The Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation encourages well-qualified students seeking a competitive academic environment to explore the many opportunities available at UMBC.
Additional information about life as an undergraduate student at UMBC and Application for Admission can be found at undergraduate.umbc.edu.
First-Year Admission
The Admissions Committee completes a holistic review of each applicant, using several factors in making its decisions. In addition to high school grade point average, the strength of the applicant’s curriculum, class rank, and other achievements are considered. An essay is required as part of the application. Two letters of recommendation are optional and reviewed in the evaluation process. Students may submit more than two letters of recommendation but only the first two letters received will be reviewed. Submitting official SAT scores or ACT scores are optional for first-year applicants.
For prospective first-year students, application for admission to UMBC consists of the following:
- Completion of the Application for Undergraduate Admissions
- A $75 non-refundable application fee
- An official copy of the student’s current high school transcript
- Official SAT scores, reported to UMBC by the College Board (UMBC’s CEEB code is 5835); students submitting ACT scores should have them sent by ACT (UMBC’s ACT code is 1751). Test scores are optional for applicants who opt in to our test optional program.
A final high school transcript should be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation by the high school upon graduation.
First-Year Admission Application Deadlines
Fall admission:
- Early Action - November 1
- Regular Decision - February 1
Spring admission:
- Regular Decision - December 1
Early Action
UMBC’s Early Action Program provides an opportunity for strong candidates to receive full consideration for admission, scholarship, and financial aid. In addition, the Early Action Program allows students interested in UMBC’s various scholars programs (Center for Women in Technology, Cyber, Humanities, Linehan Artist, Meyerhoff, Sherman Teacher, and Sondheim Public Affairs) a chance to explore these opportunities fully, as well as the Honors College and other programs and majors with selective admission requirements. Early Action applicants will be given priority notification of their admission decision. Early Action is a non-binding application program. Students admitted through Early Action have until May 1 to confirm their enrollment.
High School Preparation
UMBC expects applicants to have completed a strong college preparatory program of study from an accredited high school. The minimum program of study should include:
- English: four years
- Language other than English: two years
- Mathematics: four years
- Science: three years
- Social science/history: three years
Students planning to major in mathematics, engineering, computer science, or other science areas are strongly encouraged to include trigonometry, pre-calculus, and/or calculus in the four years of mathematics.
Home-Schooled Applicants
UMBC welcomes applications from students who have been home-schooled. Applicants should submit transcripts, if available, curriculum vitae describing course content, instructional materials, and an evaluation of the student’s work in addition to the admission application, essay, and optional test scores. The evaluation should describe course objectives and may include a traditional letter or numerical grades or a narrative assessment of the applicant’s progress.
Early Enrollment for High School Students
UMBC offers early enrollment opportunities for academically advanced students who wish to begin their college careers early.
Early Admission
Early admission is available to those students who have exhausted their high school options and would like to enroll full-time as degree-seeking students. Applicants must meet the university’s regular admission requirements and may need to interview with a member of the Admissions Committee. A letter of recommendation and permission from the applicant’s high school may also be required.
Concurrent Enrollment
Concurrent enrollment is available for academically strong students who wish to enroll part-time while still attending high school. Applicants typically exceed the university’s average first year student profile. A letter of recommendation and permission to enroll from the applicant’s high school may also be required.
Transfer Admission
Transfer applicants are evaluated by the Admissions Committee on the basis of their academic record at their previous institution(s). Cumulative grade point average, the strength of the curriculum, and performance in courses related to the applicant’s intended area of study are considered. Applicants must be in good standing at the institution from which they seek to transfer.
For prospective transfer students, application for admission to UMBC consists of the following:
- Completion of the Application for Undergraduate Admissions
- A $75 non-refundable application fee
- Official college transcript(s) from each college or university previously attended. Transcripts should be sent by the Registrar of each institution to the UMBC Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation.
A final transcript should be sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation upon the completion of any coursework in progress.
Admissions materials for all admitted students will be used for transfer merit scholarship consideration, with priority given to students who meet the Priority deadlines for their intended start term at UMBC. A separate application is not required.
For applicants with fewer than 30 college credits, an official high school transcript is required along with the option to submit SAT or ACT test scores.
