FAQs
General FAQs
- I am a fall admit. Do I still need to attend Maryland’s orientation in the summer?
- Yes. Attending the University’s orientation session in the summer allows you to set up your e-mail account, obtain your University ID, meet with an advisor, and register for fall classes. Click here for orientation information.
- What is the Freshmen First orientation/check-in session?
- For complete information on check-in, the welcome session, and Orientation Day, click here.
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- Would you recommend certain courses over others?
- Select courses that you have a genuine interest in taking. Our classes are taught by some of the University of Maryland’s most innovative faculty. Any AP or transfer credits earned and your fall course selection should be considered in selection process. The program coordinator will check your course selection against your student record to avoid the duplication of any GenEd requirements.
- How do I purchase my textbooks?
- For complete information, click here.
- Can I change my course selections before the program begins?
- For complete information, click here.
- Is attendance mandatory for the evening and weekend events such as movies, Terp Zone, etc.?
- Your course package—residential or commuter—underwrites the costs of these and all other scheduled program-related activities. This fee is charged whether you decide to attend these activities or not. We do not pro-rate. Please note: Upon the completion of the program, we ask students to complete a survey. Past surveys demonstrate that those students who fully participated in the scheduled events were the ones with the highest satisfaction rating.
- What happens if I become ill?
- For complete information, click here.
- What University rules and regulations apply during this program?
- For complete information, click here.
- How do I activate my directory ID/password and UM e-mail account?
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- How do I access my grades?
- For complete information, click here.
Residential FAQs
- What is the Service Desk?
- The Service Desk for all participants is in the Lobby of TBD Hall (301-314-xxxx). It is staffed 24 hours, seven days a week, during the program to perform a variety of functions. The main purpose is to ensure your comfort but it is also a 24-hour emergency contact center and information hub. This is the place to:
- Pick up any telephone messages and mail
- Report maintenance/other problems with your room.
- Report lost keys or get a spare key if you are locked out.
- What about mail?
- You should have your mail addressed to:
Your name
Attn: Summer Guest
Freshmen First Program
Residence Hall (TBD)
University of Maryland
College Park, MD, 20742
You will need to go to your specific Service Desk to check on and pick up your mail on a daily basis. You will not receive a notification in your room. You must check the message board or ask a staff member at the desk about mail.
- What about keys?
- For complete information, click here.
- How are roommate assignments made?
- For complete information, click here.
- Do I need to bring linens?
- For complete information, click here.
- In addition to sheets and towels, what items should I consider bringing?
- For complete information, click here.
- What won’t I have?
- For complete information, click here.
- What items may I not bring?
- For complete information, click here.
- Is a telephone provided?
- No. There is a voice and data jack in each room for each residential student. You must either bring a phone from home (which can freely be used to make on-campus and local telephone calls) or a cell phone. To make long distance calls from a non-cell phone, you must have a telephone calling card. Incoming off-campus calls can be received without the use of a calling card.
- Will my room be cleaned daily?
- Rooms (bedrooms, common areas, and bathrooms) are cleaned before your arrival and after your departure only. You can request cleaning supplies from the Residence Hall Service Desk or from your mentors. Before checking out, you are expected to remove all trash to the outside receptacles.
- Can I do laundry?
- Residential students use the coin-operated laundry facilities located in or near their residential hall. You’ll need to bring your own detergent as well as quarters for the washers and dryers.
- What if I have a problem with a roommate or suitemate?
- You need to muster the courage to first discuss the problem with your roommate or suitemate. If you can’t resolve the issue(s), you should speak to your mentor who will help.
- Are there accommodations for students with disabilities?
- For complete information, click here.
- How much spending money should I bring?
- For complete information, click here.
- Why can’t I just move into my fall residence hall room?
- Students must be out of the residence hall by the assigned time on the last day. The Freshmen First program is designed for residential participants to live in the same residence hall during the three-week program only. Your fall residential assignment is determined by the Department of Resident Life and may be in another residence hall. The Department of Resident Life is unable to allow any summer program student to remain on campus past the end of the program. You should contact the Department of Resident Life with questions about moving into your Fall assignment.
