Step 1: Accept the Offer

When you accept your offer to come to the University of Maryland, it means that you are committing to attending the University for this upcoming semester.

When making your decision, consider the following information:

Your major
Think about these few points:

• Depending on your major and, if a transfer student, how many credits transfer, it might take more than four semesters to complete your degree.
• Admission to UMD does not necessarily mean admission to certain majors or colleges. For example, there are nine Limited Enrollment Programs (LEP) which have different and specific requirements to be met before admission. Often, transfers from other institutions do not qualify for certain LEPs because they are entering with too many credits. Please visit our website for links to these program websites and for more information.
• All students must complete General Education requirements called CORE requirements. While UMD does have articulation agreements with many of the institutions in Maryland and in certain states, you may be required to take some CORE courses to fulfill requirements for a certain major.
• To graduate from UMD, all students must complete approximately 43-46 credits of general education or CORE. Each degree program or academic major requires at least 120 credits.
• Check out the Four-Year Plan website for more information on each college’s degree requirements and to plan out your time here at Maryland. Each student is required to complete a Four-Year Plan to assist in the successful completion of a degree program. Find more information at http://www.4yearplans.umd.edu/

Transfer Credit Evaluation
Students wishing to transfer should complete a transfer credit evaluation to find out which courses transfer and which do not. Visit www.tce.umd.edu for equivalency information. If your course is not listed, email tccinfo@deans.umd.edu with the institution name, course title, course ID and semester you took the course. Students transferring from Maryland four-year and community colleges can also visit http://www.acaff.usmh.usmd.edu/artweb.

Step 2: Register for your Email/Directory ID

You may set this up as soon as you are admitted to the University of Maryland. All students are required to have a Directory ID.  This ID will not only allow you to register for classes, log onto our electronic library homepages and more, but it also acts as your university email address.

To set up this Directory ID, please visit the OIT Sign-up page (seen below).

Be sure to remember your Directory ID and password, so write it down somewhere.

Your means of identification
Directory ID = Your Directory ID can be any identifying word, phrase or name that acts as your unique identifier. We recommend some combination of your name and initials as this will act as your University email as well. Typically students will combine their first initial with their last name. If that Directory ID is already taken, multiple alternatives will be provided or you can type in another combination of letters and numbers.
University ID = xxxxxxxxx (9 digits) Your University ID number will be provided to you during your Orientation program. This UID number can also be used to register for classes, retrieve online information and more. It is an alternate to the Directory ID, though both are required. The UID is not your Social Security Number and is assigned to you automatically upon admission.

Mail@umd
Mail@umd is your online university e-mail account. If you can get on the internet, you can get on Mail@umd by visiting Mail@UMD. Check this account regularly because UMD faculty, departments and other students will be contacting you at this email address as early as this summer.

Step 3: Register for an Orientation Date

After you have set up your Directory ID, you are ready to register for an Orientation Date. The Orientation Office holds Orientation Dates specifically for transfer students geared towards their needs. All new students to the University of Maryland must complete an Orientation regardless of if they completed one at their previous institution.

After You Register
You will also receive a notification confirming your student orientation registration.   Please review the information and contact our office if information on the card is incorrect.

Changing Your Orientation Date
If you are unable to attend your scheduled orientation date due to a conflict with another event, you must contact the Orientation Office to reschedule. It is possible to change your orientation date using our on-line system, up to seven (7) days before your program date.

If you wish to cancel your program all together, you must call the Orientation Office at 301-314-8217. If you change your registration within seven (7) days of your orientation, you will be charged a $20.00 administrative fee. Changing Your Intended Major Any incoming students who wish to change their intended major should do so by contacting Undergraduate Admissions at umadmit@umd.edu or (301) 314-8385.  Once the major change is made, you must contact the Orientation Office so we can determine whether or not your orientation date will be affected.  Not all colleges advise students on each orientation date and failing to check with our office may result in you having to reschedule your orientation on the day you arrive for your program. 

Please note that the major change process will take several days.  You should refrain from contacting our office until your new major is updated. 

If You Arrive Late For Your Orientation
If you arrive to campus late for orientation, proceed directly to the main lobby of the Cole Field House (see the map included in this mailing for directions).  Our staff will make every effort to get you connected with your orientation group. However, if it is past a certain time, you may be required to reschedule.

If You Fail To Show For Your Orientation
Students who fail to show for their orientation will need to reschedule for a program when their college is advising.  Contact the Orientation Office and our staff will assist you with the scheduling change.  Since we held a space for you in your originally scheduled program, and will now be reserving a second space for you, there will be a $20.00 administrative fee applied to your student account, in addition to your $101.00 orientation fee.

STEP 4: Attend Orientation

Now that you have completed the previous steps you are ready to attend Orientation. You should have already registered for your Orientation date. If you have completed the previous steps, you should be well on your way to a successful transition. During the program you will meet and get to know your Orientation Advisor (OA), meet with an academic advisor to discuss your course schedule, and register for classes. In addition, you will learn your way around campus, obtain more information about how you should prepare for living on or commuting to campus, talk with staff and students who can help you get involved with campus organizations, and get your photo ID card.

Orientation Logistics

Please park in Lot 1 only.

Program check-in is at 8:00 AM to 8:20 AM in Cole Field House and the orientation concludes at approximately 3:00 PM.  All incoming students are expected to attend the entire orientation program.  Please keep the ending time in mind when making travel arrangements.

What should I wear and bring?
You will be doing some walking during your program. Be sure to check out the weather before heading to College Park. You will receive a bag to carry all of your materials in, so a backpack is unnecessary.

Things We Recommend You Bring To Orientation
• Comfortable clothing and walking shoes
• A back-up copy of your grades and transcripts
• Parking pass (found by clicking here)
• Completed immunization form if you want to turn it in early
• Notebook and pen
• Documents that you need for meeting with campus staff (for Example: residency forms, if needed), etc.

Prepare for Orientation
As you begin your preparation of coming to Orientation remember that you are an active participant and the most important player in your educational success. Come ready to ask questions of our staff and students. Remember to do some research on your major requirements and keep a checklist of the things you still need to complete or offices you need to visit.

Immediately following registration and to find out if you have to take the Math Placement Exam, please click here.http://www.orientation.umd.edu/mathinstruct.html