We understand no two applicants are the same and not every applicant fits neatly into the category of freshmen or transfer student. That is why we will consider your specific circumstances through an application process developed just for you.
Prospective Students
Ready to learn more about what it takes to #BeATerp? You're in the right place! We are here to help guide you through the University of Maryland (UMD) application and admission process.
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Prospective Students
GETTING STARTED
Get started on the right track, right from the beginning. Use the information on this page to understand exactly what you need to begin your journey to UMD.
FRESHMAN APPLICANTS
If you are a high school student or student with fewer than 12 semester hours or 18 quarter hours of university-level credit beyond secondary school, then you are considered a freshman applicant. Take advantage of the following resources to learn more.
It's never too early to start preparing for college. As you progress through your high school career, look for opportunities to demonstrate leadership skills, expand upon your non-academic interests and/or to get involved in your community. These are the types of things, along with a distinctive essay, that will help you stand out to our Admission Committee.
Freshman Profile
For the Fall 2025 freshman class, we received just over 66,000 applications for a class of 5,028. Due to UMD's test-optional policy, applicants were able to indicate whether they would submit standardized test scores for consideration in their application review. Admitted freshmen earned primarily As and Bs in a rigorous curriculum.
60k
Applications received for a class of 5,028 for Fall 2025.
A's or B's
Primarily earned in a rigorous curriculum.
Application Deadlines
U.S. Students
Early Action Deadline
November 1
Regular Deadline
January 20
TRANSFER APPLICANTS
If you are a high school graduate who, at the time of applying, have completed at least 12 semester or 18 quarter hours after high school graduation at a regionally accredited college or university, then you are considered a transfer applicant. Take advantage of the following resources to learn more.
As a transfer student, we strongly encourage you to take advantage of UMD's transfer student resources which include academic planning, major and career exploration, and estimating when you’ll graduate from UMD.
Transfer Profile
For the Fall 2024 transfer class, we received more than 4,800 applications for a class of 1,850. Our most successful transfer students have a B average or better and have completed an English composition course that satisfies the university’s fundamental studies academic writing requirement and a college-level math course that satisfies the university’s fundamental studies math requirement.
4,800
Applications received for a class of 1,850 for Fall 2024
B average or better
Earned by our most successful transfer students.
Application Deadlines
U.S. Students
Fall Early Action Deadline
March 1
Spring Early Action Deadline
August 1
INTERNATIONAL APPLICANTS
Freshman and transfer students are considered international applicants if they are non-U.S. citizens or non-permanent U.S. residents.
In addition to the freshman or transfer applicant requirements, international students must also satisfy international specific requirements such as English language proficiency and non-U.S. academic credential evaluations.
Please refer to the appropriate application deadline based on the semester you intend to enroll and whether you are applying as a freshman or transfer student.
4,777
International students across campus.
127
Countries represented at UMD.
SHADY GROVE APPLICANTS
UMD at the Universities at Shady Grove (USG) applicants are students with approximately 60 transferable university-level credits who are interested in earning a UMD degree at the Shady Grove location.
UMD students studying at our Shady Grove location still have all of the benefits of being a Terp while enjoying a smaller campus environment.
4,000
Nearly 4,000 students attend programs at USG each year.
11
UMD majors at USG.
Application Deadlines
Fall Application Deadline
June 1
Spring Application Deadline
November 15
SPECIAL AUDIENCES
Agriculture Forward at Maryland is an access program for students who plan to pursue a career in agriculture and natural resources. Participants in the Ag Forward program receive dual academic advising from the Institute of Applied Agriculture (IAA) and College of Agriculture and Natural Resources (AGNR) faculty members to ensure all program requirements are met. At the end of four years, students who have met all program requirements graduate with both an IAA certificate and a bachelor’s degree from their selected AGNR major.
You can enroll at the University of Maryland (UMD) even before you graduate from high school. We allow talented high school seniors to take up to two courses or seven credits during the fall, spring and summer semesters. We’re looking for students who’ve demonstrated exceptional performance and ability in a rigorous high school program.
To apply, submit a completed application, high school transcript, an essay explaining why you’re interested in attending UMD concurrently, a letter of recommendation from your high school and a letter of permission from your parents or legal guardians. You also must live within commuting distance. In order to be considered, students must apply by the following deadlines:
Spring: January 2
Summer: May 15
Fall: August 8
If you did not graduate from a regionally accredited high school, then you will need to submit results of the Tests of General Education Development, along with academic letters of recommendation, an essay and SAT scores with your UMD application.
