Use this page for questions and comments for the Admissions Counselors. Be sure to read through comments that other reads have left in case your answer is already available. Thanks!
UMBC Admissions Counselors’ Blog
Use this page for questions and comments for the Admissions Counselors. Be sure to read through comments that other reads have left in case your answer is already available. Thanks!
Hello!
I am applying to UMBC as a transfer student from Montgomery College, and I have a question about the Academic History segment of the application:
There are three boxes that say “Credits Attempted,” “Credits Earned” and “Degree Earned.” As of right now, I have forty-five credits, and I am taking fifteen credits this semester. Should I fill out the section to represent where I am now, meaning that I should put 60 credits in the attempted box, 45 credits in the earned category, and N/A for the degree earned box? Or should I fill out the section as if I already finished my stay at Montgomery College, with 60 credits in the attempted and earned categories, and A.A. in the degree earned box?
Thanks in advance,
Maia
Hi Maia,
Since your Spring courses are in progress you should fill out the application indicating that you have 45 attempted and earned credits. For some students the attempted and earned credit number might be different if they had a course they did not pass.
Since your courses are in-progress please make sure to include a list of the classes you are taking with your application. You can also indicate that you anticipate earning your A.A. degree.
Thanks!
Hello!
I applied to UMBC Regular Decision on February 1st, I was wondering when I will receive a reply from UMBC? I was also wondering if I will get a reply by the mail or online?
Thanks,
Sam
Hi Sam,
Regular Decision applicants can expect to hear from our office in early-March. It takes a while to process the volume of applications we receive but we send decision letters as soon as we are able. We notify all students of their decisions through the mail. Thanks!
Hello! I am a student that is going to apply to UMBC this year. Can my teachers submit their recommendations through the Common App, as well? Thank you!
Hi Erin,
Yes, your teachers or counselors can submit letters of recommendation online! In fact, we are asking students to submit everything online, if possible. The Common App allows you to apply online, submit letters of recommendation online, and submit transcripts online. Let me know if you have additional questions. Thanks!
The Common Application shows UMBC having a supplement, but is not available yet. When will it be submitted to the Common App and what is it?
Hi Bryan,
The Common Application required some last minute changes of the UMBC supplement which caused a delay in the release. However, we expect the supplement to be available in 1-2 weeks. The UMBC supplement does not ask for a lot of additional information so it shouldn’t take you long to complete once it is available. Thanks for your patience!
Hello!
I understand that a teacher can submit their recommendations through the Common Application, but there is also a UMBC Recommendation form available for download. Should the teacher only complete one, or both?
Thank you!
Hi Herta,
Only one form is needed with a letter of recommendation and it would be our preference that your teacher use the electronic method of submitting a letter of recommendation through the Common Application. The UMBC printable form is not needed.
Thanks!
Josh
If I’m applying to the Honors College, should I apply by Nov.1 in order to be considered for merit scholarships such as these? : http://www.umbc.edu/financialaid/scholar_fresh.html
Hi Priya,
For fall 2012 freshmen applicants to be guaranteed a review for our merit-based scholarships they must submit their completed application by our November 1 Early Action deadline. You can still apply for the Honors College or Scholars Programs and submit those applications by their own deadlines, but your Undergraduate application should be submitted by November 1 to be reviewed for merit-based scholarships.
Hello!
I’m a student applying to UMBC this fall and I was wondering if it was necessary for me to send my AP scores to UMBC for the admissions process, or to self-report and send scores if I get accepted. Thanks so much!
Hi Sofia,
AP scores are not required with your Undergraduate application. You can wait to send scores until you have decided whether or not you will enroll at UMBC.
Hello! I’m transfering from CCBC down the street and I just want to know if letters of recommendation are mandatory for transfer students? If not, does this weight against our applications? Thank you.
Hi Krys,
Letters of recommendation are not required for any applicant but they are highly suggested. Not submitting letters won’t count against you but submitting letters of recommendation can be a chance for the Admissions Counselors to have another item to consider when reviewing an application.
Hello.
I’m an international student currently studying at the community college in CA and already applied to UMBC using common application. I checked my status and noticed there is still “transcripts” in To-Do-List. I checked my college if they already processed my transcript. The current college processed on Oct. 13th, and the previous one did on Oct. 14th. Is it usual to take more than two weeks to be reflected in myUMBC?
