New Student Orientation

@ScubaMoma exciting! Congratulations. … my daughter has not decided yet…

@ScubaMoma - Welcome to TERP Nation!

Do parents attend orientation?

@LoyolaMD91 Parents do not have to attend orientation and there is a separate cost for parents. However, there is a lot of valuable information that is provided to the parents at orientation (which is only one-day for parents) so if this is your first time, it may be worth your while to attend.

Thank you @reads2222. I have a work obligation the week he’s chosen but I’ll try to get my husband to take off. We are local so it doesn’t involve travel at least.

@LoyolaMD91 - I recommend that parents attend orientation if it feasible in terms of time and money… There are optional second day activities for parents (at extra cost)… In any event, it is 2 days of activities for new Terps, so you will probably have to be there the next day to pick up your student

Isn’t there an orientation when they move in? We are OSS (CA) and it is expensive to keep traveling back east. Are these summer orientations mandatory?

@ruth59 - I am not aware of any orientation at move in. Orientation is where students register for classes, get their student ID cards and learn their way around UMD and the surrounding area.

There are some orientation dates in the second half of August and Freshman move in will probably be around August 21 or 22.

I recommend calling the Orientation office about your concerns. You may be able to go to one of the later orientations and possibly get permission for a slightly earlier move in date.

@ruth59 You may be confusing “new resident” orientation as part of the move-in (a couple of days of activities for freshmen to welcome them with fun experiences to help them meet new people/make new friendships) with the university’s mandatory “new student” orientation which is when you get advising and sign up for classes…

The info for move-in/resident life usually posted here http://reslife.umd.edu/welcome2umd/ but dates for 2019 are not up yet.

I am unable to find the orientation agenda anywhere. What’s the difference between the one and two day orientations for freshman students ? What do they cover on day two that you would be missing if a student only went for one day? Thanks

@goteam2 - The orientation agenda is probably based on the intended audience e,g, Honors, Scholars, CIVICUS, etc so each one will be somewhat different. You can call the Orientation office to discuss your particular concerns

http://www.orientation.umd.edu/dates.html

Ok will do. Thanks.

@goteam2 My daughter is a freshman and in the CP Scholars. Part of her 2nd day schedule of the orientation was to sign up/register for classes. I think they allocated a few hours for course registration with assistance from their session guiding counselor. As SoofDad mentioned, there may be slight difference for schedule per intended audience (Honors, Scholars, etc.).

That’s what I figured. I wil give a cal today. Thanks

We are trying to decide between having daughter do Terp for Day or the Admitted Stident Open house. Does anyone know which is better for a student trying to decide?

@Kmhbt1 - We only did the Admitted Student Open House back in 2014. We found it to very informative. Hopefully some recent attendees will reply.

I was told by advisor in CS department that I don’t have to take math test as I satisfied with my AP scores. Good relief for me.

@cshigh - are you a transfer student? If so, that is my understanding of the only way that you don’t “have” to take the math test.

If you are a first year student, you still have to take it…regardless of scores: “ALL first year students, regardless of SAT or AP/IB scores, must take the Math Placement Test before coming to New Student Orientation. There are no exemptions from taking the Math Placement Test for first year students.” http://orientation.umd.edu/mathplacement.html

I am not transfer. I understand what you said. I will get clarification

@cshigh - @maryversity is correct. In fact, if you show up at Orientation without having taken the Math Placement Test, you will have to take it then and you will not be able to register for classes until you have completed it.