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Looking for University of Maryland Admission Requirements? Getting into UMD is a long process because the University of Maryland requirements include several factors such as UMD acceptance rate, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA, etc.
The University of Maryland is an excellent institution for learning whether you are seeking to obtain a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree. It’s the flagship institution of the University System of Maryland, the largest university in the Washington Metropolitan Area.
We will be discussing the acceptance rate at the University of Maryland in this guide but first, let’s look at a brief history about this university.
A Brief History of the University of Maryland
The University of Maryland was founded in 1856 when the small Maryland Agricultural College was dug out of a portion of Charles Benedict Calvert’s plantation along the dirt road now known as U.S. Route 1.
From 34 students, the institution has grown to include engineering and humanities and currently has an enrollment of over 41,000 undergraduate and graduate students.
UMD survived the Great Fire of 1912, was re-established as a public university and flourished after World War II. Today, the university is a national research and academic centre, although it was originally a land-grant institution.
The mission of the University of Maryland College Park is to provide expertise in teaching, research and service.
The university’s goal is to be a major national centre for research and continuing education and for Maryland students with unique talents and perspectives.
University of Maryland Acceptance Rate
According to admission statistics from the University of Maryland, 56,766 applications were received in the last Fall term. Out of that number, UMD offered admission to 19,451 students and 4,742 enrolled at the university.
By admitting 19,451 students out of 56,766 applications received, the acceptance rate at the University of Maryland is 34.2%.
The University of Maryland is one of the most highly selective public universities in the United States, with an admit rate below the national average for colleges in the country.
The school has very high SAT and ACT admission requirements and typically accepts students in the top 11% of SAT and ACT takers (1270/1480 and 30/34 respectively). The University of Maryland, College Park generally accepts and attracts high school graduates with an average GPA of approximately 4.36.
Is getting into the University of Maryland difficult?
Yes, getting into the University of Maryland is difficult as the University of Maryland has an acceptance rate of 34.2%. The truth is that the UMD acceptance rate says a little about how difficult it is to get into UMD.
Marylanders are more likely to get accepted into UMD than out-of-state students. Your major is not one of the things that are considered for admission, so don’t think about changing your major and cheating the system.
Approximately 75% of enrolled students are legal residents of Maryland and the remaining 25% are non-Maryland residents (out-of-state students and foreigners). Special consideration is given to students in Maryland public schools.
Irrespective of the general UMD acceptance rate, some schools at the university are more selective than others, the Clark School of Engineering is a good example. Direct access to majors such as computer science, business and engineering is difficult, almost impossible.
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How Does the University of Maryland’s Acceptance Rate Compare to Other Schools Close to It?
The acceptance rate at the University of Maryland, College Park is 28% lower than the national average of about 56.7%.
| School | Acceptance Rate |
| George Washington University | 40.8% |
| American University | 36.1% |
| Georgetown University | 14.4% |
| George Mason University | 86.7% |
| University of Maryland-Baltimore County | 61.0% |
Admission to the University of Maryland
The admission process into the University of Maryland is highly competitive, with acceptance rates below 35% and high average GPA and SAT/ACT scores. However, the University of Maryland has a comprehensive admissions process that takes into account factors other than your grades and test scores.
A strong essay and concise answers can strengthen your application, as can meaningful extracurricular activities, great letters of recommendation, and a rigorous curriculum. UMD wants to see you take challenging college preparatory courses, including IB, AP, Honors, and Dual Enrollment. The UMD website lists 26 factors that admissions officers consider when evaluating applications.
Students with particularly interesting stories or accomplishments may be honoured that others, even if their grades and test scores fall outside the UMD average.
SAT scores you must have
The University of Maryland, College Park generally prefers applicants to be in the top 15% on the SAT. The school consistently lowers the SAT composite score to 1270 on a 1600-point scale in a bid to make admission to the school very possible.
