholars Program are good achievements but they are based on what a student did in High School. But in the long run a high school achievement may not mean too much.
UMD also has what they call Departmental Honors. These are programs that require a student to spend about 2 years (Junior and Senior) developing an Original Honors Research Thesis. This Thesis must be presented to a Panel of University Professors, and defended. It is not uncommon for these papers to be Professionally published.
This accomplishment does appear on a Student’s Diploma and can be a meaningful addition to a job application or Grad School application.
Any Student can apply for Departmental Honors at the beginning of their Junior year, but only a handful of the top applicants are selected to participate.
Thank you <3
If I don’t get in I’m absolutely planning on appealing to the best of my ability, even if it’s futile its worth a shot.
Either way, I’ve already got an acceptance to Purdue and have 9 more decisions on the way. It’ll be fine either way
good luck to everyone tommorow!
Purdue engineering is amazing, congrats on your admission there! My oldest just graduated from Purdue engineering, had 2 amazing job offers to pick from. I know you said you are in state in MD so yes less expensive, but keep in mind that Purdue has frozen tuition for 14+ years that has already been extended through what would be your soph year and has one of the lowest OOS tuition in the Big 10. Good luck today!
Regardless of what the decision is, it sounds like you are a performer who has put the work in and that you are someone who should be proud of what you have accomplished. I understand your anxiety but just know that you will be a great addition to any institution of higher education that is fortunate enough to have you. If it does not go your way, you’ll take a different route to get where you want. There is not a single college in this country that would not be lucky to have you, and you are capable of succeeding at any of them.
My son class of 22 didn’t get scholars or honors, but got 8k in merit (SURPRISINGLY). Out of state. Engineering. 1550/NMF/98 Unweighted. Really wanted honors!
$8K is awesome. My kids both got scholars - the one got $0 (Poli Sci which was LEP) and the engineer $5K.
It is certainly odd that there was no program attached - that some kids score better in some ways (merit) but others in different ways (Honors, Scholars, FIRE, etc… But I suppose it goes back to what someone said before - different sets of admission criteria. Still, it seems hard to “split” those vs. saying - our top x % goes to Honors, our next x % goes to Scholars. But it must not work that way.
Hopefully he still had a great experience - whether he enrolled there or elsewhere.
