2-4 Year Long Programs with Research Components For Incoming Freshmen

College Park Scholars is an academic residential community for select freshmen and sophomores. Invited freshmen matriculate into one of 11 interdisciplinary programs, each housed in the Cambridge Community on North Campus. The curriculum and activities for each program -- and for Scholars overall -- provide the interpersonal benefits of a small college paired with the intellectual advantages of a major research university. Each Scholars program is directed by a faculty member appointed by the sponsoring college’s dean and supported by a small staff. Programs each admit about 75 first-year students annually.

Admission is by invitation and is competitive. College Park Scholars bases its admission decisions on information in the student's university application file. Interested students should apply to the university by their priority deadline for special programs. Invited students will be notified of their invitation in the University's acceptance letter.

The Gemstone Program at the University of Maryland is a unique multidisciplinary four-year research program for selected undergraduate honors students of all majors. Under guidance of faculty mentors and Gemstone staff, teams of students design, direct and conduct significant research, often but not exclusively exploring the interdependence of science and technology with society. Gemstone students are members of a living-learning community comprised of fellow students, faculty and staff who work together to enrich the undergraduate experience.

The Gemstone Academic Advisor coordinates Gemstone invitations by working with University Honors and the University Undergraduate Admissions office. Gemstone students who have been selected for University Honors and who are then invited to join the program through the University Undergraduate Admission process. Gemstone students invited for fall 2007 had an average weighted GPA of 4.5, and average SAT score of 1467. For best consideration, students are strongly encouraged to apply for admission to the University by December 1 for the following fall.

The University Honors Program is the long-established program for the most talented students on campus in their first two years. It offers students the opportunity to become part of a close-knit community of faculty and intellectually gifted undergraduates committed to acquiring a broad and balanced education. Honors students combine Honors coursework with regular electives and studies in their major to deepend their total educational experience. First and second year undergraduates broaden their intellectual horizons by selected Honors seminars and Honors versions of regular courses in the arts and sciences, most of which fulfill CORE (general education) requirements in five semesters. Juniors and seniors may continue taking Honors seminars, teach in two one-credit colloquia for first-year students, and apply to more than 30 departmental or college Honors programs that provide opportunities to work closely with faculty mentors on independent research projects.

Honors Humanities is a two-year Living/Learning program for talented beginning undergraduates with an interest in the arts and humanities. The program is an exciting collaboration between the College of Arts and Humanities and the University Honors Program. The goals of Honors Humanities are to bring to campus academically gifted students and to provide them with a challenging, inter-disciplinary, research-based study of the humane disciplines that will prepare the students for advanced College and Departmental Honors works in their chosen majors.
Honors Humanities is open to all majors. Those students in non-humanities majors often find that the Honors Humanities program provides a beneficial background in the arts and humanities. Students who are admitted to the University Honors Program may receive an invitation to participate in Honors Humanities. Students who complete the 15-credit program receive a citation in Honors Humanities.
Participation in Honors Humanities is by invitation only. In order to be invited into the program, you must first be admitted to University Honors.

Comprehensive 2 Year Research Programs For UMD Juniors and Seniors

Through AAP, the University of Maryland Ronald E. McNair Post-Baccalaureate Achievement Program is designed to prepare students who are primarily from low-income, first generation and traditionally underrepresented groups to pursue doctoral studies. Full-time University juniors and seniors who wish to pursue doctoral studies, enhance their skills to prepare for graduate study, participate in undergraduate research with faculty members, and meet overall program requirements are eligible to apply.

Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. Student may apply as early as second semester of freshman year.

Summer Research Programs For UMD Rising Seniors

Senior Summer Scholars (SSS) provides funding support for undergraduate students to enhance their academic experience by spending the summer working closely with faculty mentors on scholarly research or artistic projects. For the summer of 2009, the program provided scholarships of $3,000 to approximately 30 outstanding seniors. Awardees are expected to participate in SSS activities over the summer, submit research reports at the end of the summer, and participate in Undergraduate Research Day the following Spring.

Students who will have senior status (86 or more credits completed) following the completion of the Spring semester and who will be enrolled at Maryland as seniors in the Fall semester are eligible to apply.

Semester-Long Research Projects for Freshmen, Sophomores, Juniors, and Seniors

Maryland Student Researchers, administered by the Office of the Dean for Undergraduate Studies, introduces undergraduates to the discipline and rewards of scholarly research. Students spend four to six hours a week working with or under the direction of a faculty mentor on that faculty member's own research and receive an Undergraduate Research Assistant notation on their transcript at the conclusion of the assistantship. Participation in the program "makes the big store small" for undergraduates, since it allows them to work closely with faculty members outside the classroom and the opportunity to make significant contributions to faculty research.

All undergraduate students in good academic standing (minimum grade point average of 2.0) with at least 15 credits completed at College Park and with interest in working with a faculty member for at least one semester are eligible for the program.