You only get to be a freshman in college once, so before you go, I want to share some advice. The beginning of your first year in college is overwhelming, stressful, but most importantly exciting. Looking back, you want to have the best memories and have made the year something you will keep with you for the rest of your life.

When getting ready to go to this unfamiliar place for the first time, everyone, and I mean everyone, will want to give you some sort of advice. From your parents and grandparents to your neighbor and hair lady, people of all sorts will want to share some helpful tips and words of wisdom. Being someone who just completed their freshman year this year, here is the advice I would have given to myself:

Go in with a completely open mind. Your first year of college is a year of many firsts and it is important to give it all you got and step out of your comfort zone a bit. Freshman year is a year that allows you to leave things in the past and look completely forward at a new beginning. Many people discover who they are, who they want to be, and what they want to do with their life in these special four years. Be open to taking classes you normally would not have considered. Put yourself out there and make some new friends. Join a club or sports group. Give your first year all you got.

Stay on top of your work. It can be exciting to have so many social opportunities going on including parties, football games, and bar nights, but make sure that you are not slacking on your work. Many people fall behind, miss due dates, and miss class when there is a lot going on, but it is important to know that you are at college to learn, not to party.

Never take an 8 am class. This was the best advice given to me before I made my schedule freshman year. If you are not that much of a morning person, these early classes can be exhausting and make you want to skip class. If you can avoid the super early classes, I would recommend you do so.

Rush. Whether you know you want to be in a sorority or fraternity 100% or you have no idea anything about Greek life, give it a chance. Many people have preconceived notions that Greek life is only partying and fun, but it is so much more. Philanthropy is one of my favorite aspects of Greek life, and they make it so much fun to raise money for great causes. The best part is that the people that are in your chapter will become your closest friends and will always have your back.

Do not be afraid to ask for help. Many people struggle freshman year with the new lifestyle of college and classes. There are so many resources on campus that will help you succeed including office hours, free tutors, study groups, and more.

Keep in touch with your family. Your family will miss you so much while you’re away and Facetiming and calling them will make their day, along with yours. Calling your family makes you feel at home and is a great way to deal with that occasional homesick feeling.

Learn from your mistakes. You will make several mistakes in your first year of college; the only important part is that you learn from them and try not to make the same mistake again. Have the time of your life! Freshman year flies by and before you know it, it will be over, so make your time at UMD memorable.

Arianna Powell, UMD Intern

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Find out the benefit to the Freshman Connection at UMD. We’ve all waited for that moment when you can check the decision a college has made about your child. It’s stressful, hopeful, terrifying. Finally, you get the email that you can check online and see what the future may or may not hold for them. If this is one of their top choice schools, like Maryland was for us, you are almost scared to look. I’ll never forget that moment.

I knew with complete certainty that my daughter was going to get in. Her GPA was high, her test scores even higher, she already had 21 credits from scores of 4 or 5 on AP exams. This is our state university! Of course, she’ll get in! So, we clicked. And there it was. You’re in! Oh, wait. You’re in for the spring semester. Wait. What? How is this even possible? Before I can say a word she’s got tears in her eyes. Which of course gives me tears in my eyes.

This moment, which was so awful when we were in it, turned out to be one of the best gifts we were given. At the University of Maryland, if you are admitted for spring, there are a few things you can do. You can attend community college for a semester, travel, or work and just begin college in the spring. Or, you can join the Freshman Connection program. If you find yourself in the same place we found ourselves last year, don’t despair. This program is the best.

Ok, back to that moment in time for us. We knew postponing school for a semester was not an option for various reasons, so we had two choices; start in the Freshman Connection program at her number one school, or choose her second option. We did some research, learned some basics, and decided to attend the University of Maryland is what we were going to do.

Still, this was very upsetting. My daughter felt embarrassed, disappointed, and frankly mad. She had worked so hard in high school and was already getting word of peers with lower numbers getting admitted for fall. It was all very confusing, and honestly still is. But we decided to control only what we could, which was learning as much as we could about the program and moving forward from there.

Our Advice

So, what’s our advice? Well, first be proud of your acceptance to the University of Maryland, and welcome to the Terp family!  Getting accepted is a huge accomplishment! Next, make sure you attend any and all information sessions that have to do with Freshman Connection. Start with admitted Students Day. This day is the same for all Terps but there are specific breakout sessions for students in Freshman Connection. You should definitely go! You will learn a lot, and walk out saying to yourself “wow, this seems hardly any different from the fall admitted students!”

