<p>laplast – some programs actually require you to live in the program’s building. One thing, though, is that a key part of Scholars is that it’s a LIVING and Learning program. You do get more out of the program if you live in the building. You get to interact more with people in your program and build more of a community.</p>
<p>Is there a particular reason you didn’t want to live there? As far as a “better dorm”, it’s just a typical dorm, like most of them, especially the freshman dorms.</p>
<p>well thought Id do an update, looks like i beat the odds and I got LaPlata! Glad I got AC</p>
<p>WOW…you DID beat the odds! Good for you. You may have to go to a little bit more effort to meet other freshmen, but you’ll do that in classes, etc. as well. Good luck, and enjoy that a/c…there’s a whole bunch of people who’d love to be you!!!</p>
<p>Thank you very much!</p>
<p>A quick glance at Facebook shows that there seem to be a ton of freshmen in LaPlata this year, especially on the 2nd and 8th floors. It seems like they put all of the freshmen in a particular dorm together.</p>
<p>Make SURE you end up in a proper freshman dorm. I went to UMD way back in 1998, and they stuck me in a 100% seniors floor in Elkton (4th floor). Not only were they seniors, but it was also a ‘drug free, alcohol free’ floor (which in UMD talk means nasty, obnoxious and BORING people that won’t want to be your friend!) Ensure that either you live in a dorm with other freshmen and/or at the least, that you know your way around campus and how to join clubs and what-not in order to socialize. UMD screwed me and my other friends I made during orientation badly. They put my other friend in the international dorm ‘Dorchester’, which was disastrous for her (if you don’t already know, international students are here only to study in their rooms, they are here not to socialize, find mates or friends). </p>
<p>The both of us only stayed at UMD for 1 year because of not only UMD’s screwup of our dorms but also because they heavily lied about their academic programs (I was in computer science). </p>
<p>All in all, if you’re going to UMD, know what you’re getting into. Because I didn’t and I quit. In retrospect, I wish I hadn’t, but UMD wasn’t there ever to help.</p>
<p>The above poster is very out of date,for one there are no all senior floors left at UMD. The only seniors let with on campus housing are RAs, BK scholars, and the occasional person in a living learning program. No one but the RA’s live in the high rises as seniors.</p>
<p>There are also no substance free floors. </p>
<p>Also Dorchester is now home to Global Communities and Writer’s house living learning programs, while the former has some international students, all of the people I know in the program are from the US.</p>
<p>Also the Computer Science program is now one of the best in the country.</p>
<p>
And was, even in 1998.</p>
<p>The guy only has 3 posts, so he’s possibly a ■■■■■.
Although, his posts do have some credibility.</p>
<p>Is there anyway for my daughter to avoid being assigned to Easton, other than to request the all women dorm in south campus ?</p>
<p>No, but don’t worry that much about it…she’ll be OK. It all depends on the mix of the people on each floor as to the general “feel” of the floor. Easton has garnered quite a reputation over the years, but from what my Ds have experienced, there can be quiet times on any dorm floor, and conversely, any floor (including Gemstone, Honors, or Scholars dorms) can get pretty, um…“lively”. It depends on the maturity level of the other freshmen on the floor, and how much everyone else feels the need to party out of control now that they no longer live at home. (Doesn’t mean that they necessarily party in their rooms, but late nights, especially on the weekends, is pretty common everywhere). Your daughter will find people who share her interests, regardless of where she lives.</p>
<p>To be honest, it’s not that different than it was back in the dinosaur ages when I attended college. I learned the art of sleeping with a pillow covering both ears if I really wanted to sleep and the people on my floor did not. I assume you’ve raised a daughter who is confident in herself not to feel that she has to do what everyone else does, if it means activities that she does not wish to join.</p>
<p>Easton’s reputation, especially with parents here seems to stem from a specific incident years ago, where the janitors complained to an RA that students were being disgusting, and the RA told them to stop cleaning his(I’m not sure if it was his or her) side of the floor in response. Of course the result was disgusting.</p>
<p>Easton isn’t really much worse than the other high rises. Denton and Ellicott are a bit quieter and cleaner due to the people who live there, and La Plata might be a little cleaner while being louder but it’s a sophomore dorm.</p>
