My son has decided to transfer to the University of Maryland School of Music. Generous scholarship, too. I’m worried about him showing up as a junior and not knowing aniyone or the ropes since we need to find him a place to live before he’s ever seen the school.
They do have housing sessions, but he’ll be off at intense summer festivals when they occur. If anyone goes to UMD, I’d be grateful for additional info.
I bet it’s a relief to have that decision made! I have experience with a non-music daughter who transferred from a super small private school to a large public university. I would say that immediately becoming involved in clubs and extra-curriculars was what helped her acclimate amazingly seamlessly and quickly. Fortunately for a music major these opportunities are built in–ensembles, combos, pit orchestras, etc–lots of opportunities for collaboration and being placed into situations where one must meet and work with others. I know that doesn’t necessarily help with the housing situation, but hopefully his transition will be easy once there. Wishing your son all the best at his new home!
Huge relief, yes. I have no doubt about him making friends once there because of ensembles, etc. The problem is he has to get a place to live first! We’ve been told to reach out to the studio teacher.
Will he be living on campus? If so, I would think the music students live near the music complex. The campus is massive. I know when my son was there last summer for NRO the fellows were housed in dorms more than a mile from the music buildings. Made it challenging. Especially with the oppressive heat and humidity.
Probably not. It looks like most students try not to as the dorms and food on campus aren’t particularly good nor good deals. They have some apartment-type things but those seem to run on year leases rather than academic year, which is odd(IMO) given they are on campus. Supposedly there are multiple campus bus shuttles from both on and off campus all of which go by the music building.
He has been told to ask the studio professor who has an out-of-office message at the moment; I’m not even sure if he knows my son agreed to come yet!
It seems as if the music school is far from both on and off campus options. I will not allow my son to stay anyplace without AC- he had AC at Gettysburg and not all the dorms were air-conditioned.
Hello, heading to IU for orientation next week. Are there sessions for parents? Thank you
Yes! If it works like the last times I did it, there are 2 days of sessions. The first starts with a convocation for both parents and students. The rest of the day you are split up and parents have their own sessions. These cover financing college, learning about the different support systems on campus etc. You don’t have to go to all of them–I definitely didn’t after my first kid. You meet back up for dinner and then separate again while the kids do the late night “fun” campus life stuff. The second day you are back together, or honestly if your kid wants, can do him or herself–getting ID, registering for classes (which for Jacobs kids is done in the music advising office with an advisor), checking out displays of clubs and organizations etc. We also did a dorm tour–these were offered the second day. Have fun! And just a heads up–my kids balked at the late night stuff at first, but the 2 who did end up doing it had great experiences! Both are still good friends with kids they met at orientation…