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USM Bylaws, Policies and Procedures of the Board of Regents
III-4.00 - POLICY ON UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS
(Approved by the Board of Regents, January 11, 1990; Revised
October 4, 1996;
Revised October 5, 2001)
Admission to the institutions of the University System of
Maryland shall be determined without unlawful discrimination on
the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age,
sexual orientation, or disabling condition. The undergraduate
student population of USM institutions should draw from all areas
of the state and reflect the diversity of the state's population.
Consistent with their individual missions, institutions will seek
to enroll the students having greatest potential to benefit from
their programs. Each institution shall take appropriate actions
in its admissions procedures to achieve these goals, consistent
with State and Federal laws.
I. ADMISSION OF FRESHMEN
Each institution shall publish its own decision criteria,
which may be more rigorous than the systemwide minima stated
below.
A. Minimum Qualifications for Regular Admission
(1) High school diploma or its equivalent (See exception in
paragraph B.)
(2) Grade point average
A high school grade point average equivalent to A C
or better is required for admission of full-time
and part-time entering freshmen who have graduated
from high school within three years of intended
enrollment.
(3) Test Score
A score on a nationally standardized examination
such as the SAT or ACT is required of all
applicants who have graduated from high school
within three years of intended enrollment.
(4) Minimum core content proficiency requirements
To indicate their readiness for college-level work,
high school seniors or graduates must demonstrate
achievement of the appropriate level of
competencies1 and core content associated with the
array of courses that follows:
Subject Year
Courses
English 4
Social Science/History 3
Biological and Physical 3
Sciences2
Mathematics 3
Algebra I or Applied Math I & II
Formal Logic or Geometry
Algebra II
Language other than
English3,
or, Advanced Technology4 2
(5) Other criteria
Each institution shall publish other criteria for
admission that may include (a) rigor of the high
school curriculum as demonstrated by advanced level
coursework, (b) academic electives, (c) performance
on high school assessments, (d) trends in
performance, (e) citizenship and leadership, (f)
special talents, and (g) personal circumstances.
B. Early Admission
Early admission may be granted to a high school student
who has demonstrated superior scholarship, as evidenced
by his or her academic record or performance on
standardized entrance examinations. The expectation is
that the student will make arrangements to earn a high
school diploma or equivalent. Each institution that
offers early admission shall publish its procedures.
C. Admission of Students from Non-accredited/ Non-approved 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, and other appropriate
criteria as developed by each institution.
D. Admission of Students with non-US Records
Students with international records, those who have
completed part or all of their secondary and/or post-
secondary education outside the United States, may be
admitted using the guidelines of the following
educational associations:
1) Association of International Educators (NAFSA)
2) American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions
Officers (AACRAO)
3) National Association of College Admissions Counselors
(NACAC)
Each USM institution will establish procedures to insure
consistency in admissions practices for its applicants
with academic records from non-US institutions.
E. Admission of Home-Schooled Students
All home-schooled students must demonstrate compliance
with state and local education regulations.
Demonstration of the competencies outlined in the USM
Requirements for Admission may be combined with scores
on a nationally standardized examination such as ACT or
SAT to satisfy the minimum qualifications for admission.
For Maryland students, the home instruction program must
comply with 13A.10.01 of the General Regulations of the
State Board of Education.
F. Admission of Students with Proficiency-Based standards,
Standardize Examinations, or Equivalency Diplomas.
Students who have graduated from regionally accredited
secondary institutions with proficiency-based standards
will be considered individually. Each secondary
institution with proficiency-based standards will be
asked to provide documentation about the student's
achievement in secondary school.
Admission may be granted to students who have been
awarded a high school equivalency diploma by passing a
standardized evaluation, such as the General Educational
Development (GED) test or the External Diploma Program
(EDP). Each USM institution will establish procedures to
insure consistency in admissions practices for its
applicants presenting external evaluations.
G. Admission of Students Who Have Been Out of School More Than
Three Years
Students who have earned a high school diploma (or
equivalent) with a minimum GPA equivalent to a C or
better, but who are more than three years beyond high
school enrollment, may be admitted without meeting the
usual criteria for admission if the institution
determines that the individuals applying have the
potential for successful college work. This
determination may be made by evaluation of successful
work experiences, by portfolio assessment, and/or by
placement testing.
H. Special Program Requirements
With the approval of the President, an institution may
establish additional requirements for admission to
specified academic programs.
I. Admission to Two Institutions
USM institutions that have established joint degree or
cooperative programs with other institutions will
outline procedures to permit students to be admitted
simultaneously to two institutions to earn the targeted
degree(s).
J. Exceptions
Each institution may admit, to a maximum of 15 percent
of its entering freshman class, students who do not meet
the minimum qualifications outlined in sections I.A.-G.
of this policy, but who show potential for success in
postsecondary education. Each institution shall develop
written guidelines, in accordance with this policy,
concerning individual admission.
For those instances in which applicants have not
completed all of the required courses for admission,
each institution shall establish a method of assessment
by which a student can demonstrate competence equivalent
to having passed a required high school course to
qualify for admission.
II. ADMISSION OF TRANSFER STUDENTS5
Each institution shall publish its own decision criteria
that may be more rigorous than the systemwide minima stated
below.
A. Minimum Requirements
(1) All transfer students must have a cumulative GPA of at least
a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, for all attempted
college-level work.
(2) Students who have completed 23 or fewer credits are required
to meet minimum qualifications as set forth in Part I of this
policy.
(3) Students transferring from institutions that are not
regionally accredited shall demonstrate proficiencies comparable
with Sections II.A.1 and 2.
