First-Year Admissions Requirements
Thank you for your interest in UMass Amherst. Admission to the first-year class is selective and is contingent upon successful completion of required high school courses at a level consistent with the university’s admissions standards. When you apply, we consider everything we learn about you from your application and decisions are never based on any single factor. You can help us get to know you by submitting the required items outlined below. We use a holistic review process to select students who will benefit from the UMass Amherst academic environment and enrich the entire student body.
Note: Admission for all students is determined in accordance with minimum standards established by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE). However, meeting the DHE's minimum standards does not guarantee admission, since the university considers a wide range of factors when making admission decisions. All offers of admission are contingent upon completion of current coursework at a level consistent with admissions standards. Please note that all documents submitted with an application for admission are the property of UMass Amherst and cannot be released to the student or to another party.
A complete application includes the following material:
- A complete Common Application (including the UMass questions)
- Official high school transcript (grades 9 -11)
- Official transcripts for all completed college coursework
- Letter of recommendation
- Application fee of $85
- (Optional) SAT and/or ACT scores
Please refer to our test-optional policy page for more information
Minimum subject matter requirements must be met (see below). The rigor of the curriculum is strongly considered. We appreciate applicants who take challenging courses, including honors, Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, if available.
When assessing academic achievement, course grades as well as grade trends are important, including course selection and grades in relation to the desired major. A strong senior schedule helps show the applicant’s commitment to higher education. If the high school provides a class rank, that is taken into consideration as well.
Unit Requirements
-
English: 4
-
Mathematics (Algebra II minimum): 4 including math in the senior year of high school
-
Natural Science (3 labs): 3
-
Social Science (one course in US history): 2
-
Foreign Language: 2 of same language (waived for MA vocational tech high schools)
-
Electives (from areas above, arts and humanities, or computer science): 2
Applicants to the College of Engineering, Isenberg School of Management, or the computer science major must have four math units including an advanced math course, such as pre-calculus, calculus or trigonometry. Applicants to the College of Engineering must also have chemistry and physics.
Applicants to the Architecture, Art, Dance, and Music majors are encouraged to contact the appropriate department and apply as early as possible to allow enough time for an audition or portfolio review. Students must have their admission application on file with Undergraduate Admissions before major-specific requirements or portfolio reviews will be scheduled.
UMass Amherst seeks to admit students who will contribute fully to campus life, inside and outside the classroom. Therefore, all non-native speakers of English must demonstrate English language proficiency.
Learn more about the various ways to satisfy this requirement.
Home-schooled applicants are required to submit all of the application materials required for first-year applicants, including a personal statement, and a transcript. It is understood that the transcript of a home-schooled student may differ from that of a traditional high school student. Regardless of the format, a transcript should include all 9th to 12th grade courses (including those in progress) and the timeframe of each course (academic year and semester). In addition, an assessment of performance (a letter grade, percentage, narrative assessment, etc.) is needed. Occasionally, applicants are asked to submit additional information describing the curriculum and/or texts used.
Home-schooled applicants, who are in an approved curriculum, are not required to submit a standardized test score. Learn more about our test-optional policy.
Home-schooled students who are admitted are required to provide the university with proof of graduation in one of the following ways:
-
An official final transcript from the local school district.
-
An official final transcript from a home-school association or agency.
-
An official GED/HiSET score report.
-
An official college transcript(s) showing successful completion of 27 college credits
Home-schooled students who have completed AP exams and/or college coursework must request that those official score reports and transcripts be sent directly to the Admissions Office.
If you have questions, please contact us.