So lately the main question I have been getting is: “is it too late to apply for the Fall semester?!”.  Let me ease all of your worries for those of you who have either had a sudden change of heart or who are just coming around to the idea of transferring to UMBC.  It’s ok we will certainly welcome your Fall 2008 application.  A few things to keep in mind for those of you still looking to apply:

-File your FAFSA or add UMBC’s code to your current FAFSA.  Do this as soon as possible even if you just think you may end up at UMBC.  You don’t want to miss out on those loans!  (see our awesome financial aid website for more information!)

-Do you need housing?  We have had a great number of student express interest in housing this year leading to having to place students on a wait list.  We do however have openings in Walker Ave. apartments for students who have 40 or more credits (please contact them as soon as your admitted if you want an apartment on campus).  Keep in mind the area surrounding UMBC is full of great apartments and houses that are home to many of our upper class men!  Off Campus Student Services is a great resource to help you find a place, find a roommate, or get help dealing with a pesky landlord.  They even post openings in apartments around Catonsville and Arbutas!

-You are not too late for orientation!  We are offering transfer orientation programs August 6th and 7th as well as August 25th so there is plenty of time for you to get into one of those programs before the start of classes.

Last, if you are not sure if transferring is right for you this semester please e-mail me/call me and we can chat!  I can advise what may be best for you!  Spring semester is just around the corner and for those of your coming from a 2 year institution November 1st is our priority deadline!

Good Luck to all!

Greetings!

We are currently in full swing with orientation this summer and I’ve discovered that many of our new transfer students are not aware of the TSN or Transfer Student Network we have here at UMBC!  I thought I would take some time to tell prospective students what this is all about so that when you transfer to UMBC you are already aware of the opportunities to get involved in this great organization.  The TSN is a part of the Off Campus Student Services office located on the 3rd floor of the Commons.  Their office in general do a great job of connecting students to off campus houses and apartments, roommates and much more.  Within the OCSS office is housed the Transfer Student Network which is a network for students who were once transfers like yourself!  This is a great way to meet people and get to know other like individuals and make those connections.  I know as a transfer student it can seem like no one shares your same experiences and that you must be the ONLY transfer student around!  So not true!! The TSN also hosts some great opportunities specifically the Tau Sigma Honors Society which is an Honors Society exclusively for transfer students.  Here is the link to the OCSS/TSN web site.  I encourage you to explore and check it out to gain more information about how you can get involved!  This is a great first step once you get to campus to making those much needed connections!  www.umbc.edu/ocss/

Greetings transfers!  Just one week to go before our very first Transfer Orientation and Course Selection Day.  For those of you attending next week you should all be super excited.  I know I am!  Here are just a few things you should expect to happen next week or for any of you who will be attending orientation this summer:

To have fun and meet a lot of new people-everyone attending orientation is in the same boat as you and may not know anyone!  You will be divided into groups so make friends and connections.  It’s never too early to start.

Connecting with your OPA-that is your Orientation Peer Adviser. A lot of times they can give you priceless information that no one else can-like where the best food is on campus or when the best time to go to the dinning hall is!

Getting a lot of information!-Yes you will be given a lot of information that is useful!  I know you won’t be able to remember everything but make connections with the facilitators and presenters in case you have a follow up question or did not get a chance to speak one on one with them because you needed to get to your advising session

Registering for courses- I know all of you have anxiously been awaiting course registration and it’s almost here.  You will be meeting with an academic adviser that day and picking your courses that will fit into your schedule.  Don’t forget to bring an unofficial copy of any transcripts that have yet to be evaluated.

One final thought and piece of advice: PLEASE STAY THE ENTIRE PROGRAM!! You will be getting important and needed information about your education here at UMBC even if you already been to an orientation at another school you need to know information about UMBC so please don’t leave after your registered!  Besides you don’t want to miss out on all the fun!

Hi everyone!

Lately my phone has been ringing off the hook with students asking some of the same questions.  I thought I would post the answers to these questions in case others have the same concerns.

1. The deadline was May 31st, can I still submit my documents!?

The answer is YES!  If you applied and we are still in need of some of your documents please submit them as soon as possible.  Also, if you have not yet applied we will still be accepting transfer applications on a space available basis so get us your application!

2.  My Undergraduate Progress Report says nothing will transfer!?

Don’t panic.  This means that your transcript was just simply posted and has not yet been evaluated.  It generally takes about 4 weeks to have an evaluation posted and it will be complete by your orientation date.

3. I received my admissions packet.  What’s next?

Read read read that admissions packet.  There is a lot of important information in there that we spend lots of time and money on for you to know your next steps.  The most important next step is for you to complete your enrollment deposit and orientation response cards so we know you are coming and so we can get you into an orientation date so you can register for courses!

These are just of the few most common concerns I have been hearing.  Please if you don’t know or can’t find the answers just ask!  That’s what we are here for!!

So the new website has only been up for a week now but I want to know: What do you think!?  I would love to get your comments and feedback to see what we may have missed or what you would like to see!  Is there something you like? something you don’t like?  Your feedback is important since we want to be able to meet your needs as transfer students.

Looking forward to the feedback!

