Navigating Undergraduate Admissions at UMass Amherst: A Comprehensive Guide

Gaining admission to the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass Amherst) is a goal for many aspiring students. The admissions process is selective, with the university employing a holistic review to identify students who will thrive in its academic environment and contribute to the campus community. Admission is contingent upon successful completion of required high school courses at a level consistent with the university’s admissions standards. Decisions are never based on any single factor.

What UMass Amherst Looks For

UMass Amherst seeks to admit students who will contribute fully to campus life, inside and outside the classroom. When you apply, the university considers everything they learn about you from your application.

The Application Process: Required Materials

A complete application includes several key components:

Common Application: A completed Common Application, including the UMass Amherst-specific questions, is essential.
Official High School Transcript: Submit an official high school transcript covering grades 9-11.
Official College Transcripts: If you've completed any college coursework, official transcripts are required.
Letter of Recommendation: A letter of recommendation provides valuable insight into your character and abilities.
Application Fee: An $85 application fee is required.
(Optional) Self-Reported Academic Record (SRAR): The SRAR is used to enter, track, and submit documents-including courses, grades, and test scores. UMass Amherst highly encourage students to self-report through the SRAR, as it offers more accuracy in recalculation and allows them to ensure equal consideration is given to each applicant's academic profile.

Academic Requirements: Setting the Foundation

Meeting the minimum subject matter requirements is crucial. The rigor of your curriculum is strongly considered, with emphasis on challenging courses such as honors, Advanced Placement (AP), or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, if available. When assessing academic achievement, course grades as well as grade trends are important, including course selection and grades in relation to the desired major. A strong senior schedule helps show the applicant’s commitment to higher education. If the high school provides a class rank, that is taken into consideration as well.

Here's a breakdown of the unit requirements:

Read also: Applying to UMass Boston

English: 4 units
Mathematics: 4 units (Algebra II minimum), including math in the senior year of high school
Natural Science: 3 units (3 labs)
Social Science: 2 units (one course in US history)
Foreign Language: 2 units of the same language (waived for MA vocational tech high schools)
Electives: 2 units (from areas above, arts and humanities, or computer science)

Specific Major Requirements:

Applicants to the Riccio College of Engineering, Isenberg School of Management, or the computer science major must have four math units including an advanced math course, such as pre-calculus or calculus.
Applicants to the Riccio College of Engineering must also have chemistry and physics.
Applicants to the Architecture, Art, Dance, and Music majors are encouraged to contact the appropriate department and apply as early as possible to allow enough time for an audition or portfolio review. Students must have their admission application on file with Undergraduate Admissions before major-specific requirements or portfolio reviews will be scheduled.

Standardized Testing: SAT and ACT

UMass Amherst is test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to UMass will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students.

SAT:

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1310, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1460.
UMass Amherst utilizes "superscoring," combining your highest section scores from multiple test dates.
If your SAT superscore is currently below a 1358, it is recommended that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it.

ACT:

The average ACT score at UMass Amherst is 30.
The 25th percentile ACT score is 29, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 33.
UMass Amherst is understood to superscore the ACT.
If your ACT score is currently below a 30, it is recommended that you consider prepping for the ACT and retaking it.

Test-Optional Considerations:

UMass Dartmouth is 100% test optional. The admission decision will be based on a holistic review of the application including the high school record, recommendations, personal essay and other materials submitted by the applicant.
An SAT score of 1080 or higher, or an ACT of 22 or higher (1200 SAT and 25 ACT for nursing) are encouraged as many of our programs are competitive.
Applicants who have been out of high school for more than three years, or who have earned at least 24 transferable college credits, are exempted from the SAT requirement.
Applicants may claim an exemption from the SAT/ACT requirement if you have a qualifying disability that affects your learning and performance. Address your request for exemption from testing to Admissions.

