Guest Post by Melany Claros, UMD student at USG
Hello USG community! My name is Melany Claros and I am a Junior at the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG). I am a Marketing major in UMD’s Robert H. Smith School, and minoring in Technology Entrepreneurship & Corporate Innovation.
On behalf of USG and my fellow Student Ambassadors, we are thrilled to invite you to join us for our Undergraduate & Graduate Open House on Saturday, May 6, 2023 from 10am-1pm. Whether you are a high school student interested in a program from one of the nine Maryland universities at USG, a parent looking to support your child’s education, someone interested in completing a bachelor’s degree after two years of community college (or at another institution), or maybe you are seeking a graduate-level education — our open house is the perfect opportunity to see all that USG has to offer.
Before diving into the nitty gritty of the event, let’s learn some more about our campus. USG is a full-service campus located in Rockville, Maryland that offers select degree programs from nine Maryland universities. Students apply directly to the university offering their major, but on their application, they choose USG as their preferred campus location. Students still get the same professors, curriculum, and degree as if they went to the institution’s main campus, and a very important point: it won’t say USG on your diploma at all — this is a very common question we get!
So for me, when I graduate, my diploma will indicate that I earned my bachelor’s degree from the University of Maryland, College Park. Another detail that is important to understand about USG is that at the undergraduate-level, only junior and senior year courses are offered, which means that students must complete their lower-level prerequisites for their desired major prior to transfer. Students choose USG over the main campus for a variety of reasons, but the big draws are the significant cost-savings (by following the MCPS > MC > USG pathway), location (for many, the campus is closer to work and/or home), the small class sizes (which enables students to get to know classmates and professors better), the additional scholarship opportunities (which can be awarded by your university, as well as USG), the diverse student population and the personalized student services.
Now that you’re an expert on what USG is, how to apply to a program, and why you should consider being a student on our campus, let’s learn about the fun that’s awaiting you on May 6 at the Open House!
During your time with us, from 10 a.m. -1 p.m. that day, all open house attendees will be able to meet with program advisors from each of the career-focused undergraduate and graduate degree programs offered on our campus; receive personalized next steps in the application and admission process for your program(s) of interest; tour campus and hear about student life directly from Students Ambassadors (that’s me!); explore scholarship opportunities exclusive to students at USG; learn about USG’s customized academic, career, and personal support services; and apply on-site and/or receive application fee waivers for select degree programs.
Last year, I had the privilege of working with my fellow Student Ambassadors at the fall Open House and it was one of the most rewarding days of my life. I am excited to be part of it again on May 6! I felt exceptionally empowered guiding the students and their parents on campus tours, info sessions, and answering any questions they had. I also had the opportunity to speak with many parents that only spoke Spanish, and it was motivating to see how these parents are truly the backbone of their children’s dreams. As a first generation college student, I feel honored to be able to guide other first-gen Latin students in pursuing their goals.
As you plan for your visit, I’d like to offer a few helpful tips to make your open house experience a productive and memorable one:
- Arrive on time. “The early bird gets the worm,” can apply easily to USG’s Open House. Arriving early will give you the opportunity to be a part of the first few groups that goes on tours, speak with advisors, and familiarize yourself with the campus.
- Prepare questions ahead of time. Preparing questions makes you stand out! Staff, advisors, and student ambassadors will be very impressed with your interest and will gladly answer any questions you may have. While thinking about your questions, also be sure to take a look at the schedule of events happening at the open house.
- Bring a notepad and something to write with. A plethora of information will be delivered throughout the day that you won’t want to forget, so this will come in handy!
To learn more about USG and our Open House on May 6, visit shadygrove.umd.edu/open house, and don’t forget to pre-register to save time at the door. Friends and family are welcome to attend. We can’t wait to see you!
Melany Claros, University of Maryland, College Park – Robert H. Smith School of Business at USG, Marketing program
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