Information for Exchange Students
About the University of Maryland
About the A. James Clark School of Engineering
How to Apply
English Language Proficiency Requirement
Budget and Finances
Academic Calendar
Academics
Visa
Housing
Meal Plan
Health Insurance
Immunizations
International Visitor Guide
Orientation
Campus Recreation Services
Student Union
Transportation Options
Transcripts
Engineering Contact
About the University of Maryland
The University of Maryland, in College Park, is a major public research university located on 1,250 acres of rolling land along the Baltimore-Washington, D.C. high-tech corridor.
The University was founded in 1856 as the Maryland Agricultural College and became the University of Maryland in 1925. In 1988, five University of Maryland campuses reorganized into the University of Maryland System with the University of Maryland, College Park designated as the flagship campus.
The University includes 13 colleges and schools offering 127 undergraduate majors and 112 graduate degrees. Enrollment in Fall 2007 totaled 36,014 students with 25,857 undergraduates and 10,157 graduate students. The faculty includes 2896 full-time faculty and 856 part-time faculty of which 1464 are tenured or tenure-track faculty. The total budget for the University in FY08 was $1,419.9 million.
About the A. James Clark School of Engineering
The Clark School is one of the premier engineering schools in the U.S. The Clark School's graduate programs are collectively the fastest rising in the nation. In U.S. News & World Report's annual rating of graduate programs, the school is 17th among public and private programs nationally, 11th among public programs nationally and first among public programs in the mid-Atlantic region. The School offers 13 graduate programs and 12 undergraduate programs, including degree and certification programs tailored for working professionals.
The school is home to one of the most vibrant research programs in the country. With major emphasis in key areas such as communications and networking, nanotechnology, bioengineering, reliability engineering, project management, intelligent transportation systems and space robotics, as well as electronic packaging and smart small systems and materials, the Clark School is leading the way toward the next generations of engineering advances.
The College of Engineering was founded in 1856 and became the Glenn L. Martin Institute of Technology in 1955. In 1994, the academic departments and research institutes of the Glenn L. Martin Institute of Technology became the A. James Clark School of Engineering. The Glenn L. Martin Institute of Technology now comprises the Clark School plus units that provide outreach to business and industry.
The Clark School's fall 2007 enrollment totaled 4054 students with 2436 undergraduates and 1618 graduate students. The Clark School's 200+ faculty members are nationally recognized and highly respected in their fields. 100+ faculty members are fellows of engineering professional societies and 50+ are recipients of National Science Foundation Early Career Awards. Thirteen current faculty are members of the National Academy of Engineering
Academic Calendar
Check out the Academic Calendar to find out when classes begin and end and when exams and holidays are scheduled.
How to Apply
First, you must contact the Study Abroad Office at your home institution. If you are selected to go on an exchange program at the University of Maryland, they will send a nomination letter/email to Mr. Caine Francis, the Clark School's International Coordinator.
Be advised that you will not be able to take classes unless a direct exchange is in place between your engineering school and ours or unless your institution is a member of the Global Engineering Education Exchange (Global E3)/American-European Education Exchange (AE3) consortium.
Second, you should fill out the appropriate application form and the DS-2019 Information Sheet. Please note that you must have completed your undergraduate or first degree to apply as a graduate student.
Third, submit your application with the supporting documents to the Study Abroad Office at your school. Your Study Abroad Office will send all the application materials to the University of Maryland.
Application deadlines
Fall Semester (August-December) - March 1
Spring semester (January-May) - October 1
For more information on applying to the University of Maryland as an exchange student, please review the information for Incoming Exchange Students.
English Language Proficiency Requirement
International students must demonstrate a proficiency in the English language by taking the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Please review the English language proficiency requirements to be sure you qualify for admission.
Budget and Finances
The estimated student budget, excluding tuition and fees, per semester for 2008-2009 is USD $6579.
Room on campus $2701
Meals $1853.50
Books and Supplies $512.50
Personal Expenses and Transportation $1512
Exchange students must document financial support in the amount of USD $8992 for a semester or $17,983 for the year for 2008-2009 when applying for admission to the University of Maryland.
Please note that the budget is subject to change without notice.
Academics
Once you are admitted, you will receive your student ID number and password. You will need this information to register online.
IMPORTANT: As an exchange student, you enroll directly in courses at UM, and therefore there is no guarantee that there will be enough space in every course requested. Courses may also be cancelled before the start of the semester. Consequently, you should plan to identify several alternate courses in the event that preferences cannot be accommodated. Business courses (BMGT) are not open to engineering students with the exception of BMGT 360 (Human Resources Management). Engineering exchange students should not plan to enroll for computer science ccourses or telecommunication courses.
