Issue 3: Housing

After securing your visa, finding a place to live is probably one of the most important things on your to-do list.   Housing options for new international students are dependent on whether you are entering the university as a new first-year student, as a transfer student, or as a graduate student. No matter where you live, you will still have an opportunity to become an active member of the University of Maryland community.

Housing Options

ON-CAMPUS HOUSING FOR NEW (FRESHMEN) UNDERGRADUATES and EXCHANGE STUDENT Students who applied for housing will hear directly from Residence Life regarding your application. Important dates for Resident Life can be found here, room assignments will be released in January. Students should go to Spring Housing for more information. BEFORE YOU MOVE-IN Before you move in, you should consider what items to bring, what to expect from roommate relationships and how you might decorate your room. Explore these resources offered in the Department of Resident Life’s website. EARLY MOVE-IN New international students who have an on-campus housing assignment may request an early move-in date of January 19, 2024 after 12 PM. Once housing assignments are released, students who wish to arrive before January 21st must request an early arrival via their Housing Portal by choosing Early Arrival Request. The requests will be reviewed on an ongoing basis and the students should continue to check the request in the Housing Portal for updates. Resident Life attempts to update the status within two business days, but as we get closer to opening staff may be in training sessions which delays the process, please apply early. HOUSING FOR NEW UNDERGRADUATE TRANSFER STUDENTS On-campus housing cannot be guaranteed for transfer students. New transfer students who requested residence hall housing should also explore other housing options using the resources offered by the university's Off-Campus Housing Services.  HOUSING FOR GRADUATE STUDENTS There are two all-graduate student apartment communities as well as one building (Building 6) at The Courtyards at UMD community all on university property. The Graduate Gardens and Graduate Hills communities are owned by the University of Maryland and managed on the university's behalf by a property management company. A separate application and leasing process applies for these apartment Communities. The Courtyards at UMD is managed by a private company and eligibility for leasing is managed by the Department of Resident Life. Spring availability is based on the number of residents who wish to transfer their lease through the Lease Transfer Process outlined on the Resident Life website or contact Off-Campus Housing Services for more information.

All students OFF-CAMPUS HOUSING Off-Campus Housing Services (OCH) is UMD's office that supports you in your housing search. The OCHS office provides assistance in person, over the phone and via email at och@umd.edu. The OCH DATABASE is a housing search database that lists available rentals in the area and includes a useful Roommate Finder tool.   Review this Off-Campus Housing Resources guide to understand how this works in the U.S. They also provide a video on using the housing search database. Disclaimer: Off-campus housing information is provided solely as a courtesy. The University of Maryland does not inspect, endorse or assume any responsibility for any properties, accommodations, or other housing options or websites; and it expressly disclaims any and all responsibility for any problems that may arise within connection therewith. Individuals are strongly advised to thoroughly investigate and inspect any properties, accommodations, or other housing options before making final Arrangements.

PROTECT YOURSELF AGAINST SCAMS Whether you use the University of Maryland's Off-Campus Housing Services or not, they offer a wealth of resources and information that we encourage you to review.  Remember never to send any money until you have seen the accommodations and signed a lease.

Warning: Wait to sign a lease We recommend that you WAIT to sign a lease until AFTER you secure your visa and even after arriving in the US. If you sign a lease and are not able to attend you may still be responsible for lease payments. The Graduate Legal aid office has a helpful lease review form. If you have additional questions about leases please direct them to the Graduate Legal Aid Office via email at glao@umd.edu.

Engaging with ISSS

Pre-arrival Engagement with ISSS

December 1st 9am ET   Join us for one of these live zoom sessions to learn about the various ways ISSS will be communicating and connecting with you as you prepare for the Spring! Meet a pre-arrival team member to learn details about ISSS orientation, Tips of the week and ask your pressing questions. Register here!

Meet & Greet with International Orientation Leaders

December 6th 9am ET   December 12th 9am ET Meet & Greet with International Orientation Leaders (IOL) - newly arriving students will have an opportunity to talk with International Orientation Leaders in small group virtual sessions. You will be able to ask questions about what it is like to study at UMD, where students live, get tips and advice on how to make the most of your time, and get to know current and newly admitted students ahead of the Spring semester. Register for as many as you would like to attend. Register here!

ISSS Online Orientation

In addition to our weekly tip of the week, the ISSS also offers an online orientation, it will be available by December 4, 2023.

Connect with us  Ask your questions via our Live Chat, available on our website Monday-Friday from 9-11 a.m. ET. Schedule a Virtual Appointment with an ISSS advisor. Appointments can be scheduled under newly admitted students Monday-Friday, 9 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 1:30-3:30 p.m. ET. By email: isss-admissions@umd.edu

Social Media

For important reminders and updates, and to keep aware of any upcoming events, please follow our office at our social media accounts. Join us!

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Missed a Tip of the Week? You can find previous Tips of the Week on our website by clicking here!

We hope that you find these emails informative and helpful. You are receiving them because you have been accepted to the University of Maryland for the Spring 2024 semester. If you do not intend to enroll at UMD, please inform ISSS via your iTerp checklist, your department, and either the Graduate School (graduate students) or the undergraduate admissions office (undergraduate students-please fill out this form) that you decline your admission.