The Admission Decision
Holistic Review
The University of Massachusetts Amherst uses a holistic review process to carefully consider applicants in an individualized context. This requires a deep, comprehensive understanding of the academic context from which you are applying. Because we receive applications from across the country and around the world, our Admissions Counselors work diligently to understand the nuance of each learning environment, which in turn informs the context in which your application is evaluated.
In addition to academic achievements, we are interested in the behaviors and attitudes, such as a love of learning and intellectual curiosity, that make students great learners and full contributors to the vibrancy of a campus community. We seek to admit students who will contribute fully to campus life.
No specific grade point average or other qualification by itself ensures admission.
Here is what we think about when considering who to admit as a first-year undergraduate:
Your high school transcript, including both individual grades and overall grade point average (GPA), is reviewed carefully. Beyond grades earned, we focus on rigor of classes you have taken and the relevance of the courses and grades to the major you have chosen. We carefully study trends in your record to monitor increases or decreases in performance.
Intangible aspects of yourself that are best demonstrated versus talked about. Leadership skills and ability, character, motivation, insight, tenacity, initiative, maturity, intellectual independence, responsibility, demonstrated concern for others, and more, will be considered.
More than quantity, we look for sustained involvement and achievement in any field of intellectual or creative endeavor; accomplishments in extracurricular activities such as the performing arts or athletics; leadership in school or community organizations; employment; and volunteer service.
Your background, past and current life situations that directly impact your performance. These include areas like socioeconomic status, experience in a single-parent home, family responsibilities, experience overcoming adversity, cultural background, race and ethnicity, the language spoken in your home, and other information in your file.
Your opportunity to show us what you believe in, how you think, who you are, and what you will bring to our campus will be held in your college essay or statement. Think about what we need to know to get a better sense of who you are at your core. If there is something in your record that is not easily explained without further context, consider using your essay or the additional information section of your application to explain.
Standardized tests are optional for first-year applicants, please refer to our test-optional policy page for more information.
Performance on standardized tests like the SAT or ACT is considered, but you should be sure to familiarize yourself with the minimum requirements for admissibility as defined by the state of Massachusetts. If you meet the minimum requirements, you are eligible to compete in our pool, though meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission. See recent class profiles by the numbers.
Fall first-year admission decisions are posted online in late December/January (Early Action) or March/April (Regular Decision). Fall transfer decisions are posted in mid-March through May.
All spring decisions are posted online in mid-October through early December.
It is important that you check the status of your application regularly. To help you with this, we provide you with a link to your Student Status Page, your username and PIN, which gives you the ability to check the status of your application online and identify any missing credentials. Note that UMass Amherst is no longer mailing admissions decisions; all decisions will be found online.
Approximately 24-48 hours after you submit your application, you will be sent an email to the address you provided on your application. The email will include a link to your Student Status Page, your Username and a PIN. You will then be requested to create a password for yourself. (Note that this email may be delayed slightly during our busiest periods.) This link will give you access to your Student Status page throughout the admission process.
If you have any questions about your account or you have general questions related to the admission process, please call Undergraduate Admissions at 413-545-0222.
What are the deadlines/important dates?
Application deadline:
Early Action application and supporting documents due November 5.
Regular Decision application and supporting documents due January 15.
Admission decisions posted online:
Early Action: Admission notifications will be released by the end of January.
Regular Decision: By the end of March.
Deadline to submit FAFSA (financial aid):
Submit your FAFSA by February 15 to ensure that your application arrives by the March 1 priority deadline.
Financial aid awards sent:
Starting late January / early February
Candidate Reply Date:
May 1
When will I hear if I have been admitted?
Fall first-year admissions decision notifications will be posted on January 24 (Early Action) or early March (Regular Decision).
Fall transfer decisions are posted in mid-March through May.
All spring decisions are posted online in mid-October through early December.
First-Year: Early Action (Fall)
Early Action admission decision notifications will be communicated by the end of January.
Students may be offered admission for the fall term, contingent on successful completion of the senior year. They will have until May 1 to decide whether to enroll at UMass Amherst.
A select group of students will be added to our waitlist. We will reexamine these students in the context of the entire pool, taking into account mid-year grades and other new academic information.
We may make the difficult decision to deny some students whose academic records are not competitive within the overall applicant pool. A deny decision at the EA stage is final.
First-Year: Regular Decision (Fall & Spring)
Admission decision notifications will be communicated by the end of March for fall applicants and by mid-December for spring applicants. There are three possible decisions for RD applicants:
Students may be offered admission for the upcoming fall term, contingent on successful completion of the senior year. They will have until May 1 to decide whether to enroll at UMass Amherst.
A select group of students who present strong academic credentials will be offered the option of being placed on our waitlist. Specific details regarding this option will be included in the waitlist offer letter.
Students whose academic records are not competitive within the overall applicant pool will be denied admission. A deny decision is final.
Waitlist
With an abundance of applications, and with a limited number of first‐year spaces, we are not able to admit all the students who presented strong academic credentials.
Commonwealth Honors College
If you are entering UMass Amherst with an exemplary academic school record, then you may be considered for admission to the Commonwealth Honors College. There is no separate application process; students are notified of their selection with their general letter of admission.
Transfer Decisions
Admission decisions will be communicated once the application file is complete and has been reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Students may be offered admission for the upcoming term, contingent on successful completion of their current coursework (if applicable).