One thing to note is that on this particular day it is very difficult to get an advising appointment.  My daughter and I tried and tried to schedule one, and when we finally did, we were going to have to sit there for two hours before our meeting. I was stressed. She was not. I thought we should just stay on campus, we were already there after all, and talk to an advisor. She said she was comfortable with a phone advising meeting later on. I’m here to tell you, you don’t need to wait. She was right, and when she did have her phone advising appointment weeks, later it was extremely helpful and she had all her questions answered.

So, what are the differences between Fall admitted students and Freshman Connection students? There aren’t many, but it is important to know what they are: Freshman Connection students cannot participate in NCAA Division I athletics, so if you are being recruited for a sport, it would be a deal-breaker.  Club and intramural sports are fine.

Your course times are different. They start no earlier than 3 pm and end by 9 pm. We thought this was going to be a big deal, but it was actually great. During the day when other students were in class, my daughter had the dorm room to herself, the gym was less busy, and she could get a lot of work done. Many students choose to get a job because the majority of students cannot work during the day. Before we understood, we thought “everyone would know” that she was going to class in the evening. This just was not the case.  First of all, no one cares. I really mean that. No. One. Cares. Second, many classes are in the evening, not just Freshman Connection classes. Class time ended up not mattering. Not one bit.

You are only in class with other students in the Freshman Connection program. This also doesn’t matter. They are just other members of your graduating class.

All-Freshman Connection students must take the one-credit course UNIV100, an introduction to life at Maryland. Many other students must take this as well, but all Freshman Connection students are required. Finally, after the fall semester, Freshman Connection students have the last slot for registration for spring. This was also not a problem as there are so many classes your Terp will need they will easily be able to design a productive spring schedule. Your first choice courses may be full, but you will be able to find classes that fit.

There are huge benefits to this program as well.  What are they? Your classes are much smaller than traditional large university classes but they are taught by the same professors and count the same as any other class. There is no difference in the value, teaching, or credit of a class. The only difference is you have the benefit of smaller class sizes. The program allows you to start at the University with the Fall admitted students! This is the best part!

If you find yourself reading this, worried about what Freshman Connection would mean for your student, I’m here to tell you it’s one of the best things that ever happened. I was in your shoes, I was bummed, and then I realized how great it was. She lived in a dorm with non-Freshman Connection students, she participated in clubs and groups, she ate with classmates in the dining hall, she literally had the same first-semester experience as all the other Freshman! Stop worrying now, and celebrate your new Terp!

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*About your campus tour – All Visitor Service Desks and Facilities are closed until further notice, but there are a variety of options for virtual visits to UMD*

Taking a campus tour is an essential step to help your students decide where they will make their home for the next four years. Some students like to tour before they apply, while others tour schools after they have been accepted. When my daughter was applying to schools, we did both; however, the tours after the acceptance letters were received were very different from the initial visits. Taking the tour after being accepted helps to pinpoint the pertinent things that will help your student make their final decision as to which school to attend. Of course, my daughter loves being a Terp, but your student may have specific things that will help them weigh out the pros and cons of each college.

Go with a list of questions, but not the kind of questions that you can just google an answer to. Don’t be shy about asking questions to tour guides, financial advisors, specific departments, or even students hanging out on campus. They can be your greatest resources.

Some of the more common questions our interns found important to prospective students are:

Are you glad you chose UMD? Why did you choose it over other schools you were looking at?

• What is the size of the overall campus?
• What is the size of the dorm rooms and how many people live in each room?
• What food options are available to a freshman?
• What does the meal plan cover and will it fit your diet?
• What are the locations of your “majors” classes?
• What type of technology is used or available in the classrooms/libraries?
• How many printing locations are available? Is it free to print or does it cost money?
• How clean is the campus/restrooms?
• How many gyms are on campus and where are they located?
• How safe are the campus and surrounding neighborhoods?
• How long did it take you to get involved? Have you found places you love being a part of?
• What is the transportation system like? Are there frequent bus stops? Available parking spaces?
• What safety precautions are on campus?

