Freshmen Connection

Respond to the offer of admission by completing the Decision Form located in your Terps Application Portal. For full instructions, see the Admitted Spring Freshman Checklist.

Activate Directory ID and Passphrase (Select Activate Account)

• The Directory ID and passphrase grants access to UMD systems and resources.

Enroll in Multi-Factor Authentication

• In addition to the Directory ID and passphrase, students use Multi-Factor Authentication to access UMD systems and resources.

Set Up TERPmail Password

• A TERPmail account is automatically created for undergraduates who activate their Directory ID. Students receive instructions on setting up a TERPmail password via the email used on their application.
• TERPmail is UMD's official means of communication and is required for access to UMD Wireless Networks and UMD's electronic learning management system (ELMS). See TERPmail Frequently Asked Questions.
• Once you have activated your Directory ID, you should begin checking TERPmail regularly to ensure that you don’t miss important information from the University.

Guidelines and Assistance

• Need help? Contact itsupport@umd.edu.
• It may take up to two business days (Monday - Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.) for the Directory ID to become effective.
• See TERPmail Frequently Asked Questions.

Other Important Information

• University Identification Number (UID): 9-digit number that appears on the admission letter. Always include this number when communicating with faculty or staff, since this is the best and quickest way to find the student record in any UMD system.
• Student ID Card: Physical ID card for UMD students who confirm admission and register for classes. The card is issued during summer orientation and used to access library services, campus shuttle buses, the Eppley Recreation Center, athletic events, and more.

Complete this step only if you are planning to live on campus

• Campus Housing (Department of Resident Life): Deadline is May 1.
• Dining at Maryland: Provides information on campus meal plans for residential and commuter students. Students living on campus are required to select a meal plan as part of their campus housing request. 

Access the Extended Studies Forms Portal via your Directory ID. Do NOT create a new account. See Guidelines and Assistance below.

Note: Freshmen Connection (FC) 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 $80 enrollment fee for Freshmen Connection is non-refundable. Ensure eligibility prior to 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.

Guidelines and Assistance

• It may take up to two business days for your Directory ID to become effective.
• Need technical assistance? Submit a case.

Instructions

• To access the online Math Placement Exam (MPE), visit Mathematics Placement Exam Information and scroll to the bottom of the page.
• Problems? Contact math-place@umd.edu. Include the student's full name, student UID, and statement of the issue.

Who Must Take the Online MPE

• All incoming UMD freshmen are required to complete the Math Placement Exam (MPE).
• The MPE provides a measure of a student’s math skills. The results are used to ensure that students are eligible to enroll in the math course associated with their intended major as well as any math-dependent courses.

When Should I Take the Online MPE

• Complete the MPE as soon as possible. Your MPE results determine your eligibility for various math courses and other courses that require math as a prerequisite (e.g., BSCI, BMGT, CHEM, ECON, ENES).

Registering for Non-Math Courses Before Completing the MPE

• Students should wait to receive their MPE results before registering for fall courses.
• An advisor will review your fall schedule once you have registered for at least 12 credits, and any math or math-dependent courses must be included in this review.

How to Find Math Eligibility

• Every Wednesday, advisors email MPE results to students who have submitted the Freshmen Connection Enrollment Form. MPE results are sent to the student’s email of record. To view your email of record, visit Testudo and select Change Address/E-mail.

Retaking the Online MPE

• Students may retake the MPE one time prior to the start of the fall semester and 30 days after first taking it.
• After 30 days, contact math-place@umd.edu to request a retake. Provide the student's full name and UID.
• After completing the retake, email fc@umd.edu so that FC advisors can look up the score. New MPE scores are not automatically emailed to students.

Preparation Resources

• See Math Placement Exam Information for preparation resources, guidelines, and a sample exam.

Testing Accommodations

• Students who receive testing accommodations must contact UMD’s Accessibility and Disability Service (ADS) and make arrangements to take the paper MPE. The online MPE is not available to students who receive accommodations for testing.
• Students who take the paper MPE through ADS should register for all courses other than those requiring a Math eligibility before these results post.
• Students who have completed the paper MPE through ADS must contact an advisor at fc@umd.edu.
• A small number of seats are reserved in all math and math-dependent courses for students who take the paper MPE through ADS.

Complete FC Registration Modules

The FC Registration Modules are online tutorials that provide step-by-step instructions on how to register for classes and, importantly, provide details regarding which courses to take based on your intended major and any transfer credits you may have. 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 $80 enrollment fee.
• Students are notified via TERPmail once the modules are available.
• Students must complete the FC Registration Module and at least one Major-Specific Module.
• Once both modules are completed, you must submit the Module Completion Form at the end of the major-specific module you chose. You will not be able to register for classes without completing this step.
• FC Registration Modules must be completed prior to attending orientation.

Register for Fall Classes

Students who successfully complete the FC Registration Module and one Major-Specific Module receive an email to their TERPmail account. The email contains details on registration via Testudo - Registration (Drop/Add). As a reminder, registration occurs on a first-come, first-served basis. Certain courses, particularly math and science, fill early.

Note: You must register for classes prior to attending orientation. Your enrollment is not complete until this step is done.

Selecting the Correct Classes

An advisor will review your schedule to make sure that you’ve chosen the correct courses for your intended major.

• Full-Time Students (12 or more credits)
  • An advisor will review your schedule within 10 business days (two weeks) of your registering for 12 or more credits. You will receive an email to let you know that the advisor’s review has been completed. Check your spam folder if you haven’t received an email in this timeframe.
  • Note: If the advisor recommends adjustments to your schedule, you’ll receive a separate email noting which changes to make and/or requesting that you schedule an advising appointment.
• Part-time Students (fewer than 12 credits)
  • Students planning to be part-time in the fall must request a review via email once they’re finished registering. Contact fc@umd.edu and provide your full name, UID number, and request a review of your fall schedule. This request must come from your TERPmail address.  

Your status on the EXST Forms Portal will stay in "Review Pending" until you have enrolled in classes and your schedule has been reviewed by an advisor.

Advisors are available to help at any point and can be reached at fc@umd.edu.

Email of Record

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

Register for New Student Orientation – Freshmen Connection.

• Students cannot register for Orientation until 48 business hours after confirming spring admission (See Step 1) and submitting the FC Enrollment Form (See Step 4).
• Orientation dates are filled on a first-come, first-served basis.
• All incoming UMD freshmen are required to complete a new student orientation.
• Students must complete the FC Registration Modules (See Step 6) and register for fall classes (See Step 7) before attending orientation.