Admissions 101 - Apply to UMaine
- Application & Instructions
- Important Dates
- Selecting an Academic Program
- High School Preparation
- A Complete Application
- Advanced Placement Credits
- International Applicants
- Transfers
- Visit Us
Application & Instructions
Early Action: Applications for the fall semester postmarked by December 15 will be reviewed by the end of January. Early action candidates will be given first consideration for merit scholarships awarded by the Admissions office.
Regular Admission: Applications for the fall semester completed after December 15, and Early Action Applications deferred to the regular admission process will be reviewed on a rolling admission basis as long as space is available. An admission decision will typically be made within six weeks from receipt of the application and all supporting documents.
- The University of Maine System Electronic Application
This system-wide site was launched in January 2001. It can be directly accessed at http://apply.maine.edu - The PDF version of UMaine’s Application (PDF)
This can be printed and completed by hand (requires Adobe Acrobat Reader) If you are unable to read PDF files, please call 1-877-486-2364 and an application will be mailed to you. - The Common Application
We gladly accept both electronic and paper versions of the Common App, and require ONLY the counselor recommendation (no teacher recommendations). Common App is available at www.commonapp.org. A supplemental page (PDF) is also required if submitting a paper copy of the Common Application. If you are unable to read PDF files, please call 1-877-486-2364 and an application will be mailed to you. - Universal Application
Students may also apply using the Universal Application. This can be found at https://www.universalcollegeapp.com/index.cfm. - If original application was submitted within the last 2 years, you need only complete the Reactivation Form. Click here to download a PDF version of the reactivation form
Important Dates
December 15 — Early action date. All application materials must be postmarked by December 15. Early action candidates are given first priority for merit scholarships awarded by the Admissions Office. If senior grades are not available by December 15, grades through the end of the junior year will be used in the initial review. Early action candidates will be notified by February 1. At UMaine, early action is not restrictive and nonbinding.
February 1 — Regular rolling admission suggested filing date. Review begins for applications that are complete after December 15 and applications referred to rolling admission from early action. Regular rolling admission candidates will only be considered for merit scholarships offered by the Admissions Office on a funds-available basis.
February 15 — Free Application for Federal Student Financial Aid (FAFSA) suggested filing date. Filing early is strongly recommended.
March 1 — FAFSA filing deadline. Date by which the FAFSA must be on file at the Federal Processing Center. Forms received after that date will only be processed on a funds-available basis, which may negatively affect award amounts.
March 1 — International application deadline. All materials must be postmarked by March 1 (November 1 is the international application deadline for spring).
May 1 — Candidate’s Reply Date. Accepted applicants confirm their plans to attend or withdraw their application.
Selecting an Academic Program
At UMaine, we ask you to indicate your first and second choice of study on your application or to let us know if you are undecided about what program to choose in a particular college (for example, you could be undecided in engineering or undecided in liberal arts and sciences). If you are generally undecided (too many interests or not sure of your interest), you should choose our Explorations Program. This is important because some academic programs have specific admission requirements (for example, you need physics and advanced mathematics for engineering). If we are unable to admit you into your first or second choice program, we may suggest another program for you. For more information on specific program requirements, including those for university-wide programs, visit the Academic Program Fact Sheets Web site.
For students from the Mid-Coast region of Maine who would like to live at home while they begin their UMaine academic experience, there is the Black Bear Bridge Program. The program is offered by the Hutchinson Center of the University of Maine as a way for students to take their general education courses locally. For more information go to Black Bear Bridge Program at the Hutchinson Center, Mid-Coast Maine.
High School Preparation
Coursework should be at the college preparation level or higher. Advanced, Honors or AP coursework is encouraged when appropriate. Candidates should have four units of English, three to four units of mathematics (at least algebra I and II, and geometry; some programs require advanced mathematics), two to three units of a lab science (some programs require specific science courses), two units of foreign language and two to three units of social studies. Computer science and fine arts courses are strongly recommended. Transfer students may use completed college coursework to replace missing required high school courses.
A Complete Application — for First-Year and Transfer Applicants
Consists of an official high school transcript that includes at least the first set of senior grades, official SAT or ACT scores (waived for transfers with more than 12 completed credits or applicants age 20 and older), official college transcripts for all attempted college coursework, an essay, an official school recommendation (for first-year applicants only) and an application fee of $40. Candidates who are concerned about their standardized test scores are encouraged to take them more than once and to arrange their test date so that the results will be received prior to the early action deadline (December 15) or the regular rolling admission suggested application filing date (February 1).
Advanced Placement Credit — for First-Year and Transfer Applicants
Advanced placement credit is available for more than 40 UMaine courses, depending on your AP test scores. Most require a score of 3 or higher. An official score report from the College Board must be received. (See the UMaine advanced placement credit table on the Web for more information.) Transfer candidates need to submit official score reports directly to UMaine; AP credit does not transfer from prior colleges.
International Applicants
The Office of International Programs reviews international applications and provides support services for international students. International applicants must complete the international application found online (www.umaine.edu/international) and submit specific admission and financial documentation. A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 530 paper, 197 computer, or 71 Internet is required if English is not your first language.
Visit us
The best way to get to know UMaine is to visit the campus. Come for an Open House, a Saturday Information Session, a tour (Monday–Saturday) or an interview (Monday–Friday). Call or e-mail to make an appointment for a tour or interview. Call, e-mail or sign up on the Web for an Open House or a Saturday Information Session.
