The University of Maryland is a global force in the world of academia. If you’re thinking about attending this highly ranked school, this article can help you make the right decision. It contains the University of Maryland’s acceptance rate, plus top programs the school provides, popular careers for graduates, and information about its beautiful campus.
Google cofounder Sergey Brin, American journalist Connie Chung, and actor Michael Ealy are all alumni of the school. Learn about the University of Maryland admissions process so that you can add your name to the list of alumni who have found success after graduation. We’ve included the University of Maryland admission requirements and application deadlines too.
Is the University of Maryland Easy to Get Into?
The University of Maryland at College Park is relatively easy to get into, but only if you meet all the admission requirements. The school has an acceptance rate of 52 percent, which means that just over half of all applicants are accepted. Standardized test scores are optional but recommended to include in your application, and students must submit an essay. Keep reading to find out if you qualify.
What Is the University of Maryland’s Acceptance Rate?
The overall acceptance rate of the University of Maryland for the 2021-2022 school year was 52 percent, which is fairly competitive. Meeting the admission requirements and application deadlines is essential. We’ll provide tips for upping your chances of gaining admission later in this article.
What Is the University of Maryland’s Transfer Acceptance Rate?
The University of Maryland’s transfer acceptance rate is 56.82 percent, according to CampusReel. In 2019, the institution received 5,683 transfer applications and accepted 3,229 of these transfer students. To increase your chances of acceptance, provide a competitive academic record, standardized test scores, and strong letters of recommendation.
What Is the University of Maryland’s Early Decision Acceptance Rate?
The University of Maryland’s early decision acceptance rate is not publicly available. However, students who apply to colleges generally have a high chance of acceptance if they meet the required criteria.
University of Maryland Admissions: An Overview
- Number of Applicants at the University of Maryland per Year: 50,183
- University of Maryland Acceptance Rate: 52%
The University of Maryland is relatively selective. The school has an acceptance rate of 52 percent, and its admissions process is quite rigorous. It’s important to familiarize yourself with the application requirements before starting the admission process. Take into consideration the 26 unique aspects that are part of the UMD review.
If you want to enroll in an undergraduate academic program, you can apply through the Common App or a MyCoalition account. The school encourages aspiring students to apply by the early action deadline, which will automatically make them first in line for admission. You will also receive priority for merit-based scholarships and invites to special programs.
Your application will only be considered complete if you attach the necessary documents. Therefore, submit two letters of recommendation and your official high school transcript. The school also expects a resume and an essay. If applicable, you might also need to submit your standardized test scores and college transcripts.
Another thing you will need to do to complete your University of Maryland application is to pay the $75 application fee using a credit card. The university does not accept cash or check payments. If you want to apply for a fee waiver, you must submit the fee waiver form before completing your application.
Who Gets Into the University of Maryland?
Students who meet the admission requirements can get into the University of Maryland. The school celebrates diversity among its freshman students and accepts applications from students all over the world. In total, the school has an enrollment of over 40,000 students. The following section offers a breakdown of the top ethnic groups enrolled at the University of Maryland.
University of Maryland Enrollment by Ethnicity
- White – 44.7%
- Asian – 16.5%
- Black or African American – 11.3%
University of Maryland Acceptance Rate by Major
The University of Maryland has a general acceptance rate of 52 percent for its college programs. It’s recommended that you review each program’s individual requirements to ensure your eligibility. Below you will find a list of the most popular majors at the university.
Acceptance Rate by Major at the University of Maryland
- Computer Science: 52%
- Information Science: 52%
- General Biological Sciences: 52%
University of Maryland Application Deadline: When Is the University of Maryland’s Application Due?
The early action deadline to apply to the University of Maryland is November 1. However, submitting your application before November is preferable, if possible. The early decision deadline is February 1, making it your last chance to be admitted early. The university attracts prospective students from all over the world, and the admissions process can be competitive, so if you’re ready to apply, doing so early is a good idea.
University of Maryland Application Deadlines
- Early Decision Deadline: February 1
- Early Action Deadline: November 1
- Application Fee: $75
- Common App: Yes
What Are the Major Reasons to Go to the University of Maryland?
The major reasons to go to the University of Maryland include its unparalleled academics, expert instructors, and career opportunities. Below you will find a detailed overview of each of these.
Unparalleled Academics
The University of Maryland ranks 59 on US News & World Report’s National Universities list. It’s known for its popular degree programs in computer science, business, and engineering. There are over 100 undergraduate majors offered across 12 colleges and schools. You can also look into the 115 master’s programs and 84 doctoral programs that this public institution offers.
