2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog *As of 10/16/2023 
    
    Mar 29, 2024  
2023-2024 Undergraduate Catalog *As of 10/16/2023

Admissions and Recruitment


 

The Office of Admissions and Recruitment serves prospective students, currently enrolled students, faculty and staff relative to matriculation, document processing and the maintenance of students’ records. The Recruitment Office engages in prescribed activities designed to identify, attract, enroll and retain prospective students through graduation.

Campus Tours

Prospective students and their parents are encouraged to visit the campus for a general information session and walking tour and to discuss enrollment with University staff. Campus tours can be arranged by registering online at http://www.umes.edu/visit/ or by contacting Office of Admissions & Recruitment at (410) 651-6410 or umestours@umes.edu.

Freshman Admissions Requirements

General Policies

In line with the University System of Maryland’s Admissions Requirements, first time students or freshmen will be expected to have graduated from an accredited high school and have successfully completed an academic program of study, which includes the following minimum course requirements:

  1. Four years of English;
  2. Three years of social science/history;
  3. Two years of laboratory-based science.
  4. Four years of mathematics; courses completed must include Algebra I, Geometry, and Algebra II. Students who complete Algebra II prior to their final year must complete the four-year mathematics requirement by taking a course or courses that utilize non-trivial algebra.;
  5. Two years of a foreign language or in some instances Advanced Technology Education electives.

An official high school transcript is required as evidence for graduation from an accredited high school to enroll in a degree seeking program at University of Maryland Eastern Shore.  Official transcripts necessitate a qualified school official’s signature and the school seal. Official transcripts must come directly from the high school, state department or institution by mail or email. Official transcripts can also be hand delivered in the original sealed envelope. 

 
Applicable courses pertinent to the Freshman Admission Requirements may include the following:

Mathematics

Advanced Topics, Algebra I, Algebra II, Analysis (or Elementary Analysis), Analytic Geometry, Calculus, Computer Math, Functions, Geometry, Mathematics II, Mathematics III. Mathematics IV, Matrices, Probabilities, Modern Geometry, Probability and Statistics, S.M.S.G., Modern Math, Trigonometry and Computer Science (only with a prerequisite of at least two years of Algebra/Geometry).

Science

Anatomy, Physiology, Biology, Chemistry, Earth Science, Physical Science, General Science, Genetics, Geology, Laboratory Science, Physics, Zoology, Botany, Environmental Science and Astronomy.

Social Studies

Afro-American Studies, American History, Ancient History, Anthropology, Civics-Citizens, Contemporary Issues (C.I.S.S.), Cultural Areas, Cultural Heritage, Economics, Ethics (if considered to be Religion, not counted), European History, European History and Survey, Far East, Pan American, Geography, Government, Humanities, International Affairs, Medieval History, Modern History, Modern Problems, National Government, Philosophy, Political Science, Problems of Democracy, Problems of 20th Century, Psychology, Sociology, State History, U.S. History, World Civilization and World Cultures.

High School General Equivalency Diploma (GED)

Applicants for admission who have earned a GED are accepted for admission provided they obtain an average standard score of 50, with no score under 40, or if all standard scores are above 45 on the standardized exam.

Graduates of Non-Accredited Maryland High Schools

Freshman applicants for admission who are graduates of non-accredited/non-approved high schools will be reviewed individually, with consideration given to factors such as scores on nationally standardized tests, high school course content, performance in high school academic courses, the performance of previous students with similar academic preparation.

Admissions Procedures

Prospective students are required to complete an Application for Admission and pay a $55.00 non-refundable application fee. Applicants must also have submitted official secondary and/or college transcripts and official SAT or ACT test scores.  Applicants who have earned a 3.4 or higher cumulative grade point average at by the conclusion of 11th grade do not need SAT or ACT test scores to be considered for admission.

When to Apply

Applications must be received in sufficient time to be properly evaluated. The application priority date for the fall semester is February 15 with a deadline of August 15. For the spring semester, November 1 is the application priority deadline.  Applications can be accessed online at www.umes.edu/apply/. Applications received beyond these dates will be considered on a space available basis. Decisions for admission are made on a rolling basis throughout the year.

 

Senior High School Grades

Normally, cumulative grade point averages are based on grades earned through the eleventh grade. When it appears that mid-year grades for the senior year of high school may affect a student’s admission status, the grades will be requested and considered before a final admission decision is made. Once admitted, all students must submit final transcripts verifying graduation.

Categories of Undergraduate Admissions

Freshmen

Regular Admission

Applicants that meet admissions requirements and present competitive academic performance and preparation proving potential for success at the university level.

Early Admission

Although UMES generally requires applicants to earn a high school diploma prior to their first registration, UMES will admit well-qualified students without this documentation provided the student:

  • has a minimum “B”/(3.0) average in academic subjects;
  • is within four semester courses (two Carnegie Units) of high school graduation, and
  • has the endorsement of parents, the high school, and superintendent of schools, when appropriate.

