UMD Freshman Orientation: Your Comprehensive Guide to Becoming a Terp

Welcome to the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD)! As you prepare to embark on your journey as a Terp, New Student Orientation (NSO) serves as a crucial first step in ensuring a successful academic, social, and personal transition to university life. This guide will provide you with a comprehensive overview of the UMD freshman orientation program, helping you navigate the process and make the most of this valuable experience.

What is New Student Orientation?

The Office of Student Orientation & Transition runs all orientation programs for newly admitted, degree-seeking undergraduate students. Orientation gives you an opportunity to learn about the huge campus and meet other students in your college or year. One of the main ways UMD offers support in your journey is through the Orientation, Advisement & Registration (OAR) experience, which is mandatory for all incoming students. At New Student Orientation, you will meet with an academic advisor, connect with other new Terps, and register for classes. Our program is designed to prepare you for the academic rigor at UMD, introduce you to Maryland traditions, and acquaint you with campus resources.

Why is Orientation Important?

NSO is designed to assist you in a successful academic, social, and personal transition to, and through, the university. During NSO, you will:

Meet with students, faculty, and staff.
Connect with your peers and upperclassmen.
Become familiar with campus resources.
Have the option to have your final Fall schedule reviewed or changed with an Academic Advisor.
Register for classes for your first semester.
Begin to understand your UMD academics.
Lift holds from your student account.

Types of Orientation Programs

UMD offers different types of NSO programs to cater to the diverse needs of incoming students.

On-Campus OAR Experience

Incoming Freshmen are required to attend the on-campus program. If students register for the two-day overnight NSO, they will spend the night in a traditional residence hall with a roommate, eat meals in a dining hall or the Stamp Student Union, visit the Eppley Recreation Center, explore essential campus spaces, and engage in fun community building activities. Overnight accommodations are not provided for family members or supporters. Only the student will stay overnight in the residence hall. College Park has many local hotels that welcome family members and supporters during NSO. The Office of Student Orientation and Transition does not affiliate with any specific hotels in the area.

Virtual OAR Experience

There are two types of OAR experiences available for new bulldogs, on-campus and virtual.If students register for the online NSO, they can expect to meet and connect with an Orientation Advisor in the morning before their academic advising sessions. During this time, the OA will give the Terp Life presentation, which connects students to campus resources that will assist in a successful transition to UMD. Academic Advising colleges will welcome students with a Meet Your College presentation before they register for classes.

Freshmen Connection Orientation

As a Spring-Admitted Terp who has opted to join us this Fall in Freshmen Connection, our Orientation program aims to provide you and those who support you with programs and services that assist you in a successful academic, social, and personal transition to, and through, the university. All new Freshmen Connection students must participate in New Student Orientation.

Registration for Orientation

We HIGHLY ENCOURAGE you to register for orientation as soon as possible. Do not delay registering as all of our programs close at least one week out and spaces fill up quickly. All of our orientation programs are major specific, and space in each session is available on a first reserve basis and class. Students can register for Orientation 48 business hours after confirming spring admission and submitting the FC Enrollment Form. The FC Enrollment Form will open in Spring 2026.

Check Your Application Portal: Log into your Application Portal and make sure you are completing your Checklist.
Major Specific Programs: Please note that your New Student Orientation date is dependent upon your major and may need to be changed once your change of major is processed. New Student Orientation programs are major/academic college-specific and not all colleges and majors advise at every program.
Changing Your Major: If a student chooses to change their major after they have registered for a New Student Orientation program, but before attending their program, they will need to notify the Office of Student Orientation and Transition. Students may have to adjust their program date due to changing their major. All change of major requests will be reviewed by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Freshmen Connection Enrollment: Please note it takes up to 3 business days for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to process your enrollment fee payment and 48 hours for FC to process your enrollment form. Only after that process has occurred can you register for an NSO session.

Preparing for Orientation

To prepare for a successful transition to UMD, we've developed a Freshmen Connection To-Do List to help you navigate your next steps.

