By Michelle Levine
Experimenting with classes is typical in college. It is especially useful for undeclared students who want to figure out what to study. But for students at the University of Maryland who become interested in Limited Enrollment Programs, choosing classes without considering major requirements can lead to difficulties later on.
UMD’s Letters and Sciences program is for students who are not prepared to declare a major right out of high school. It allows students to explore a variety of subjects before deciding on a major, according to their website. However, switching to an LEP requires completing gateway courses and an application, and it is not always easy for undecided students to navigate these prerequisites.
Sophomore Katie Israel applied to UMD through Letters and Sciences since she was not sure what she wanted to study.
Since she arrived at UMD, Israel has been scheduling her semesters based on general education requirements and different topics that interest her. This semester, she decided to take the gateway courses required for admission into the Robert H. Smith School of Business.
The Smith website states that applying is “highly competitive and based on a holistic process.” The school accepts 300 to 400 students each year, said Samantha Sommer, a graduate assistant in the Smith Undergraduate Program Office.
Since only enrolled students are able to meet with Smith advisers, Sommer is the go-to for prospective business students.
Sommer hosts 30-minute information sessions — currently over Zoom — to answer questions about the application process throughout the semester, she said. There is always a live Q&A at the end, which students have found to be helpful, she said.
To have the best chance of consideration for admission, Sommer said she recommends that students show they are well-rounded. GPA is important, but not the only factor in getting admitted, she said.
“They [the admissions office] are looking for really motivated students who are passionate about business,” Sommer said.
Like the business school, the College of Behavioral and Social Sciences holds information sessions for interested students. Jillian Santos, one of two academic advisers with the Department of Government and Politics, said these sessions and adviser meetings, are the most helpful tools when applying into the LEP.
Since LEPs require gateway courses prior to admissions, students have to dedicate at least one semester to completing those prerequisites. Knowing this as a freshman gives students an advantage. Santos said she recommends exploring options early and talking to advisers of different colleges.
“The earlier you talk to an adviser the earlier we can help direct you,” Santos said.
Israel is just finishing the prerequisites for the business school but said she wishes she had done so earlier in her college career.
“Time is the main thing. I just wish I had more time now that I know what I want to do,” she said.
To anyone currently in Letters and Sciences or admitted for the fall, Israel suggested being proactive. She said fellow undeclared students should look at major requirements early on to better understand what it takes to be accepted into a program.
Israel said she is hopeful to earn one of the few hundred spots available in Smith, but she has been advised to make other plans since it is so competitive. If she is not accepted, Israel will enroll in summer gateway courses to apply for a different LEP so she can stay on track with a four-year-plan, she said.
The rising junior said she is not looking forward to it.
“It’s annoying that this is what it’s come to,” Israel said.“But at the same time, I know it’s because I didn’t use my time right for the first three semesters.”
Featured image: The Office of Letters and Sciences is housed on the first floor of Hornbake Library. Their website says over 4,000 students are enrolled in the program as they decide in degree-granting majors. Photo by Michelle Levine.