YOUR GUIDE TO ENROLLING285 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300

Ph: 508.999.8605 Email: admissions@umassd.edu

We look forward to welcoming you to the UMass

Dartmouth campus this fall. If you have not already

visited, we have weekday and Saturday visit pro-

grams, as well as Experience UMass Dartmouth day

this spring. This guide will tell you just what you

need to know and what steps to take next. Keep this

information at hand until you decide to enroll.

If you have any questions, please contact us

Email Admissions@umassd.edu

Phone 508.999.8605

Online umassd.edu/admissions

We can’t wait to see you on campus this fall!World Class. Within Reach.

Designed by Robert Sadler, Graphic Design, Class of 2010

Approximate testing time is three hours. You will take all tests on a computer. A calculator is not necessary, but you may bring pen or pencil with you for scrap work. AP credits do NOT exempt a student from testing. Only transferable credits taken at a uni-versity or college can exempt students from any part of the test.

Your test scores and the information you provide on these tests are confidential. We will use the results primarily for placement into the appropriate math and English courses. The university, the Educational Testing Services, and the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education may use the material for research and statistical purposes; your identity will be kept confidential. If you live 100 or more miles from campus, you may be eligible for offsite testing. Information about offsite testing can also be found at placement.umassd.edu.

ATTEND SUMMER ORIENTATION Our orientation program is an important introduction to univer-sity life. An invitation to your specific orientation session will be mailed to you later in the year. Your scheduled Orientation ses-sion cannot be changed.

COMPLETE HEALTH INSURANCE FORMS By state law, students are required to submit immunization records. Also, Massachusetts Universal Health Insurance Law re-quires that every undergraduate student carrying nine credits or more participate in our health insurance program or in a health insurance program with comparable coverage. You will receive a request for immunization and health insurance records as well as materials from our Health Services Office at a later date.

START NOW TO FINANCE YOUR EDUCATIONA UMass Dartmouth education is a tremendous value and an in-vestment in your future. We recommend that you start planning early on how to finance your college education.

Many of our students also take out a personal loan, in addition to financial aid and we encourage you to start this process as early in the summer as possible. If you have not already done so, we encourage you to apply for financial aid as soon as possible.

You apply for all sources of financial aid (insitutional, federal, and state) by completing the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) after January 1, 2010. You may complete the applica-tion at www.fafsa.ed.gov. You must indicate UMass Dartmouth’s school code (002210) in the appropriate section for us to receive your information. You will receive a Student Aid Report (SAR) which summarizes the information you reported on the FAFSA and allows for corrections or updates. You may expect to receive information directly from UMass Dartmouth’s Financial Aid Ser-vices when your file is complete. An overview of aid programs of-fered at UMass Dartmouth can be found at this website: umassd.edu/financialaid/.

The fall semester bill will be sent in July: payment is due in August before classes begin. It is not too soon to start planning on how to finance your college education. If, like many of our students, you will need to take out a personal loan, in addition to other financial aid you may receive, please start this process as early in the summer as possible.

Note to John and Abigail Adams Scholarship recipients: Please send a copy of your scholarship award to Financial Services Office 285 Old Westport Rd. N. Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300.

ACCEPT YOUR OFFER OF ADMISSIONTo reserve your place in the class you must submit a nonrefund-able enrollment deposit (payable to UMass Dartmouth) of $200. If you wish to live in campus housing you should submit a $400 deposit. This deposit will be deducted from your fall semester bill. The freshman deposit deadline is May 1 (or within 2 weeks if admitted after April 15). The transfer student deadline is June 1 (or within 2 weeks if admitted after May 15).

REQUEST A ROOM IN UNIVERSITY HOUSINGIf you wish to live on campus, a housing and dining service packet will be sent to you from the Housing Office. Please check the appropriate place on the card and send the tuition/housing deposit. If you have any questions, please contact the Housing Office at 508.999.8140. Please note: Deposits for housing will be honored on a space available, first come, first served basis. The earlier you return your deposit, the sooner a bed can be reserved for you. All deposits are non-refundable.

ATTEND EXPERIENCE UMASS DARTMOUTH!As an accepted student, you will be receiving an invitation to Experience UMass Dartmouth. This will provide an excellent op-portunity to meet with current undergraduates, faculty members, and staff, and to get information about academic programs and campus life. We hope that you will be able to join your future classmates for an up-close look at college life.

