Freshmen Connection To-Do List

Click here to accept your offer and pay the enrollment fee.

Please note that it takes up to two to three business days for this fee to process, and you may not sign up for orientation until it has been processed.

Directory ID

You will use your directory ID to register for orientation and to access various university resources.
Set up your Directory ID and password.
            You may need to clear your cache to access the link above. 

Terpmail Password

In addition, all students have access to Terpmail, which is the university's email system and is automatically created when you create your Directory ID and password. After you register for classes ALL UMD email communication will go to your Terpmail. You must set up your Terpmail password.

Multi-Factor Authentication

After acquiring your Directory ID, you will also need to set up Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA). Both your Directory ID and the MFA will be necessary to complete your Housing and Dining Agreement (required of all students living in residence halls) as well as to access other UMD systems such as student financial aid, registration for orientation and courses, and most other student services. Additional information on how to enroll in MFA can be found online. If you need any assistance please contact the Division of Information Technology.

Every student interested in on-campus housing must submit the Residence Hall Housing and Dining Agreement through the Department of Resident Life. 

LIVE HERE! 

Deadlines

• Fall Admitted Students: May 1st
• Spring Admitted Students: Rolling deadline, but first come first served. 

Access the Extended Studies Forms Portal.

Note: Freshmen Connection is only open to freshmen who are offered and confirm spring admission to the University of Maryland. Students admitted for the fall semester are not eligible for Freshmen Connection. The $75 enrollment fee for Freshmen Connection is non-refundable. Ensure eligibility prior submitting the enrollment form.

• Select Log In with UMD Directory ID. See Step 2, above.
• Select My Forms.
• Select Start New Form.
• Select Freshmen Connection Enrollment Form.

Complete FC Registration Modules

The FC Registration Modules are online tutorials that provide step-by-step instructions on how to register for classes. These tutorials are accessed via ELMS (Electronic Learning Management System) which is the online environment that supports online learning at UMD.

• Students receive access to the modules 48 business hours (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) after submitting the FC Enrollment Form and the $75 enrollment fee.
• Students are notified via TERPmail.
• Students must complete the FC Registration Module and one Major-Specific Module.
• Upon completion, students gain access to register for fall classes.

Register for Fall Classes

Students who successfully complete the FC Registration Module and one Major-Specific Module receive an email to their TERPmail account 48 business hours (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) after such completion. The email contains details on registration via Testudo - Registration (Drop/Add). As a reminder, registration is on a first-come, first-served basis. Certain courses, particularly math and science, fill and close early.

How do I know that I’ve chosen the right classes?

Advisors review all full-time student schedules (i.e. registering for 12 or more credits) within 10 business days (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) of registration. 

• Upon review, advisors notify students via the student email of record. Make sure to check the spam folder. In some cases, changes to the fall schedule may be necessary, requiring an action by the student.
• Students planning not to be full-time (i.e. registering for fewer than 12 credits) must request a review via email: fc@umd.edu. Provide student full name, student UID, and statement of request. The request must come from the student email of record.

Email of Record

To view email of record, visit Testudo and select Change Address/E-mail.

The Math Placement Test is a requirement for all incoming first-year students, regardless of any AP or college-level credit they may be bringing in. Academic Advisors use the test as a tool to determine what level of math course a student should take based on their knowledge of the subject. 

Students may access the Math Placement Test starting in mid-March for Fall admitted students and mid-October for Spring admitted students. 

Learn more about the Math Placement Test and the requirements. 

Our Office runs all the orientation programs for newly admitted, degree-seeking undergraduate students. All of our orientation programs are major-specific, and space in each session is available on a first reserve basis.

We HIGHLY ENCOURAGE you to register for orientation as soon as possible. Do not delay registering as all of our programs close at least one week out and spaces fill up quickly. 

Students can register for Orientation 48 business hours after confirming spring admission and submitting the FC Enrollment Form (available on March 26th).

• Please note it takes up to 3 business days for the Office of Undergraduate Admissions to process your enrollment fee payment and 48 hours for FC to process your enrollment form. Only after that process has occurred can you register for an NSO session.

Have any questions or need help with registering? Feel free to call our office at 301-314-8217 or send us an email to askorientation@umd.edu.

It is important that the university is aware of all prior learning and transfer credits in preparation for orientation. 