For those of you who have been admitted to UMBC for the Fall 2008 semester congratulations!  I have been hearing from some of you and many of you are asking: ” so what’s my next step?”.  The answer is: orientation!  If you have not done so already please complete the orientation and enrollment forms in your admission packet.  This is to let us know that you are coming to UMBC and so that we can assign you to an orientation day over the summer.  Transfer Orientation is held in June, July, and August so there are plenty of dates to fit into any ones schedule.  We even offer an evening orientation for those of you who plan to attend part time.

So what exactly IS orientation?  Well orientation is a mandatory day long program designed to familiarize you with the campus and so you can begin to make connections with students, faculty, and staff that will enhance your college experience.  I know some of you may be saying: “But I’ve been to college before…aren’t all orientations the same!?”.  The answer is NO WAY!  Have you ever attended UMBC?  No!  We want you to feel comfortable on your first day at UMBC and we want you to be aware of all the resources available to you before you officially step foot onto our campus.  This day is fun AND a great way to meet new people and make new friends.

Besides the great information you will be given about campus resources, orientation is also the day you can get your campus card, turn in health forms, and most importantly meet with an academic adviser and register for your courses.  Each semester UMBC students are required to meet with an academic adviser in their major (or majors) before they can register.  All new students begin this process at our orientation and course selection day.  Not only will you be registering, you will also talk about your courses that have transfered, your academic plan and goals, as well as other issues such as off campus jobs, the amount of credits you can handle and much more.  Advising isn’t just about picking classes that fit into your schedule.  Really utilize your adviser and don’t be afraid to ask questions and express concerns.  They are there to advise you and guide you so that you are as successful as you can be!

I could go on and on about the importance of this day but I want to end by offering one small piece of advice.  Make a connection with someone, even a few people if you can.  If it’s a faculty or staff member or one of our great Orientation Peer Advisers (OPAS) having this connection will make your experience as a new student even greater.  I love to hear from students after orientation or even hear that new students are reaching out to their OPA with any questions that may still have even after orientation.  Attend the Welcome Week activities as well the first week of school.  You will have fun and it’s a great way to start your involvement in the UMBC community!  (ok so maybe that’s 2 pieces of advice)!

Good Luck with exams, don’t forget to send that final transcript, and I look forward to meeting you in the summer!

Greetings transfers! For those of you who have been trying to reach me for the past 3 days I have been on a mini vacation to Boone, NC (the name says it all!). I am now back and at your service! Just wanted to give you all a friendly reminder that our Fall 2008 transfer application deadline is approaching. I know what you are thinking, May 31st is so far away! Well if May is anything like April, May 31st will be here before we know it!

For those of you thinking you had run out of time you can breathe a sigh of relief! What we need from you is your complete application as well as official transcripts from the institution (s) you have attended. It takes about 2 weeks to hear from us once your application is COMPLETE. Complete being the key word here! We try to work as fast as we can here in the admissions office and I know that it can be a nerve racking process but relax, be patient, AND if you have any questions at all or you need just to calm your worried mind give myself or our office a call and we can help!

I know many of you are studying hard right now for exams. I am too (slowly getting that Masters). But please remember to get your stuff in! Good Luck with the rest of the semester!!!

A big thanks for those of you who made it out to UMBC for the Transfer Open House today. I spoke individually to many students and I am excited to work with you on your transition from either a 2 year or a 4 year institution. After these events I am always left with a sense of accomplishment. Many times we think that the process is simple for all and that’s not always the case. I am so glad to get to help someone who really is confused and needs come guidance because in fact it’s more than just submitting and application and transcripts. The Transfer Open House is all about networking and making those connections early on and we really want you as a student to use this day to explore what UMBC has to offer and if it’s the right place for you! Please if anyone has any feedback and comments about the program good or constructive let me know! We’re always looking at ways to better serve the transfer population and who better to hear from then you!

Thanks again and I look forward to seeing some of you over the summer at orientation! Go Retrievers!

For those of you who are attending the Transfer Open House this Friday I look forward to meeting you.  For those of you who aren’t or never found out about it until reading this post hurry up and register for it!  Here is the link

I am really excited to get to meet a great group of transfer students and hopefully you will take some time to come say hi.  I will be around all day especially during lunch…my favorite time of the day!  We will have some awesome finger foods…the chicken tenders are my favorite!  All jokes aside (not really…I love the food!) it will be a great day to get more information about UMBC in general as well as finding out the steps to make your transition a smooth one.  Whether you know you’re coming, still thinking about it, or just want to learn more this is the day for you!

If you cannot attend but would like to come visit we also offer transfer workshops and feel free just to call or e-mail me.  I’m available to provide lots of information and hopefully help you along the way!

Looking forward to meeting with you Friday!  You better be there!

Yet another UMBC athletic team is making news.  Our men’s lacrosse team has gained national ranking and has won home field advantage in the upcoming American East Conference Finals.  Will another UMBC team see an NCAA berth this year?  Let’s hope so!  Last year the Retrievers not only made it the the NCAA’s, but also advanced to the second round.  Hopefully this year we will see them go even further!  Click here to read about the team!