Admitted Student Guide

Accept your offer of admission and let us know you’ll be a new Retriever! To reserve your spot at UMBC, visit myUMBC and submit your non-refundable enrollment intention of $425 ($200 enrollment deposit + $225 orientation fee) by the date indicated in your admission letter.

Your myUMBC account is your gateway to services, information, and connections to the campus community.  You can also access your UMBC email account through myUMBC.

All new students are required to complete an Orientation program to learn about academic requirements, sign up for classes, and meet other new students. Beginning in early-April (fall enrollment) or mid-November (spring enrollment), students can sign up for Orientation.

As you prepare for your arrival at UMBC, there are some health-related requirements that you must meet before you arrive on campus. Each item is listed here. Please contact Retriever Integrated Health with any questions.

We offer a variety of housing options from residence halls to apartments for all our incoming students, as well as unique Living Learning Communities that cater to different interests and needs you may have. For first-year students, the housing application opens February 1 (fall enrollment) or October 1 (spring enrollment). For transfer students, the housing application opens April 1 (fall enrollment) or October 1 (spring enrollment).

Assuming you do not already have U.S. citizenship, permanent residency, or another visa category that allows you to study in the U.S., you will need to obtain an F-1 student visa and an I-20 from UMBC. You’ll start this process by requesting an I-20 from UMBC and then applying for the F-1 visa. If you already have a Visa, you will need to update it to reflect your enrollment at UMBC. Learn more about the process and know our staff is available to answer your questions.

Visit myUMBC to find your Transfer Credit Report and degree audit, which help you understand how transferred courses apply to UMBC’s general education, major, and minor requirements. While you’re waiting for your official report, you can explore how your credits might transfer at Transfer Central. Note: Allow 2-3 weeks after admission for evaluation and posting of prior college coursework to your record.

There’s no better way to experience what life as a Retriever will be like than by visiting campus. Check out all of the upcoming opportunities for admitted students and their guests to explore #RetrieverNation:

• Visit our main (Catonsville) campus
• Visit our Shady Grove (Rockville) campus

As you prepare for your arrival at UMBC, there are some health-related requirements that you must meet before you arrive on campus. Each item can be found on the Retriever Integrated Health (RIH) website below.

UMBC-Shady Grove students are expected to complete the vast majority of lower-level courses and prerequisites prior to transfer. Please see our list of important prerequisites.

Whether you’re interested in UMBC scholarships or have questions about the FAFSA, UMBC’s financial aid and scholarships office has the information you need. Be sure to direct any questions to your UMBC Financial Aid Counselor. Students who complete the FAFSA will begin receiving financial aid awards through their UMBC email as early as mid-March (fall enrollment) or end of October (spring enrollment).

In addition to UMBC scholarships, UMBC-Shady Grove students also have access to scholarships offered through The Universities at Shady Grove (USG). For more information about USG scholarships, contact the Center for Scholarships.

View four-year academic pathways for each UMBC major or program, to be used in conjunction with formal academic advising as a resource for major exploration or development of an individualized degree plan.

Submit your favorite photo for your UMBC Retriever Card, your official UMBC student ID. This card is required for accessing library, computing and transit services, as well as on-campus housing, and for making purchases on campus, including meals. Submitting a photo is quick and easy.

Before you meet with your advisor and register for classes, you need to know which classes are best for you, and placement testing will help you figure that out. Please be sure to complete your placement tests* at least one week before your orientation advising appointment. *Most students attending UMBC-Shady Grove have already completed their math requirement and do not need to complete placement testing.

Your admission to UMBC is based on your academic record to date. You are required to submit a final, official transcript to UMBC. You should also request that testing agencies submit your scores for any Advanced Placement (AP), College Level Examination Program (CLEP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) exams.