Another Maryland admit here. I'm doing IR, with comparative as the most likely second field. Maryland's professors drew me in too, though more from the IR/theory side. I'm not particularly inclined toward quantitative, but after visiting Maryland a couple weeks ago, I would say that their quantitative approach is a strong shaping force for the department. Also noticed while I was there that a lot of the faculty address political conflict from various angles, and some of their strongest quantitative research seems to center around it--in case that fits in with your interest in racial/ID/ethnic politics. You've probably researched this already, though.
My stats aren't too competitive, actually.
UG GPA: 3.3
Major GPA (IR): 3.5
GRE Verbal: 680
Gre Quant: 660
GRE Writing: 5.5
I went to a reasonable but not elite research university, and worked as an RA in the political science department there for two years; so that may have helped my numbers. Got a few articles/papers in undergrad journals, but nothing notable. Some foreign language skills, some international experience (though that probably only helps for IR if at all).
Best of luck!