How's it going, folks? I'm stuck on the UMD supplements and I was wondering if any of you have some tips on how to answer them well. I'd really appreciate any guidance you guys can offer!
Hey there! I'm glad you're looking for advice on the University of Maryland (UMD) supplements. Here are some tips to help make your responses stand out:
1. Reflect on your personal experiences: All of these questions require you to do some soul-searching and think about what really matters to you. Don't give run-of-the-mill answers that you think the admissions committee wants to know—really share your insight and perspectives that are unique to you.
2. Show off your research skills: Show that you've done your homework on UMD by mentioning specific aspects of the university that appeal to you—academics, extracurriculars, campus environment, or anything else that caught your attention. If possible, try and weave these into responses that don't necessarily reference UMD in the prompt to show that you are always thinking about how you could fit in.
3. Avoid generalizations: It's easy to mention cliched phrases like "prestigious faculty" or "diverse campus community." Instead, provide concrete examples, like a program you're excited to join or a particular class that aligns with your interests.
4. Share information not in other parts of your app: Each essay should provide novel information about yourself that the admissions committee would have no way of knowing just by looking at the rest of your profile. Make sure that each response shares a new aspect (or maybe not entirely new, but a new angle of an important part of yourself) so your readers can walk away knowing the full you.
5. Be true to yourself: It's essential to be authentic in your essays and demonstrate your genuine interest in UMD. Don't try to portray yourself as someone you aren't or pretend to be more interested in a program than you are.
6. Be concise: The UMD supplements have strict limits of 650 characters, which is about one paragraph. Since you don't have a lot of space to work with, be very deliberate in the words you choose and make sure to spend a lot of time revising so you can get your point across in the most concise manner.
I hope these tips help you craft some incredible UMD supplement essays. Good luck!
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