<p>I just got into UMD, and now really want to visit (I hadn’t before applying). I live in NJ and looked up how to get there by train (the best option for me) and the cost for travel alone is over 150 bucks, so add food and other things to that and its probably $200 to get there and come home. There are a bunch of dates the school sent with my acceptance letter during which I can stay overnight and go to info sessions etc, so I know when to go… it’s just the logistics of the actual visit. When I get there, will I have to find my own way to the student who I’m staying with, or will they meet me at the station? Will I eat at dining halls or pay to eat at some on campus eatery? Do I get to automatically sit in on classes or do I need to talk to specific people so that I can do that?</p>
<p>My main concern is the money… so is there anyway that I can get some sort of “reimbursement” when visiting? I got into the Honors College and it is likely that I will be called back later for Bannaker-Key interviews (2380 SAT, top 5% rank etc etc) so I may have to make the trip twice. I don’t think I can visit if I can’t get some sort of reimbursement. Money’s tight.</p>
<p>Banneker/Key invitations should be out soon. (I think they came out Feb 11 last year). Why don’t you schedule a “regular” admitted students visit, and then just cancel it if you get a Banneker/Key invite? Or wait until after you know about B/K before scheduling your visit. Then you wouldn’t have to go twice.</p>
<p>Samrath is probably onto something. The train is just plain expensive–at least between Washington and Boston. Comfortable. Very pleasant, in fact, last time I took it. But pricey.</p>
<p>Bolt, Megabus, etc., may be a much less expensive way to get to College Park from NJ, depending on where you start in NJ. But I wouldn’t stop in Baltimore. College Park is on the Green Line of the Washington Metro. I’d definitely go to Washington on the bus, and then take Metro out to College Park.</p>
<p>The Bolt is a good way to go - NJ to DC, then Metro out should be pretty cheap. A lot of UMd students have cars, so your host may be able to pick you up as well. Probably you’ll get a free ticket for meals on campus as well.
I suspect you can just sit in on classes as well.
And congratulations!</p>
<p>Bolt Bus from NY (around Port Authority) to Greenbelt is actually the best bet. It’s about 30 dollars. The bus stops at the Greenbelt metro station and from there it’s one stop on the metro to UMD. Once you get out of the station there is a bus stop for a UMD shuttle that comes every 10-15 minutes. It will drop you of in front of Stamp which is most likely where you need to check in.</p>
<p>For the overnight stay, you’d be responsible for getting yourself onto campus (taking the metro then the free UMD shuttle, etc.), and I believe you don’t get a free meal, though if you sign up for the (free) High Risers program, you’ll stay overnight with a student. There’s a full program the next day (the admitted students day). I don’t believe they have any compensation program for student visits.</p>
<p>nritya… I know what you are talking about I live in California and would love to see the campus before I make a decision. I read that for the BK scholarship if you live a certain distance away there is a small stipend to help with travel expenses. I really hope that is true</p>
<p>33d-- I believe it’s true, but if you wanted to confirm you should ask a user named Jewel she’s a pretty frequent poster (but look more for slightly older posts) and her son got BK from Texas.</p>
<p>However being from NJ is nowhere near far enough to get you the stipend.</p>