Perhaps Greek life is important to your student. UMD has beautiful sorority and fraternity houses both on the picturesque Fraternity Row and the Graham Cracker. One great way to get a feel for Greek life at the University of Maryland is to try and get a tour of a sorority or fraternity house. In order to do so, they will have to find someone who knows someone that can get in. Perhaps you have a friend whose daughter or son is a member of a sorority or fraternity. Reach out to them before going, it is more than likely they would love to show a potential Terp around! If you don’t know anyone in Greek life since there aren’t tours, you can certainly take a quick drive through the area.

If your student has a health condition that makes having specific health center capabilities nearby of great importance; go check it out. UMD has both a health center and counseling center that students can go to for all thing’s health, wellness, and accessibility & disability services. Call in advance to see if you can tour the University Health Center or the Counseling Center.

There are several options for how you would like to tour the university. The first option is an information session and a guided tour. This type of tour gives you an overview of UMD by giving you important information and taking you to the most popular spots on campus. Visiting the Library, Dining Hall, Recreation Center, dorms, and my personal favorite, McKeldin Mall. Seeing the stunning campus really gives you a feel for the school and how you would fit in there.

A self-guided tour is another great option for potential students. This is good for those who cannot take a tour, when there is no tour available, or for those who just like to explore on their own! Self-guided tours are still allowed right now as long as visitors are mindful of the physical distance advisory due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Going around campus on your own allows you to see places that are not shown on the tour and are not times, so you have the freedom to stay and look around for as long as you wish. The only thing you should keep in mind if you are going on a self-guided tour is that there are certain places that you will not have access to such as dorms or buildings that require student identification.

Another thing to keep in mind is what will you be doing off-campus? A good way to better understand how your life as a Terp would be is by visiting places around campus as well. You can visit and drive-by common UMD hotspots like McKeldin Mall, restaurants and bars along route 1, and Fraternity Row and the Graham Cracker. Finally, while I loved UMD as did my daughter, it is important that your student love UMD. Have them make the most out of their campus tour by asking the necessary questions, visiting places you’re going to be, and getting a feel for your life as a future Terp!

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Sometimes making the call will alleviate your stress. One of the most nerve-wracking times is waiting to find out if you have been accepted into the college of your dreams. The University of Maryland will send you an email to notify you when your admission decision is ready to be viewed on your MyCoalition account. After following the instructions in the email, you will be able to view your admission decision online. I remember on the day my admission decision came out it took me almost two hours to finally see if I was accepted due to the high volume of individuals logging on at the same time. After those two hours of nervously freaking out, I saw the one thing I have been waiting for (impatiently) these past months: my acceptance to UMD!

At UMD they offer acceptance to the university for the Fall semester and Spring semester. The only other decision they will tell when you receive your admission decision is that you have not been admitted to UMD. For those that have been denied admission, they have the opportunity to contact the admissions office for an explanation. While the admissions office rarely takes appeals, only if there is new and significant academic information are students eligible for an appeal, they can give you some clarity on why you may have not been accepted. Another option for students who were not accepted to UMD is to re-apply as a transfer student when you have earned enough credits at another academic institution.

Another common reason is students may want to contact the admissions office with questions regarding admission for the Spring semester. Students can be accepted for Spring and waitlist for Fall or just accepted for the Spring semester. At the University of Maryland, those students that are accepted for the Spring are automatically placed into Freshmen Connection.

Freshmen Connection is a Fall semester extension program offered to all students admitted for the Spring semester. Freshmen Connection students have class in the Fall on-campus, but during off-peak times from 3-9 p.m., Freshmen Connection is a great program that allows students to get acclimated to the university, live on-campus, and receive credits that will count towards your UMD degree. Decisions are final and students admitted for the spring semester cannot appeal their decision or defer their admission for the fall, so it is not recommended to contact admissions in trying to change this decision. For a first-hand account on what it means and one family’s advice, read our blog What Does Freshman Connection Really Mean?

At the end of the day, a denied admission decision may sting but remember that you are meant to be where you end up! It is also important to keep in mind it is not a bad thing to be accepted for the spring semester. If students have questions or want further clarity on their admission decision, they can always call and politely ask some questions!

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That’s understandable-a Terp, or a student of UMD, is the state of Maryland’s flagship university and amongst the top 25 public schools according to U.S. News & World Report in 2020. The University of Maryland is a great university right down to the beautiful red brick buildings and deep-seated traditions and is brimming with opportunity. The question is, how does your son or daughter become a Terp?

