Prospective Transfers

Thank you for your interest in the University of Maryland! UMD welcomes transfer students, appreciates your individual talents and accomplishments, and values the unique experiences you bring to our campus. UMD has a number of resources designed to make transferring easier, and we hope that you find the information below helpful as you explore whether UMD is the best place for you to continue your education and #BeATerp.

welcome terps lawn sign

Before you apply to the University of Maryland, ask yourself: Could the University of Maryland be a good fit for me?


Founded in 1856 as the Maryland Agricultural College, the University of Maryland is the state’s flagship university and one of the original land-grant institutions in America. UMD offers more than 100 majors and 800 student organizations for more than 30,000 undergraduate students - could it be a good fit for you?

Keep in mind, most classes offered are during the weekday, and very few courses are offered online or in the evenings. UMD’s average class size is 40 students, and the student-to-faculty ratio is 18 students to 1 faculty member. Although UMD offers a variety of degree programs, you should check to make sure that your major is one of them. Some of UMD’s majors are offered at the Universities at Shady Grove and the University System of Maryland at Southern Maryland. Students interested in any UMD major offered at the Universities at Shady Grove are encouraged to contact the individual program to discuss academic information and criteria.

Read on to help you decide if now is a good time to #BeATerp.

Choosing a Major

Variety. Challenge. Excellence. UMD offers more than 100 undergraduate majors across 12 colleges. Review the majors and minors offered to see what you might be interested in studying once you transfer, and read on for further resources to help you plan for transfer. It’s important to confirm that the major you’re interested in is offered at UMD. Some majors at UMD are Limited Enrollment Programs and require separate requirements (i.e., specific classes, GPA) for admission.

Academic Planning

Prospective transfer students are encouraged to follow the appropriate degree programs and/or take the appropriate courses at their current institution that will be beneficial toward a UMD degree. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions expects transfer applicants to have completed the equivalent of English Composition (UMD’s ENGL101) and college-level mathematics (UMD’s MATH107, STAT100 or a higher-level math course such as calculus). Consider using these resources to guide your planning process:
  • Research different major options if you are undecided or still considering multiple interests.
  • Explore potential career or graduate school options, and make sure the courses and majors you are considering are appropriate given your skills, interests, and abilities.
  • Find the UMD equivalents to your current and completed courses using the Transfer Credit Service database.
  • To determine how long it may take you to earn a degree from UMD, compare how your courses may transfer per the database with your preferred major and general education requirements. Maryland community college students may benefit by completing an Associate’s degree. All admitted transfer students will work with an assigned academic advisor during their first semester on campus to complete an official academic plan for graduation.
  • If you need assistance with academically planning for transfer, work with a Pre-Transfer Advising Program Manager to determine how previous coursework may apply to University of Maryland degrees, identify remaining general education and major requirements, and create a plan toward completing a bachelor’s degree.

Transfer Credits

The Transfer Credit Services database is the University of Maryland’s official resource as to how past, current, or future courses may transfer to UMD and how the university may grant credit for AP, IB, CLEP exams and other types of credit. Review the database to see how your courses may apply toward a UMD degree, as well as see how to request a course evaluation if you have taken a course that is not currently included in the database.



Guide to Using the UMD Transfer Course Database

Applying for Admission

Think UMD may be a good fit for you? Ready to #BeATerp? Once you are ready to begin the application process, visit the Office of Undergraduate Admissions website to access the transfer application requirements, the deadlines, and how best to submit application materials and supporting documents. Maryland community college students should review the Maryland Transfer Advantage Program (MTAP) site to see if they may be eligible to receive guaranteed admission.

Application Deadlines Overview - see Admissions deadlines site for full details


Semester *Early Action Deadline Early Action Decision Release Regular Deadline Regular Decision Release Confirmation Deadline
Fall March 1 By late April June 1 By mid-July 30 days from admission
Spring August 1 By mid October November 15 By mid-December 30 days from admission


*For priority consideration, students should apply by the early action deadline. International students or students with non-US academic records must apply by the early action deadline.

Costs and Scholarships

Factors that may affect the cost of attending UMD include whether you attend full-time or part-time, in-state or out-of-state residency, your major, and various fees associated with being a student. The Office of Student Financial Aid and Student Financial Services and Cashiering can give you a sense of the costs you may expect should you attend UMD, as well as provide links to resources to determine if you are eligible for any financial aid or scholarships. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions also offers merit scholarships specifically for transfer students.

Review federal and state financial aid options.