Everything You Need to Know About How to Apply
Complete the Common App
Check out the Common App’s Application Guide for First-Year Students to get tips and best practices to give yourself the best chance at success.
Seeking in-state residency? Be sure to complete the residency questions in the Member Questions section.
Applying to the Honors College? Be sure to answer “Yes” to the Honors College question located in the Academics Section of the Member Screen and complete the additional required writing supplement.
Complete the “Required Application Questions” section in your myUMBC account.
Be sure to plan and write your essay. This helps us get to know you.
Pay your $75 non-refundable application fee and make sure that there are green “complete” check marks under the application in your “My Colleges” dashboard under UMBC, and then hit “submit”!
Request Supporting Documents
Official Transcript
Required
Transcripts must be submitted to us directly from your school. Counselors may send us your transcripts electronically through the Common App School Report or other digital transcript sending services. If necessary, they may also email a transcript to admissions@umbc.edu or mail a physical transcript to our office.
*If you have also earned college credits that you are interested in transferring to UMBC, you will need to submit those transcripts.
International Transcripts
Required
If you have attended a postsecondary institution, such as a college or university, outside the United States, submit course by course credentials evaluated through one of the following evaluation services.
Documents in languages other than English must be accompanied by a certified English translation.
Are you an international first-year student?
If you are an international student, your first-year application will involve some additional steps.
Standardized Test Scores
Optional
If you graduated high school in the U.S. within the past three years, you may have the appropriate testing agency send us your results from the SAT I or the ACT.
The UMBC College Board code is 5835, and UMBC’s ACT code is 175.
UMBC’s 25th – 75th percentile test score range is 1240 – 1420. Given this information, you can decide whether or not your test scores would benefit your application.
Letters of Recommendation
Optional
You can designate up to two recommenders through the Common App–recommenders then submit their letters through the Common App.
Complete Application Requirements for Scholars Programs and Visual and Performing Arts Majors
Optional
Applying to a Scholars Program or as a Visual or Performing Arts major? Be sure to research additional requirements and deadlines specific to the programs of interest to you.
Upcoming Application Deadlines
First-Year Students
Fall Enrollment Application Deadlines
- Early Action Deadline (First-Year)
- Decision letters for Early Action applicants are sent beginning in December
- Honors College Priority Decision Deadline
- Decisions released separately
- Regular Decision Deadline (First-Year)
- Decision letters for regular applicants are sent beginning in February
- Honors College Regular Decision Deadline
- Decisions released separately
Admissions Representative Spotlight
We’re here to help, no matter where you are in your college search.
Our team of admissions representatives can guide you through questions about what to study, what it’s like to be a Retriever, and even the basics of financing your education. Explore our list of admissions representatives below and find the person who works with students from your area, whether that’s Maryland, Arizona, or across the globe.
Caitlin Henry
Sending Something via Snail Mail?
All supporting documents not submitted electronically can be sent to our office at:
UMBC Office of Undergraduate Admissions and Orientation
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 21250