New Student Resources
The New Student Checklist will help guide you through a number of items to complete before and just shortly after you arrive on campus. This page will also help you with these items.
Arrival and Orientation Events
Getting to Campus
Transportation from the airport to College Park is arranged by students on their own. The Graduate Student Government offers the Airport Pickup Program. Students should sign-up through the GSG to participate. Other options include shuttle services, taxi, and public transportation. Conferences & Visitor services provides great resources regarding area transportation.
ENTS Orientation Events
All new ENTS students are required to participate in one New Student Welcome and Orientation Session. We strongly encourage students to also complete the placement exams for ENTS 622 and ENTS 640. The results of the exams will determine if you are exempt from completing either/or two of the technical core courses. An “exemption” allows you additional room in your program of study to complete electives. If you do not take or pass the placement exam(s), you must enroll in both of these courses. There is no disadvantage to attempting the placement exams. The results are not a part of your academic record and this is your only opportunity to take the exams.
ISSS Orientation Events
International students are required to register for international student orientation online. ISSS also offers on campus welcome activities. We encourage you to participate in these sessions in order to help you transition to the academic culture and campus community at UMD.
Graduate Student Kickoff
The Graduate Student Life office hosts fun-filled activities for new and returning graduate students, such as the Graduate Student Kick-Off.
Graduate School Orientation
The Graduate School will host a campus-wide orientation to provide students with an overview of the Graduate School at the University of Maryland.
Engineering Career Services
Engineering Career Services requires that new international students attend workshops to have their resumes critiqued by a staff member. These workshops include “Job Search 101 for F1 Students” and “Resume Writing.” These sessions will be offered throughout August so that students can take advantage and begin to prepare for their job-search. Students must sign up for these workshops.
Course Registration
The registration block for new students will be lifted in January for Spring and August for Fall. Once registration has opened, you can register via Testudo. In order to register you will need to establish a Directory ID and password via the Division of Information Technology’s website.