Welcome to the University Honors Program at the University of Maryland

University of Maryland Seal

Welcome New Honors Terps!

INFO FOR NEW HONORS TERPS

Newly Admitted Honors Terps,

Congratulations on your acceptance to Maryland's University Honors Program! You should be very proud of your achievements. They have earned you the opportunity to join our prestigious community of intellectually curious, energized, and creative students and faculty. We are confident that you will truly enjoy the academic challenge and flexibility that are the hallmarks of our program. You have the potential to be an academic leader in college and beyond. We look forward to helping you make the most of your college experience.

Choosing the right college is a big decision. Please take this opportunity to explore our website and come to campus for a visit! Please feel free to contact the University Honors Program at any time with questions.

What is the University Honors Program?
The University Honors Program is Maryland's long established living-learning program for students with exceptional academic talents. The Honors Program welcomes students into a close-knit community of faculty and intellectually gifted undergraduates committed to acquiring a broad and balanced education. Honors seminars are small classes taught by outstanding faculty who encourage discussion and foster innovative thinking. Check out the Program Overview as well as our FAQs.

How do I matriculate to Honors, and what about invitations to Gemstone and Honors Humanities?
All matriculations, even for Honors, go through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. Confirmation of intention to enroll must be in by May 1st.

  • If you were invited to be in the Honors Program and you matriculate to the University by May 1st, you will automatically be in Honors (no need to do anything special to confirm to Honors).

  • If you were invited to be in Gemstone or Honors Humanities, you must decide whether that subprogram within Honors is a good fit for you. When you matriculate to Admissions, you will stay in Honors no matter what you decide; but if you choose to accept a Gemstone or Honors Humanities invitation, you must specifically indicate that decision. For Gemstone, you must confirm online through a link from the Admissions site; and for Honors Humanities, you must return the light blue response form sent with your admissions packet.
  • When is Orientation for Honors students?
    Orientations for incoming students run most of the summer; but if you can possibly work it into your schedule, we strongly encourage you to attend one of the three Honors Orientations (June 12-13, June 26-27, or July 17-18). Orientation is when you'll meet with an advisor and sign up for classes, learn a lot about the University, get your ID card, and make a bunch of new friends. You can sign up for an Orientation once you confirm to the University by calling the Orientation Office at 301-314-8217.

    What about Honors housing?
    University Honors is a living learning program, so we encourage all incoming students to live in Honors housing. About 94% of first-year Honors students live in Honors housing; others commute or elect to live in other residence halls. The choice is yours. When you confirm to the University, you will automatically be placed in Honors housing unless you state a different preference.

    The University Honors Program and the Department of Resident Life look forward to welcoming the Honors class of '11. Here's what to expect regarding Honors housing for Fall '08:

    Assignments -University Honors Program
    Students in the University Honors program who are not in the Gemstone, Honors Humanities, or Women in Engineering programs will be assigned to Denton Hall. A small number of students will be approved to live in Anne Arundel Hall and Queen Anne's Hall, the Honors houses located in North Hill.

    Students in the Honors program who request non-Honors roommates will not be guaranteed a room in Denton Hall, but will be offered spaces in Ellicott Hall after all Gemstone program students have been accommodated.

    If an Honors program student does not want to live in one of the Honors halls, s/he should notify the Resident Life Assignments Office at reslife@umd.edu by June 30.

    Assignments - Gemstone and Women in Engineering Programs
    Gemstone and Women in Engineering students will be assigned to Ellicott Hall. Ellicott will also house some non-Honors students.

    Students in Gemstone who request non-Gemstone roommates may be offered spaces in Ellicott Hall (if available) after all Gemstone program students are accommodated. These spaces may be on non-Gemstone concentrated floors. Women in Engineering students will be assigned roommates in that program.

    If a Gemstone or Women in Engineering student does not want to live in Ellicott Hall, s/he should notify the Resident Life Assignments Office at reslife@umd.edu by June 30.

    Assignments - Honors Humanities
    Students in Honors Humanities will be assigned to Wicomico Hall, located in the North Hill Community near the center of campus. The North Hill Community houses several living-learning programs, including the Anne Arundel Hall and Queen Anne's Hall Honors houses, the Language House, Civicus, Global Communities, and the Jimenez-Porter Writer's House. About 40% of North Hill Community residents are first year students, so you'll meet lots of other freshmen.

    Students in Honors Humanities who request non-Honors Humanities program roommates may be offered spaces in Wicomico Hall (if available) after all Honors Humanities program students are accommodated. These spaces may be on non-Honors Humanities concentrated floors.

    If an Honors Humanities program student does not want to live in Wicomico Hall, s/he should notify the Resident Life Assignments Office at reslife@umd.edu by June 30.

    Notification of Room Assignments
    Official Notification of Assignments will be available on the Resident Life web site on August 12th.

    Once official assignments are released, Resident Life will not make changes until two weeks after opening.

    Additional Notes:
    If you and a friend would like to room together, both of you need to send the request, along with your University ID numbers, to the Resident Life Assignments Office at reslife@umd.edu as soon as possible. Best efforts will be made to accommodate your requests, but we can make no guarantees.

    Don't worry - there is plenty of room to house all incoming Honors students in Honors housing. You should look forward to a terrific year with new friends and a wonderful group in Honors!

    Other links that may be of interest to you:
    Activities & Clubs
    Faith-based Groups
    Study Abroad
    Academic Integrity

    "The Honors program has such a community spirit, bringing all different kinds of students together. Be it for a guest lecture or to share some ice cream, you always have friends to talk to in Honors." - Kristen Essig '07

    Two enthusaistic graduating seniors wearing their Honor cords and celebrating the end of finals.