UMD is a school that gets more and more competitive each year, and today they are very selective looking not only at grades and test scores but student involvement, leadership roles, and an essay that stands out.

The Terp Truth…

This past year, around 40% of freshmen who applied for the fall semester were admitted into UMD. For the Fall 2019 freshman class, UMD received over 33,000 applications and took a class of 4,300 students. For the students admitted for Fall 2020, the middle 50% of SAT scores ranged from 1340 to 1510, and 30-34 on the ACT. Grades for the students admitted were primarily As and Bs. Accepted students also have earned an average weighted GPA of 4.32 on a 4.0 scale.

UMD employs a holistic review of every application and takes everything on your application into consideration when deciding if you meet the criteria to be accepted.  There are 26 unique factors that they take into consideration during the admission process. A competitive freshman will not only have high grades, but they will also be enrolled in challenging courses that are available to them, including honors, Advanced Placement, or International Baccalaureate courses. While A’s are really nice; it can be better to get a lower grade in a class that shows they are challenging you, (and by lower grade, we mean B’s and C’s). So, don’t rule out AP Physics or AP Spanish.

Another major aspect of the application is the main coalition essay and a series of five additional short response questions. The University of Maryland is one of the five colleges and universities that accepts only the Coalition Application, so it is important to familiarize yourself with the website and the essay options.

If you do not wish to use one of the Coalition essay prompts, students have the option to submit an essay on a topic of their choice. The essay is the part of the application that applicants can utilize to really stand out and show who you are and what you are going to contribute to the University. This essay needs to be amazing and unique considering they are reading over 33,000 others. If you need help with the essay we recommend Essential Essays College Essay Consulting. They assist students with brainstorming, planning, and writing college essays that will reveal their personality and give their applications a positive edge. This year, with a lack of testing opportunities, the application essay could count more than ever.

After completing the main essay, it is time for the five supplemental short responses. These questions have a maximum character limit of 160 for each response, so they will be very short and essentially fill-in-the-blank. These questions allow the university to better understand you as an individual and a potential student at UMD. The questions are:

• If I could travel anywhere, I would go to…
• The most interesting fact I ever learned from the research was…
• In addition to my major, my academic interests include…
• My favorite thing about last Wednesday was…
• Something you might not know about me is…

The best way to approach these questions is to think of unique responses that show what kind of person you are. Do not think too deeply into these short responses, they are not looking for a specific answer. One tip is to look into what the university values such as their mission statement and what they are looking for in a competitive applicant. Use these questions to show how your own values and beliefs line up to the University of Maryland’s values and beliefs. When applying to UMD, you should know what majors they offer. Unless you are looking into Pre-med, Business, or Engineering, consider not putting down a specific major. There is plenty of time to decide on your major, so there is no need to stress if you do not have an idea of what you want to do yet.

Another thing to take note of is to be open to Freshman Connection. Freshman Connection is for students that have been admitted for the spring, but take their classes at UMD in the fall with other spring admits. Freshman Connection is a program that is only one semester, and after completion of the Fall semester, these students will be regular UMD students and you would never know otherwise! The main difference between Freshman Connection students and regularly admitted fall students is that Freshmen Connection students’ classes are taught from 3-9 p.m. While it may seem that classes later in the day are undesirable, many students come to love later class times and it gives them a good period to adjust to their new life on campus.

If UMD is their dream school and they don’t get in, they should consider re-taking the SAT or ACT and reapplying to show their new scores. Also, consider attending a smaller school or community college and then transferring when those requirements are met.

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Personally, joining a sorority was something I always knew I wanted to do. From watching my camp counselors as a kid to seeing my friends a year older rush the year before I had the chance, I was always interested in being a part of Greek life. At the University of Maryland, girls rush the second semester, allowing you to have time to consider if you want to rush and to get settled into college and the new lifestyle that comes with it.

I had a great time first semester and made wonderful friends, but I felt that I didn’t know many people other than my close group of six girls. When the beginning of the second semester came around, I was thrilled to begin the rushing process. After a long but important five days, I was able to find my new home. Going through the recruitment process, you learn that each sorority has different values, rules, activities, events, and standards, and these differences are what make it easy for everyone to find which one truly feels the most like “home”.