<p>I agree with Astro, regarding dorms being the same today as it was in our generation.</p>
<p>I dated Bullet in the mid-late 80’s while he attended UMDCP. He lived in Easton. </p>
<p>I don’t care if you are in a Honors, Gemstone, Scholars or traditional dorm. It is like Astro stated. These dorms are made out of cinder brick, and no hallway carpeting. Noise travels.</p>
<p>During mid terms and finals they will institute “quiet hours”. Yet, during the rest of the yr you will hear noise.</p>
<p>Additionally, kids will survive be it with AC or no AC. Part of my best college memories is living in dorms and I only was bothered by it on Sunday a.m. since the janitorial staff doesn’t work weekends.</p>
<p>UMDCP has never been known for their food or their dorms…but honestly are you really attending or sending your child there because they have been ranked as the best dorms in the nation?</p>
<p>Surely the answer is no.</p>
<p>I have 2 in college, one at UMDCP and 1 at VT, and a 3rd that is a rising HS sr. I will tell you my concern is that they “match” regarding their room mate, not if it is loud, silent, AC, suites, etc.</p>
<p>If the kids are not matches in personality, that is more stressful than not having AC for the 1st and last 6 weeks of the school yr.</p>
<p>I also believe that it is best to let the school match the kids for roommates.</p>
<p>DS allowed UMDCP to do it, DD decided to do the FB route. </p>
<p>DS and roommate never became BFFs, but they “lived” with each other because there was no preconception of what it would be like.</p>
<p>DD and her roommate could not survive, and parted ways for spring semester. They went in with a mis-conception because they “chose” each other.</p>
<p>If you “select” your roomie, beware it comes with strings attached from an emotional POV. Allowing the school to choose and there is the automatic line drawn. It is more congenial because you immediately respect each other, and do not take it each other for granted. You can also be honest without it being personal.</p>
<p>DD who did the FB roommate, knew she had a BF. She didn’t realize every other weekend he would be there for the entire weekend. She didn’t realize that they would Skype every night and if they fought she would be forced to leave the room for their privacy or her feeling uncomfortable. </p>
<p>She lived as a stranger/outsider in her own dorm room because she committed to live with her.</p>
<p>The roommate is more important than the dorm IMPO.</p>
<p>I’m in Denton (Honors dorm) and honestly, it’s pretty quiet. Even on Friday/Saturday nights I don’t usually hear people being loud, and I don’t go to parties so I’m always on the floor in someone’s room during the times when people come back from being out. Every so often there will be a group congregated in the hallway that gets a little loud, but that’s usually in the middle of the week and before midnight so it’s really not a big deal. I’ve never been woken up by people (and I’m a light sleeper) so that’s a plus. I don’t know if this is unusual, but that’s been my experience. I think the most noise heard would be music. You can always close your door though if it’s too loud and then it’s fine…but usually I only hear music if I’m walking through the hallway. </p>
<p>My only real complaint with North Campus High Rises is that I’m so far away from classes and such. But you get used to it. Next year I’m going to be a lot closer to the mall, which I’m happy about.</p>
<p>I’ve had almost the exact same experience in Denton as Bornin. Very little drama, and I’ve never been woken, except for that darn fire alarm. Snapshot says I’ll be in Oakland next year. It will be fun to be FIRST. :)</p>
<p>Bumping this old-but-good thread up, as I’m sure the questions will start soon. Note, references to Denton being an honors dorm are before the split in Honors programs, and the move of most honors students to Ellicott.</p>
<p>Nice astrophysics mom, yeah ill be in Somerset Hall for CIvicus North hill community I hear its nice</p>
<p>Could someone talk a bit about Wicomico Hall? I’m hoping to get into Honors Humanities (already accepted into the Honors College) so that’d probably be where I live if I end up at UMD, so how does it compare to the other dorms on campus?</p>
<p>Wicomico Hall has not been renovated, but it has its own charm. The dorm is small, so you’ll likely get to know people on other floors of the building in addition to your own floor. The rooms are a bit smaller than rooms in the high-rises. Don’t let any of this stop you from applying to the Honors Humanities program, or any program. Freshman dorm rooms in every dorm are small, and space is at a premium. Everyone manages just fine, and most don’t even think about room dimensions after a few days.</p>
<p>Wicomico has an amazing location, especially compared to the North Campus dorms. I have a friend in there, and she says the dorm is really friendly.</p>