Each year, the University of Massachusetts Boston seeks to enroll a diverse and talented incoming undergraduate class. Consideration is given to the depth and rigor of each candidate’s academic program, academic motivation and achievement, and progress from one year to the next. Students who have earned strong grades in rigorous high school or college programs and who have demonstrated strong writing and math skills, as evidenced by their grades, their essay and standardized exams, are the most successful in our admissions process. UMass Boston students represent an extraordinary range of backgrounds, talents, and interests, yet they all share an extraordinary desire to learn. Many of our students come straight from high school. Many others transfer from two-year or four-year universities or colleges.
The University of Massachusetts Boston complies with the admissions standards outlined in the Massachusetts Board of Higher Education Admissions Standards Policy. This policy stipulates that state universities and colleges, when evaluating a candidate for admission as a freshman, must recalculate the high school GPA based on all college preparatory, honors, Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses. This weighted grade point average (GPA) along with an SAT/ACT sliding scale is used. When evaluating a candidate for admissions as a transfer, the university must consider the GPA calculation based on non-remedial course credit earned. Meeting these minimum admissions standards does not guarantee admission, since a wide range of additional factors influence the admissions decision.
UMass Boston offers undergraduate degree programs through the College of Liberal Arts, College of Science and Mathematics, College of Management, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, College of Education and Human Development, and the School for the Environment. Students are asked to select a major within one of these colleges and admission decisions are granted based on the requirements established by that college.
In reviewing applications we look at the following factors:
Academic Performance: We seek to enroll freshmen who are well prepared for college and who have consistently earned strong grades in standard college preparatory courses and challenging high school courses (honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate) in the following areas: four years of English, three years of mathematics, three years of science including two laboratory sciences, two years of social science including one of U. S. History, two years of a single foreign language, and two years of electives in the arts and humanities, or Computer Science. Likewise, we seek to enroll transfer students who demonstrate the ability to perform well in a challenging university or college setting and who have demonstrated consistent academic achievement over time.
Performance on Standardized Tests: Although academic performance in high school is the most important factor in our admission process, we also consider scores earned on the SAT I or ACT exam. UMass Boston offers a no-test admissions option. We recognize that while useful, standardized tests do not accurately reflect all students’ academic abilities. Students may select the ‘No Test Option’ on their Common Application or UMass Boston Online Application. Read our FAQ to learn more.
Essay: All applicants are required to submit a 500-word essay responding to one of the essay questions listed on the application. The questions are designed to help us learn more about you while allowing us to assess your writing ability.
Recommendations: While we require only one letter of recommendation from all students, you may want to consider submitting more, as they can provide us with an objective view of your academic performance, your ability to start and complete a task and your ability to work with others, all of which are factors that relate to joining our university community.
Traditional Freshman Applicants have graduated from high school within the past three years and have not enrolled in any college courses after graduation. Students are advised to submit complete credentials as soon as possible after the first marking period of their senior year and to submit a final high school transcript confirming graduation.
Non-traditional Freshman Applicants have been out of high school for more than three years. They need not submit SAT I or ACT scores. They must, however, submit an official high school transcript or GED score report along with such supporting documents as a current resume and letters of recommendation.
Transfer Applicants are those who have attended other postsecondary institutions, regardless of the number of credits earned. All prior academic records are relevant to the admissions process. Transfer applicants should have official copies of transcripts for all courses completed at other colleges and universities sent directly from the registrar’s offices at those institutions to the UMass Boston Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
UMass Boston considers transfer students based on a review of all their college academic work. Several academic majors and programs have specific requirements for transfer students but, in general, a minimum 2.5 GPA is required.
For more information on the transfer credit process, please see Transfer of Credit under Academic Policies and Procedures.
International Applicants are those who are neither citizens nor permanent residents of the United States and who must meet certain special requirements. Submission of the separate international application, along with all required documents, by the established deadline is mandatory. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all applicants who come to us from a non English–based educational system. SATI or ACT test results must be submitted for all students who graduated within the last three years.
MassTransfer is a program for community college students who complete designated associate degrees and applies to students who matriculate in or after fall 2009 at a Massachusetts community college. Please visit the Department of Higher Education website at www.mass.edu for additional information about MassTransfer and Joint Admissions.
For more information on the transfer credit process, please see Transfer of Credit under Academic Policies and Procedures.
A UMass Boston student may appeal a decision regarding the awarding of transfer credit to the associate vice chancellor for enrollment management. Appeals will be reviewed in consultation with the appropriate academic department or college and/or the Admissions and Registrar’s Offices.
New England Board of Higher Education Regional Student Program: UMass Boston participates in the New England Board of Higher Education’s Regional Student Program (RSP), which enables New England residents to enroll at reduced tuition rates in out-of-state public colleges and universities in the New England region. These reduced rates apply to degree programs that are not available at any public institution in the student’s own state. For additional information, contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.
Matriculated, Non-Degree and Certificate Students
Undergraduate students at UMass Boston are classified as matriculated (degree-seeking), non-degree (non-matriculated), or certificate students.
Matriculated Students must first submit an application for admission to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions and be admitted before being classified as degree seeking. A matriculated student may switch between full-time status (12 credits or more per semester) and part-time status (fewer than 12 credits) without difficulty. Matriculated students may attend classes either during the day or in the evening. Matriculated students may not switch to non-degree status until they have graduated.
Non-degree (Non-matriculated) Students enroll in courses on a space-available basis without being admitted to the university. Registration for individual non-degree courses does not in any way confer current or future matriculated status. Non-degree students who wish to become matriculated students must complete the application process (Transfer Applicants) as described above.
Non-degree students register for courses through The One Stop – our administrative student service center. Financial aid is not available to non-degree students. They may take all courses in which space is available and for which they meet the prerequisite requirements. They may carry full- or part-time course loads. They are subject to different retention standards, however, than matriculated students. See Non-Degree Students in Academic Policies & Procedures for more information.
Certificate Students take a specific sequence of courses, usually over one or two years, in order to earn a certificate in a chosen area of study. Applications for admission to any program of study and/or certificate program in the College of Liberal Arts or the College of Science and Mathematics are available at The One Stop. All applications must be submitted to the appropriate program director.
Certificate students may enroll on either a full- or part-time basis. In general, the standards, regulations and procedures applicable to matriculated students also apply to certificate students; and students of some certificate programs are eligible to apply for financial aid. For more information see the Certificate Students under Academic Policies & Procedures. International students on a student visa are not permitted to register as either a non-degree or certificate student. Immigration regulations prohibit such status.
Second or Additional Undergraduate Degree
Persons holding an undergraduate degree from another institution who wish to earn a second undergraduate degree from UMass Boston must submit an application for undergraduate admission. A minimum of thirty (30) credits toward this second degree must be earned at UMass Boston.
Persons holding an undergraduate degree from UMass Boston who wish to earn a second undergraduate degree from UMass Boston must submit a special application for second degree, available at The One Stop (located in the Campus Center, UL level).
Summer Sessions
UMass Boston students may earn credits toward their degree by taking courses offered by the university during the summer. The variety is wide, and course offerings are chosen with the needs of students in mind. For further information, see Continuing and Professional Studies .
Visiting Campus
Campus visits and group information sessions with an admissions counselor are scheduled throughout the academic year. Attending such a session is not required, but is encouraged for new applicants. Visit https://admissions.umb.edu/visit for more information.
We look forward to receiving your application.
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