Primary recruitment begins the first week of classes of the winter semester. You can register for recruitment in late October and have up until the beginning of the week it begins to sign up. Rush is a full five days and it begins with attending all 16 sororities under UMD Panhellenic Association (PHA). Fall recruitment is considered informal recruitment and only certain sororities choose to participate in this.

One step I would recommend for those considering joining Greek life is to attend open houses in the Fall. Each sorority holds an open house event where all students are welcome to attend and get a feel for what it means to be a member of the chapter and have a look around all the beautiful houses. Upon joining a sorority, there are going to be things each chapter does slightly differently, and some things they do the same. Some common elements between all the sororities are that all of them meet for Chapter once a week, have date functions twice a semester, and have various philanthropy events throughout the year.

Chapter is a formal meeting between members of the sorority and special advisors to discuss important information, hold specific rituals, and give out special announcements and news. There are two date functions a semester: a date function and formal. A date function is the first event and is the more casual of the two. This will be held at one of the local bars or event locations and the girl asks a boy. Formal is one of my favorite nights of the semester. Everyone gets dressed up really nicely and the sorority charters a bus of some sort to head into Washington D.C. to a club that has been rented out for the whole chapter. This event will have a shirt or sweatshirt created for both you and your date to remember the fun night.

Philanthropy events are a time where each sorority raises awareness and funds for their own individual worthy cause. My sorority’s philanthropy was something that drew me into the chapter I joined. All sororities are so passionate about their philanthropy and have come up with so many fun ways to raise money for the cause. Common events include all you can eat food events, auctions, poker nights, and many more creative ways to show support.

Once your daughter joins a sorority and is initiated, their sorority letters can pretty much be found on her at all times. Big/little events will result in tons of clothes, water bottles, bags, accessories, and various other items for them to sport around campus and show off their letters. In addition to her own letters, it is super common for your daughter to rep her favorite fraternities. Should you decide to get them a congratulatory gift, we have some suggestions here from:

Desert Cactus Greek,  Brit, and Bee,  Alexandra, and Company  Go Greek Chic,  Cotton Sisters,  Sorority Shop,  Signature Tumblers, Greek Gear, Greek Creations All that Jas BaubleBar, and Gild the Lily. Even Bed, Bath & Beyond carries Greek merchandise including tumblers, pillows, poufs and more!

Yes, being in a sorority seems like all fun and games, but there are many rules, guidelines, and standards that they must meet and maintain to remain a member of the chapter UMD. PHA requires a minimum GPA of 2.5 and at least 12 credits in order to participate in sorority recruitment. In addition to this, each sorority has its own standard of GPA and it must be met each semester you are a member. There are also specific workshops and seminars each sorority and fraternity must including a sexual harassment seminar, a body image workshop, and alcohol and drug seminars. These requirements are in place to promote the safety, well-being, and happiness of everyone both in and out of Greek life.

Joining a sorority was one of the best things I have ever done, it has changed my college experience at UMD, given me my best friends, and given me a real sense of community within a huge college campus.

Arianna Powell, Intern

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Students usually choose a major over a period of time. I have always been a fan of taking a variety of classes until you find the ones that you enjoy most and choosing a major around that. Every school, including UMD, has its more popular majors as well. However; in these unprecedented times, students might want to take recent events into consideration when choosing or changing their major. As with any major event, such as a recession, war, or, in this case, a pandemic, there is a shift in what type of degree a student may want to consider pursuing. Certainly, the job market will look different in the future. Contemplating what jobs were sustainable throughout the pandemic may also help in the decision-making process.

For instance, UMD’s School of Public Health has multiple majors that would be beneficial to pursue that apply to public health. Behavioral and Community Health and Public Health Science are two majors at the University of Maryland that are fast-growing and increasingly relevant at this time. The School of Public Health also offers degrees in Family Science and Kinesiology. Family Science is a major that is aimed at improving the quality of family life and Kinesiology majors work with the movement of the human body. These majors both work to help and understand individuals on a deeper level.

In addition to this school, UMD’s School of Nursing is one of the best schools and most popular majors for undergraduates. The services provided by health care workers are so important and careers, such as a nurse, will always be crucial to the world.

More Options

The College of Education at UMD has various majors that students can explore to pursue the essential job of teaching. Teaching has undoubtedly taken on a new lens, aside from many having a newfound respect for the value of a good educator. With the new transition to online learning, it can be very beneficial that education majors look into a possible minor or certificate in Computer Science. This background in computer science can help them stay up to date and knowledgeable in the technology side of education.

