Campus Involvement

<p>I am transferring in as a sophomore from out of state and am wondering about the social opportunities at Maryland. I know people who go there, but they aren't involved on campus or in greek life so they couldn't help me with this. I'm hoping one of you can.</p>

<p>What is the greek life like at Maryland? I'm considering at least going to a few open houses just to check it out and am wondering if anyone on here is involved (or has a friend/family member who is) and could possibly give me some insight. </p>

<p>What are the clubs like? For academic based clubs (business) specifically, is there a large number of members or fewer members? I just want to know what to expect.</p>

<p>There are so many clubs and activities to be involved with, you can’t generalize in terms of active members, etc. Here’s a link to all (???) the organized groups on campus. I can’t imagine that anyone couldn’t find one that appeals to them. </p>

<p>[STARS</a> - Student Activities Reporting System](<a href=“http://www.stars.umd.edu/]STARS”>http://www.stars.umd.edu/)</p>

<p>The student activity fair (First Look Fair) that is held in September (on the quad in front of McKeldin) is the very best way to actually talk to people who are involved in groups. Make a point to attend it, and push yourself to try a couple. You won’t be the only one who is new, and most “interest” clubs welcome people who are newbies…it’s the best way to try something completely different! Here are pics from last years’ First Look Fair:
<a href=“http://www.stars.umd.edu/flf08.asp[/url]”>http://www.stars.umd.edu/flf08.asp&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>sorry, I can’t provide info on Greek life. Look through other (older) UMD posts, there have been other threads related to Greek Life.</p>

<p>During orientation student panel, one of the Orientation Advisors talked a bit about greek life. One thing that may be of interest to you is that she said they don’t pledge until the spring, which is fairly unusual. So you will have plenty of time to check out the houses and decide where or if you want to pledge. I grew up in an Ivy League town and have been on big greek campuses for undergrad and grad school, but I was still pretty surprised at how prominent greek life is at Maryland. Can’t say anything from an insiders perspective tho.</p>

<p>thanks a lot astrophysicsmom and centh!</p>

<p>one thing i did hear about greek life is that going for a bid is more organized in the spring than it is in the fall. apparently after you go and check out the different sororities, you fill out a paper with your top choices and if your #1 picked you then you can rush for that sorority, if #1 didn’t but your #2 did you can rush #2 and ect… just in case anyone else is wondering the same things i am.</p>