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Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can more than one student in the family apply to the Meyerhoff Scholars Program?

A. Yes, we’ve had several siblings in the program.

Q. If a student does not get a Meyerhoff scholarship; will he or she be considered for another scholarship within UMBC?

A. Yes, the names of all Meyerhoff Scholars Program applicants are submitted to the scholarship office on campus for consideration.

Q. What is MARC U*STAR?

A. MARC is an acronym for Minority Access to Research Careers. U*STAR stands for Undergraduate Student Training in Academic Research. It is a grant-funded program for students who plan to pursue PhDs in the biomedical sciences. MARC participants are selected competitively from juniors and seniors.

Q. How are AP/IB courses addressed?

A. Meyerhoff Scholars are required to take all math, science, and engineering courses for their major, even if they received AP/IB credit for the course. Establishing a foundation for UMBC math/science courses is critical. Students may opt out of non-science courses and use their AP/IB credits for classes outside of math and science. In either case, the credits for AP/IB courses will show on the students’ UMBC transcript.

Q. Can students change their major once in the program?

A. In order to maintain Meyerhoff funding, students must major in math, science, engineering, or computer science. If they change to a major outside of those areas, the Meyerhoff Scholars Program will no longer fund them.

Q. Can a Meyerhoff Scholar be involved in other studies such as music and the humanities?

A. Yes, as long as their primary focus is math, science, engineering, or computer science.

Q. Is a fifth year supported, if needed?

A. Students can request a fifth year of funding, but it is not guaranteed.

Q. Is the Meyerhoff scholarship a contract or a pure scholarship?

A. The Meyerhoff Scholars Program is not solely a financial arrangement. Meyerhoff Scholars are a part of a program which provides academic advising, assistance with internship and graduate school applications, and any other assistance needed to ensure success at UMBC. There is a contractual agreement that is signed.

Q. What is the financial obligation of the parents?

A. Students/parents are responsible for payment of orientation and matriculation fees, housing deposits, books, transportation, other educational expenses, and billed charges beyond their scholarship/financial aid awards.

Q. What happens if my child loses the scholarship? Is he or she still considered a Meyerhoff?

A. Once a Meyerhoff Scholar, always a Meyerhoff Scholar. If a student loses his/her funding, full support is still provided by Meyerhoff staff. Students may also petition to be financially reinstated after their status returns to ‘good standing’ and their cumulative GPA is 3.0 or better for more than one semester.

Q. What is the significance of Summer Bridge? Why is it mandatory?

A. Summer Bridge allows students to become acclimated to UMBC and the rigors of university level courses before the semester begins. It includes math, science, and humanities coursework, training in analytical problem-solving, group study, and social and cultural events.

Q. Is community service mandatory?

A. Yes. All Meyerhoff Scholars participate in community service activities with their cohort.

Q. Why are students discouraged from going home every weekend?

A. The students’ academic support system is on campus and studying needs to occur seven days a week. More often than not, when students are at home, they either do not study or are not as focused as when they are on campus. Also, study groups are highly encouraged and this cannot occur when a student is at home.

Q. Is travel/study abroad available in this program?

A. Yes, students have traveled to England, Japan, Hungary, France, and Brazil, among other locations. Advance approval must be obtained.

Q. Is taking classes elsewhere (another college) for a semester permitted?

A. Students are allowed to take classes elsewhere during the summer or winter sessions. We have had students study at Brown University, Brandeis University, and abroad (UK, Chile, Australia, China, France) for a semester or year.

Q. How are summer and winter breaks addressed?

A. During the summer, students are required to participate in an internship or take classes. During winter break students may do as they please.

Q. What kind of social activities are allowed or recommended?

A. Any social activities that will not have a negative impact on grades or focus are permitted.

Q. What is the staff support for the students?

A. There are eight Meyerhoff staff members who provide full support for the students in everything from academics, mentor matching, and internships and graduate school placement to personal growth and development.

Q. What is the support system for academic help?

A. Students discuss academics with program advisors and receive assistance from other students, tutorial centers, professors, and Teaching Assistants (TA’s).

Q. What is the Meyerhoff parent’s involvement with the program?

A. To support and trust the Meyerhoff Staff. The Meyerhoff Parents Association exists to coordinate parent involvement; participation by all parents is encouraged.