The Schedule of Classes provides a Course Listing with timetable for all courses offered each semester. Brief course descriptions can be found in the University Catalog under Approved Courses. More complete course descriptions or sample syllabi may be found on engineering department websites by following the Undergraduate or Graduate links to Courses. Each course is listed with a department code and a number.
Example: ENEE350 Computer Organization. ENEE is the department code for Electrical Engineering and 350 identifies the course titled Computer Organization.
Department codes for engineering include:
| ENAE | Aerospace Engineering |
| BIOE | Fischell Department of Bioengineering |
| ENCH | Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering |
| ENCE | Civil and Environmental Engineering |
| ENCP | Computer Engineering |
| ENEE | Electrical Engineering |
| ENFP | Fire Protection Engineering |
| ENMA | Materials Science and Engineering |
| ENME | Mechanical Engineering |
| ENES | Engineering Sciences (including entrepreneurship, leadership, and international engineering courses) |
Full-Time Enrollment
To maintain your J1 status, you must take a full course-load:
12 credits for undergraduate students
48 units for graduate students
Visa
How do I get a visa?
After you have been admitted to the University of Maryland, you will receive a DS2019 form in your admission package. You will need this to contact the U.S. Consulate in your country to obtain a J1 visa.
Please note: When applying for a visa, you will be required to pay a SEVIS fee of $100.
Can I work in the United States? J1 students are eligible for student employment for a total of 20 hours a week on-campus.
Housing
Undergraduate Students generally live on-campus. Visit the Department of Residence Life for information on campus housing options.
For 2007-2008, rates are as follows per semester*
Regular room: $2643.50 (meal plan required)
Room w. kitchen $2,755.00
*Rates may change without notice
After you have been accepted, your directory ID and password will be emailed to you, and you will be able to request housing online.
Graduate students are required to find housing off-campus on their own. Off-Campus Housing Services has listings for housing seekers.
Meal plan
Undergraduate students who choose a regular room on campus without a kitchen are required to purchase a meal plan. The standard plan for 2007-2008 costs $1,783.50 per semester. Visit Dining Services for information on campus meal plans.
Health Insurance
You are required to have health insurance while you are in the U.S. If you do not already have health insurance that covers the minimum requirements, you can purchase insurance through the Health Center. This group policy meets the J1 insurance regulations.
Immunization
An immunization form will be sent to you with your DS2019 form. Please fill it out and bring it with you to Orientation. You have the option of obtaining required immunizations at the Health Center after you arrive. The fee is approximately $70.
International Visitor Guide
The International Visitor Resource Guide provides information about American culture and customs, the University of Maryland campus, how to navigate the area, money and banking, religious services, and other resources of interest to students, scholars, and visitors.
Orientation
An orientation program is held for incoming exchange students the week prior to classes beginning each semester. Attendance at orientation is mandatory.
Campus Recreation Services
If you are interested in fitness and sports activities, take advantage of the opportunities available through the Campus Recreation Services. You can join a sports club, participate in intramural sports activities, or sign up for classes in swimming, tennis, yoga, or meditation.
Student Union
While you are studying at the University of Maryland, be sure to take advantage of the student activities and organizations available to you. Visit the Adel H. Stamp Student Union for movies at the Hoff, to eat at the food court, shop at the University Book Center, to join one of hundreds of student organizations, or find your way at the Information Desk.
Transportation Options
There are a several transportation options for students at the University of Maryland.
Shuttle UM offers free shuttle bus services for students with routes to local neighborhoods, metro stations, and shopping. Visit UM's Department of Transportation for information on Shuttle UM, Bus service to New York for holiday breaks, bicycling, ZIPCAR, and parking.
The Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority (WMATA) provides metrobus and metrorail service in the area including to all three area airports (BWI, DCA, and IAD). Visit the WMATA website to find bus and rail routes and schedules, station maps, fares, or to plan your trip.
Transcripts
Two copies of your official transcript are sent to the Exchange Coordinator at your home institution. One of the copies is for you and you can pick it up from him/her. You may also request a transcript online. Transcripts will be sent to the address you provide.
Engineering Contact
Mr. Caine Francis
Coordinator, International Programs
A. James Clark School of Engineering
University of Maryland
1124 Glenn L. Martin Hall
College Park, MD 20742
Telephone: 301.405.5342
Fax: 301.314.9867
Email: cfranci4@umd.edu