Expert Instructors
With over 4,000 faculty members, you can expect an excellent education from the University of Maryland. The team includes two Nobel laureates, five Pulitzer Prize winners, one Emmy Award winner, and one Tony Award winner, so if you are seeking additional guidance from an expert, this university is for you.
Career Opportunities
There are over 325,000 University of Maryland alumni, according to LinkedIn. Graduates of the school work for the University of Maryland, Deloitte, Amazon, Google, Capital One, and other top companies. Most of these graduates work in business development, operations, education, engineering, and information technology. Attending this university will give you access to some of the highest-paying jobs in the industry.
Tips for Applying to the University of Maryland
Prestigious universities such as the University of Maryland garner a lot of attention from students all over the world. This increases the competition among students. With an acceptance rate of 52 percent, you aren’t necessarily guaranteed acceptance even if you meet the program requirements. Below, you will find tips for applying to the University of Maryland.
Start the Application Process Early
Submitting your application at the last minute could affect your chances of acceptance. If you take the time to start reviewing the requirements and putting together your documents early, you will likely produce a more solid application and save yourself some stress. You will also have plenty of time to write your essay and do rewrites if necessary.
Beat the Test Scores
If you want to gain entry to the University of Maryland, having high standardized test scores will be helpful. The university features highly competitive programs that attract students from all over the world. Scoring high on the ACT or SAT will increase your chances of being admitted.
Submit Competitive Supplemental Material
Although not required, standardized test scores and letters of recommendation are supplemental materials that can be submitted, such as mid-year reports or first-quarter grades. UMD also recommends mentioning your accomplishments in the application since submitting portfolios isn’t allowed.
University of Maryland Admissions Requirements: First-Year Applicant Checklist
Before starting your University of Maryland application, review the admission requirements to make sure you qualify. Knowing what’s required of successful applicants can also help ensure that you gather all the necessary documents on time. Below you will find the first-year applicant checklist.
- Official high school transcript or the equivalent
- Two letters of recommendation
- Extracurricular activities and awards list
- Essay
- Standardized test scores (optional)
- Proof of English proficiency (international students)
- Non-refundable fee of $75
University of Maryland SAT Requirements
Below, we show you the SAT scores required to get accepted into the University of Maryland. A 25th percentile figure shows that 25 percent of students scored at or below that number, while a 75th percentile figure tells us that 25 percent scored above that number.
- Students Submitting SAT Scores: 34%
- SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing: 650 (25th percentile); 730 (75th percentile)
- SAT Math: 680 (25th percentile); 780 (75th percentile)
University of Maryland ACT Requirements
We also researched the ACT scores required to be accepted into the University of Maryland. Considerably fewer students submit the ACT compared to the SAT. Find out each ACT percentile for you to qualify for enrollment below.
- Students Submitting ACT Scores: 9%
- ACT Composite: 30 (25th percentile); 34 (75th percentile)
- ACT English: 27 (25th percentile); 34 (75th percentile)
- ACT Math: 27 (25th percentile); 34 (75th percentile)
Acing Your University of Maryland Application: What Is the Best Way to Prepare for the SAT and ACT?
Start Prepping Early
The ACT and SAT standardized tests cover a lot of material, so beginning your preparation early is a good idea. Early preparation will ensure you have ample time to get additional help with or to continue studying challenging topics. While learning how to study for the ACT and SAT, you will also build your confidence to take on the exams.
Take Plenty of Practice Tests
Through practice tests, you will further identify weak areas that need your attention and build confidence in your knowledge. Online resources are available that offer free tests mimicking the ACT and SAT. You can also consult with students who have already taken the exams to refine your studies.
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Seek a Tutor
The ACT and SAT are challenging for the majority of students. A tutor specializing in these tests can be very valuable, especially if you struggle with admission tests in general or if English isn’t your first language, but you want to increase your admissions chances. Make sure that your tutor has specific experience with ACT or SAT prep, ideally recent experience, because the test content can change.
University of Maryland GPA Requirements: What GPA Do I Need to Get In?
You likely will need a high GPA to get into the University of Maryland. According to CampusReel, accepted students have an average GPA of 4.28. This high GPA indicates the level of difficulty applicants face for admission. Keep in mind that the school doesn’t list an official minimum GPA requirement.
