hello,

i am an in state applicant that is interested in applying under either neuroscience or public health (maybe biology… being pre-dental makes me feels like switching constantly just for pre-reqs)

my uw gpa is around a 3.6, and my wgpa is around a 4.3-4.4. however, i know UMD has become a lot more competitive within the past years, with many of the seniors from my school last year not getting in. i wanted to ask UMD students that also had a bit of lower than average GPA in high school what they thought was the most appealing part of their application. i know there’s not much i can change now, but i did get a few B’s and even a C in some stem classes, however i did end up with an A in AP physics and some other harder AP courses. i am also doing harder science/math APs for my senior year, and so far i have been feeling and doing a lot better, as i believe my study techniques have improved a lot and i reduced my number of shifts at my job per week.

any feedback would be great! and i know reddit is notoriously aggressively blunt when it comes to these types of posts, but please don’t be UNNECESSARILY harsh

So I attended both of their sections today, and they aren't co-teaching CMSC 330 anymore which does kinda suck.

Anwar:

Anwar is using AI to grade both the quizzes and exams, allows 2 attempts each on a lockdown browser using PrairieTest to grade. The most recent attempt counts. Exams are 75 min, quizzes are 50 min, on your own laptop.

Fixed grading scale, no curve mentioned. Projects are just listed as "weekly" with no dates or count. No late token, flat 10% for up to 24 hours late.

AI is allowed as a tutor, just not to write your projects. (he seems like a nicer "ai/collaboration allowed professor."

Assignment Breakdown:

Assignments (~6 projects I think) - 30% (weekly)

Clicker quizzes + discussion exercises - 5%

Quizzes - 18% (6 quizzes biweekly)

Midterm 1 - 12%

Midterm 2 - 12%

Final - 22%

Meet the Professor - 1%

Cliff

Has no exam / quiz retakes like Anwar. Exams are split across two days: 75 min of theory exam on Tuesday, then 30 min of pure coding exam on Thursday. Quizzes are at the first 10 min of discussion.

Grades may be curved and the curve only lowers cutoffs. All 4 project dates are published upfront. We have one 24-hour token that cancels a late penalty on any project.

Seems more strict with AI assistance but I think at the end of the day both Cliff or Anwar are okay with using AI / freinds to help you understand high level stuff and just implementing the code yourself which is totally normal.

He has the 20% GFA thingy where if you don't get at least 20% on Gradescope for every project, regardless of your other grades you'll fail the course (which is fine)

Also it looks like Cliff doesn't record lectures as before when they where co-teaching anwar used to only have the videos.

Assignment Breakdown:

Lecture quizzes - 2% (weekly take-home)

Project 1 - 6%

Project 2 - 12%

Project 3 - 12%

Project 4 - 6%

Quizzes - 10% (5 total, 2% each in the discussion section)

Exam 1 - 10% theory + 5% coding

Exam 2 - 10% theory + 5% coding

Final - 22%

Participation - up to 1% extra credit

I am currently in Cliff's 330. My main concern is that I am working part time around ~20 hours a week and I do want to only be on campus early in the day (leave before noon) but looking at this split of where the quizzes are longer for Anwar and also a higher weight I fear that the previous semester 330 where quiz 3 was hard AF might happenen in Anwar class even tho he seems like a funnier guy. At the end of the day I am just trying to learn the materal in the least ammount of time / have less time consuing projects / quizzes.

Not sure if I should switch to Anwar any thoughts on this would be appriciated.

Any studying advice, grading habits, or any other general knowledge of what to expect would be deeply appreciated ❤️

If you got an A/A+ pls let me know how you did it in detail (I would be really glad if you could also include your background in math). If you didn't get an A, what do you think is the best way to approach the class. I really want an A and am willing to have no life for it. Thank you so much!

Hey folks, random post here, I just would like to get a little bit of more info about the university.

How is it like for international students? I am looking to do an exchange at Maryland University. I study Law and Economics (double bachelor)

Keen to hear anyone’s thoughts

Like genuinely what compels people to walk in a bike lane when there’s a sidewalk 2 steps to the side? I can kind of forgive the people who do it around lot 1 but even then at least check behind you so people don’t have to weave around you.

Just wanted to do my civic duty and put out there that if you see any emails not directly from the school about job opportunities or false news warnings not to click the link at the bottom of the email because it is most likely a phishing scam. I would hate for any new students, or older ones, to fall for it and get your information stolen. This email was from someone named “Griffith Watcher”

Hi there!! I am an international student. I have recently completed my Bachelor's in Psychology. I was aiming to apply in the PhD in Clinical Psychology program at UMD. I am really worried about my acceptance as my research experience is very limited and I'm applying right after bachelor's.

