University of Maryland Application Deadlines: A Comprehensive Guide

The University of Maryland (UMD), College Park, is a top-ranked public research university and the flagship institution of the state of Maryland. Known for its academic rigor, research opportunities, and proximity to Washington, D.C., UMD attracts a diverse body of students. Understanding the application deadlines is crucial for prospective students to ensure their applications receive full consideration. This article provides a detailed overview of the various application deadlines for different programs and student categories at the University of Maryland.

General Undergraduate Admission Deadlines

UMD employs a holistic review process when evaluating undergraduate applications, considering 24 unique factors. Strong academic performance is essential, and UMD typically looks for students who have taken challenging classes and performed well. For First-Time Freshmen, a GPA of 2.5 (on a 4.0 scale) is desired, while Transfer Students should aim for a GPA of 2.0.

Early Action Deadline

The freshman early action deadline for fall admission is November 1. Submitting a completed application by this deadline provides priority consideration for admission to the university, merit-based scholarships, and special programs. The early action deadline is non-binding.

Regular Decision Deadlines

Completed applications received after the early action deadline are reviewed solely on a space-available basis. The regular decision deadline is typically in February. Only applicants who apply by the early action deadline will be eligible for consideration for merit scholarships (no additional application required) and the Conway Scholarship (additional application required).

Specific Program Deadlines

Limited Enrollment Programs (LEP)

Engineering is a Limited Enrollment Program (LEP) at UMD, and admission is highly competitive. Students interested in mechanical engineering may choose it as their intended major when filling out the university application. There is no separate application for engineering.

Visiting Undergraduate Students

Visiting undergraduate students who want to take courses at UMD must submit an application. Application deadlines are strictly enforced, with no exceptions. Students who require their institution’s permission to take a course at UMD must apply by the posted deadline, even if their institution has not yet provided such permission.

Visiting undergraduates must submit an application if they:

Attended in a previous Summer or Winter Session. The previous admission is no longer active, and students must submit a new application.
Currently attend a community college.
Currently attend an accredited four-year institution as an undergraduate degree-seeking student.
Completed an undergraduate degree and want to take a course for undergraduate credit.
Earned a high school diploma and want to take a course for undergraduate credit.

Former UMD Undergraduate Students

Former UMD undergraduate students who want to complete a degree must re-enroll via the Student Success Office.

Current and Incoming UMD Students

Undergraduate and graduate students who are currently registered in the spring semester can simply register for courses during the registration period. Undergraduate students who have accepted their offer of fall admission can also simply register.

Graduate School Deadlines

Visiting graduate students who want to register for graduate credit apply through UMD’s Graduate School. Applicants are notified of the Graduate School’s final decision on a rolling basis through their online application portal. If a complete application is submitted before the deadline, applicants can expect to receive a notification of admission or rejection between February and May for the fall semester and September and November for the spring semester.

Read also: History of the Block 'M'

Specific Graduate Programs

The University of Maryland School of Nursing (UMSON) has various programs with specific deadlines:

Traditional Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN)

Fall Enrollment: December

RN-to-BSN Option

Completed applications received after December 15, 2025: Reviewed solely on a space-available basis. Only applicants who apply by this deadline will be eligible for consideration for merit scholarships (no additional application required) and the Conway Scholarship (additional application required).
All applications and supplemental documents must be received by January 5, 2026.

BSN-to-MSN Program

Completed applications received after February 1, 2026: Reviewed solely on a space-available basis. Only applicants who apply by this deadline will be eligible for consideration for merit scholarships (no additional application required) and the Conway Scholarship (additional application required).
All applications and supplemental documents must be received by TBA.

Master of Science in Nursing (MSN)

Completed applications received after February 1, 2026: Reviewed solely on a space-available basis. Only applicants who apply by this deadline will be eligible for consideration for merit scholarships (no additional application required) and the Conway Scholarship (additional application required).
All applications and supplemental documents must be received by TBA.

Doctor of Nursing Practice (DNP)

Requires completion of a Pre-Application Assessment form.

Post-Doctorate Certificate

Requires completion of a Pre-Application Assessment form. Only those with a graduate degree in nursing and a doctorate will be considered.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

PhD applicants apply through UMB’s Graduate School.

Application Fee and Fee Waivers

A $75 non-refundable application fee is required. For secure payment processing, a one-time security code is required to submit payment. Once received, the code should be entered on the "Verify Your Identity" page to proceed with payment submission. Undergraduate students who attended UMD in a previous Summer or Winter Session are eligible to receive an application fee waiver.

For Fall 2026, UMD is offering a fee waiver to the first 200 PhD applicants to apply.

Application Requirements and Materials

For an application to be complete, all items on the application checklist must be submitted and received by the admissions office.

Transcripts

Transcripts are not required for the application. However, if the course has listed pre- or co-requisites or has a registration block, students may need to provide a copy of their transcript to the academic unit. Official transcripts are required from every institution previously attended or currently attending. Electronic transcripts from University System of Maryland institutions will be accepted in lieu of official, sealed transcripts.

Read also: Legacy of Fordham University

Letters of Recommendation

UMD requires two letters of recommendation for a completed application: one from the school counselor and one from a teacher. For UMSON programs, one recommendation is required from a professor who can attest to the applicant's academic performance.

Essays

Applicants must choose one of the provided prompts and write an essay of no more than 350 words. For UMSON programs, specific essay requirements vary depending on the program.

Standardized Tests

UMD is currently test-optional and has extended this policy through to the Spring and Fall 2027 application cycles. This means that students applying between now and Fall 2027 will not be required to submit standardized test scores. However, standardized tests such as the Duolingo English Test, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are still required for non-native English speakers.

UMD superscores both the SAT and ACT, using the highest subscores from each test in the application review. The SAT code for UMD is 5814, and the ACT code is 1746.

Additional Requirements for UMSON Programs

Prerequisite Course List: Applicants must download and complete the Prerequisite Course List. Prerequisite courses must be taken at regionally or nationally accredited schools. Official AP, CLEP, and IB scores must be submitted if being used for prerequisite credit.
Proof of Enrollment: Accepted students must submit proof of enrollment for any outstanding prerequisite courses. Documentation must be received by June 1 for students admitted for Fall and Sept. 1 for students admitted for Spring.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

UMD offers various types of financial aid, classified as either need-based or non-need-based. To apply for need-based financial aid, students should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). UMD's priority deadline for submitting the FAFSA is April 1.

Admitted freshman students who applied by the November 1 early action deadline will be automatically reviewed for all merit scholarships.

Residency

To qualify for in-state tuition, applicants must prove that they (or their parent/guardian if they are a financially dependent student) are a financially contributing citizen of the state of Maryland and have been so for at least one full year (12 consecutive months). To demonstrate eligibility for Maryland residency, applicants must submit the residency questionnaire portion of the admission application.

Golden Identification Program at UMES

The purpose of the Golden Identification Program at UMES is to make available courses to retired citizens who are 60 years old or older and are residents of the state of Maryland.

tags: #university #of #maryland #application #deadline