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Do Well in School


The most important criteria in the freshman admissions decision are your high school academic record and your SAT-I or ACT scores (check the Take Standardized Tests Section for more on those).

When we look at your high school record, we consider the quality and level of courses you took, your grade point average (GPA), and grade trends. We will also consider your personal statement, special talents, work experience, and extracurricular activities—those things outside of the classroom that make up your academic and life experience.

So challenge yourself in high school, work hard to earn high grades, try something new, get creative, and build close relationships with your teachers. Get involved outside of class as well, pursuing the things you love: sports, music, art, theater, student government, entrepreneurship, a part-time job, community service, or whatever you’re passionate about.

Successful applicants typically present at least a B average The average high school weighted GPA for freshmen entering in Fall 2003 was 3.3 on a 4.0 scale. If you do not meet the 3.0 GPA minimum, then a SAT/GPA sliding scale applies. However, simply meeting minimums does not guarantee admission, as this process is competitive.

Admission is more competitive to the College of Engineering, the Isenberg School of Management, Commonwealth College, and the majors of Communication, Computer Science, Economics, Journalism, and Sports Management. Admission to the majors of English and Nursing is based upon prerequisite coursework taken during the freshman and/or sophomore year at UMass Amherst.


"Competitive"

When we say admission is “competitive,” we mean that these academic majors are more selective for freshman admission, either because students who apply are often high achieving with credentials such as honors courses and Advance Placement credits, or because acceptance into the major requires certain high school coursework.

Recommendations

Letter of recommendations are required for admission. They can strengthen your application, and may be helpful for a student with borderline academic credentials.

Course Requirements

What courses do you need to take before applying to UMass Amherst?

You need to meet certain high school unit requirements (remember, these are minimums): Four years of English, three years of college preparatory mathematics (Algebra II is a minimum requirement), two years of the same foreign language, three years of science (including two with a laboratory component), two years of social science including one course in U.S. History, and two electives from the above areas, arts and humanities, or computer science.

Applicants to the College of Engineering, Isenberg School of Management, or the Computer Science major must have four math units (Algebra I & II, Geometry, and an advanced math course, such as Calculus or Trigonometry). Applicants to the College of Engineering must also have Chemistry and Physics.