College Access Conference educates and guides students

The University of Maryland College Park's (UMCP) annual College Access Conference (CAC), held at the Stamp Student Union on June 19, offered informational sessions and guidance to hundreds of students.

The CAC aimed to inform students about college and career processes and alleviate their stress. "The overall goal is to help students relax, not to be intimidated [by colleges]," said Associate Director of Admissions Shannon Gundy.

Students were allowed to choose three sessions from fourteen topics ranging from the new SAT to choosing a career. Parents who accompanied the students had two sessions tailored to suit them: parenting a new college student and the parent's role in the application process.

After breakfast and the three sessions, students ate lunch at the Grand Ballroom, where UMCP students staffed and served as waiters and waitresses. During lunch, Cordell W. Black, Associate Provost for Equity and Diversity, delivered a keynote address about defeating disparity and discrimination, stressing the importance of college and the pursuit of knowledge, understanding and truth. "Higher educations are one of the highest things you can do for yourself and your nation," said Black.

Students were then were escorted to the Nyumburu Cultural Center to attend an Academic Information Fair, where information could be collected from UMCP's thirteen academic colleges, including the College of Life Sciences and the Philip Merrill College of Journalism.

One of the most sought-after sessions was The College Application Process, where Admission Counselor Bianca Taylor talked about what colleges look for, such as GPA, SAT score, leadership activities and athletic abilities. Taylor stressed the importance of academics and involvement for high school students and also discussed early decision, a binding program in which students may apply to one college of their highest preference, and early action, a non-binding early application process.

According to John Bowman, Interim Director for the Division of Letters and Sciences, UMCP offers a variety of courses for almost every interest, even courses for students with undecided majors. UMCP also has a set of scholars programs for first and second year students, who may choose to divulge in further academic focuses such as arts, public leadership, and American cultures.