Wellness in mental health has taken on new forms (particularly those that can be done remotely) and have increased in popularity, so a major in psychology, which is one of the most popular majors at UMD, can lead to varying careers in this realm. A Bachelor of Science in psychology is widely sought in business, education, and mental health fields.

UMD’s A. James Clark School of Engineering is one of the best schools at the university. They offer various undergraduate majors that will always be needed and range from civil, computer, mechanical, bioengineering, and more.

At the Robert H. Smith School of Business, UMD’s business school, there are eight majors that are offered to students. Majors such as Finance, Information Systems, and Accounting prepare students for careers that would be relevant during these times. Supply Chain Management is a major offered by the Smith School that is unique and is increasingly relevant, especially with the issues in SCM at the start of COVID-19.

In addition to choosing a major, students may want to add some skills like mastering Photoshop, Google-drive, Zoom, data analysis, computer programming, proficiency in a second (or third) language. There are many certificate programs that can be done outside of college classes that can only enhance your employability. Increasing your knowledge escalates your value to potential employers.

Some college majors may be changing, and many are offered almost solely online. New ones may be added, and others may disappear. Find out what major programs are of interest to you and how UMD can help you decide. Encourage your student to visit the UMD Career Center or its website. They offer so many helpful services and resources such as helping you pick a major, help with resume and cover letters, networking opportunities, career and internship fairs, and more.

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So you have a student ready to spend the next four years at The University of Maryland? That means you will be visiting College Park hopefully sometime soon. If you have never been to this college town located right outside of the capital city of Washington D.C., you may not know all that this college campus can offer. In between Washington D.C. and Virginia, College Park is a town that is the perfect fit for a walkable college campus with university life, but also a short 30-minute ride from the metropolitan city of D.C.

What you should know about the University of Maryland

• The University of Maryland is a public research university that was founded in 1856. The
• The university is the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland and is also the
• The largest university in both the state of Maryland and the Washington Metropolitan area.

Due to its proximity to the capital, the University has several research partners with The federal government and works closely with various businesses and organizations in the area to help its students network and forge relationships that set their students up for success in the future. The University of Maryland is a part of the University System of Maryland (USM) which is the higher public education system of Maryland. The system consists of 12 universities and three regional higher education centers. The main campus where the majority of students apply and attend is located in College Park.

In addition to the College Park location, the University of Maryland, Baltimore campus is a commonplace of attendance for those students on a nursing track. Following your first two years at the main campus studying prerequisites, nursing majors will spend their final two years studying at the Baltimore location where the University of Maryland’s nursing school is located.

Why the terrapins? The University of Maryland coined the name “terps” in 1932 by Harry “Curley” Byrd, the then football coach. The university was previously referred to by the “Old Liners”, the Byrd wanted a better nickname and decided to choose terrapin after the diamondback terrapins endemic to the Chesapeake Bay area. The team colors of Maryland are red, white, black, and gold, all the colors of the flag of Maryland and the only school in the NCAA to have four official school colors. The mascot of the university and the turtle leading the teams is Testudo, and legend has it: if you rub his nose, you will have good luck on exams, finals, and everything in between!

Welcome home!

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The world is your classroom, so study abroad.

*UMD Study Abroad as of right now is unavailable until 2021 due to the global pandemic, but the application process for Spring, Summer, and Fall of 2021 will open on August 1st. Check with UMD for updates on programs as 2021 gets closer.

One of the greatest and most exciting opportunities college students can take advantage of is study abroad programs. Being able to change up your classroom at UMD to anywhere from Asia to Europe to even a semester at sea is an amazing life-changing experience. The latest national report on Study Abroad showed that more than 238,332 students from colleges and universities across the United States went overseas to earn credit during their academic years. There are so many factors involved in making the decision, and we recommend you consider everything so that you can perfectly cater to your experience to yourself.

At the University of Maryland, students have the option of applying for a Fall, Spring, Summer, Winter, or Year abroad program. All students have the opportunity to go during one of these terms, but it is important to check with your school or advisor when the best times are to go abroad according to your major and major requirements. Several schools at UMD have specific abroad programs that are created specifically for their students. The College of Agriculture & Natural Resources, Robert H. Smith School of Business, College of Education, and the A. James Clark School of Education provide these special programs and encourage students to study abroad.

