The University of Maryland, College Park, stands proudly as a member of the esteemed Association of American Universities, recognized for its R1 classification as a Doctoral University with High Research Activity. Renowned as a “Public Ivy,” UMD boasts a faculty deeply engaged in cutting-edge research, providing students with unparalleled resources to pave their paths to success. UMD has conferred 8,448 bachelor’s degrees across 87 programs, 2,460 master’s degrees across 85 programs, and 641 doctorate degrees across 70 programs, underscoring its commitment to academic excellence. If you are interested in applying to UMD and want to learn about the UMD acceptance rate and how selective it is, delve into the blog.
What is the UMD Acceptance Rate?
Maryland admissions is somewhat selective, and University of Maryland acceptance rate is about 45%. In the previous year, University of Maryland, College Park received 56,637 student applications and accepted 25,201. UMD acceptance rate has been declining over the past few years, which is closely related to the increasing number of applicants, indicating that UMD is increasingly selecting higher quality students.
Historical UMD acceptance rates are as follows:
| Metric | Class of 2029 | Class of 2028 | Class of 2027 | Class of 2026 | Class of 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total Applications | > 66,000 | 60,042 | 59,369 | 56,637 | 50,146 |
| Students Admitted | 5,028 (Target) | 26,897 | 26,623 | 25,201 | 26,072 |
| Acceptance Rate | ~45% | 44.80% | 45% | 44% | 52% |
UMD Transfer Acceptance Rate
Some students transferred to UMD because they felt the atmosphere at this university better supported their academic and social well-being. After you make the decision to transfer to UMD, it is necessary to learn about the UMD transfer acceptance rate. Here is a table of the UMD transfer acceptance rate.
| UMD Early Action Applied, Admitted & Enrolled | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2021 | Fall 2021 | Fall 2022 | Fall 2023 |
| Applications | 5,991 | 6,017 | 6,097 |
| Number Admitted | 3,773 | 3,540 | 3,381 |
| Number Enrolled | 2,216 | 2,226 | 2,130 |
| UMD Early Action Acceptance Rate | 63.0% | 58.8% | 55.5% |
| Enroll Rate | 58.7% | 62.9% | 63.0% |
UMD Transfer Average GPA
| Average Transfer GPA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2021 | Fall 2022 | Fall 2023 | |
| Students with Transfer GPA | 1,890 | 1,629 | 1,147 |
| Avg Transfer GPA | 3.45 | 3.43 | 3.44 |
UMD Out of State Acceptance Rate & UMD in State Acceptance Rate
| University of Maryland Acceptance Rate | |
|---|---|
| UMD in state acceptance rate | 65% |
| UMD out of state acceptance rate | 35% |
The University of Maryland, College Park, does have a slightly different acceptance rate for in-state and out-of-state applicants. While the overall acceptance rate is 45%, the UMD out of state acceptance rate tends to be more competitive at around 35%, the UMD in state acceptance rate is higher at 65%. The gap is primarily due to UMD is a public university that gives preference to students from its own state during the admissions process.
Although being from another state or country may present additional obstacles in the admissions process, it should not deter you from applying to UMD. Students can enhance your application by keeping up a strong GPA, taking challenging classes, excelling in extracurricular activities, and writing persuasive essays. Display your enthusiasm for UMD and illustrate how you could make a valuable impact on UMD campus community.
Why Choose University of Maryland College Park?
Choosing the right university is crucial for your academic and professional journey, and the University of Maryland, College Park (UMD) stands out as an exceptional choice. With a strong reputation for academic excellence and numerous opportunities for student engagement, UMD is committed to paving the way for your success.
Exceptional Academic Strength: Numerous programs ranked in the Top 20 nationally!
- Computer Science & Information Systems: Ranked among the top 20 by US News, UMD excels in areas such as artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, and data science.
- Engineering: Also in the top 20, UMD is particularly strong in aerospace, electrical, and mechanical engineering, offering numerous collaborative projects and abundant internship opportunities.
- Criminology: Ranked #1 in the nation, UMD is an ideal place for studying criminal behavior and the justice system.
