Undergraduate Orientation

Frequently Asked Questions

Registering for Orientation
Orientation Course Selection Day
Advising and Majors
Welcome Week and Move-in
General Orientation Questions

Questions about registering for Orientation Course Selection Day


1. How do I register for Orientation Course Selection Day?
To reserve your space for Orientation and Placement Testing, please complete the online registration form. When you log into the registration form, you will be able to select which dates you prefer to take your online placement tests and attend Orientation Course Selection Day. Reservations will be accepted on a first-come, first-served basis. If you have any questions, please call 410-455-3244.

2. How will I receive my Orientation confirmation details?
You will receive an e-mail confirmation immediately after completing your online Orientation registration. The date you select should not be considered confirmed until you have printed your confirmation information online or received it via e-mail. Closer to your Orientation Course Selection Day, you will also receive a hardcopy confirmation with a parking pass and other important details in the mail.

3. What if I need to attend orientation on a specific date offered?
You will be provided with a list of all available dates on the online registration form. Please be aware that we cannot make exceptions to the dates that are already closed or filled to capacity. If you have any questions regarding a specific program, please call 410-455-3244.

4. What if I am unable to attend orientation?
Orientation is mandatory for all new students. Orientation is your only opportunity to register for fall classes, and it is a full-day of opportunities for you and your family to discover everything that UMBC offers.

5. What if I need to change my assigned orientation date?
You may log back into the online registration form to make a change to you Orientation date up until three days before your scheduled program.  Beyond that date, if there is emergency requiring that you reschedule your Orientation, please call 410-455-3244.  Please note that once you enter the change for your original date, your original selection will immediately be available to someone else.

6. Is there a fee for orientation?
Yes—there is a one-time orientation fee of $125 that you will submit with your $100 enrollment deposit. This fee covers the cost of orientation materials, food and staffing. If you have not already done so, log into myUMBC to accept your admission and pay your $225 enrollment deposit and orientation fee.

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Questions about Orientation Course Selection Day


1. What are the dates for freshman Orientation Course Selection Day?
Freshmen Orientation Course Selection Days will be held on June 15, 19, 22, 25, 27, 28; July 2, 30; and August 1, 27. The day begins with check-in at 8 a.m., concludes at 5 p.m. and includes lunch.

2. What are the dates for transfer Orientation Course Selection Day?
Transfer Orientation Course Selection Days will be on June 13; July 10, 11, 12, 31; and August 1, 24. The time at which the program starts varies by date. Please refer to your confirmation letter for details.

3. Can my family members can attend orientation with me?
Yes. There is a special Family Orientation program held in conjunction with all freshmen course selection days and select transfer course selection days. Please include your family members’ information in the "guests" section of the online orientation reservation form or call 410-455-3244 to let us know who will be attending.

4. Do I schedule my fall classes during orientation?
Yes. In addition to meeting both current and new UMBC students, faculty and staff, learning more about academic options and student life, you will meet individually with an advisor to schedule your fall classes.

5. Where do I park for orientation?
Parking for orientation guests is available in the Stadium Lot. You will be provided with a permit to use for the day. There will be signs on campus to direct you or you may refer to the UMBC map. The University Center is a short walk from the Stadium Lot, however for those in need, a shuttle will be available. Please call 410-455-3244 if you need further accommodations.

Check-in for orientation is on the 3rd floor of the University Center.

6. Where can I stay the night before and/or after orientation?
Please visit our accommodations link http://www.umbc.edu/AboutUMBC/accomodations.html for a list of selected hotels.

7. What should I bring to orientation?
Orientation Course Selection Day is an informal program. Casual clothes and comfortable shoes are suggested, including a sweater for sometimes chilly air-conditioned meeting rooms. If you have copies of AP or IB test results or college transcripts that have not yet been submitted officially, it may be helpful to bring them for advising purposes.

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Questions about Advising and Majors


1. What if I have changed my mind about my major since I filled out my UMBC application?
When you check-in for Orientation Course Selection Day, a staff member will confirm your indicated major. If you would like to change your major at that time, you may do so. You can also e-mail orientation@umbc.edu with this information prior to your orientation day.

2. Where can I go to learn more about majors offered at UMBC?
You can start to explore majors at www.umbc.edu/undergraduate/majors/ before attending Orientation Course Selection Day.

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Questions about Welcome Week and living on campus


1. What is Welcome Week and when is it held?
Your orientation continues with Welcome Week, a week-long series of social and educational events that takes place August 25 - September 2, 2012. Welcome Week will help you meet both new and continuing students and learn more about the many opportunities inside and outside of the classroom. It is your chance to get to know student organizations, find out more about UMBC’s recreational programs, sign up for club sports, and meet other new students.

2. When will I receive information about living on campus?
Freshmen - Information about living on campus is included in the “Step 3” section of your admission packet. If you are interested in living on campus, it is important that you submit your online Housing Application, deposit and roommate preferences as soon as possible. Roommate assignments are typically distributed in late July. For more information, please visit the Residential Life Web site.

Transfer Students - Information about living on campus is included in the “Step 3” section of your admission packet. If you are interested in living on campus, it is important that you submit your online housing application as soon as possible. For more information, please visit the Residential Life Web site.

3. When can I move into my residence hall?
Move-In Day is Saturday, August 25. Classes Begin Wednesday, August 29.

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General Orientation Questions


1. How do I get my Campus I.D. card?
You will take your campus card photo and be issued your student identification during Orientation Course Selection Day. It is important to bring a driver’s license or other state-issued I.D. with you to Orientation in order to receive your card.

2. Does my immunization form need to be filled out by the orientation date?
University Health Services staff will collect immunization forms up until the start of classes, but we strongly encourage you to have your physician fill out and sign the form prior to your Orientation Course Selection Day. If the immunization form is not filled out and turned into the University Health Services, you will be blocked from registering for classes in future semesters.Click here for a copy of this form.

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