If you are 60 or older, a legal resident of the state of Maryland and retired, the University of Maryland has courses and services available to you. To participate in the Golden ID program, you must submit a completed UMD application. If admitted to the university, you can register on a space-available basis for credit courses as a regular or special student in any session. You must pay an administrative fee for each semester registered.
If you’ve been home-schooled, you should submit your completed UMD application and provide a transcript with the following: course descriptions, books used, methods of evaluation and grades received. You should meet the same minimum high school course requirements expected of all applicants; your SAT and/or ACT scores will be strongly considered in the review of your application.
Please also include general information about your home-schooling program or agency and a letter of recommendation from both an academic professional and the home-schooling teacher/parent. If you’ve taken college-level courses, you should also include an official college transcript with your application.
Transfer students interested in taking courses at UMD without pursuing a degree must apply for admission as non-degree seeking students using the transfer application.
If you have not completed a bachelor’s degree, you must submit a completed application, official transcripts from all colleges and universities previously attended and the application fee.
If you have already completed a bachelor's degree, transcripts are not required. However, since you may need to demonstrate that you have met prerequisites, we recommend having one available to provide.
If you wish to enroll for one semester as a visiting student and transfer the coursework back to your home institution, you must submit the transfer application, official transcripts, the application fee and a letter of permission from an academic advisor or dean at your home institution.
On the application, please be sure to indicate that you are applying as a "non-degree seeking" student. You will be reviewed under the same standards for admission as degree-seeking students and we cannot guarantee that non-degree seeking applications received after the application deadline will be reviewed.
Non-degree seeking students wishing to take a single course during a summer or winter term must complete the application available on the Extended Studies website.
If you earned a bachelor's degree and wish to apply for admission to earn another undergraduate degree or to take courses as a non-degree seeking student at UMD, you will use the transfer application in ApplyWeb. Follow the transfer applicant requirements. For more information on applying as a non-degree seeking student, please review the previous Non-Degree Seeking Student section on this page.
Students interested in Science in the Evening or Hearing and Speech in the Evening should apply through the Extended Studies Post-Baccalaureate Programs.
Re-enrollment pertains only to students who have previously attended the University of Maryland, College Park. If you are interested in returning to the university after a period of dismissal or withdrawal, then you can complete a re-enrollment application. Students who attended on a "term only" basis or who were admitted to the university but did not attend must complete a regular application for undergraduate admission. For more information about the re-enrollment process, please visit the Student Success Office website.
If you’re interested in the School of Music, you will need to submit the online application supplement and complete an audition by November 1 for an early action decision or by December 1 for a regular decision. The application supplement and audition will only be used to determine your eligibility for admission into the School of Music and will not be used in the review of your eligibility for admission to UMD. For more information, please visit the School of Music website or email their office at musicadmissions@umd.edu.
The University of Maryland is committed to creating a welcoming and inclusive environment for all students, including undocumented students.
Thank you for your service! As a veteran, you face unique challenges navigating the admission process and we want to support you through it. At the University of Maryland, you are considered a veteran if you’re currently enlisted or have served in the U.S. armed forces or one of its reserve units. We highly encourage veterans like you to apply to Maryland, where we look forward to helping you achieve your personal and academic goals and get involved in campus life. As a Principles of Excellence Program institution, we are committed to helping you continue your education and get involved in Veteran Student Life.
Freshman
Freshman applicants are students who did not attend college out of high school and have not earned more than 12 college credits. To be considered for freshman admission, you need to submit the completed application, your high school transcript and letters of recommendation from current or former military superiors or civilian supervisors. If you’ve been out of school more than three years, you don’t need to submit SAT or ACT scores. Please review all requirements for freshman applicants. We do not need proof of military documentation until after you are offered admission to the university. To help us determine eligibility for student aid and priority registration, during the application process you will be asked to upload a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD form 214). For information regarding application fee waiver eligibility, please review our Fee Waivers page.
Transfer
Transfer applicants should have attended college after high school or while you were on active duty and earned at least 12 college credits. Credit for basic military training is awarded to qualified students based on submission of required documentation. However, the Joint Services Transcript does not count towards the 12 credits necessary to be a transfer student or the 30 credits necessary to no longer be required to submit high school information. Visit the basic military credit policy for details. Please review all requirements for transfer applicants. We do not need proof of military documentation until after you are offered admission to the university. To help us determine eligibility for student aid and priority registration, during the application process you will be asked to upload a copy of your Certificate of Release or Discharge from Active Duty (DD form 214). For information regarding application fee waiver eligibility, please review our Fee Waivers page.
VISIT UMD
You can only learn so much about a school from a website. Even if we tell you how beautiful our campus is, or how fantastic our students and faculty are, you will not know for yourself until you experience it for yourself!
