<p>So I'm going to be a freshman at UMD next fall and I have a question about cars for freshmen. I know we can have them, but will I definitely be able to get a parking spot? If not what are the odds?</p>
<p>Also, if I do get a spot will it be any good? I am in the Honors college and I have 30 credits worth of AP courses. Will that help with this in any way? Thanks! </p>
<p>Order for parking registration dates goes grads->90+ credits->60+ credits. Anyone under 60 credits (thats ap+transfer applicable to your degree + any UM earned credits) is lumped together and registers last on a space available basis. That said I was in that category last year and I registered for parking no problem. I think about a week after I registered one of the lots filled up, but there were two others to choose from. Unfortunately none of the lots are that desirable because they’re all at least 10-15 minute walk to your classes. Take a look at the campus map and see for yourself. Available lots for you will be 4,6, and maybe 9 depending on if all 30 of those ap credits count toward your degree.</p>
<p>In the meantime, head to the umd dots website once you get your uid set up and login to setup your car info ahead of time. Once your parking registration date rolls around it’ll save you time if you’re worried about getting registered. </p>
<p>Thanks. Do you happen to know about when parking registration dates are? Just so I know generally when I should be paying attention to this.</p>
<p>They don’t have the 2014-2015 school year info up yet, but last year it opened July 22 for the first priority people, then at various dates going down the list, August 12th for those under 60 credits. I know it seems like a long time, but as I said, even by then I still had my pick between 4, 6, & 9 (was at 55 credits). You’ll probably end up in lot 6 (the garage next to comcast center) as long as you register as soon as your turn comes up.</p>
<p>You must be commuting to campus, right? Or maybe working part time away from campus? Otherwise I’d highly recommend no-car. Waste of money, and headache. Use metro.</p>
<p>No, I’ll be living on campus. I just want a car after being at a boarding school for the past couple years where we haven’t been able to have cars - I want the freedom to be able to get off campus whenever I want. I got quite a bit of money to go to UMD, so I have the money available to get a used car and to pay for parking. That said, I could be convinced otherwise. How inconvenient is inconvenient? How easy is the metro to use? Where can I get on it (I’m not from Maryland or the north in general, so I’ve barely ever used public transportation)? Thanks.</p>
<p>Hey, I’m a freshman this year in the honors college. I registered for parking as soon as I could and was able to get lot 2, which is behind the rec center and a few small lots by the honors and scholars dorms</p>
<p>Ah yeah my advice was for commuters. Not sure about on campus residents</p>
<p>If an out-of-state freshman does not have a car, how easy/difficult and how much time does it take to get to the Baltimore airport via public transportation?</p>
<p>I read that it’s about 45 mins to an hour via public transpo to BWI airport, or downtown Balt. that’s from online snooping not personal experience. However I do know that from the CP metro station to downtown DC is only about 20 mins. easy to get in to see music, a play, museum, etc. and cheap!</p>
<p>Feartheturtle, I’d advise against having a car on campus, at least for the first year. metro is close by, so you can get to DC or BWI fairly easily. Others will be asking for rides often, and unless you are working or living off campus there is no reason to have one. My son has a car, and he will not be taking it to school until probably junior year, unless he decides he can work as a sophomore. </p>
<p>I know the campus well. I would not recommend bringing a car; as a compromise, leave it behind the first semester and see how you get on. Public transport is readily available and cheap - especially around holiday times to/from BWI. All the time to College Park metro - which is about 0.3 miles from campus. When the purple line is finished, there will be 3 stations actually on the campus. Unfortunately, current schedule to complete is 6 years away - 2020. (see <a href=“http://www.purplelinemd.com/en/about-the-project/stations”>http://www.purplelinemd.com/en/about-the-project/stations</a>).</p>
<p>There is a UM shuttle. I don’t know whether it takes people to public transportation, but I suspect it does.</p>
<p>Yes, as Normanisnot21 mentioned, the bus does go to the Metro station. </p>