Transfer Admission Application Deadlines
Fall admission:
- Priority - March 1 (for scholarship consideration)
- Regular - June 1
Spring admission:
- Priority - October 15 (for scholarship consideration)
- Regular - December 1
Transfer Credit Policies
“In Maryland, a student may be able to progress from one segment of the public higher education system to another without loss of time or duplication of courses. To help accomplish this, Maryland’s public colleges and universities follow certain statewide policies.” For detailed information please review the Maryland Higher Education Commission Student Guide to Transfer among Maryland Colleges and Universities.
Specific to UMBC, the Policy on the Awarding of Undergraduate Transfer Credit articulates the standards for the assessment and awarding of undergraduate transfer credit including academic credit for coursework earned at other institutions, competency-based education, and military training, experience, education, and coursework.
The Universities at Shady Grove
UMBC offers the final two years of study for the Computer Science, B.S. , History, B.A. , Mechanical Engineering, B.S. , Political Science, B.A. , Psychology, B.A. , Social Work, B.A. , and Translational Life Science Technology, B.S. at the Universities at Shady Grove in Rockville, MD. Students must complete the lower-level course requirements prior to their studies at UMBC - Shady Grove. Applicants for the Shady Grove programs are evaluated on the basis of their academic record at previous institutions, including cumulative grade point average, academic performance trend, the strength of curriculum, and performance in courses related to the intended area of study.
Additional information or application is available by contacting the UMBC-Shady Grove Program Coordinator at shadygrove@umbc.edu, visiting the UMBC at Shady Grove website, or calling UMBC-Shady Grove at 301-738-6081.
Maryland Community College Articulated Transfer Programs
The Program Transfer Guide (PTG) provides a list of community college courses that will best prepare students for UMBC’s course of study. Transfer students with acceptable grades in courses specified in the UMBC Program Transfer Guides are assured transfer with no loss of credit. These PTGs are available in the transfer advisors’ offices at all Maryland community colleges or via the web at ARTSYS.
International Student Admission
For prospective international students who will be attending UMBC on an F1 visa an application for admission to UMBC consists of the following:
- Completion of the Application for Undergraduate Admissions
- An official or attested copy of the current high school transcript/academic record including an English translation, if necessary
- Official results of state/national secondary school examinations
- Official test scores for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS), Duolingo English Proficiency Test, Cambridge English Qualification, or SAT (evidence-based reading writing section). Qualified exceptions are listed here.
- A $75 nonrefundable application fee
- A final high school transcript/leaving certificate upon completion
Students who have attended college or university outside the United States must have a course-by-course credential evaluation prepared by one of the accepted evaluation services found on our Transfer Admission to UMBC as an International Student website.
In addition to the application procedures outlined above, students who will need an F1 visa will need to submit the following to the Office of International Students and Scholars (OISS) after they have been offered admission:
- A Statement of Financial Support signed by the student’s sponsor, certifying that the sponsor will be responsible for the student’s expenses while enrolled at UMBC
- A bank statement, documenting sufficient funds
- International students who are already attending a high school, university or English language school in the United States must also provide a copy of their current SEVIS I-20 and a copy of their I-94 verifying their current visa. Students in the process of changing from one visa category to another should provide copies of all documentation that has been submitted to and received from the USCIS (United States Citizenship and Immigration Service)
- Copy of the bio (picture) page of their passport
International Admission Application Deadlines
International students are strongly encouraged to apply at least six (6) months prior to their intended enrollment date. Applicants are always welcome to contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation with questions.
English Proficiency
Incoming students should be able to read, speak, write, and understand English fluently. Unless otherwise notified, all non-native English speakers will have to submit an official record of TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Proficiency, or Cambridge English Qualification tests of English proficiency prior to admission.
TOEFL examination dates and information may be obtained through the TOEFL website. Results will be reported to UMBC by indicating UMBC R-5835 on the exam form.
If the TOEFL score falls below 80 (internet-based), the IELTS score falls below 6.5, and/or the Duolingo score falls below 115, the admitted student will be required to enroll full-time in the English Language Institute (ELI) .
Sufficient Funding
International students are not eligible for federal, state, or institutional financial aid programs, and cannot rely on employment while in the United States. Therefore, the student must be able to provide documentation that they have a sufficient and continued source of funding from a parent, spouse, sponsor, or themself. International students may find information about sources for assistance on the International Students page of the Financial Aid and Scholarships website.