- Agricultural and Resource Economics: A top program focusing on sustainable development and agricultural technology, UMD is where innovative solutions to global food economy challenges are born!
- Nursing: The Bachelor of Science in Nursing program is nationally recognized, providing plentiful clinical practice opportunities and training the next generation of healthcare leaders.
UMD Rankings 2026:
- #42 in National Universities (tie)
- #16 in Top Public Schools (tie)
- #163 in Best Value Schools
- #207 in QS World University Rankings
Prime Location:
Located in College Park, Maryland, UMD is just 8 miles from Washington, D.C. This proximity to the U.S. Capitol, the World Bank, and other influential institutions creates limitless internship and job opportunities for students.
Beautiful Campus & Outstanding Facilities:
- McKeldin Mall: One of the largest campus lawns on the East Coast, perfect for taking stunning photos!
- Hornbake Library: A nationally recognized library with extensive resources, serving as a haven for academic excellence.
- Xfinity Center: Home to UMD’s basketball team, the arena hosts thrilling games that will energize the crowd!
In summary, choosing UMD means benefiting from outstanding academic programs, a prime location for career opportunities, and a vibrant campus community. With its commitment to student success, UMD is well-equipped to help you achieve your goals.
UMD Early Action Acceptance Rate
In the past, the UMD regular decision acceptance rate was around 45-50%. It is worth mentioning that the UMD acceptance rate includes early action applicants and regular decision applicants. However, the UMD early action acceptance rate has been historically higher, so most students’ best shot at UMD is through early action. Recent years, UMD early action acceptance rate has fallen. The national acceptance rate as of 2020 was 52.0%, in 2021 was 40.5%, and in 2022 was 34.3%. This rapid drop can most likely be attributed to the number of applications received skyrocketing, going from 32,211 applications received in 2020 to 56,766 in 2022. The Early Action (EA) deadline for Fall 2025 admissions is November 1, 2024, and applicants should receive an admissions decision by February 1, 2025.
Benefits of Applying UMD Early Action
UMD early action acceptance rate is clearly higher than UMD regular acceptance rate. We strongly encourage you to apply early to receive priority consideration for admission and merit-based scholarships. Your application must be complete by the early action deadline to be reviewed. Applications that are not complete by the early action deadline will be considered for the regular application deadline.
UMD Early Action Deadlines
| UMD Application Deadlines | |
|---|---|
| Fall Application Deadlines | Spring Application Deadlines |
| March 1 | August 1 |
| Early Action Deadline | Early Action Deadline |
| June 1 | November 15 |
| Regular Deadline | Regular Deadline |
UMD Application Deadlines
In addition to focusing on UMD acceptance rate, students need to focus on UMD application dates. Students have different deadlines based on their applicant type and desired semester of entry. Review UMD application deadlines to determine when you should apply and when you can expect to receive a decision.
| Student Type | Term | Early Action / Priority Deadline | Early Decision Release | Regular Deadline | Regular Decision Release | Enrollment Confirmation Due |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| U.S. & International Freshmen | Fall | Nov. 1* | By Feb. 1 | Jan. 20 | By April 1 | 1-May |
| Spring | Aug. 1 (International only) | By Late Oct.(International ) | (Must apply by Aug. 1 for International) | — | 30 days from admission | |
| Dec. 1 (U.S. only) | By Mid-Dec. (U.S.) | |||||
| U.S. & International Transfer | Fall | 1-Mar | By Late April | 1-Jun | By Mid-July | 30 days from admission |
| Spring | Aug. 1* | By Late Oct.* | Nov. 15* | By Mid-Dec.* | 30 days from admission | |
| All Students applying to | Fall | 1-Jun | Rolling Basis | — | — | Before semester start |
| UMD at Shady Grove | ||||||
| Spring | Aug. 1* (Int’l) | Rolling Basis | — | — | Before semester start | |
| Nov. 15* (U.S.) |
UMD Requirements for Admission
University of Maryland’s mission lies in a dedication to nurturing critical thinking and research prowess among its students, transcending disciplinary boundaries within and beyond academia. By equipping students with fundamental technological literacy pertinent to their fields, UMD empowers them to integrate these tools into their scholarly and research endeavours seamlessly. UMD is famous not only for its care for students’ well-being but also for being strict with student enrollment.