By the way, I asked my colleges to send my transcript to the address below. First of all, is this the collect address? (though I asked admission office where I have to send the transcript and this is what I got, so it must be collect. But if not, I have to ask again. So, I want to make sure)
Jaime Oleksik
UMBC Office of Undergraduate Admissions
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 21250
Yohka,
Like I said in our email correspondence, it may take a bit of time for your documents to arrive in our office and be uploaded. I will put you in contact with our on-call counselor who on Monday will be able to check the documents that are in the to-be-scanned pile. That is the correct address that you’ve listed for international documents, so we should receive them soon.
I currently hold a BS and MS in the computer information field. I am looking to reinvest in my technical education and am interested in getting back to programming and embedded / assembly areas specifically. I haven’t programmed in quite a few years, so I intend to start at the freshman level. I want to do a BS degree, but am not interested in the GE requirements. Looking for advice.
RW,
You would apply to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions as a transfer student. The application is available through the Common App at commonapp.org. Because you already have a degree, you will be able to transfer up to 90 of those credits, which should take care of most of the general education program requirements. Though you would have to meet with an advisor once admitted to actually plan out your schedule; the advisor would be able to tell you exactly which courses transferred and which you need to take.
Hi, I am wondering, Is there any discount in cost at UMBC if a parent has two students at attending at the same time?
Hi Trudy,
Students are charged as in-state or out-of-state students for tuition purposes, and this is determined by residency status. No discount is given to individuals with family members also attending UMBC.
Hello,
I am filling out a supplement to UMBC through Common App, and I was wondering what the word limit was for the essay and the three short answers. Thank you!
Hi Sarah,
If you are completing essays on the supplement you are working on the Honors College application (the admissions essay is on the main portion of the Common App). The Honors College suggest approximately 600 words for their essay and a paragraph for each short answer question.
Hello.
I am a high school senior in Baltimore County ,Maryland.
I was planning on doing early action but I am most likely not going to meet the deadline. So can I send my application next week (11/7 – 11/11)? I do know it would be considered regular decision. I just want to know if it is too early for regular decision.
Also my counselor is sending the recommendation letter by mail but my teacher is sending it through common app. Is this OK?
Hi Nihil,
If you apply after November 1 your application will be considered Regular Decision. Applying in mid-November is not too early for Regular Decision but we do not begin releasing Regular Decision notifications until late-February.
Also, we prefer that as much of your application be sent through Common Application as possible, but if something needs to be mailed that is acceptable.
Hi I was wondering if I apply early (by Nov 1) through common app, is the application binding or non binding?
Hi Sarah,
Early Action is a non-binding application period.
Hello,
I’m planning to apply to UMBC for regular decision.
But I will be submitting application by mid-December.
Will I be able to know my result before march or april?
Thank you
Sara
Hi Sara,
Regular Decision notifications start arriving to students in the late-February, early-March time frame. If you complete your application before our Regular Decision deadline you will certainly receive a decision before April.
Hello,
I’m applying to UMBC early action through the common app, and I received a letter in the mail saying that I could get a fee waiver because of the National Achievement Scholarship. It requested that I provide verification of the award. I was wondering what the best way to do that would be. Can I just scan it and put it in the additional documents section on the common app?
Thanks,
Derick
Hi Derick,
Yes, you can upload your application fee waiver verification in the ‘additional documents’ section of the Common App. If fact, it is our preference that you submit supporting documents electronically in that manner.
Thanks,
Josh
Do I just send in a copy of the award, or do i have to send in the letter they mailed me as well?
Thanks
A copy of the award will suffice. Thanks.
Good Evening,
My school counselors are unable to submit any of my information online. What is the address I send my paper forms to?
Thank you in advance,
Olivia Dickens
Hi Olivia,
While our preferred method to receive documents is electronically via the Common Application, if something needs to be mailed it can be addressed the following address:
UMBC
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 21250
Hello!
I was wondering if you knew anything about the Meyerhoff Scholarship. Do we have to get recommendations that are unique from the ones on our UMBC applications or can we use the same recommendations for the Scholarship? Thanks!
Hi Erin,
If you feel that the letters of recommendation you provided with your undergraduate application are appropriate for your Meyerhoff application you can use those letters, but additional copies will need to be sent directly to the Meyerhoff program.
Hi Josh. Does the Meyerhoff application review committee have access to the material submitted for admission through Common App(i.e.: essay, supplimental Honors College app, ECs, references, transcripts, etc.). I understand that additional materials are submitted seperately to Meyerhoff program, but I had assumed that since the Meyerhoff app didn’t request additional transcript, that the program had access to and reviewed the file held by admissions. Am I wrong?
