International First-Year Applicants
Applying as an International First-Year Student
Each year, we search for international students who will bring their unique strengths and diverse talents to the UMass Amherst campus. We conduct an individualized review of applications with careful consideration of a student’s academic achievements, personal qualities, and motivation.
Dates & Deadlines
Common App Opens
Spring Application Deadline
Early Action Deadline
Regular Decision Application Deadline
A note on spring admission for international students:
Due to the lengthy student visa process we are unable to admit international students for the spring semester unless they are currently in a U.S.-based high school with a valid student visa.
Choosing a Major
With nearly 100 majors to choose from, as well as Exploratory Tracks in many schools and colleges, and a program to build your own major, undergraduates can easily find areas of study that align with their interests, skills, and goals!
Schedule a Visit
We know that during your college search nothing compares to seeing a campus in person, and are excited to welcome you to UMass Amherst. In-person campus visits can be very challenging for international students, but we're offering several online events where you can interact, ask questions, and learn all about the UMass Amherst experience.
We are offering virtual one-on-one meetings to connect directly with our international team. Our counselor will be happy to answer your questions about applying to UMass Amherst.
Questions?
Admissions representatives are here to assist you! Please reach out if you cannot find the answer to your question on our website.
Maggie Chen Brackenridge 陳夢琪
Additional languages spoken: Taiwanese and Mandarin
Kregg Strehorn, Ph.D.
Ahmed '25 (he/him)
Hometown: Karachi, Pakistan
Major: Computer Science
Additional Language Spoken: Urdu and Punjabi
Activities/Involvement: Pakistani Student Organization, Muslim Students Association, UMass Outing Club, Intramural Soccer, New Student Orientations and Transitions & Residence Hall Association
Why UMass? Attending UMass Amherst has been a dream come true. I love learning about different cultures as well as having new experiences and here at UMass, at this large campus, I found myself immersed in a diverse yet inclusive community. At UMass we’re told to “Be Revolutionary” and that’s something I find that aligns with my own aspirations and core values.
UMass Hidden Gem: The Durfee Conservatory near Franklin Dinning Commons. I find it very relaxing to be around all the greenery and just enjoy the humid atmosphere especially in the cold winters of Amherst.
Jenny '25 (she/her)
Hometown: Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Major: Nursing
Additional Language Spoken: Vietnamese
Activities and Involvement: Commonwealth Honors College
Why UMass? I decided to attend UMass since I wanted to live in an environment where my dorm and classes are proximal to each other. At UMass, there are various residential areas with different accommodations for students to choose from. Furthermore, most buildings for lectures are in the central area of the campus, making it fairly easy to come to classes regardless of where you live. UMass also offers four dining halls around campus, so you can quickly grab some food during breaks between your classes.
Coming to UMass was not an easy decision for me. Something that worried me was how I could adjust to the unfamiliar environment while keeping up with studying. However, UMass offers a great setting to help newcomers learn about their new place. There are various student support services for academics and research opportunities. Student organizations also organize many events throughout the semester, in which you get to engage with other people of similar interests. With those opportunities, I am having a better experience at UMass than I had expected. I have a supportive network of friends to share about our everyday life, and I feel more confident about my studies thanks to the available resources at UMass.
Rashi ’25 (she/her)
Hometown: Gujarat, India
Major: Psychology (BS)
Additional Language Spoken: Hindi and Gujarati
Activities/Involvement: Research assistant for War and Peace laboratory, teaching assistant for the first-year seminar for international students, SPACE peer mentoring program.
Why UMass? I chose UMass because it has a fantastic psychology department and a lot of opportunities in the career path I want to pursue, along with research opportunities! The ideals of UMass represent me and my ideologies and the beauty of the campus still surprises me!
My favorite part about UMass: I love how diverse UMass is. I am constantly meeting people from all over the world, and I get to learn so much about diverse cultures through them! It is uniquely beautiful how UMass makes people from everywhere feel very welcome!
Studying in the U.S. has always been a dream for me, and I am glad that I chose a place like UMass to pursue my education. UMass has offered me many opportunities to grow and succeed in my career and go after what I am passionate about!