Three important factors to consider when assessing your likelihood of admission in UMD including recommendations, SAT or ACT scores, GPA, TOEFL and others.
| UMD Application Materials | |
|---|---|
| Recommendations | Required |
| Secondaryschool record | Required |
| TOEFL | Required(96 or above) |
| College-preparatory program | Considered but not required |
| Formal demonstration of competencies | Considered but not required |
| Other Tests | Considered but not required |
| SAT/ACT | Considered but not required |
| Secondary school GPA | Considered but not required |
| Secondary school rank | Considered but not required |
University of Maryland SAT Requirements
Among admitted applicants, over 53% of them submitted SAT. The score at the 25th percentile for the New SAT is 1380, while the score at the 75th percentile is 1510. How to evaluate yourself, scoring 1380 puts you below average, whereas scoring 1510 will elevate you to above average. The University of Maryland does not have a strict SAT score requirement, however, they prefer to see a minimum of 1380 for applicants to be considered.
NOTE:
The University of Maryland (UMD) is test-optional through the Fall 2027 application cycles. Applicants can choose whether to submit SAT/ACT scores, and this choice is final upon submission.
Application Process: You indicate your test-optional preference directly in the application. If you choose not to have scores considered, they will not be reviewed, even if submitted.
Holistic Review: For students not submitting scores, UMD conducts a comprehensive review. The committee evaluates academic grades (including trends and rigor of coursework), recommendation letters, the essay, and extracurricular achievements.
In short, the policy offers flexibility, but your choice is binding and applications are evaluated in their entirety.
| SAT Scores | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2021 | Fall 2022 | Fall 2023 | |
| SAT Total 25th | 1340 | 1370 | 1380 |
| SAT Total 75th | 1490 | 1510 | 1510 |
| SAT Total Midpoint | 1420 | 1440 | 1445 |
| Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
|---|---|---|---|
| Math | 750 | 700 | 780 |
| Reading + Writing | 710 | 670 | 740 |
| Composite | 1450 | 1380 | 1510 |
| Test Score Cohorts | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2021 | Fall 2022 | Fall 2023 | |
| Students w/ SAT Score | 2,075 | 2,728 | 2,527 |
| Students w/ ACT Score | 562 | 443 | 441 |
| Waived Test Score | 3,422 | 2,647 | 3,187 |
University of Maryland GPA Requirements
UMD Average Gpa：4.45
Having a GPA of 4.45 is necessary to meet University of Maryland’s high academic standards. To be competitive with other applicants, you will require mostly A grades in your classes. It is also important to have completed numerous AP or IB classes to demonstrate your academic capabilities.
Once you reach junior or senior status, altering your GPA becomes quite difficult. If your GPA is equal to or lower than the school’s average of 4.45, you will require a higher SAT score to demonstrate readiness for college-level academics. This will assist you in effectively competing with other candidates.
| Average High School GPA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2021 | Fall 2022 | Fall 2023 | |
| Students w/ Reported HS GPA | 5,893 | 5,634 | 5,883 |
| Avg High School GPA | 3.34 | 4.43 | 4.45 |
| Average Transfer GPA | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2021 | Fall 2022 | Fall 2023 | |
| Students w/ Transfer GPA | 1,890 | 1,629 | 1,147 |
| Avg Transfer GPA | 3.45 | 3.43 | 3.44 |
UMD’s Admissions: What it Looks For
Understanding UMD’s admissions process is essential for prospective students. The university employs a holistic review approach, considering various factors beyond GPA and test scores.
Key Factors
- Academic Rigor: Strong performance in AP, IB, and honors courses can significantly bolster your application.
- Essays and Narrative: Crafting a unique and compelling personal narrative or “singular hook” can set your application apart.
- Letters of Recommendation: Recommendations are considered important by admissions officials. Choose recommenders who know you well and can genuinely speak to your strengths.
