The University of Maryland in College Park offers students an educational experience that is historic, community-focused, and research-led. Ranked in the top 20 universities by US News and World Report and Forbes, UMD has a lot to offer students.
The flagship university of Maryland, and one of the leading research institutions in the nation, UMD has a significant impact both nationally and locally.
UMD specializes in research on technology, art, agriculture, public health, and social science, which has led to the development of everything from specialized drones to better football grip gloves.
Locally, the university has a strong partnership with College Park businesses and neighborhoods, resulting in the Discovery District.
The Discovery District is a hub of collaborative research, entrepreneurship, community partnerships, and more and offers students a learning experience that is both academic and hands-on.
As a result, students have access to a wide range of organizations with which they can do internships, work, and volunteer during their time at UMD.
Students who attend UMD will be attending the alma mater of individuals like Larry David, Gayle King, and Jim Henson.
In addition, they will be able to study with experts like Soheil Feizi, recipient of the Young Investigator for 2022 for his work in machine learning, and La Marr Jurelle Bruce, author, and recipient of the Nicolás Cristóbal Guillén Batista Philosophical Literature Prize.
Located only 30 minutes from our nation’s capital and only 40 mins from Baltimore, students who attend UMD will be living and learning in one of the most important and exciting areas in the US.
Below, students will find information on the admissions process for UMD.
University of Maryland Acceptance Rate
UMD’s acceptance rate is 40% for first-time undergraduates.
UMD considers 26 different factors when looking at applications, a process that showcases their desire to see students as more than just a score or set of grades on a transcript.
To be a solid applicant for UMD, students need to show that in addition to academic success, they have participated in their schools and communities, pursued academically rigorous classes, and have the skills necessary to succeed in higher education.
The timeline to apply for UMD depends on whether a student wants to come in the Fall or Spring Semester and whether they want to get everything in early or right on time.
For Fall Semester, students can apply for the Early Action Deadline on November 1st or to the Regular Deadline on January 20th. For Spring Semester, there is only one deadline for all students; all information will need to be turned in by December 1st.
The application process to get into UMD is done through either the Common or Coalition applications.
It doesn’t matter which application students pick; the main difference between them is the format and the essay topics, but all the same information is needed.
The requirements needed to apply to UMD include the $75 application fee (or waiver), two letters of recommendation, transcripts, a 650-word essay, and a list of activities and accomplishments. SAT and ACT scores are optional at this time, but this is subject to change.
Finally, all students need to remember to complete their FAFSA application. This is especially important so that students can be considered for several merit-based scholarships that UMD offers incoming students.
To be considered for the scholarships, students must apply by the Early Action Deadline of November 1 and enter in during the Fall Semester.
Students should take special care to ensure that they have all the documentation required because incomplete applications will not be considered.
To help with this process, UMD offers students an in-depth checklist to help them keep track of all they need to submit.
Once everything has been submitted, students will be able to track the status of their application through the UMD Terps Application Portal.
University of Maryland Out-of-State Acceptance Rate
Of the new undergraduates accepted, 20% of them were out-of-state students. Out-of-state students will have all the same requirements of admissions as in-state, but they will find that their tuition is higher.
For students who aren’t sure whether they are considered residents or not, they should visit the UMD’s registrar information page.
GPA for University of Maryland
The average GPA for University of Maryland is 4.32.
Though UMD indeed takes a holistic approach to applicants, academic success is among the items that is highly considered in the admissions process.
Students will need to show on their transcripts and through letters of recommendation that they have gone beyond the average classes offered in high school.
One way to get into the mindset that UMD is looking for from its applicants is to read the university’s Statement of Philosophy of Undergraduate admissions.
Students who build off the foundational values found in this statement will set themselves up to be stand-out applicants for UMD.
Other Requirements and Admission Tips
Many special programs, scholarships, and on-campus opportunities become available to students who apply by the November 1st Early Action Deadline.
Students don’t need to worry about locking themselves in with the Early Action Deadline because it is not a binding commitment. Official acceptance or refusal of acceptance can wait until the regular decision dates.
To decide whether to apply for Fall or Spring, students will find it helpful to create a pros and cons list to address which timeframe will most benefit a student. As a place to start, students should look into the following special programs and consider how each might fit into their enrollment timeline.
Though students aren’t required to pick a major before being accepted, they could run into limited space if they have a specific major of interest. This is because some of UMD’s majors are Limited Entry Programs (LEPs).
Students who would like to pursue majors like psychology, chemistry, engineering, and computer science will have their applications reviewed by those departments. If a student isn’t accepted initially into an LEP, they will be placed in a general degree path until they can try again.
Another department that has special requirements for acceptance is the School of Music. Students who are interested in this program must complete a School of Music application in addition to the general UMD application.
Additional requirements include letters of recommendation from a music teacher, a repertoire list, an audition or portfolio, and a $50 application fee. All students are encouraged to apply for the Early Action Deadline on November 1st to increase their chances at acceptance.
One last special entry program for students to be aware of is the UMD Honors College. Applicants who apply for Early Action Deadline in November are automatically considered for the Honors College and will be invited if their application shows the appropriate skills and desire to succeed.
Those who are accepted will be required to take 15-18 credits and will gain access to special honors courses and UMD’s living-learning communities.
Is University of Maryland Right for You?
Knowing if a university is right for a student will depend on what a student has done to build their academic resume, what a school offers, and most importantly, what a student wants from their education.
Even before reviewing the criteria for applying and the academic and extracurricular requirements, a student should explore what a university’s mission is, what academic focuses are important to the school, and what opportunities the surrounding city offers.
As mentioned above, the University of Maryland is unique as a research university, specifically as a university that is working closely with the businesses and community surrounding it.
Students who want to be in the midst of a political, business, artistic, and historical environment will find UMD one of the richest experiences they’ve ever had.
Students who want a quieter experience might find that things are too involved and busy.
Either way, students can begin their process of learning about the school with the Explore tab on the main website. This will tell them all about what UMD has to offer and whether it seems like a good fit.
Lastly, for more mission-driven students, one of the most helpful documents to access is a school’s strategic plan.
UMD’s strategic plan emphasizes moving forward into a better future by partnering with the surrounding community.
By understanding a university’s strategic plan, students can place themselves in the position to receive an education they believe in and contribute to the type of education they deserve.