Hi Chris,
The Meyerhoff office does not use the information specific to the undergraduate application (admissions essay, supplement, Honors College essays, etc.) in their review. You are not required to send your academic information directly to the Meyerhoff office but you should plan to send letters of recommendation that you want used with your Meyerhoff application directly to the Meyerhoff office. The Admissions Office and the Meyerhoff Office are separate and we do not have overlap with our files or applications.
Hi Josh. Thanks for that clarification. If I understand you correctly, transcripts submitted in common app are accessible to meyerhoff for review. With that in mind, would mid-year semester grades submitted to your office also be available to meyerhoff. Just trying to understand, which information is being shared exactly and what needs to be sent seperately. I’m also assuming that Honors college review has access to full CA information. Thanks for helping to clarify.
Hello,
I sent in my Undergraduate Admission app. Early Action through the Common App. On the supplement I checked that I was not interested in being considered for the Honors College, but my decision has changed since then. Can I still send in a separate Honors College application?
Thank you for your time,
Marissa P.
Hi Marissa,
You can certainly still apply for the Honors College even if you did not complete the Honors College portion of the supplement. A paper version of the Honors College application can be found here: http://www.umbc.edu/undergraduate/apply_now/honors.html
Josh,
Thank you so much for your help!
One more question: I am also applying to the Humanities Scholars Program. On the application, there is a question that says, “Would you like to be considered for admission to the Honors College on the basis of this application?” Does this mean I only send in the Humanities Scholars application? I would hate to be wrong and miss out on the Honors College opportunities.
Thank you for your time,
Marissa
Hi Marissa,
Some Scholars Program applications allow you to indicate that you would like your Scholars Program application to also be used for review for the Honors College program. If you complete the Humanities Scholars application and select that you would also want the application used for the Honors College, you’ll be reviewed for both programs using just one application.
I have a question about the essay for the UMBC common app , it doesnt give any requirements, what should the lenght be? is thier any word limits?
Hi Dibora,
The admissions essay should be between 250 and 500 words. Thanks!
Hello,
I am currently an active soldier in the military, and my contract is not over until March 2013. Would it be too early for me to send an application now? Also, what would I need to do to receive the in-state tuition rate?
Hi Jaffie,
At this point the application for the semester you intend to apply (fall 2012, I assume) would not be available. You should plan to apply during the spring of 2013. On the application you will see information about submitting military forms for proof of in-state residency classification. Thanks!
Hi,
I recently submitted the Common App for admission to the UMBC Shady Grove campus. The only essay prompt that it indicated me to fill out was the one asking why I wanted to transfer and what I hoped to achieve; the other essay prompts indicated that they were for the Honors Program so I did not complete those. To be considered for the Academic Achievement Transfer Scholarship, do I need to complete a different essay? If so, where would that essay prompt be available?
Thanks so much,
Paige
Hi Paige,
No additional essay is needed to be considered for our merit-based transfer scholarships. If you have earned 35 college credits, have at least a 3.5 cumulative GPA, and apply by March 15 you will be considered for our transfer scholarships. Thanks!
Hi Josh,
My daughter is interested in transferring from Montgomery college (she graduates this Spring) into the undergrad Social Work program. She has been to join Phi Theta Kappa. She is wondering if it is too late to join as a sophomore. Would joining be a help in getting scholarships and/or grants?
She is interested in Child Welfare and counseling, and hopes to live in the dorms if she is admitted. Any tips or info much appreciated! -
Mary S.
Hi Mary,
Congrats to your daughter for becoming part of PTK. I wouldn’t think it would be too late for her to join, and if she is a member if allows her to be considered for our Phi Theta Kappa transfer scholarship (assuming she applies by our priority deadline, which is March 15 for the fall term). Applying to UMBC earlier also allows her to apply for housing earlier after she receives her admissions decision.
Hi Josh,
My son was recently notified that he was put on waitlist for Fall 2012. I was wondering when will he be notified of a decision and what percent are actually accepted from the waitlist pool because this is one of his top choice schools.
Thank You
Hi Meghan,
As we continue to monitor our enrollment confirmation numbers we will make decisions on whether or not we can offer admission to students on the wait list. In past years we have been able to make admissions offers from the wait list, but I do not have an admissions percentage for our wait list students. The number of student we offer admission to from the wait list is dependent on how many admitted students accept our offer of admission. We also do not have an exact date of notification for our wait list students, but we do our best to notify these students before the May 1 deadline.
