We're a team of UMD students who believe finding the right roommate shouldn't be left to chance. That's why we created Shellmates.
At Shellmates, we understand that your college experience is significantly shaped by who you live with. A great roommate can become a lifelong friend, study partner, and support system.
Our mission is to help every Terp find their perfect roommate or friend match by considering what truly matters: lifestyle compatibility, shared interests, and (for roommates) living preferences.
We're helping students leave their shells and build meaningful connections that last beyond graduation.
Make roommate and friend matching stress-free and effective for every UMD student.
Build a trusted network of verified UMD students looking for roommates and new friends.
Use smart technology to match students based on real compatibility factors.
Prioritize student safety and positive living experiences above all.
Shellmates was born out of a common frustration that many UMD students face: finding a compatible roommate through outdated Facebook groups, random assignments, or word of mouth.
As students ourselves, we experienced firsthand the anxiety of not knowing who we'd be living with for an entire year. We saw friends struggle with incompatible roommates, leading to uncomfortable living situations that affected their academic performance and mental well-being.
We asked ourselves: "Why isn't there a better way?" And so, Shellmates was created.
Named after our beloved mascot Testudo, Shellmates encourages students to "leave their shells" and connect with others who share their values, habits, and lifestyle preferences. Our platform uses thoughtful matching criteria that go beyond surface-level compatibility.
We're proud to be by Terps, for Terps, and we're committed to making the roommate search process as seamless as possible for every UMD student.
We verify all users through their UMD email addresses and prioritize creating a safe environment for our community.
We encourage honest profiles and real connections. Being authentic leads to better matches and happier roommates.
As students ourselves, we build features that address real needs and make the roommate search genuinely better.