Applications

August 1st applications open for Winter, Spring, and Spring Break 2021 abroad programs. Before applications open, it is important to look into which program is a good match for you. If students would like further help in deciding which program is best for them, they can make an appointment with an Education Abroad advisor.

UMD makes it pretty easy to find the perfect programs for students. By inputting some of the following criteria, course topics offered, country, region, and/or term, an index of possible programs will come up.  Your student should also decide on what sort of things they are looking for in a program:

• Language immersion?
• Exploring the world; gaining a new perspective?
• Internships?
• Volunteering?
• Teaching opportunities?
• Budget?
• Country or city of interest?
• Coursework needed/accepted? (Remember to stay on the path towards graduation.)
• How long to be away? (Some students would never consider doing a semester abroad during football season, so spring or summer sessions are better options.)

Another great option to learn of all the study abroad opportunities is to attend a Study Abroad 101 session. These sessions are there for students to have all the tools and information necessary to choose a program. They offer both online and in-person meetings that students can sign up for. After getting a better idea of what you are planning to do for an abroad program, there are several steps that need to be taken to confirm your spot in an abroad program.

Having an updated passport is extremely important when going abroad. Students should either apply for a passport or make sure that their current passport is valid for six months after your program end or return flight date. It is important to keep in mind your finances when planning on going abroad. There are several costs that need to be considered such as exchange costs and additional fees. These are fees such as tuition, education abroad fee, application fee, round trip airfare, and more. Students can apply for scholarships and financial aid for additional funding opportunities.

Meeting with both your regular academic advisor and your EA advisor. These advisors will help you through the process of going abroad and how it fits in your individual four-year plan. Completing the online application is essential after you decide on a program. For whatever program you decide on, applications are done through MyEA. After you have applied and been accepted to the program of your choice, you must commit to the program by pressing the “Commit” button on your MyEA application. For some programs, you will then need to pay a non-refundable program deposit through the application.

Completing EA study abroad course pre-approval (SACA) is the formal process by which you share your ideal courses and alternative with your academic advisors to see if and how they will count towards your degree, major(s), and minor(s). After you commit to your program, your EA advisor will give you instructions on how to complete your SACA. There is a pre-departure orientation that students must attend. This will give specific details you will need to know before you go abroad.

Lastly, you may need a visa or a residence permit to study abroad depending on your host country, your length of stay, nationality, area of study, and intention to work, intern, or volunteer abroad. Students love to travel to different destinations while abroad. GetYourGuide gives them guides to unique and unmissable things to do in their destination.

Study Abroad can be very pricey. In addition to the cost of the program which includes room and board, a prepaid metro card (may not last their entire abroad program), health insurance, and some excursions, it does not include airfare, meals, additional travel (many use this opportunity to visit other countries). And, of course, any purchases they make for themselves. For suggestions on what they should bring with them, read our Study Abroad Gift Guide.

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Sorority recruitment is more than the clothes you wear. For parents of incoming freshmen, you have probably already heard your daughter mention sorority recruitment. I know girls start looking up, researching, and asking about different sororities and the pluses and minuses of rushing, some as early as Senior year in high school. And yes, Rush can all be overwhelming, and expensive. So, I am going to give you the low-down of all thing’s sorority rush. Get ready for four rounds over five days that lead up to the best day ever: Bid Day!

At the University of Maryland, primary recruitment begins the first weekend of the spring semester. Recruitment is organized by the UMD Panhellenic Association. Each girl has the opportunity to sign up online and are then placed in groups with Rho Gammas. Rho Gammas are, essentially “recruitment guides” that have gone through recruitment themselves and have the purpose of helping and advising the girls in their group go through the same recruitment process. Girls will have the opportunity to meet their Rho Gamma and the other girls in their group before recruitment begins at Recruitment Orientation. There they will learn some of the rules and have time to ask some of their own questions they have about the upcoming process.

Though you will be introduced to recruitment at the pre-meeting, we want to provide you with a rundown beforehand, so you have everything you need for the week and there are no surprises on day one.

