Do You Want To...
- Expand your major
- Join a passionate community
- Collaborate with motivated peers
- Impact real-world clients
- Gain new perspectives
Then apply to QUEST!
How Do I Apply?
Applications will open in December 2022 for talented freshmen enrolled in a major in the Robert H. Smith School of Business, A. James Clark School of Engineering, and/or College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences.
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Students must meet the following criteria to apply:
- Currently a freshman (or graduating in fall 2025 or later)
- Currently enrolled in a major offered by the Robert H. Smith School of Business, A. James Clark School of Engineering, and/or College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences
- Achieved a GPA of 3.0 or higher in the first semester
QUEST admits 90 students per year into two cohorts of 45 students. Those applying will enter general information, answer essay questions, and provide the contact information for one reference. Applications will be reviewed by a selection committee composed of students, alumni, faculty, and staff. Upon review of the applications, selected students will be invited for an interview. Applicants will be notified of their final status before the registration period for the next semester. Successful applicants exemplify the five pillars of the program: professionalism, teamwork, intellectual curiosity, creative thinking, and adaptability.
What Is Required of QUEST Students?
QUEST students complete 5 classes and earn 17 credits. Students who complete all 17 credits will earn a notation on their transcript. Students take four required courses and one elective. Learn more about the QUEST curriculum.
Additionally, all QUEST students must participate in a mandatory orientation prior to the first day of classes during the semester in which they take BMGT/ENES 190H.
What Is Offered Beyond the Coursework?
As a QUEST student, you will be able to get involved both inside and outside of the classroom. All QUEST students receive access to our lab space in Van Munching Hall for team meetings and cohort hangouts. Students also have access to our extensive alumni directory for networking purposes. Many students serve as mentors for incoming students as well as teaching assistants for QUEST courses. Students are also active participants in the recruitment/selection process each year, including assisting with QUEST interview days each spring. All QUEST students are eligible to join any of our seven student organizations and participate in the wide variety of social and professional events they offer throughout the year. The student organizations include QUEST Creative, QUEST Corporate, QUESTPress, QUEST Recruiting, QUESTServes, QUEST Social, and QUESTech.
“Simply put, QUEST provides a program that cannot be replicated. Between the community, intellect of the students, the strong corporate connections, the faculty experience in relevant areas, and the level of autonomy given to students, this program is unparalleled and amazing.”
— Landen Buckson, Finance ’21
Deloitte
QUEST vs. Non-QUEST
UMD’s Career Center completed a study of 2017-19 comparing QUEST graduates with other graduates from the Clark School, the Smith School, and CMNS and found the following:
| QUEST | Non-QUEST |
| 57% with 3+ internships | 30% with 3+ internships |
| 98% total job placement rate | 94% total job placement rate |
| 47% involved in a student organization | 38% involved in a student organization |
| 65% employed in a position directly aligned with career goals | 59% employed in a position directly aligned with career goals |
“QUEST was so much fun and quite enlightening! There were so many new ideas, people, and projects that challenged me to grow. I believe you can't get an experience like this anywhere else on campus. The multidisciplinary aspect and being able to work with students in other majors is so unique and special. I just love QUEST and am beyond grateful for the program.”
— Thara Konduri, Aerospace Engineering ’21
Boeing
Questions about applying to QUEST?
Email QUEST Program Manager Rachel DiDonna at rdidonna@umd.edu.