<p>I was accepted into UMD, but I didn't get into honor, scholars, or any other living and learning communities. I just wondered what dorm life is like if your not in any special housing. I've read reviews from other students and some seem to have had an unpleasant experience, while those in special housing such as Denton and Cambridge seem to have great experiences. Is it harder to make friends? Do people keep their doors open? What are the positive and negative experiences? Honesty preferred.</p>
<p>Here is the low down … I’m a current student on campus (I transferred in but that’s not my point) nearly all of my friends are current freshman and quite a few aren’t in any “special” program. I won’t lie to you and tell you that the first week of school in fall will be great, because it may not be. The issue is that honors and scholars and all that jazz have activities planned during the first week, but you’re not the only student not in one of those. If you get into LaPlata you’ve gotten like the best hall on North Campus because its the closest to pretty much everything. For the most part everyone I know has had no problem meeting people on their floor. Also, if you get invited to something called Turtle Camp (its a leadership 4 day camp thing) in August … GO I can not say that enough GO GO GO GO GO. It will be the best decision you ever make. I have a friend in Ellicott and Hagerstown (both ellicott community) and the beginning of the year with no air conditioning sucks but after that its not so bad.</p>
<p>I know your a freshman and haven’t had much time to see the social aspects of things, but would you say that the people in Scholars or Honors are closer than those in regular housing or is it about the same? Do you feel as though the activities in Cambridge community differ from the activities in the Ellicott Community (outside of planned events)?</p>
<p>Eventually, it’s about the same, but I agree with jenyjoe, for the first 2-3 weeks there are a lot more planned activities for the people in Scholars or Honors.</p>
<p>The shorter dorm floors (there’s a firewall that splits each of the Cambridge Community dorms) means a smaller group of people on your floor in those dorms than the Ellicott community, and I think the lounges are on every floor in the Ellicott community. You’re more likely to find random people hanging out in the Ellicott community, but you’ll just have to take the initiative and introduce yourself. Leaving your dorm room open is the fastest way to meet people on the floor.</p>
<p>I’m not a freshman, just most of my friends are. I’m actually a Junior.
“would you say that the people in Scholars or Honors are closer than those in regular housing or is it about the same?”
Answer:No, from what I’ve seen some people actually end up not liking the people they have to live with in those programs. It depends on the people really so as much as knowing what to expect is something you want, its not even across the board.
“Do you feel as though the activities in Cambridge community differ from the activities in the Ellicott Community (outside of planned events)?” What activities lol. There are floor activities held by RAs and building ones held by the hall councils but I’m not really aware of any unplanned events. Honors and Scholars both have planned events and certain things that tie in with that but I’m not really sure what you mean.</p>
<p>Lol jenyjoe that’s hilarious. I never would have thought that. Thank you for the information. Definitely have a new prospective</p>
<p>If you aren’t already, you should sign up for high risers where you stay overnight on campus with a current student. Check out resnet.umd.edu for more info. Also, if you have any more questions you can Private message me</p>