So, the big May 1 deadline passed.  You made your decision.  You sent us your enrollment deposit, you submitted your housing deposit.  Now what?  Below is a list of a step-by-step list of tasks you should tackle and events you should anticipate as you prepare for your freshman yeart at UMBC!

1. Placement Testing/Orientation Sign-Up–If you have not already done so, be sure to sign up for your Orientation Course Selection Day and Placement Testing on your myUMBC account, or on the Orientation website (click the ”Online Orientation Registration” link on the left).  Often I find students get a bit anxious about taking the placement test, but as I noted in a posting last year, there’s really nothing to worry about (please note, this year you have the ability to tell us when you sign up for your placement tests if you already satisfied the English/reading area with AP scores–we will not notify you if you are exempt from a certain test).

2. Placement Testing–Duh, I know it sounds obvious, but when you sign up for placement testing, make sure to take your placement tests during your allotted time!  You’ll sign up for a weeklong window in which you can take the tests online.  You’ll need to take them before you come to orientation.  Your advisor will discuss the results of your tests with you and use them to place you in the proper math and English classes.

3.  Orientation Course Selection Day–There are really two parts to orientation.  This is the first.  This is the day you’ll come to campus and meet new and current UMBC students and learn about UMBC’s academic policies, on-campus resources, student life, etc.  It’s a fun and busy day, so come energized!  There is a parent program that takes place alongside all freshmen and select transfer orientation days.  Details are availabe on the Orientation website.  New students, make sure your parents realize their program is separate from yours!  It will cover lots of the same information, but it’s specifically designed to meet their needs!  Tell them we know it’s tough to let go, but that you will be okay on your own (sometimes they need this reassurance from you :) )!

4.  Shop, Pack–Those of you planning to live on campus will also need to stock up on extra-long sheets, milk crates, and underwear (depending on how often you plan on doing laundry).  A list of what to bring will be updated by the Office of Residential Life this summer–the link here is to last year’s list, so the items will pretty much be the same, although please note that move-in day this year is Friday, August 28th, not the 23rd as this sheet says.  Don’t forget to contact your new roommate to see what s/he is bringing!

5.  Welcome Week–Once you move onto campus and are settled in, you’ll want to attend all the Welcome Week events you can!  This is the second part of orientation that occurs the week before classes begin.  Whether you live on campus or are planning on commuting, you’ll want to spend this week checking out/signing up for all the clubs and organizations on campus, participating in New Student Book Experience discussions, and just generally getting to know our campus and your fellow students!  There’s nothing like your freshman year of college, so get psyched, get out there and start enjoying life as a Retriever!

Of course, laying out your summer in five easy steps is much easier “typed” than done.  Your Orientation Course Selection Day will assist you with the rest of your planning, so again, come revved up, ready to learn about college life at UMBC!  As always, we’re ready to answer your questions here in Undergraduate Admissions too.  See you this summer and welcome to UMBC!