University of Maryland-College Park

What is the accreditation of University of Maryland-College Park?

University of Maryland, College Park holds institutional accreditation from the Middle States Commission on Higher Education. Institutional accreditation evaluates the university as a whole; it is distinct from accreditation of an individual degree program.

Some professional fields have additional, program-specific accreditation or approval requirements. For example, a prospective engineering, business, public health, architecture or teacher-education student should check the status of the particular program and credential being considered. Institutional accreditation is relevant to federal student-aid eligibility and often matters in credit-transfer decisions, but it does not require another college to accept every credit or establish eligibility for a professional license by itself.

What are the admission requirements at University of Maryland-College Park?

First-year admission to University of Maryland, College Park is selective rather than open admission. Applicants generally submit an undergraduate application, a secondary-school record and the required supporting materials for their applicant category; international applicants may also need to document English proficiency.

For the reported entering class, about 60,056 first-year students applied and 26,902 were admitted - an admission rate of approximately 45%. That figure describes an applicant pool, not an individual's probability of admission. Among enrolled first-year students who submitted scores, the median SAT composite was 1420 and the median ACT composite was 32; many enrolled students did not submit either test. Applicants should confirm the SAT/ACT policy for their own entry term rather than assume scores are required or that a published median is a cutoff.

UMD reviews the high school transcript and academic preparation in context. Applicants should also check current instructions for recommendations, written responses and any requirements attached to a particular major. Those with a GED or another high-school-equivalency credential should follow the university's applicable documentation instructions. Early-action and regular-decision deadlines can affect admission and scholarship consideration, so the correct deadline depends on the applicant's entry term and category.

What are the application fees and waivers at University of Maryland-College Park?

The reported undergraduate application fee for University of Maryland, College Park is $80. This is an application charge, not a tuition payment or an enrollment deposit.

Applicants who qualify for a fee waiver should follow the waiver instructions in the application and UMD's admissions guidance before submitting payment. Eligibility and documentation can differ by application route and applicant category; a waiver for one college is not automatically valid at another. Graduate and professional applicants should check their own program's application and fee instructions rather than assume the undergraduate charge applies.

What types of ROTC programs are available at University of Maryland-College Park?

Students at University of Maryland, College Park can pursue Army, Air Force and Navy ROTC through units on campus. ROTC combines college coursework and leadership training with a potential path to military service.

Joining an ROTC class, joining a corps and accepting a scholarship can carry different eligibility rules and obligations. Scholarship recipients may incur a service commitment; applicants should review the applicable branch's terms before accepting an award. ROTC participation also does not replace the university's regular admission process. Students interested in a specific branch should ask its campus unit about course sequencing, physical and medical standards, and scholarship application timing.

What are the requirements for transfer students at University of Maryland-College Park?

University of Maryland, College Park admits transfer applicants for fall and spring entry and generally evaluates college credit earned at other accredited institutions. Admission as a transfer student and acceptance of a particular course toward a UMD degree are separate decisions.

Applicants submit the transfer application and official records from colleges attended; high school records may also be relevant, particularly for students with limited completed college coursework. Academic performance, completed credits and preparation for the intended major matter. Some majors have additional entry requirements or limited capacity, so a student who qualifies for university admission may still need to meet a separate major standard.

Maryland community-college students can use published transfer pathways and course-equivalency resources to plan, but an unofficial course match is not a final degree audit. UMD also reports accepting qualifying AP and certain CLEP credit under its credit policies. Transfer applicants should obtain an official evaluation after admission and review how accepted courses apply to general education, major requirements and the credits that must be completed at UMD.

What types of study abroad programs are available at University of Maryland-College Park?

University of Maryland, College Park offers study-abroad options that can include semester, academic-year and shorter-term programs. Opportunities vary by destination, academic subject and whether a program is run by UMD, an exchange partner or another approved provider.

Education Abroad advising can help students compare programs and plan how overseas coursework will count toward a UMD degree. Approval before departure is especially important for major requirements and students working within a tight graduation schedule. Program charges, travel and living costs differ, and the treatment of scholarships and other financial aid depends on the program and the student's award. An internship or faculty-led experience abroad should be evaluated for credit separately from a standard classroom exchange.