The average combined SAT score of admitted freshmen is an estimated 1380/1600. Maryland ranks second in Maryland for average combined SAT scores and 67th nationally. Competitive SAT scores are critical because 71% of applicants submit SAT scores to UMD.
| SAT Reading 25th | 630 |
| SAT Math 25th | 640 |
| SAT Composite 25th | 1270 |
| SAT Reading 75th | 720 |
| SAT Math 75th | 760 |
| SAT Composite 75th | 1480 |
| Average SAT Score | 1380 |
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ACT Scores needed to get accepted
Admissions records show that Maryland regularly admits students with an ACT of 30 or higher. Successful applicants typically submit ACT scores that are among the top 7% of students nationwide.
Prospective students with an ACT essay score of 32 or higher should be at the top of the list of applicants, and students who manage to score 34 or more than that have a very competitive chance.
The school is ranked 2nd in Maryland and 40th in the United States for the highest average overall ACT score. 29% of applicants submit ACT scores at UMD
| ACT Reading 25th | 30 |
| ACT Math 25th | 27 |
| ACT Composite 25th | 30 |
| ACT Reading 75th | 35 |
| ACT Math 75th | 33 |
| ACT Composite 75th | 34 |
| Average ACT Score | 32 |
Estimated GPA requirements and average GPA
To get into Maryland, applicants need very good grades. The average GPA for incoming freshmen at the University of Maryland College Park is 4.36 on a 4.0 scale, indicating acceptance and participation in most awards.
The school has the highest GPA and ranks first in Maryland. If your high school GPA meets these requirements, you have a good chance of getting in, as the University of Maryland has an acceptance rate of 34.2%.
First-year Admission Checklist List and Guidelines
High school students and students who have completed less than 12 study semester hours or 18 quarter hours at a university after high school should apply as first-year applicants. Follow the application guideline below:
Complete the online application
The school recommended that you apply before the early action deadline through online application to receive priority admission, merit-based scholarships, and invitations to special programs.
Applications must be completed online and all additional application materials must be received or sent by the deadline.
The $75.00 application fee is non-refundable.
When you complete your application at the University of Maryland (UMD), you must pay the $75 application fee on the secure website by credit card, unless you have received a fee waiver.
The payment exemption must be submitted before filling out the application. The school do not accept cash or check payments.
Two letters of recommendation
A complete application requires two letters of recommendation: one from a school counsellor and one from a teacher. Letters of recommendation should be sent to the school directly from the recommender.
Official copy of high school transcript
Each high school you attend must provide an official copy of your high school transcript for all courses you have taken or completed.
Official copies of transcripts from your colleges (if necessary)
If you have completed college courses, each institution you attend must provide an official copy of your college transcript and a list of all courses you have attended.
Official standardized test scores
In recognition of the continued impact of COVID-19 on prospective students, UMD has decided to expand its policy to make SAT and ACT scores optional for the spring and fall.
You can set the status of the optional test in the application. More information can be found on Future Terps Updates.
Extracurriculars (activities section)
In the Activities section of the app, you can detail the different ways you spend your time outside of class.
Start by sharing the two activities that are most important to you outside of your academic program.
Whether it’s community involvement, arts, sports, work experience, research opportunities, family involvement, or other activities and hobbies, you should only share content (up to eight) that is particularly relevant.
Essay
The essay allows you to tell the selection committee more about your personality and experiences. UMD essay questions page has posts for you to choose from.
Music school application (only music school applicants)
In addition to the points mentioned above, students who want to enrol in the School of Music must submit a supplement online application and an audition.
The application and audition are used only to determine your eligibility to the School of Music, not to determine your eligibility to UMD.
Terps Application Portal (TAP)
Within two working days, after you have submitted your application through the Common App or StandOut Admissions Network, you will receive an email from a UMD office with instructions for creating a TAP account.
Once you’ve created an account, you can use TAP to track the status of your application and confirm that the school have received all the necessary materials. If possible, you will also receive an electronic admission decision there.
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University of Maryland Transfer Acceptance Rate & Application Checklist
The University of Maryland College Park (UMD) received a total of 6,017 transfer applications and admitted 3,540 students. The transfer admission rate at UMD is currently 58.8%, which is less selective compared the acceptance rate for Regular Admission.
Below is the transfer application route at UMD
- Completed online application
- The $75.00 application fee is non-refundable.
- Official copies of college transcripts
- Each institution you attend must provide official copies of your college transcripts and all courses you have taken. Final official transcripts from your current institution must be submitted after completion of the current course.