If you’ve earned credits through courses at another institution or through standard exams (such as AP, IB, A/AS Level and CLEP exams), they may count toward your UMD degree. Submit your most recent transcripts to the address below as soon as your grades are posted so we may promptly evaluate your transfer credit. To review which of your credits will transfer, review your unofficial transcript (Directory ID required for access) which will be available roughly 15 business days after you are admitted. More information can be found on our Transfer Credit Services website. 

As a University of Maryland student, you are entitled to a student ID card. Your ID card serves as a general form of identification for the purpose of accessing University programs and services. Students who are already registered for a New Student Orientation Session can upload their Student ID Photo ahead of time. 

You must submit your photo and signature online no less than 10 days prior to your in-person orientation. 

ID photo submission will open on May 1st. Once it opens, the link will be available here.

ID cards will be distributed during orientation and you will be required to show a government issued photo ID (state ID, driver's license, passport, etc.) to sign off for your ID card.

Many of our academic colleges use Canvas, our course management tool, to share information and receive information prior to orientation. Before you can access our Orientation Canvas courses, you need to first log into Canvas. To do this, simply visit elms.umd.edu and login using your directory id and password. Once you've logged in and seen your dashboard, log out. If you do not complete this step you might experience trouble trying to access the Canvas course when you're enrolled.

After registering for a New Student Orientation session, please take a moment to complete the Pre-Orientation Form at least one week prior to your NSO date.

You MUST register for a New Student Orientation Session BEFORE completing the form - the form is not your registration. 

Update Your Directory Information

Email is the University’s primary mode of communication, so it’s important to ensure that we have the correct information in our system to contact you. You can verify what email address is listed in our University Directory by visiting Testudo and clicking “Change Address/Email.” From there, you have the option of editing your email address, permanent and local address, and phone number.

Please note you also have the option of marking your contact information as “Confidential” if you would rather it not appear in the Student Directory. In the same screen you edit your email address, simply indicate if you want your profile access to be “Confidential” or “Public.”

Primary/Legal Name Change

At UMD, your "primary name" and "legal name" are different:

• Your primary name is the name by which you are generally known. It appears on university identification cards, class rosters, and directories of students and employees.
• Your legal name appears on government issued identity documents such as a passport. At UMD, your legal name must appear on official transcripts, financial aid documents, payroll documents, and other places where a legal name is required by law or university policy.

Unless you specify otherwise, your default primary name is your legal name. To specify a primary name that is different from a legal name or to update your legal name, please click here for instructions. 

TerrapinSTRONG is a shared vision and values for the entire campus community. All new faculty, staff and students participate in the TerrapinSTRONG onboarding course, as well as TerrapinSTRONG onboarding initiatives within their division/college/school. These onboarding experiences are just the first step to creating an inclusive campus. The TerrapinSTRONG vision is the shared understanding from which we work to improve the sense of community, connection and inclusion on our campus.

Special Accommodations

• If you or anyone participating in one of our orientation programs needs any special accommodations (ADA, dietary restrictions, immunocompromised), please be sure to indicate this in the Pre-Orientation Form in Step 1. 

Allergens

Please indicate any allergies you may have in your Pre-Orientation Form.

Kosher Meals

• If you are requesting a Kosher meal during your program, please place an order through Maryland Hillel online or call 301-422-6200 (ext. 202). Kosher meals are coordinated and ordered by Maryland Hillel directly, not by the Office of Student and Transition or Dining Services. Please request your kosher meal with Maryland Hillel at least one (1) week prior to your New Student Orientation date. If you do not order your Kosher meal at least 1 week in advance, we will not be able to provide you with Kosher options the day of the program. Should you have any questions about billing for these meals, please contact Maryland Hillel directly. 

Students should have completed this Step in the Pre-Orientation Form in Step 1.

The New Student Orientation Schedule will be built into the UMD mobile app. Be sure to download the app before arriving to campus for parking information, directions, and a built in schedule. 

Outside of New Student Orientation, The UMD App puts essential campus services right at your fingertips! It gives quick access to vital campus services, and offers a view that’s custom to you:

• Class schedule: Check your Testudo for your class schedule
• Dining: Your account balance info (if you have a plan), a “busy meter,” offering real-time information on dining hall traffic, link to menus. 
• Res Life: Package pickup up notifications from your Community Desk, roommate details, keys, swipe and mailbox combo tracking, and RA events! 
• Interactive Map: Find lecture halls, libraries, cafes, and more
• Events: See what’s happening on campus
• …and more!

More information about how to download the UMD app coming soon! 

 What to bring and a full packing list for New Student Orientation coming soon!