<p>Wow, ok, to back up terpmom7, here is the exact verbage
“Cancellation, Release and Refund
Release from this Agreement will be approved when a new resident’s signed notice of cancellation is received by Resident Life on or before July 1, 2014”
and here is the page to read more detail
<a href=“http://www.resnet.umd.edu/termsandconditions/newstudent/2014-2015/”>http://www.resnet.umd.edu/termsandconditions/newstudent/2014-2015/</a>
Long and short is you are fine to and should commit to housing as long as you cancel by July 1st should you decide not to attend. The dining plan is required for those who are housed in traditional dorm rooms without a kitchen (which is basically the majority of freshman). Note that it is in your favor for the agreement to be “binding” even before you commit to attending the school itself - that means you will get housing if you attend!
Here is the original thread from astrophysicsmom - it has info about housing plus answers a lot of your questions about the honors/scholars programs
<a href=“New Admits--Advice from mom of 2 Terps.... - University of Maryland - College Park - College Confidential Forums”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-maryland-college-park/1283751-new-admits-advice-from-mom-of-2-terps-p1.html</a>
And here is another important thing to sign up for right away because they fill up FAST - it is worth doing an overnight stay to really get a feel of the campus/student life
<a href=“http://www.resnet.umd.edu/osp/”>http://www.resnet.umd.edu/osp/</a></p>