<p>My son received an invitation to come to U Maryland campus for Banneker scholarship consideration (full ride or 8K year depending on the level)</p>
<p>We are wondering if it’s worth for him to skip a day at school, drive 5 hours each way to participate in this. We checked the schedule of the day, and it’s mostly them selling the school to the candidates, as opposed to thorough evaluation of the candidate’s qualification - there is only 20 minute interview for each candidate. So, I assume that the real selection is still based on paper application. We already checked that a phone interview can also be arranged.</p>
<p>I guess I am asking this question because we are not so enthused about UMD. If UMD was high on our list, he would make this trip even for 5 minute interview if that increases his odds. He applied to UMD because UMD with scholarship would be the worst case fall back option. As it turns out, he already got EA from U Chicago, and is waiting for RD decision from HYP, Wharton, etc. So, without a full ride, UMD will never be considered. Even with the full scholarship, the probability is very low that he would go there since he would go to U Chicago if the rest of the RD schools reject him. Money is not a non-issue for us, but it’s the sacrifice we are willing to make</p>
<p>My son wants to be an international financier so he does care about reputation and prestige. As for me, I would like to see him in a school with very tough and rigorous intellectual training. He is a naturally gifted kid who never had to sweat or put any effort to get those perfect scores. Everything comes way too easy for him. I would like to see him challenged by other kids who are even more gifted than he. I would like to see him sweat, and perhaps even fail in comparison with others - that will be a good experience for him. </p>
<p>I would welcome your feedback on the quality of education at UMD, AND, also how it is regarded by the Wall Street.</p>
<p>(Please, I don’t mean any disrespect for UMD, so don’t flame me. But, it’s also a fact that UMD is not in the same league with HYP, Wharton, etc, or at the same level as Berkeley among public schools. )</p>