Navigating UMass Boston Undergraduate Admissions: A Comprehensive Guide

Gaining admission to a university requires careful planning and a thorough understanding of the institution's requirements. This article provides a detailed overview of the undergraduate admission requirements for the University of Massachusetts (UMass) Boston.

Acceptance Rate and Overall Selectivity

The acceptance rate at UMass Boston is 83%, indicating that the university is lightly selective. This means that if you meet the school's academic requirements, you have a good chance of being admitted.

Academic Requirements

UMass Boston seeks to enroll freshmen who are well-prepared for college. The university places significant emphasis on academic performance in high school, considering grades earned in college preparatory courses.

GPA Requirements

The average GPA at UMass Boston is 3.5, suggesting that successful applicants typically have a mix of A's and B's in their high school coursework, with very few C's. While UMass Boston recalculates the high school GPA based on all college preparatory, honors, Advanced Placement, and International Baccalaureate courses, a strong GPA remains a very important academic factor.

Coursework Requirements

UMass Boston typically looks for the following high school coursework:

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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
Two years of electives in the arts and humanities, or Computer Science

Standardized Testing Policies

UMass Boston offers a test-optional admissions policy. Applicants may choose to apply without submitting standardized test scores; however, UMass Boston considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration.

SAT

While not required, UMass Boston considers SAT scores if submitted. For applicants who choose to submit SAT scores, the 25th percentile SAT score is 1090, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1290. UMass Boston also superscores the SAT, meaning the university combines the highest section scores from multiple test dates to calculate the best possible composite score. This allows students to focus their test preparation efforts on individual sections and submit only the tests that yield the highest superscore.

ACT

Similar to the SAT, UMass Boston considers ACT scores if submitted, but they are not required. The average ACT score at UMass Boston is 27. The 25th percentile ACT score is 24, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 30. It is not clear whether UMass Boston superscores the ACT.

Essay

All applicants are required to submit a 500-word essay responding to one of the essay questions listed on the application.

Application Process

UMass Boston has different application processes based on whether you are a first-year, transfer, or international applicant.

First-Year Applicants

First-year applicants are those who will have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent by the time they plan to enroll at UMass Boston. UMass Boston distinguishes between traditional and non-traditional freshman applicants. Traditional Freshman Applicants have graduated from high school within the past three years and have not enrolled in any college courses after graduation. Non-traditional Freshman Applicants have been out of high school for more than three years and need not submit SAT I or ACT scores.

First-year students who wish to receive an early, non-binding admissions decision should consider applying Early Action. The Early Action deadline is November 1st for priority scholarship and housing opportunities. The Regular Decision application deadline is March 1st.

Transfer Applicants

UMass Boston is a transfer-friendly university. 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. UMass Boston considers transfer students based on a review of all their college academic work. If you have earned less than 24 transferable college credits, you must additionally submit your official high-school transcript.

A UMass Boston student may appeal a decision regarding the awarding of transfer credit to the associate vice chancellor for enrollment management.

International Applicants

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. Applicants are required to demonstrate English language proficiency. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is required of all applicants who come from a non English-based educational system. Acceptable documents can include official copies of diplomas, certified final degree certificates, and notation on final transcript of degree and date awarded. Most international 4-year degrees are recognized as being equivalent. If we are unable to determine equivalence, we may require applicants to submit an external evaluation from the Center for Educational Documentation (www.cedevaluations.com). Credential evaluations from other agencies may not be accepted.

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If the international applicant is transferring from another U.S. institution, a Transfer Verification Form must be completed by the International Student Advisor at the institution the student is currently attending, or if not currently enrolled, the institution most recently attended.

Once admitted, applicants will be contacted by the International Student & Scholar Office with information on the visa process. Applicants must be prepared to pay their own expenses, and should also anticipate yearly increases in institutional costs (such as tuition and fees) and living expenses. The UMass Boston International Student & Scholar Office will normally provide the international applicant with the I-20 form to enable them to apply for a visa with which to enter the United States. The University cannot issue the I-20 to part-time or online programs. The I-20 form is valid only for the semester for which it was issued.

Admission is granted only for the semester requested and cannot be guaranteed for future semesters.

Application Deadlines

Early Action: November 1 (for first-year students)
Regular Decision: March 1 (for first-year students)
SAT/ACT Scores Must Be Received By: Feb. 15

Additional Information

MassTransfer Program

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.

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.

Matriculated vs. Non-Degree 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 and may attend classes either during the day or in the evening. 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. Financial aid is not available to non-degree students. International students on a student visa are not permitted to register as either a non-degree or certificate student.

Second Bachelor's 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.

Summer Courses

UMass Boston students may earn credits toward their degree by taking courses offered by the university during the summer.

Campus Visits

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.

Programs of Study

UMass Boston offers undergraduate degree programs through the following colleges:

College of Liberal Arts
College of Science and Mathematics
College of Management
College of Nursing and Health Sciences
College of Education and Human Development
School for the Environment

Nursing Program Specifics

Below is a list of courses that nursing students need to complete before beginning clinical semesters. Students are required to complete at least two of the lab science courses listed below before applying to the nursing program. Applications will be reviewed after the respective deadline. Strong performance in these courses, especially the lab sciences, is often an indicator of the potential for success in the nursing program. Demonstrated success in these courses will make for a more competitive application.

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