We receive many questions from transfer students during our orientations and have compiled the most frequently asked questions, often not found explicitly on other websites, here for you. There is a more detailed FAQ located here.

What is CORE and what does it mean for me?

"Colleges and universities have had forms of liberal arts and sciences or general education requirements for hundreds of years. Even in the technical disciplines, a University of Maryland baccalaureate degree is intended to be much more than career training. It signifies successful completion of instruction for the living of a full and productive life, learning not only how to learn, but how to value, evaluate, and evolve with the learning. University of Maryland Faculty wish to guide you through your studies toward these goals. Achieving them is a shared journey. Families, employers, and the larger community all play important roles.

Our faculty have both the knowledge and the responsibility to determine the minimum academic requirements for the general or liberal education portion of the degree. In the mid-1980s College Park faculty called for a new look at undergraduate education.

CORE includes a Human Cultural Diversity requirement, strengthens the science requirement, has a more formal proposal and approval process, and provides for periodic review of approved courses - including a student assessment - to ensure that the courses continue to meet the goals of the CORE Program."

Since all students must take CORE, it is important for transfer students to understand what courses from their previous institutions transfer to UMD and if they need to continue to take any CORE courses before they enter into their major. It is important for transfer students to know CORE as completely as possible before coming to their Orientation. While we try to provide as individualized a presentation as posssible, it is difficult to fully provide all the information during the Orientation program. Coming in understanding CORE and looking through the Schedule of Classes for courses you wish to take is the first step in making your transition a successful one.

Click here for more information on CORE.
Click here for the Schedule of Classes.

What is the Math Placement Exam?

The Math Placement Exam (MPE) is a four-section math evaluation which the colleges use to place you into the most appropriate math course according to your level of math knowledge. This exam does not affect your admissions to the university or necessarily affect how long it will take you to graduate. While all freshmen students are required to take the MPE, all transfers are not.

Transfer students do not have the take the Math Placement Exam if:

• They have completed a Calculus Course at their previous institution with the UMD equivalent of MAT140 and have received a 2.0 GPA in that course.
• We recommend that all students take the Math Placement Exam. This is only a placement exam and will not affect your admission to the university. It is used to place you in an appropriate math course level. You may always change your math (or any) courses at any time after Orientation.
• However, all Behavior and Social Science, Education, School of Public Health majors MUST take the Math Placement Exam regardless of transferring credits.
• Engineering, Business Majors do NOT have to take the Math Placement Exam.

What if I need help with study skills or time management because I have been out of school for an extended period of time?

We understand that not all transfer students are traditional aged students and we have an office on campus that is here to help you. Our Returning Student team located in the Learning Assistance Office in the Shoemaker Building prides itself on being a great resource for returning students and all transfer students.

The team, consisting of Beverly Greenfeig and Barbara Goldberg (the BG's), not only offer you a place to relax and study, but also provide many services to ensure your success. They teach courses on time management, study skills and transitioning into the university as a transfer student.

Click here for their website and more information.

What if I just need help with academics but I am not a returning student?

Learning Assistance Services provides many services including disability support services, study skills and time management workshops, math support groups, dissertation support groups and more! Click here for their website and more information.

Another great resources is the Office of Multi-Ethnic Student Education (OMSE) located in the Hornbake Library. Open to everybody, OMSE provides mentoring and tutoring sessions in most key courses such as biology, math, economics, foreign languages and more. Click here for their website and more information.

Where can I find more information on the academics at UMD?

A great resources is the Undergraduate Studie Office website. You can find a lot of great information regarding each college and school, special programs run out of that office and more. Click here for more information.

Commuter Life is much different than on-campus life. You worry about parking, getting to classes on time, getting involved, meeting people and more. Don't worry. If you want it, we have it and we want to support you in any way possible.

The University of Maryland has an office on campus whose sole purpose is to support our commuter student population. This office is the Office of Commuter Student Involvement. Don't let the name fool you, they are here to help you with all of your needs. If you can't find it, they will. If you don't know where to go, they will point you in the right direction.

The Office of Commuter Student Involvement helps coordinatoe local Alternative Spring Breaks, social events, sends out a monthly newsletters, and even has a commuter student programming board. they understand your needs and cater to them like it's their job (because it is!).

Visit their website by clicking here to find out more information.

There are many ways to get involved on campus. But one of the easiest ways to find out about involvement on campus is to visit the Student Activities Reporting System (or STARS). By going to STARS, you can look up contact informaton and websites for the over 550 clubs and organizations that exist at UMD. Click here to visit the site.

Another great way to get involved is to visit the Stamp Student Union. There is always something going on at the Union and all you have to do is walk in the front door to find out what that is. Click here to visit their site.

Lastly, each Fall the Stamp Student Union organizes a campus wide event called The First Look Fair. Vendors from off-campus, on-campus organizations,offices and clubs and more fill McKeldin Mall and provide you with a first look at all that UMD has to offer. This event usually takes place mid-September and is an event you won't want to miss! Visit their website here.