Hi there,
I am applying as a transfer student for fall 2012 and I am confused about which (out of the four) school forms are required as part of the common application. I am currently not enrolled and am not able to physically talk to my current university faculty due to location. I do not want to email professors and/or advisors about filling out forms if they are not necessary. Since I am currently not taking any courses, I would assume that the mid-term report isn’t applicable. I would appreciate any clarification.
Thank you
Hi Mehie,
As a transfer student you are required to complete the application, which has three parts: application, supplement, application fee. The other school forms you see (adviser recommendation, counselor report, etc.) are optional for transfer students but can be submitted if a student wants those items included with their application.
Hello,
My friends and I were wondering if freshmen can apply for triple rooms to live on campus, and if we can apply for triple rooms what are our chances of getting the room if other people can apply. If freshmen can not get a triple room I would also want to know if you can request to have connecting double rooms so my friends and I can room together.
Thank you in advance
Hi Ryan,
I know that students can request their roommate when completing the housing application but I am not sure if it is possible to request a triple, or if it is possible to request your connecting room. Since I am not one hundred percent sure you are welcome to contact our Office of Residential Life (http://www.umbc.edu/reslife/).
What if I happen to apply with more than 60 credits
Will all of my credits transfer or the first 60 credits will transfer.
Hi SM,
Students transferring from a community college can transfer a maximum of 60 credits. The Office of the Registrar will evaluate the first 60 credits on the transcript, but if there are classes after the first 60 credits that you instead wish to transfer you can complete some paperwork to swap courses.
so not all credits will be transferred? what if I want all my credits to transfer then?
Hello, I have attended community college since i graduated from high school and will have 60 credits when i get done with this semester. I want to transfer to UMBC for the fall semester. My GPA right now is a 2.75/4.0. I am repeating a class in the summer to bring my GPA up. I have taken most of the pre requirements including A&P I, Microbiology, General Chem I, and II. I am applying for biological science major. Is there any chance of me getting into UMBC for next semester?
Hi ben8034,
Without being able to see your entire academic record and an application I certainly can’t say for sure whether or not you would be offered admission. However, a 2.75 cumulative college GPA is certainly not outside the range of our consideration. The average GPA for admitted transfer students is about a 3.0.
Hi
I have accepted to UMBC for the Fall 2012 as a transfer student. What if I want to drop one class at Montgomery College in this semester, is it going to affect the acceptance to UMBC or anything else?
Thank you so much
Thienan Phan
Hello, Josh
My son got wait-listed as an upcoming freshmen. I was wondering when we will hear back from the school because the may 1st deadline is approaching will we hear back before that deadline because it is the only college he is waiting for.
Hi Tara,
Our review of the wait list applicants is greatly affected by the enrollment confirmations we’re receiving from admitted students. At this point we do not have an exact date for wait list decision release, but at the latest we’ll send wait list notifications to students in late-May. While we would like to be able to send decision letters to wait list students before May 1, we cannot guarantee this will be possible.
Hi josh, when i went ahead to do the common application for UMBC online. it says the application is due may 30th. Is that right or May 1st?
Hi Ben,
We have two deadlines for the fall semester for transfer students: March 15 (priority deadline) and May 31 (final deadline). More information about the transfer admissions process can be found here: http://www.umbc.edu/undergraduate/apply_now/transfer.html
Hello, I was wondering if I were to apply as a transfer student would one failed course hurt my chances of getting accepted. I currently have a 3.3 gpa.
Hi T,
When we review a transfer student’s application we will take into consideration the overall academic record. One failed class will not necessarily take a student out of consideration for admissions. However, it can depend on what we see in the rest of the academic record. We’ll consider grades in individual courses, overall GPA, trends we see with grades, and over number of earned credits.
how long does it take for the transfer credits to be reviewed and added to my transcript?
Hi Sarah,
A transfer student can typically expect to have his or her transfer credit report posted to his or her myUMBC account three to four weeks after an admissions letter is received.
I’m applying as a transfer student and would like to know where to have my letters of recommendation sent. Can they be submitted online directly from a recommended?
Hi Will,
The Common Application will allow those writing your letters of recommendation to submit the letters electronically. If for some reason the letters cannot be submitted online, the letters can be mailed to the following address:
UMBC
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
1000 Hilltop Circle
Baltimore, MD 2150