UMD Demographics
| Federal Reporting Racial/Ethnic Groups | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2021 | Fall 2022 | Fall 2023 | ||
| American Indian or Alaska Native | 37 0.1% | 33 0.1% | 29 0.1% | |
| Asian | 6,271 20.3% | 6,772 22.3% | 7,280 23.8% | |
| Black or African American | 3,636 11.8% | 3,833 12.6% | 3,948 12.9% | |
| Hispanic/Latino | 3,142 10.2% | 3,131 10.3% | 3,256 10.6% | |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander | 19 0.1% | 16 0.1% | 15 0.0% | |
| Two or More Races | 1,438 4.7% | 1,456 4.8% | 1,488 4.9% | |
| U.S. Nonresident | 1,101 3.6% | 1,117 3.7% | 1,085 3.5% | |
| Unknown | 1,359 4.4% | 1,367 4.5% | 1,410 4.6% | |
| White | 13,919 45.0% | 12628 41.6% | 12,097 39.5% | |
| UMD Demographics by Residency | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Fall 2021 | Fall 2022 | Fall 2023 | |
| in-state | 23,354 75.5% | 23.329 76.9% | 23,368v76.3% |
| out-of-state | 7,568 24.5% | 7.024 23.1% | 7,240 23.7% |
UMD Campus
Life at UMD is awesome, with a good mix of fun activities, including school-sponsored parties, games, and a campus recreation center that has virtually everything you could wish for, including pools, an extensive gym, a rock wall, squash courts, an indoor track, and a student union loaded with fun places like the arcade area, bowling alley, and tons of places to eat. In addition, UMD always has open games of soccer, football, or ultimate Frisbee being played in the mall and elsewhere. There are bars near campus, especially along College Park‘s raucous Frat Row. Terrapin sports are a passion for many. If all that isn’t enough, UMD is close to Washington D.C., which makes clubbing, nights out in the town, and general visits to D.C. frequent. With all this going on, it is no wonder students say that the social life at UMD is unsurpassed. The University of Maryland College Park is located just 9 miles from Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, which is relatively safe. For international students considering off-campus UMD rentals, uhomes.com is your best choice.
Final Thoughts of UMD Acceptance Rate
The University of Maryland College Park has unquestionably been experiencing a decrease in acceptance rates over the last few years. UMD’s early decision acceptance rate also dropped. This has changed how people think about UMD. It’s no longer a safety school but a target instead. If you are planning to apply UMD, remember UMD admissions consider the follwing factors. UMD views applicants more positively if they show a high degree of participation and leadership in their extracurricular activities. While your academic profile also holds significance, your essays, letters of recommendation, and displayed interest are also vital. While good grades and activities are essential, it is crucial to dedicate time to creating a compelling personal statement and additional essays for UMD and to seek out impressive recommendation letters.
UMD uses holistic admissions, which involves considering your application as a whole reflection of you and your accomplishments, instead of just fixating on one aspect. Therefore, ensure that every application component aligns well with your educational objectives and personal story. However, you can be certain that having a strong GPA and satisfactory extracurricular activities will certainly benefit you.
FAQ
With a GPA of 4.45, University of Maryland 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.
Admission to the University of Maryland (UMD) can be competitive depending on the program you’re applying to and your profile. Overall, UMD’s acceptance rate hovers around 44%, so it is considered moderately selective. Prepare your essay early and apply UMD early action could maximize your chance of get into UMD.
University of Maryland, College Park, is ranked #44 out of 436 National Universities and UMD lists as one of America’s “New Public Ivies”, each year, over 50,000 students choose to apply UMD.
Yes, UMD admissions superscore both the SAT and ACT. They will use the highest subscores from the SAT and ACT in review of your application, so it is to your benefit to submit all of your test scores.
If you are unable to complete your application by the November 1 early action deadline, you can still be considered for admission if you submit a completed application and all required materials by the January 20 regular deadline. Applications completed after the UMD regular application deadline will only be reviewed on a rolling, space-available basis.
Yes, it is significantly harder to get into the University of Maryland (UMD) as an out-of-state student compared to an in-state student. The out-of-state acceptance rate is much lower (35%) than the in-state rate (65%), and out-of-state applicants are considered more selective.
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