Round One: Values Round

Women have the opportunity to visit each of the 16 sororities that are participating in each round of recruitment. Round one will last two days, with eight houses each day for 25 minutes at a time. For the first two days, girls will all come together at Ritchie Stadium and will be given a random schedule of houses that they will go to with their rush group and Rho Gamma. The purpose of this initial round is to introduce potential new members (PNM’s) to all of the Panhellenic sororities in our Greek community at UMD. This round allows for girls to get a feel for all of the houses on campus and see which houses they feel that they have similar values.

What to wear: This round is the most casual round considering you are moving around so much with little time in between.

I would recommend wearing a cute and comfortable pair of jeans and a sweater. For shoes, I recommend wearing flat shoes such as sneakers or boots.

Round Two: Philanthropy Round

This round allows you to visit up to 12 sororities. After the end of round one, you will have time to rank the 12 houses you would like to be invited back to. The process is based on mutual decisions, so in order to get invited back to a house, they must invite you. Girls may also get invited back to a house that they didn’t put on their list or may not get invited back to a house that they did put on their list.  In other words, just as you dropped a house that you felt was not a good fit, the chapters also drop potential new members who may not be a good fit as well. It is important that you keep an open mind because it is likely it will all work out in the end and you will end up in a sorority that is your best fit!

At the beginning of round 2, everyone will meet up and at the same time be given their schedule virtually. Philanthropy Round is personally my favorite day of recruitment because you really get to see a deeper side of each house and see their philanthropy which they are truly passionate about. During each round, girls will view a short video that pertains to that sorority’s specific philanthropy. This round, girls will tell you about ways they fundraise throughout the year and all the special events they hold to support their cause.

What to wear: This round is also pretty casual, so girls can come dressed in an outfit similar to round one. Jeans, skirts with tights, sweaters and nice jackets are all appropriate options to wear. Girls can wear sneakers, boots, booties, or any shoes they feel comfortable walking to 12 houses in.

Round Three: Sisterhood Round

For the third round of recruitment, you have the opportunity to visit up to seven sororities for 45 minutes each. This round is super fun and allows you to talk to members for a good amount of time which will give you a deeper look at the personalities of the women in the sorority as well as the sorority as a whole. Girls at each house will tell you all about the great things that make their sisterhood so meaningful and special. At the end of this round, you will choose your top two sororities that you would like to be invited back to for the next day.

What to wear: For this round, I recommend dressing up a little more such as wearing a nice blouse, dress, skirt, or pants. As for shoes, I recommend wearing booties or boots.

Round Four: Preference Round

The Preference round is the most intimate and special round. On the day of “pref”, girls will go to up to two sororities for an hour each. This round you are likely to talk to a girl you have already met in previous rounds that you clicked with and get along with very well. At the end of this day, girls will go to The Stamp Student Union Ballroom and will write down your first and second options for the sorority you want to be in.

What to wear: This is the most formal round so I would wear a cocktail dress or skirt. In addition to the nice clothes, it is appropriate to wear heels or other nice shoes because you will only be visiting a maximum of two sororities.

Bid Day!

Bid Day is the last day of the recruitment period. This is the best and most exciting day that makes the five long days of recruitment worth it! Girls will all meet at The Stamp Student Union Ballroom for one last time and will be seated in their rush groups in order to be handed their bid card with their name on it. After all the girls in the room have been handed their bid card, girls will wait sitting on their bid for a countdown so everyone opens the card at once. Once you open with your group, you’ll receive a shirt from the chapter members for you to wear as your first day as a new member! Every sorority will have an area in the ballroom set up with older members and decorations showing you the bid day theme! People will go crazy in the ballroom and it only gets crazier and fun as each girl makes their way to their new sorority house to celebrate!

What to wear: When you find out what sorority you will be in you will be given a shirt with that sororities name, so come to the ballroom in a tank top or t-shirt so that you can either throw the new shirt over it or place it in your bag. You can pair your shirt with some jeans and sneakers, something that you feel comfortable jumping around all day.

Congratulations and welcome to the University of Maryland Panhellenic!

Find more great outfits, shoes, and jewelry at the stores below. We hope you will look them over.

• Nordstrom
• Nordstrom Rack
• Show Me Your Mumu
• Lulu’s
• Revolve
• Macy’s
• Amazon
• Francesca’s
• American Eagle
• Etsy
• BaubleBar
• Princess Polly
• Shein
• Bloomingdales

Pass on these great tips, tell your friends and like us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest. Find out more about how to use HaveUHeard as a great resource. Sign up for other great tips at haveuheard.com.

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