Non-Degree Seeking Student Admission
Non-degree students are individuals who intend on taking courses over multiple terms but do not intend to seek a particular degree. Non-degree seeking students are ineligible for financial aid or Veterans Administration (VA) benefits. International students on F1 visas are eligible for admission as non-degree students if they have permission from their host institution or are on practical training.
The Non-degree Seeking Student Application for Admission to UMBC consists of the following:
- Completion of the Non-degree Seeking Student Application
- A $50 non-refundable application fee
- College transcript(s) from each college or university previously attended (Unofficial records are considered)
- If fewer than 30 semester hours of college coursework have been completed, the applicant also must submit a high school transcript
Change of Status to Degree-seeking
Once admitted as a non-degree seeking student, students may be considered for degree-seeking status for a subsequent semester. An undergraduate application for degree-seeking status and official credentials must be submitted by the application deadline for first-year and transfer student admission.
Visiting Student
Visiting students attend another college or university and want to earn specific course credits during a summer or winter at UMBC that will transfer back to their home institution.
The Visiting Student Application for Admission to UMBC consists of the following:
- Completion of the Summer or Winter Session Application for Visiting Students
- A $50 non-refundable application fee
While transcripts are not required for visiting student admission, some instructors may request an unofficial transcript if the course has pre- or corequisite requirements.
Golden ID Program
The Golden ID Program permits eligible Maryland residents to enroll in UMBC undergraduate and graduate courses at lower cost. Specific fees applicable to the Golden ID program are available on the Tuition and Fees page. Applicants must be eligible Maryland residents who are 60 years of age or older and must be retired or working no more than 20 hours a week. Program participants may enroll as degree-seeking or non-degree-seeking students. The USM Tuition Waiver for Senior Citizens policy limits waiver of tuition for no more than 3 courses per semester. Applications must be submitted to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation by the regular deadlines for each semester.
Readmission and Reinstatement of Former UMBC Students
Readmission
Students previously enrolled at UMBC as degree-seeking undergraduates who have interrupted continuous registration for two or more regular semesters must apply for readmission. Students must have been in good academic standing at the end of the last semester attended. The deadline for submitting a readmission application and all related material is two weeks before the start of the term. Students are encouraged to apply early, and all university debts must be settled by the appropriate deadlines. Official transcripts from all institution(s) attended since last enrolled at UMBC must be submitted.
Reinstatement
Students who were not in good academic standing or who were academically suspended or dismissed at the end of the last semester enrolled at UMBC must apply for reinstatement. All application materials for reinstatement must be submitted by August 1 for Fall enrollment and January 15 for Spring enrollment and are subject to Academic Actions and Reinstatement Committee review.
When applying for reinstatement, applicants must submit an academic plan of action, which must be completed with the academic advisor’s assistance. Official transcripts from all institution(s) attended since last enrolled at UMBC must be submitted.
In cases of suspension or dismissal, it is the Academic Actions and Reinstatement Committee’s expectation that successful academic work completed elsewhere subsequent to suspension from UMBC will be presented for consideration. Additional pertinent information may be submitted at the applicant’s discretion, such as medical documents and letters of recommendation. Any university debts must be settled before registering for class.
If suspended at the end of the fall semester, students may attend the winter session without applying for reinstatement but are ineligible to attend UMBC in the spring semester. Similarly, if suspended at the end of the spring semester, students may attend the summer session immediately following without applying for reinstatement but are ineligible to attend UMBC in the fall semester. Suspended students who have been away from UMBC for at least one semester may apply for reinstatement and should do so by the published deadline for maximum consideration by the Academic Actions and Reinstatement Committee.
Compliance Statement
In compliance with the Student-Right-to-Know and Campus Security Act, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation will provide information regarding UMBC’s graduation statistics, campus security policies, and crime statistics upon request.
Meningitis Vaccination Requirement
Maryland state law requires that students residing in University housing be vaccinated against meningitis.
Meningococcal disease refers to any illness caused by bacteria called Neisseria meningitidis. These illnesses are often severe, can be deadly, and include infections of the lining of the brain and spinal cord (meningitis) and bloodstream. Keeping up to date with recommended vaccines is the best protection against meningococcal disease. Vaccination can be obtained at one’s primary care provider, many pharmacies, urgent care centers, health department clinics and Retriever Integrated Health. Students are encouraged to check their insurance coverage to minimize potential out-of-pocket costs.
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