College life at the University of Maryland is a mix of campus traditions, residence hall experiences, off-campus apartments, Greek life, student organizations and the day-to-day rhythm of living in College Park. For many students, the biggest questions come down to where you’ll live, how you’ll meet people and what your routine will actually look like once you’re on campus.
Starting college at UMD is exciting, but it can also feel overwhelming when you’re trying to picture your life beyond the admissions brochure. You may be wondering whether dorm life is worth it, when students move off campus, how roommates work or what it’s really like to live in College Park.
At Rambler, we know those questions matter because where you live can shape your entire college experience.
That’s why we’ve put together this guide to episodes from The Best Four Podcast, where current Maryland students share real stories about housing, roommates, campus life and finding their place at UMD. Whether you’re an incoming freshman, a student thinking about off-campus living or an upperclassman planning your next move, these conversations can help you understand what college life at UMD is actually like.
Read Next: Where Do Students Live Near the University of Maryland?
To help you find the episodes most relevant to your situation, we’ve compiled a breakdown of each conversation and the housing experiences shared by students at UMD.
Episode One: Living Where It All Happens: Pyon-Chen Housing and Finding Your Place at Maryland with Julion
In the first episode, Julion, a senior double majoring in business management and marketing while pursuing the pre-law track, shares how the University of Maryland transformed from his last-choice school into the perfect fit.
Julion spent all four years living in Pyon-Chen Hall, giving him a unique perspective on the full UMD housing journey. Along the way, he became both a community assistant and resident assistant, helping students navigate campus housing firsthand. He discusses everything from honors housing and residence hall life to making the most of campus resources and finding a sense of belonging.
This episode covers:
- Why UMD was originally his last-choice school
- How honors housing works and what incoming students should know
- The pros and cons of living in Pyon-Chen Hall
- Differences between North Campus and South Campus housing
- The typical progression from dorms to suites to off-campus apartments
- Housing hacks for securing better room assignments
- Why freshman should consider on-campus jobs
- Tips for sharing a room and adjusting to college living
- Must-have apartment amenities students should prioritize
- Campus resources students often overlook
- Advice for making the most of your college experience
Episode Two: Skipping the Dorms: Choosing an Apartment as a Freshman at UMD with Kelsi
In this episode, Laura sits down with Kelsi, a sophomore hearing and speech science major who took a less traditional path by moving directly into an off-campus apartment during her freshman year.
After sharing a bedroom with siblings for most of her childhood, Kelsi knew communal dorm living was not the right fit for her. She discusses how she researched apartments before committing to UMD, evaluated different housing options and ultimately chose to live at The View alongside upperclassmen roommates.
Kelsi provides an honest perspective on the benefits and challenges of apartment living as a first-year student, including independence, budgeting and building a social circle outside of residence halls.
This episode covers:
- Why Kelsi decided against dorm life
- Researching apartments before committing to UMD
- Finding roommates who were already upperclassmen
- Why she chose The View
- The realities of apartment living as a freshman
- Apartment living versus dorm living
- Building friendships without living on campus
- Learning independence through off-campus housing
- What she wishes she knew before signing a lease
- Tips for navigating lease renewals and housing timelines
- Advice for incoming freshman considering apartments
Read Next: Dorms vs. Apartments at UMD: Which is Right for You?
Episode Three: Maryland Housing Tell All: Dorm Life, Sorority Living and Finding Independence at UMD with Jenna
In this episode, Jenna, a junior communication major concentrating in public relations, shares her complete housing journey at Maryland.
Jenna discusses everything from her Freshman Connection experience and life in Elkton Hall to living in her sorority house and eventually moving into The Standard. Along the way, she offers honest insight into dorm life, roommate searches, Greek housing and the transition to apartment living.
From elevator breakdowns and laundry room lessons to securing housing discounts by signing early, Jenna provides a realistic look at what many students experience throughout their time at UMD.
This episode covers:
- What Freshman Connection is and how it works
- Using Instagram and Facebook groups to find roommates
- Living in Elkton Hall as a freshman
- Dorm essentials every student should bring
- Adjusting to college schedules and routines
- Why she recommends dorm living for freshmen
- The experience of living in a sorority house
- Moving to The Standard and gaining more independence
- Benefits of having a private bedroom and bathroom
- Why most freshmen do not need a car at UMD
- Navigating campus without personal transportation
- Beginning the search for senior-year housing
- Why upperclassmen housing can be more competitive than expected
Read Next: How to Find Roommates at the University of Maryland
Episode Four: Navigating Housing at UMD: Freshman Dorms, Greek Life and Finding an Apartment Early with Constance
In this episode, Laura sits down with Constance, a junior marketing major from Northern Virginia, to discuss her complete housing journey at the University of Maryland. From moving into Easton Hall as a freshman to living in a sorority house and eventually signing at Landmark, Constance shares what she learned at every stage of the college housing process.
Constance reflects on arriving at UMD with little knowledge of how housing worked and how quickly she built a community by putting herself out there. She discusses the realities of freshman dorm life, adjusting to communal bathrooms, navigating homesickness and finding her place within a learning community. She also shares her experience going through sorority recruitment, living with dozens of other women in a sorority house and starting the apartment search earlier than she expected.
For students wondering when to begin looking for apartments or how competitive housing becomes later in college, Constance offers practical advice based on her own experience touring properties, comparing options and securing both junior and senior year housing well in advance.
This episode covers:
- Why UMD was Constance’s top-choice school
- Her experience living in Easton Hall as a freshman
- What it is like being part of a learning community
- Adjusting to communal bathrooms and shared spaces
- The pros and cons of traditional dorm living
- How she found her roommate through the UMD class Instagram page
- Tips for making friends during your first few weeks on campus
- Managing homesickness and adjusting to college life
- Her experience rushing and joining a sorority at UMD
- Living in a sorority house with 30 to 40 other women
- Starting the apartment search early and comparing housing options
- Touring Landmark and The Standard
- Important questions to ask during apartment tours
- Living at Landmark and transitioning to having her own bedroom
- Planning for senior year housing in Old Town
- Why upperclassman housing is more competitive than students expect
- Her biggest advice for incoming students: put yourself out there and talk to everyone
Read Next: 8 Steps to Finding the Perfect Apartment Near UMD
We hope these conversations help answer some of your biggest questions about housing and student life at UMD. Hearing directly from current students can provide valuable perspective as you decide where to live and how to make the most of your college experience. For more housing resources, apartment guides and student living tips, explore our other articles covering life at the University of Maryland and throughout College Park. If you have any further questions, contact our leasing team today! We would be happy to help you find the place to call home.
Allison
Allison is a Property Marketing Intern for Rambler College Park. She's a student at the University of Maryland, majoring in Marketing and Management. Her favorite drink to order is a vanilla iced latte!
Published On: June 15, 2026
Last Updated On: June 11, 2026