Q. What is the Meyerhoff Parents Association (MPA)? How can a parent become involved?

A. The Meyerhoff Parent Association Board of Directors meets on the third Saturday of each month (except July and August) to develop plans for supporting the Meyerhoff Staff and working in conjunction with the Meyerhoff Student Council. Parent involvement is highly encouraged; regular communication takes place via email and the online UMBC Parent Connection.

Q. Will I be notified if my child is in academic or other difficulty with the program?

A. By law, the program staff cannot discuss grades with parents unless the student has given their consent (written or verbal). Parents are strongly encouraged to develop and maintain strong lines of communication with their students regarding their academic progress and success.

Q. May I receive my child’s grades?

A. Students receive their grades through my.umbc.edu. By law, the program staff cannot share grades with parents.

Q. To what extent do Meyerhoff Scholars interact with the general population of UMBC?

A. They live, take classes, eat, and socialize with the general UMBC population. Our students are UMBC students who happen to be Meyerhoff Scholars as well. Learn more about the Scholar Experience.

Q. Are there specific classes that Meyerhoff Scholars must take?

A. No, they are UMBC students who must take the classes required for their major and general UMBC requirements.

Q. Are Meyerhoff Scholars housed together? Are there specific restrictions or curfews for Meyerhoff students?

A. All Meyerhoff Scholars are required to live in campus housing during matriculation at UMBC. Freshman year, all Meyerhoff Scholars live in Susquehanna Hall. After that, they are free to live anywhere on campus they choose. Only during Summer Bridge are there restrictions or curfews for Meyerhoffs.

Q. What are the significant accomplishments of previous Meyerhoff Scholars?

A. Meyerhoff Scholars have published in major scientific journals, presented their research at conferences nationwide, have had impressive research-based internships at laboratories throughout the U.S. and abroad (NASA, NIH, University of Colorado Boulder with Nobel Laureate Thomas Cech, UCSF, UC Berkeley, Merck Pharmaceutical, IBM, Stanford, University of Toronto), and are in graduate schools across the country (Harvard, Yale, Stanford, Duke, NYU, MIT, UC Berkeley). We encourage you to learn more about the Scholar Experience, as well as Meyerhoff alumni achievements.

Q. Who should be contacted for more information?

A. Meyerhoff staff members and their contact information may be found on the Staff page of this website.

Q. What is the history of the program? Who is Meyerhoff?

A. The Meyerhoff Scholars Program was created at UMBC in 1988 with a substantial grant from the Robert and Jane Meyerhoff Foundation to address the shortage of African Americans, especially black males, who successfully pursue careers in science and engineering. The program is open now to all high-achieving high school seniors who have an interest in pursuing doctoral study in science, mathematics, engineering, or computer science. We invite you to learn more about the program, its history, and its founders.

Q. How many apply for the program; how many are invited; how many are selected?

A. On average, 500-600 applications are received for a class of 50-60 students. Approximately 200 are invited for Selection Weekends. Learn more about how to apply.

Q. What is the mission of the Meyerhoff Scholars Program?

A. The program is for students majoring in math, science, engineering, or computer science and who plan to get their PhDs or combined MD/PhDs to become research scientists; therefore, research is strongly encouraged and will prepare them for graduate studies.

Q. Is working towards a PhD mandatory?

A. Students must work toward a PhD or combined MD/PhD in math, science, engineering, or computer science.

Q. Is this an MD/PhD program? If so, will Meyerhoff assist in admission to Medical School?

A. This is a BS program that prepares students to enter PhD or combined MD/PhD programs. The Meyerhoff Scholars Program is not for students whose sole interest is to attend medical school and earn an MD degree.

Q. Is the Meyerhoff Scholars Program a minority program? If so, does it include Asians?

A. The program is not race-based and includes students from all ethnic backgrounds.

Q. Do Meyerhoff Scholars have to be in the UMBC Honors College?

A. No, although quite a few Meyerhoffs are in the Honors College.

Q. If a student is not selected to the program upon first application, can he or she apply again?

A. Students not accepted but still interested in the program are invited to participate as affiliates. Though these students do not receive a financial award, they receive advising and other forms of program support.

I’m proud to say that today, despite the fact that I’ve no relatives who live in my state or my country, I’m a part of the Meyerhoff Family.”

Vidia Maharaj (M18, M20 Affiliate)

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