Application Requirements for Prospective Freshmen

The Admissions Committee weighs a number of factors in making its decision. In addition to grade point average and standardized test scores, the strength of your curriculum, class rank and other achievements as well as your essay will be considered. Reviewing the 2011 Freshman Class Profile in UMBC's Fast Facts may give you an idea of the kinds of students who are admitted to UMBC. 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
Mathematics: four years
Social Science/History: three years
Science: three years
Language other than English: two years

The SAT

In reviewing students' SAT scores, UMBC uses all three parts of this standardized exam. The university believes writing is a critical component of a student's undergraduate experience. UMBC continues to emphasize its importance both inside and outside of the classroom through program requirements, general education requirements, and such co-curricular activities as internships and undergraduate research experiences.

Students' writing scores are typically comparable in range to their critical reading and mathematics scores and consistent with their overall academic profile. The critical reading and mathematics components will continue to be key factors in our evaluation of applications, along with grade point average, strength of curriculum, and letters of recommendation.

In addition, UMBC considers your highest scores from each section across all SAT test dates that you submit. Only your highest scores will be considered as part of the final admissions decision. Therefore, UMBC strongly encourages you to submit your scores each time you take the SAT.

How to Apply for Freshman Admission

  1. Complete the Common Application in its entirety (including the application essay).
    Apply Online (preferred) | Download the PDF application
  2. Complete UMBC’s Common Application Supplement
    Apply Online (preferred) | Download PDF Supplement
  3. Pay the nonrefundable application fee. Using a credit card or e-check, submit the $50 application fee required for all applications.
  4. Submit the (1) application fee, (2) Common Application, and (3) UMBC Supplement in this order.
    You must submit all three of the above sections in order for UMBC to receive your Common Application. Prior to the deadline, make sure that there are green “complete” triangles next to each of these sections in your “My Colleges” dashboard under UMBC.
  5. Request an official transcript from your high school. Counselors may send us your transcripts electronically through the Common Application School Report or they may mail a transcript to our office at the address below.

    UMBC Office of Undergraduate Admissions
    1000 Hilltop Circle
    Baltimore, MD 21250
  6. Send us your test results. UMBC requires official SAT I scores or ACT scores (with writing) from all freshmen applicants attending high school or home schooled in the United States. Official scores should be sent directly from the CollegeBoard or the ACT. The UMBC College Board code is 5835, and UMBC's ACT code is 1751.
  7. Ask for letters of recommendation from your teachers. Once designated by the applicant, recommenders may submit recommendations electronically through the Common Application or by downloading the Common Application Teacher Evaluation.  A maximum of two recommendations, based upon the order in which they are received, will be reviewed in the evaluation process.
  8. Submit any additional application materials. All supporting documents not submitted electronically can be sent to our office at the address below.

    UMBC Office of Undergraduate Admissions
    1000 Hilltop Circle
    Baltimore, MD 21250
  9. Send us a final high school transcript. All students enrolling in UMBC are required to send a final high school transcript upon completion of their senior year. UMBC does not require a Mid-Year Report.

Home Schooled Applicants
UMBC welcomes home-schooled applicants. In addition to the above admissions materials, home-schooled applicants should submit curriculum vitae describing course content, instructional materials and an evaluation of the student’s work.

Additional Requirements for Visual and Performing Arts Majors
College Search Checklist
Application Timeline
Advanced Standing (AP/IB/College Coursework)
Early and Concurrent Enrollment

IMPORTANT DEADLINES

Freshmen
Fall Admission
Early Action: Nov. 1
Regular Decision: Feb. 1

Honors College
Jan. 15 - priority
Mar. 15 - final

Financial Aid
Priority for FAFSA: Feb. 14