Transfer Credits: It is important that the university is aware of all prior learning and transfer credits in preparation for orientation. If you’ve earned credits through courses at another institution or through standard exams (such as AP, IB, A/AS Level and CLEP exams), they may count toward your UMD degree. Submit your most recent transcripts to the address below as soon as your grades are posted so we may promptly evaluate your transfer credit. To review which of your credits will transfer, review your unofficial transcript (Directory ID required for access) which will be available roughly 15 business days after you are admitted.
Math Placement Exam: The Math Placement Exam is a requirement for all incoming first-year students, regardless of any AP or college-level credit they may be bringing in.
FC Registration Modules: The FC Registration Modules are online tutorials that provide step-by-step instructions on how to register for classes and, importantly, provide details regarding which courses to take based on your intended major and any transfer credits you may have. As a reminder, registration occurs on a first-come, first-served basis. Certain courses, particularly math and science, fill early.
Selecting the Correct Classes: Selecting the Correct ClassesAn advisor will review your schedule to make sure that you’ve chosen the correct courses for your intended major.
Full-Time Students (12 or more credits): An advisor will review your schedule within 10 business days (two weeks) of your registering for 12 or more credits.
Directory ID and MFA: Both your Directory ID and the MFA will be necessary to complete your Housing and Dining Agreement (required of all students living in residence halls) as well as to access other UMD systems such as student financial aid, registration for orientation and courses, and most other student services. Additional information on how to enroll in MFA can be found online. Every student interested in on-campus housing must submit the Residence Hall Housing and Dining Agreement through the Department of Resident Life. Access the Extended Studies Forms Portal via your Directory ID. Do NOT create a new account. Ensure eligibility before submitting the enrollment form. Select Log In with UMD Directory ID.
Canvas: Many of our academic colleges use Canvas, our course management tool, to share information and receive information prior to orientation. Before you can access our Orientation Canvas courses, you need to first log into Canvas. To do this, simply visit elms.umd.edu and login using your directory id and password. Once you've logged in and seen your dashboard, log out.

What to Bring to Orientation

All students should plan on bringing the following:

A government or school issued photo ID (passport, high school ID, driver's license, etc.)
Comfortable, casual clothing and walking shoes - wear your Terp Pride!
Parking Permit (coming soon!)
Reusable water bottle (to stay hydrated and be green!)
Notebook and pen
A back-up copy of your grades and transcripts
Documents that you need for meeting with campus staff (unofficial transcripts, AP scores, etc.).

Special Accommodations and Dietary Needs

Special Accommodations: If you or anyone participating in one of our orientation programs needs any special accommodations (ADA, dietary restrictions, immunocompromised), please be sure to indicate this in the Pre-Orientation Form in Step 1.
Allergens: Please indicate any allergies you may have in your Pre-Orientation Form.
Kosher Meals: If you are requesting a Kosher meal during your program, please place an order through Maryland Hillel online or call 301-422-6200 (ext. 202). Kosher meals are coordinated and ordered by Maryland Hillel directly, not by the Office of Student and Transition or Dining Services.

Utilizing Campus Resources

UMD App: The New Student Orientation Schedule will be built into the UMD mobile app. Be sure to download the app before arriving to campus for parking information, directions, and a built in schedule. Outside of New Student Orientation, The UMD App puts essential campus services right at your fingertips!
Student ID Card: As a University of Maryland student, you are entitled to a student ID card. Your ID card serves as a general form of identification for the purpose of accessing University programs and services.
Student Directory: Please note you also have the option of marking your contact information as “Confidential” if you would rather it not appear in the Student Directory. Your primary name is the name by which you are generally known. Your legal name appears on government issued identity documents such as a passport. Unless you specify otherwise, your default primary name is your legal name.
TerrapinSTRONG: TerrapinSTRONG is a shared vision and values for the entire campus community. All new faculty, staff and students participate in the TerrapinSTRONG onboarding course, as well as TerrapinSTRONG onboarding initiatives within their division/college/school. These onboarding experiences are just the first step to creating an inclusive campus.

Important Reminders

Freshmen Connection Eligibility: Freshmen Connection is only open to freshmen who are offered and confirm spring admission to the University of Maryland. Students admitted for the fall semester are not eligible for Freshmen Connection. The $75 enrollment fee for Freshmen Connection is non-refundable.
Contact Information: Have any questions or need help with registering?

Read also: Your Guide to Pace Orientation

tags: #umd #freshman #orientation #guide