University of Maryland Tuition: How Much Does it Cost to Attend the University of Maryland?
The cost of attending the University of Maryland is $10,955 a year in tuition, according to the National Center for Education Statistics (NCES). For out-of-state students, the tuition is $38,636 per year. Note that tuition does not include any additional campus costs, such as books and other supplies, which NCES reports cost an extra $1,250. It also puts on-campus room and board at $13,348 per year.
Total costs for on-campus, in-state students are estimated at $28,075 per year by NCES, while off-campus, in-state students can expect to pay $30,997 each year. You can significantly reduce your college costs by applying for financial aid. Consider federal aid as well as scholarships and other financial aid programs provided by the school itself.
Common Majors at the University of Maryland
The most common majors at the University of Maryland include computer science, information science, and general biological sciences. Below we take an in-depth look into these majors and their possible career options.
Computer Science
If you want to learn machine learning, data science, software engineering, algorithms, and natural language processing, consider this computer science degree program. It provides a highly competitive curriculum to help ensure that current UMD students land top-paying computer science jobs like the ones listed below.
Best Jobs for Computer Science Graduates
- Software developer
- Web developer
- UX designer
Information Science
This four-year information science degree program will help you master technical areas such as information architecture tools, database design, data analytics, and cyber security. The curriculum will help you build hands-on skills to delve into good-paying careers in tech and beyond.
Best Jobs for Information Science Graduates
- Data scientist
- Data science engineer
- Information assurance analyst
General Biological Sciences
Through a biological sciences major, you will develop the necessary skills to pursue a career in healthcare, research, policy, or education. The University of Maryland’s undergraduate program offers specialization in areas like cell biology and genetics, microbiology, and ecology and evolution and requires 120 credit hours to graduate.
Best Jobs for General Biological Sciences Graduates
- Medical scientist
- High school science teacher
- Clinical technician
University of Maryland Attendance Outcomes
The most popular degree programs at the University of Maryland lead to high-paying careers. You can land a job or start a career path as a software developer, nuclear engineer, lawyer, magistrate, or civil engineer with your degree from the University of Maryland.
The university partners with both established and startup companies in the region and beyond to provide students with internship opportunities and networking opportunities. Capital One, Leidos, MITRE, Lockheed Martin, and Northrop Grumman are the leading partners of the University of Maryland.
Most Common Jobs for People Who Attended the University of Maryland
| Position | Median Salary | Job Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Software Developer | $110,140 | 22% |
| Nuclear Engineer | $120,380 | -8% |
| Lawyer | $127,990 | 9% |
| Civil Engineer | $88,050 | 8% |
| Magistrate | $128,710 | 3% |
University of Maryland Alumni Highest-Paying Jobs
| Position | Median Salary | Job Outlook |
|---|---|---|
| Surgeon | $208,000 | 3% |
| Financial Specialist | $81,410 | 6% |
| Financial Services Sales Agent | $62,910 | 4% |
| Cardiovascular Technologist | $75,380 | 14% |
| Physician | $208,000 | 3% |
Should I Apply to the University of Maryland?
Yes, you should apply to the University of Maryland. The school features competitive curricula, dedicated faculty members, and extensive student services to help ensure that you succeed in your education and your career.
University of Maryland reviews feature many positive comments about the school. Alumni and current students praise UMD for its in-demand majors and programs, including engineering, business management, social sciences, and computer and information sciences. These competitive degree programs can help you launch your career seamlessly.
University of Maryland Acceptance Rate FAQ
The University of Maryland has a competitive acceptance rate of 52 percent, so if you want to get into a good college such as this, you may find the admissions criteria a bit challenging. Compared to Ivy League and other elite universities, the University of Maryland’s acceptance rate is high.
Yes, there are online degree programs for undergraduate University of Maryland students. The school also provides numerous master’s and PhD programs online, as well as professional certificates. There are online programs in business management, cyber security, data analytics, healthcare, IT, and the liberal arts.
Yes, you can apply to the University of Maryland for early admission. The early admission deadline is February 1, and admissions officers will look through your credentials carefully before admitting to you to the school. The choice of early admission is also what makes UMD an appealing institution.
No, you do not need to provide SAT or ACT scores to join the University of Maryland. General requirements include a high school transcript or its equivalent, a personal essay, strong letters of recommendation, and, for international students, proof of English proficiency. However, UMD will consider your SAT or ACT scores if you do submit them. It’s an excellent way to gain a competitive edge.
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