Does the University of Maryland College Park use a rolling admissions process? How does this affect my chances, and are there any strategic advantages to applying sooner?
The University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) does not use a rolling admissions process. Instead, they have specific application deadlines for different admission cycles.
For the 2024-2025 application cycle, their Early Action deadline is November 1, and the Regular Decision deadline is January 20. Students who apply Early Action will receive their decisions by January, while Regular Decision applicants can expect their decisions by April.
Applying Early Action at UMD might improve your chances of acceptance as it shows your strong interest in the university. It also provides you a decision earlier, which can relieve some stress. However, it is also equally important to ensure that your application is as strong as it can be before submitting. If you feel you need the extra time to strengthen your application, then you might be better off applying Regular Decision.
In terms of strategy, remember that the primary factor in college admissions is the quality of your application - your grades, test scores (if submitted), essays, recommendations, and extracurricular activities. So, be sure to focus on presenting the best application possible, regardless of whether you apply Early Action or Regular Decision.
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