HAVE YOUR FINAL TRANSCRIPT SENT TO US High School Seniors: After graduation, please have your final official transcript with proof of graduation sent to the UMass Dartmouth Admissions Office. If you have completed AP or college credits while in high school, please have those transcripts sent to us so that we may do a credit evaluation. Your offer of admission and enrollment is contingent upon the successful completion of all courses and certification of your graduation from high school. If your performance declines significantly, we reserve the right to rescind your acceptance.

College Transfers: A detailed credit evaluation will be forward-ed to you approximately two weeks after your acceptance. The evaluation will detail your courses taken at another institution for which you have received credit and the total number of transfer credits awarded. If you are currently enrolled at a college or uni-versity, please have your final official transcript sent at the end of the semester. Your acceptance and enrollment is contingent upon successful completion of all courses. If your performance declines significantly, we reserve the right to rescind your acceptance.

PREPARE FOR PLACEMENT TESTINGYou are required by state law to take placement tests in math, English, and reading, in order to place you into courses appro-priate for your skill levels in mathematics and English. Please be assured that your test results will have no impact on your admission to the university.

You must complete your placement testing at least two weeks before your orientation to receive a fall class schedule. You will not be able to register for testing prior to April 1, 2009. Once you have paid your enrollment deposit, wait 5 business days and log on to placement.umassd.edu to register for testing on one of the available test dates. The website will have details on date, time, and location of tests as well as instructions on where to go on campus on the day of your exam. If you encounter difficulties in registering online, please call Kathy Bancroft at 508.999.8792

CONGRATULATIONSYOUR NEXT STEPS

TO ENROLL:

Frequently Asked Questions

Q Who will teach my child?

A Most professors will be both teachers and scholars. They will bring thelatest research information into their classrooms using innovative teaching methods. They will also care about your child, offering ample opportunity for out-of-class meetings and discussion. Some will even become friends, mentors and role models to your children. Unlike large universities, we do not rely on graduate students to teach many of the first or second year courses. Your child’s responsibility will be to not be shy–to seek guidance and advice from our faculty. They will be waiting.

Q Can my student get the personal attention necessary to succeed?

A Students are assigned an academic advisor during summer orientation based on their college or major. Many faculty also advise students on an informal basis. Our Academic Advising Center and Academic Resource Center offer a host of academic and personal supports including professional and peer tutoring on a one-to-one and small-group basis. Students who are assertive and proactive will get the help they need.

Dear Parents,

Congratulations to your son or daughter on being admitted to the University of Massachusetts Dartmouth. I realize and appreciate the significant role that you have played in your child’s academic success and congratulate you as well.

I know also that you will continue to be an important source of guidance and support as your child decides which college to attend. This brochure answers many of the questions that parents often have about college life. I hope it will assist you in helping your child prepare for success in college.

I am often asked, “Why UMass Dartmouth? What makes your campus special?” Certainly, your child will be intellectually challenged by the academic excellence of our curriculum–and will gain valuable, real-life experience through our many service learning, internship, study abroad, and other experiential learning programs. But my best answer is often a very simple one–it’s the people. It is our faculty, from whom your child will learn and be inspired by; our staff, who are friendly, helpful and supportive; our remarkable students, with whom your child will have much in common–some becoming lifelong friends. When you visit the campus, I think you will be struck by the enthusiasm, the confidence and the real affection that so many of us have for this place.

Each fall we welcome our new students with a special Convocation just for them. After the requisite speeches of good wishes and friendly advice, we conclude with many of our faculty and staff lining a long walkway on both sides–congratulating and greeting each and every new student as they pass by. The last hand they shake is mine.

I do hope to personally welcome your child on that walkway next fall. In the meantime, you have my very best wishes at this important time in your family’s life and your child’s future.

Sincerely,

Jean F. MacCormack , Chancellor

Answers to

Frequently Asked Questions

A GUIDE FOR

PARENTS

Designed by Robert Sadler, Graphic Design, Class of 2010

Q What about picking a major and choosing classes? Is there guidance?

A Many of our students enroll as undeclared in the arts and sciences, business,engineering or studio arts (a good way to begin college) and finalize their choice of major after taking a year of college and talking with our academic advisors, faculty and other students. Choosing classes can be a challenge at first, so students are pre-registered for their first semester (allowing them to drop or add later) to assure that they have appropriate courses. After the first semester, students will pick classes on their own with the assistance of faculty and staff advisors.

Q What opportunities are available to my student for non-classroom learning and activities?

A We engage students in campus life by connecting them to other students, faculty, and staff via campus activities and programs. Residential students participate in activities specifically planned for them by their residential staff. Our SAIL Office (Student Activities, Involvement, and Leadership) offers activities seven days a week and works closely with more than 100 student organizations. Our Unity House offers cultural activities that celebrate the diversity of our campus. Our Athletics Department offers both intercollegiate and intramural sports. Many other student leadership opportunities will enable students to both learn about and practice leadership skills, via Student Government, stu-dent groups, peer-education, peer-advising, community service, and orientation and residential leadership positions.