- Official copy of high school transcript (if necessary)
- If you have completed less than 30 semesters or 45 quarter hours at when you were applying, your institution must provide an official copy of your high school transcript showing all the courses you have completed.
- Official results of standardized tests
- In recognition of the continued impact of COVID-19 on prospective students, UMD decided to expand its policy to make SAT and ACT scores optional in the meantime. This can change at any time and you need to visit the Future Terps Updates for further information.
- Letter of Recommendation (optional)
- You can send letters of recommendation with your application. Letters of recommendation must be sent to us directly from recommenders and can be written by any one of the applicant’s choosing, including teachers, counsellors, coaches, and mentors.
- Extracurricular Activities
- Inform the school about your activities in the community, leadership, sports, arts, family relationships, work experience and other leisure and hobby areas according to interest. You can submit this information through the StandOut Admissions Network Profile Activity/Experience section or by uploading a separate file.
- Music school application (only music school applicants)
- In addition to the points mentioned above, students who want to enrol in the music school as stated before can complete an audition and send an extra online application. The application form and the audition are used to know whether or not you are qualified for the Music School.
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The University of Maryland International Acceptance Rate and Applicant Requirements
The University of Maryland International Acceptance isn’t official and the application process takes the same route as that of domestic students.
The school in general prioritises applicants who are from Maryland, but there is still a good percentage of international students in the school.
- Complete the online application
- Pay the $75.00 non-refundable application fee using your credit card
- Two letters of recommendation
- A complete application requires two letters of recommendation: one from a school counsellor and one from a teacher. Letters of recommendation should be sent to the school directly from the recommender.
- Official copy of high school transcript
- Each school you attend must provide an official copy of your high school transcript and any courses you have taken or will take. Attach official grades and National High School Examinations such as GCSE/GCE, WAEC, National and Regional CBSE, and CXC/CSEC. Literary texts must be submitted in their native language with a certified English translation.
If you are mailing any application materials, please send them to:
University of Maryland
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Mitchell Building, 7999 Regents Dr.
College Park, MD 20742-5235, USA
Other Requirements for International Students
In addition to the mandatory criteria for first-year admission or transfer, the selection committee considers the following factors for applicants who are international students:
- National education system
- Type of institution studied in
- English language proficiency
- If English is not your first language, regardless of your nationality, you must provide the university with proof of your English proficiency.
- The English language test results must be no more than two years old, and they must be sent directly from the examination board to the admissions office.
- Your application will not be considered complete until the school has received the official English language test results.
- Independent academic evaluation of degrees completed outside the United States.
- For more information and application visit this page.
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Application deadline
Are you planning to apply to UMD? Below are some dates to consider during the application round for freshmen applying for fall admission.
| Application Timeline | Admissions Application Due | Notification Date |
| Early Action | November 1 | February 1 |
| Regular Decision | January 20 | April 1 |
University of Maryland College Park Tuition Fees and Cost of Attendance
As we have taken the time to talk about the University of Maryland acceptance rate and admission process we are coming toward the end of this article and we want to dedicate this section to the tuition and estimated fees one show expect to part with a student or prospective student of UMD.
UMD Instate Tuition and Fees
| Fee | Cost |
| Tuition | $8,824 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,250 |
| Other Fees | $1,955 |
| Room and Board | $13,256 |
| Other Expenses Budget | $2,522 |
UMD Out-of-State Tuition
| Fee | Cost |
| Tuition | $34,936 |
| Books and Supplies | $1,250 |
| Other Fees | $1,955 |
| Room and Board | $13,256 |
| Other Expenses Budget | $2,522 |
Rankings and Fast Facts
- 41,200+ students
- 12 schools and colleges
- #55 in National Universities (U.S News & World Report)
- #19 IN Top Public Schools
- #183 in Best Value Schools
- #169 on QS World University Rankings
- #104 on World University Rankings (Times Higher Education)
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References:
- UMD New Freshmen Students Application
- U.S News & World Report: University of Maryland, College Park
- TopUniversities: University of Maryland, College Park
- Times Higher Education: University of Maryland, College Park