B. Maryland Public Institutions Of Higher Education
(1) Students who have completed an associate's degree, or 56 or
more credits of college/ university parallel courses with a
minimum GPA of 2.0 from public institutions of higher education
in Maryland, shall be admitted to a USM institution. In cases
where the number of applicants exceeds the number who can be
accommodated, or where programs require higher performance
standards, admissions decisions shall be based on criteria that
provide fair and equal treatment for native and transfer students
in accordance with COMAR Title 13B.06.01.02-1.
(2) Students wishing to transfer from public institutions of
higher education in Maryland with fewer than 56 credits of
college/university parallel coursework who would have met
freshman requirements of the USM institution to which they are
applying in the year they entered postsecondary education shall
be admitted with a GPA of 2.0. In cases where the number of
applicants exceeds the number who can be accommodated, or where
programs require higher performance standards, admissions
decisions shall be based on criteria that provide fair and equal
treatment for native and transfer students in accordance with
COMAR Title 13B.06.01.02-1.
C. Admission to Two Institutions
To facilitate the enrollment of transfer students and to
enhance relationships with community colleges, USM
institutions are strongly encouraged to establish
agreements with community colleges to provide for dual
admission of students who first matriculate at the
community college. The agreements shall stipulate
requirements for eligibility, conditions for maintaining
good academic standing, curricular requirements, and
credit/grade transfer acceptance.
D. Providing Transfer Information
Each institution shall participate in the systemwide
computerized information system to assist prospective
transfer students. In cooperation with Maryland
community colleges, programs shall be developed that
represent the lower division course work required for
completion of a baccalaureate degree at that
institution. Information about such recommended
transfer programs, updated on a regular basis, shall be
available to potential transfer students to serve as a
basis for advisement and student planning. Students
will be encouraged to seek advisement on a regular
basis.
E. Exceptions
At the discretion of the receiving institution, transfer
students with special circumstances may be admitted on
the basis of criteria other than prior academic
performance. Up to 15 percent of the institution's
entering transfer cohort may comprise such exceptions.
III. ADMISSION OF SECOND BACCALAUREATE STUDENTS
Each institution shall publish in its catalog procedures for
admission of students seeking a second baccalaureate degree.
IV. ADMISSION OF NON-DEGREE STUDENTS
A. Minimum Requirements
Procedures for admitting non-degree students shall be
established by each institution. Criteria for changing
from non-degree to degree status must be equivalent to,
or exceed the minimum requirements set forth in this
policy, sections II.A.1 and 2, for students transferring
between Maryland public institutions.
B. Concurrent Enrollment
Concurrent enrollment may be granted to a high school
student who has demonstrated superior scholarship, as
evidenced by his or her academic record or performance
on standardized entrance examinations. Each institution
may allow such students to enroll in its undergraduate
classes concurrently with their enrollment in high
school.
V. ADMISSION OF OUT-OF-STATE STUDENTS TO UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS
Each institution may establish standards for out-of-state
students that are higher than the undergraduate admission
standards for in-state students. If a choice must be made
between applicants of roughly comparable ability and
promise, preference should be given to the Maryland
resident.
Excluding UMUC students and all students enrolled
exclusively in distance education programs, the number of
out-of-state undergraduate students in any institution,
shall not exceed 30 percent of its total undergraduate
student body.
VI. IMPLEMENTATION
A. Effective date
Notice shall be provided local school systems and
community colleges at least two years prior to the
implementation of additional or modified course
requirements in order that students may prepare to meet
them.
B. Review Schedule
Recognizing that Maryland is changing its high school
graduation requirements to a proficiency-based system,
this policy should be reviewed and revised as necessary
to accommodate that transition.
C. Publication of Standards
The USM shall publish the content, competencies,
achievement levels, and skills required for success in
college. Each institution shall publish its admission
standards in its catalog and shall submit them to
University System of Maryland Office for information.
D. Maintenance of Records
Each institution shall maintain in each enrolled
student's record evidence that minimum criteria for
admission have been met. Lacking such evidence, the
record shall contain a note that the student is an
exception, and whether the exception was based on
minimum GPA or demonstration of competency in the
required courses.
E. Application Fee
Each constituent institution in the University System of
Maryland may assess a non-refundable admission
application fee for each applicant, unless the fee is
waived in accordance with institutional policy.
Replacement for: BOR I-1.00, 1.10, 1.11, 1.20, 1.30, 1.40,
1.50, 1.60, 1.80, 13.00 and
BOT II-D.3, X-A.1, X-A.2, X-A.3, X-A.4, X-A.5, X-
A.7, X-A.8, X-A.9, X-A.11, and X-B
FootNotes:
[1] A grade equivalent to a C or better in required courses
would normally demonstrate the minimum level of preparation for
college-level work.
[2] The courses completed must be in at least two different
subject areas. Two of the three must include a laboratory
experience. For students interested in science-oriented careers
(such as medicine, engineering, the sciences, veterinary
medicine, physical therapy, etc.), four years of science are
recommended in three different science areas, with three
laboratory experiences.
[3] The two units must be in the same language. American Sign
Language is among the languages accepted.
[4] Students should consult the admissions office of the
particular institution they are seeking to attend to determine if
advanced technology is accepted in fulfillment of this
requirement.
[5] A transfer student has earned a total of twelve or more
transferable credits during a regular term or terms following
high school graduation. Credits earned in courses taken during
the first summer following high school graduation, concurrently
with high school, by Advanced Placement, or by examination are
not to be counted in the twelve.
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