Q What if my student needs medical attention or personal counseling?

A The campus health office is open M-F from 8:30am-5pm during the academicyear. Our doctors and nurses evaluate and treat most problems that students have–sore throats, coughs, the flu, skin problems, orthopedic injuries, as well as personal wellness issues such as birth control, body image and stress-related concerns. Students with ailments that cannot be handled by the health office are referred to a nearby off-campus health provider. The counseling center helps students with a variety of mental and psychological concerns on both an ap-pointment and emergency walk-in basis.

Q What about finances? Is UMass Dartmouth affordable for us?

A We believe we are an exceptional value, but realize that many of our students and their families need our help and support in financing a college education. Nearly 70% of our students qualify for need-based financial aid and many qualify for merit scholarships that are awarded without regard to financial need. We meet an average of 90% of students’ financial need, significantly above comparable New England institutions. We work personally with each student and family to find as much federal, state, institutional and private fund aid as possible, including grants, loans and college work study. We also offer a monthly payment plan that allows a budgeted approach to paying for college.

Q What about housing and dining options?

A New students live together in single, double, triple, or quad rooms. Students indicate their housing preferences and are assigned on a first-come, first-serve basis. Contracts are sent out in late April and assignments are made during the summer.

Your child won’t starve and, in fact, will be able to eat a variety of healthy food. Residence hall students purchase one of three meal plans offering 10, 14, or 19 meals per week (most choose 19). Each meal plan comes with guest passes for visitors, as well as snack money that can be used at any dining facility on campus. Several other eateries on and around campus offer a variety of options that cater to a range of tastes.

Q What about campus safety? What protections are in place?

A Ensuring your child’s safety is our top priority. Here’s how we do it:

Public Safety: Public Safety officers are on duty 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

SAGE: Student Alert Group Engagement (SAGE) identifies and helps students who may be experiencing serious academic, personal, or social difficulties.

myAlert is a voluntary emergency notification system using cell phones, text messages, email, and voice mail. Emergency messages can also be displayed on the UMass Dartmouth web site. Students must sign up for the emergency notification system by submitting their phone number or email address on the myAlert webpage.

Safe Transportation for Students: The DART Van, the BlueLine and GoldLine Expresses, and the Loop/CVPA Shuttle are safe transportation services for students. The DART Van runs from 5pm until 2am, seven days a week.

Residence Hall/Apartment Building Safety: Only students who live in a specific building are given swipe-card access (UMass Pass) into that building. All other students and guests must sign in with the desk attendants, who are on duty from 7pm to 3am every day. Guests must sign in with their host and carry a guest pass at all times.

Resident Assistants (RAs) are on duty in each building on weeknights from 7pm to 7am the next morning and on the weekend from 7pm on Friday night to 7am on Monday morning. RAs make rounds throughout the night to ensure safety. Resident Directors (RDs) are on-call 24 hours a day to respond to any emergencies. Additionally, the Student Affairs deans are on-call each night to provide assistance as needed.

Q Does UMass Dartmouth have an Honors Program?

A Our Honors Program is part of the state-wide Commonwealth Honors Scholars Program. It offers smaller classes, personalized counseling, research opportuni-ties with faculty, advance registration, merit scholarships and other advantages for talented, motivated students (usually with at least a 3.20 high school GPA and a 1200+ combined critical reading and math SAT score on a 1600 scale). Students who graduate from the Honors Program receive special recognition on their transcripts, diplomas, the graduation program, and at Honors Convocation.

Q Do students need their own computers and is the campus wireless?

A While most (but not all) students bring a desktop or laptop computer to campus, we have several student computer labs in most academic buildings, including the library. Students in some programs will be strongly encouraged to have their own computer. The residence halls all have high speed ethernet internet connections in each room, and most of the main campus is wireless.

Q How will UMass Dartmouth help my student get a job after graduating?

A We encourage students to begin working with our Career Development Center early in their undergraduate careers. The center provides students and alumni a wide array of career and employment related services, including help with resumes, interview training, experiential learning, and other guidance to help students find success after college.

Admissions OfficeUniversity of Massachusetts Dartmouth285 Old Westport RoadNorth Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300

Designed by Robert Sadler, Graphic Design, Class of 2010

285 Old Westport Road, North Dartmouth, MA 02747-2300

Ph: 508.999.8605 Email: admissions@umassd.edu