GPA: A Key Indicator

GPA a very important academic factor. The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. requires you to be at the top of your class. You'll need nearly straight A's in all your classes to compete with other applicants. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 4.07, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate.

Holistic Review: Beyond the Numbers

UMass Amherst employs a holistic review process. This means that while academic performance and test scores are important, they are not the only factors considered. The admissions committee also evaluates:

Coursework difficulty
Extracurricular activities
Letters of recommendation
Personal statements
Essay

Special Circumstances

Home-Schooled Applicants: Home-schooled applicants are required to submit all of the application materials required for first-year applicants, including a personal statement, and a transcript. It is understood that the transcript of a home-schooled student may differ from that of a traditional high school student. Regardless of the format, a transcript should include all 9th to 12th grade courses (including those in progress) and the timeframe of each course (academic year and semester). In addition, an assessment of performance (a letter grade, percentage, narrative assessment, etc.) is needed.
Applicants from Career/Vocational Technical High Schools: If you are enrolled in a career/vocational technical high school, you must complete the required number of college preparatory classes, with some exceptions.
- Two vocational and technical courses may be used to fulfill the two required electives.
GED Program Graduates: If you completed high school through the GED program, you must submit a copy of the GED certificate from the state, along with a copy of your GED test record.
Students Without a High School Diploma: Frequently, superior secondary school students exhaust the courses offered in their high schools by the end of the junior year. They may seek admission to UMass Dartmouth without a secondary school diploma. Such candidates may be admitted on the basis of superior high school records and test scores. The application must also be supported with a written agreement that the high school approves the plan, and that a diploma will be granted upon satisfactory completion of one or two semesters of college work. Signatures of the school principal or headmaster, guidance counselor, and parents are required.
Permanent Residents: Permanent residents of the United States who are not citizens of the United States use the standard application for admission. A copy of both sides of the immigration form I-551 (green card) must be filed with the application.
Gaps in Education: If you have not been enrolled in college coursework for one or more semesters after high school graduation, please provide an explanation about the reason for the gap/s in your education.

Additional Information

Application Deadline: The application deadline at University of Massachusetts--Amherst is Jan. 15.
State Seal of Biliteracy: The State Seal of Biliteracy is an award provided by state-approved districts that recognizes students who have studied and attained proficiency in two or more languages by their high school graduation. The university will award 12 credits to students who receive the Seal of Biliteracy and 15 credits to students who receive the Seal of Biliteracy with distinction.
Advanced Placement (AP) Credit: UMass Dartmouth award advanced placement or college credit for AP examination scores of 3 or higher. In order to receive credit for AP courses, have your examination results sent to the Registrar's Office.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP): The university has approved the use of the College Board College Level Examination Program (CLEP). UMass Dartmouth awards credits for CLEP Subject Examination scores at or above the 50th percentile. The equivalence of CLEP courses is determined by the academic department for that subject. This credit may be used to satisfy distribution requirements or as electives, but not normally for credit in the major program. Please note that credit is not awarded for the CLEP General Examination.
Deferred Admission: Students who have been accepted but find that they are unable to enroll in the semester originally intended may defer their admission for one or two semesters.
Reapplication: UMass Amherst encourage applications from students who have been denied admission but who have improved their academic records at other institutions.
Criminal History: Although we request that you disclose criminal history on your application, any information you provide will not be used to determine your candidacy for admission. Candidacy will be based only on your academic performance, test scores, activities, essay, recommendations, and so on. If you are admissible, only then will one of our directors look at the criminal history information you provided. This separate evaluation will be done to determine whether the criminal activity was serious enough to have a bearing on the final admissions decision.
Do Not Send Unnecessary Documents: Please do not send non-required supporting documents or items such as photographs, recordings, writing samples, awards or commendations, etc.
UMass Dartmouth Deal: UMass Dartmouth is proud to announce a transformative initiative, the UMass Dartmouth Deal, which will provide free tuition and mandatory fees to high-need, in-state undergraduate students.