Concurrent Enrollment Admission

Local high school students who satisfy the requirements for an early admission, but wish to attend UMES while continuing to be enrolled at their high schools, may do so provided they have the approval of their parents and the high school principal. Fees are charged at the same rate as for undergraduate students.

Special Students

Applicants who qualify for admission but do not desire to work towards a baccalaureate degree may be admitted as non-degree seeking, or special, students. These students may enroll in undergraduate courses for which they possess the necessary prerequisites, but may not enroll in courses restricted to degree seeking students only. Non-degree seeking (special) students who do not have a baccalaureate degree must submit transcripts and meet regular admission standards. Applicants who do not qualify for admissions, but desire to take some skills courses may be allowed to enroll in such courses if prior permission from the chairperson of the department in which the courses are located is obtained.

Veterans

UMES is fully accredited for accepting veteran students and assists them in their certification. Credit is given for any work done during the period of service which is related to the major field of study.

A Certificate of Eligibility must be submitted to the Office of Admissions and Registration when the veteran reports for registration. Benefits to which veterans are entitled will be sent each month directly to them by the Veterans.

Administration after proper certification has been obtained: Veterans are responsible for the payment of all fees and expenses at the same time as all other students. The Admissions Office coordinates veteran services, and veterans are advised to contact the office for further information on admissions, tutorials, and special programs.

Policy on Veteran Tuition and Fees

The University of Maryland Eastern Shore certifies that the current policy is true and correct:

The following individuals shall be charged a rate of tuition not to exceed the in-state rate for tuition and fees purposes:

  • A Veteran using educational assistance under either chapter 30 (Montgomery G.I. Bill-Active Duty Program) or chapter 33 (Post-9/11 G.I. Bill), of title 38, United States Code, who lives in Maryland while attending a school located in Maryland (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
     
  • Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 GI Bill benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Maryland while attending a school located in Maryland (regardless of his/her formal State of residence) and enrolls in the school within three years of the transferor’s discharge or release from a period of active duty service of 90 days or more.
     
  • Anyone described above while he or she remains continuously enrolled (other than during regularly scheduled breaks between courses, semesters, or terms) at the same school. The person so described must have enrolled in the school prior to the expiration of the three year period following discharge or release as described above and must be using educational benefits under either chapter 30 or chapter 33, of title 38, United States Code.
     
  • Anyone using benefits under the Marine Gunnery Sergeant John David Frye Scholarship (38 U.S.C.§ 331 l(b)(9)) who lives in Maryland while attending a school located in Maryland (regardless of his/her formal State of residence).
     
  • Anyone using transferred Post-9/11 G.I. Bill benefits (38 U.S.C. § 3319) who lives in Maryland while attending a school located in Maryland (regardless of his/her formal state of residence) and the transferor is a member of the uniformed service who is serving on active duty.
     
  • The policy shall be read to be amended as necessary to be compliant with the requirements of 38 U.S.C. 3679(c) as amended.

Transfer Students

A student who has attended any institution of higher education and has earned at least one (1) or more credit hours will be considered as a transfer student.

Applicants with 28 or more semester hours of transferable coursework are evaluated on their college or university level performance. 

An official high school transcript is required of students who have earned less than 28 semester hours. SAT or ACT scores are also required unless students have been out of high school two years or more or had an earned 3.4 or higher cumulative high school grade point average.

A student must be in good judicial, academic, and financial standing in order to be considered for admission to the University.

International Students

UMES is certified by the Immigration Customs Enforcement (ICE) for acceptance and certification of international students, through the Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS).

International students should apply well in advance (a six-month period is recommended) of the beginning of the fall or spring semester in the prescribed manner. The application must be completed in all respects and must be accompanied by proof of financial self-sufficiency and knowledge of English. Students from non-English speaking countries should forward the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). This test is administered by Educational Testing Service, Princeton, New Jersey 08450.

International students must request their high school, secondary school, and/or other institutions of higher education to forward copies of transcripts, mark sheets, diplomas, or degrees directly to the Office of Admissions. Documents attached to the application will not normally be accepted unless certified by United States Officials abroad. International students must receive permission from the Immigration, Customs and Enforcement in order to accept off-campus part-time employment in the United States.

An international student will receive an I-20 Form only after acceptance to the University, which will enable the securing of the proper visa from the Office of the American Consulates abroad. The twenty-five dollar ($25.00) processing fee should be submitted with the application and should be in American check or currency.

Direct Transfer and Articulation Agreements

UMES fully ascribes to the Maryland Higher Education Commission (MHEC) Articulation Agreement. UMES has direct transfer agreements with all Maryland community colleges, many out-of-state community colleges, and all University of System of Maryland institutions. Direct transfer allows automatic admission and transfer of all college level credits of a “C” or better. See Appendix 1  for full text of applicable MHEC regulations.