In my undergrad school my CGPA was 3.9/4.0. I have done a thesis which matched with 2 of the professor's research interests at UMD. But I have no publications. I am afraid that I might get reject. I really want to secure this position. I am really fond of studies. My CV is overall good as I have led many projects and volunteered. I am always eager to learn things.

Kindly someone who has already got into phd help me. Also is it really that hard to get into UMD?

Hi there!! I am an international student. I have recently completed my Bachelor's in Psychology. I was aiming to apply in the PhD in Clinical Psychology program at UMD. I am really worried about my acceptance as my research experience is very limited and I'm applying right after bachelor's.

In my undergrad school my CGPA was 3.9/4.0. I have done a thesis which matched with 2 of the professor's research interests at UMD. But I have no publications. I am afraid that I might get reject. I really want to secure this position. I am really fond of studies. My CV is overall good as I have led many projects and volunteered. I am always eager to learn things.

Kindly someone who has already got into phd help me. Also is it really that hard to get into UMD?

Hi there!! I am an international student. I have recently completed my Bachelor's in Psychology. I was aiming to apply in the PhD in Clinical Psychology program at UMD. I am really worried about my acceptance as my research experience is very limited and I'm applying right after bachelor's.

In my undergrad school my CGPA was 3.9/4.0. I have done a thesis which matched with 2 of the professor's research interests at UMD. But I have no publications. I am afraid that I might get reject. I really want to secure this position. I am really fond of studies. My CV is overall good as I have led many projects and volunteered. I am always eager to learn things.

Kindly someone who has already got into phd help me. Also is it really that hard to get into UMD?

First volunteer for the community garden by the Eppley center, they meet Mondays from 3 to 4, Thursday from 3 to 5 and Saturdays from 9-10am. Pick fruits, vegetables and learn all about gardening. The food is donated to the pantry on campus, think they pick 1500lbs of food this summer.

Take a yoga, cycling, Pilates and many other classes. I am gonna be teaching a yoga class Saturday at 11:30 starting in a couple weeks, super excited.

Also there is a the ParkRun 5k club meets just north of campus at 9am Saturdays off the Paint Branch Trail

Also all the sports and clubs, I know nothing about....

Anyone got any recommendations?

Did everything according to the instructions here and still cannot connect.

If you are someone who was denied transfer into an engineering program, appealed, and got in, what did you talk about in your appeal letter, and what was your reason for needing to appeal? I was held back by my undiagnosed neurological disorder in my first year and got Cs in both Calc2 and Phys161. I earned an A in Calc2 on a retake, and now that I have accommodations this semester, I hope to earn an A in Phys161. Also, my GPA has always been 3.0 or higher. Any advice greatly helps!

Ppl who did it over winter, how is it?

How long does it usually take for transfercredit@umd.edu to respond?

I completed my Gen Ed requirements at UMBC before transferring to UMD, and UMBC already sent UMD proof that I completed them (sent proof to transfercredit@umd.edu).

However, my UMD degree audit still shows that I haven’t completed my Gen Ed requirements. I already emailed them about it a few weeks ago, but I’m wondering how long they usually take to respond or fix something like this.

Half of Lot 1 is closed for construction as of the time of this post, so I just have to ask, what are we doing here? Why did I pay full price for a lot 1 parking permit if half of it is closed and I'm just gonna have to go and park at lot 4? Kind of messed up, and like yeah sure lot 1 is usually crowded the first week of classes, but last year it was just crowded, it wasn't full to the brim.

If they're gonna close half of lot 1 I should get half of my money back.

Hey yall, Im going into my freshman year and I'm just wondering what the most important pages are for me to keep track of. For example, is the directory useful at all? What is the main page that I will be using for all of the payments and scholarships and courses etc?

Sorry if it seems like an odd question; maybe it will be answered in Orientation. I start spring!

Eduroam isn’t working is anyone else having the same issue? How’d you fix it??? 🫩🫩🫩🫩🫩

Can anyone speak on how the class was? Did they like it / find it useful if I'm interested in HPC? Was it C++ heavy?

did anyone actually need to get their own copy of this textbook orrr…. can i just get a pdf online somewhere

i have prof tyrell btw

Need a tough umd barber for the semester

I’m in the Atlantic building and i’m trying to find room 1113 for a class i have later today, but i can’t find it on the floor map that’s in the hallway. Which floor is room 1113 at?

Also, are there quiet study areas in this building where i can take my online class? If so, which floor?

Are there water bottle filling stations?

Respond asap pls cuz my online class starts soon 😭

She's not on PlanetTerp, but her Rate My Prof ratings seem to be okay.

Does anyone know how Econ330 is with her (attendance, group assignments, exam format, etc.)?

I just changed my major to journalism, but I’m still enrolled in my psych math course. I know I don’t have to take Math120 for the journalism major, so would I be able to drop it and not face repercussions from BSOS as my major change request is still pending until I meet with an advisor?