How to Get Into the University of Maryland (College Park)

Why UMD's process is different: LEPs and two-stage review

The University of Maryland, College Park is the state's flagship, located just outside Washington, D.C. What sets its admissions apart from most public universities is the Limited Enrollment Program (LEP) system combined with a two-stage review. Several high-demand majors — Computer Science is the best-known example — are LEPs that admit a limited number of first-year students directly.

Because of this, your UMD application is effectively reviewed twice: once for admission to the university, and again for direct admission to your chosen major if that major is an LEP. You can be admitted to the university without being directly admitted to a competitive LEP major, in which case you typically enter undeclared and would later pursue an internal path into the major.

This guide explains that mechanic, the application platforms UMD accepts, and how holistic review works, so you can plan realistically. Confirm every deadline, factor, and LEP rule on UMD's official admissions and program pages, because the university sets these and they change each cycle.

Application platforms and the early action deadline

First-year applicants apply to UMD using either the Common App or the StandOut Admissions Network. UMD accepts both, so use whichever you prefer; the StandOut option is a distinctive alternative that not all universities offer. Whichever platform you use, you complete UMD's own required questions and any supplemental materials.

UMD strongly encourages applicants to apply by its early action deadline (November 1). Applying by the early action date is particularly important if you are aiming for a competitive LEP major, because these programs fill a limited number of first-year seats.

Because the exact deadlines, required materials, and any essay prompts are set each cycle, verify them on UMD's official freshman applicants page before you submit.

• Apply via the Common App or the StandOut Admissions Network — UMD accepts both.
• UMD strongly encourages applying by the early action deadline (November 1).
• Applying early matters most for competitive LEP majors with limited first-year seats.
• Confirm current deadlines and required materials on UMD's official site.

How the two-stage review works

After the deadline, UMD reviews applications in two stages. The first review is for admission to the university, handled by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. The second review considers direct admission to your chosen major when that major is a Limited Enrollment Program; for LEP majors such as Computer Science, this second review is handled by the relevant college (for Computer Science, the College of Computer, Mathematical, and Natural Sciences).

This produces one of a few outcomes: you may be admitted to both the university and the LEP major; admitted to the university but placed as undeclared (in Letters & Sciences) rather than directly into the competitive major; or not admitted to the university. UMD notes that because two thorough holistic reviews have already occurred, there is no appeal to reconsider direct placement into an LEP major.

Understanding this is important for expectations: gaining direct first-year admission into a highly competitive LEP major is difficult, and it is separate from being admitted to UMD overall.

Holistic review and the 23 factors

UMD uses a holistic review that considers a broad set of factors — the university describes reviewing each application across more than 23 distinct review factors, assessing academic merit and potential in the context of the opportunities and challenges a student has faced. This means the strength of your coursework, your grades, and the rigor available at your school are read together with your activities, essays, and personal context.

Because review is contextual, there is no single cutoff that guarantees admission. UMD looks at what you did with the opportunities you had. Strong, rigorous coursework and a coherent record generally matter most, especially for competitive LEP majors that draw far more qualified applicants than available seats.

Write your application to show genuine engagement and fit. Avoid treating any number as a guarantee — verify current review factors and any published guidance on UMD's official admission review page.

If you are not directly admitted to an LEP major

Being admitted to UMD as undeclared rather than directly into a competitive LEP major does not necessarily end the path to that major, but you should be realistic. For an LEP such as Computer Science, students who are not directly admitted must complete specific gateway requirements and go through a selective internal review, and UMD indicates that internal transfer into the most competitive LEP majors is very limited.

If a specific LEP major is essential to your plans, weigh that when you build your college list and when you decide whether UMD's direct-admit odds fit your goals. Explore the exact gateway courses and internal-admission process for your target major on its official program pages.

Having a genuine backup plan — a strong alternate major at UMD or another university where you can study the same field — is sensible given how limited the internal seats can be.

International applicants and applying wisely

International first-year applicants complete the same application and review, with additional requirements such as English proficiency testing and, after admission, the documents needed to obtain the F-1 student visa and I-20. Verify accepted English tests, financial-documentation requirements, and I-20 issuance on UMD's official international admissions pages, and confirm F-1 rules on the official U.S. government sources.

To apply wisely at UMD: apply by early action, be honest with yourself about the difficulty of direct LEP admission, present rigorous coursework, and choose an alternate major or list backup universities in case you are admitted undeclared. Because UMD's location near D.C. and its LEP majors draw a large applicant pool, plan for competitiveness.

This is general guidance, not admission or immigration advice, and no strategy guarantees admission to the university or to any LEP major. Confirm current deadlines, LEP rules, review factors, and visa steps on UMD's official pages and the relevant official government sources before you rely on them.

• International students: confirm English tests, financial proof, and F-1/I-20 steps officially.
• Apply by early action, especially for competitive LEP majors.
• Have a genuine backup major or backup universities if an LEP is essential.
• Verify all deadlines, LEP rules, and factors officially — no outcome is guaranteed.