Academic Requirements

Beginning your sophomore year of high school, it will be helpful to know the academic requirements of the colleges that interest you. Knowing these requirements will allow you to select and complete required courses before you graduate from high school. 

Successful UMass Lowell applicants will have completed the following college preparatory level courses by the end of their senior year of high school:

• English: 4 courses
• Mathematics: 4 courses (algebra I & II and geometry or trigonometry, or comparable coursework) including mathematics during the final year of high school
• Sciences: 3 courses (drawn from natural science and/or physical science and/or technology/engineering), including 3 courses with laboratory work
• Social Sciences: 2 courses (including 1 course in U.S. history)
• Foreign Language: 2 courses (in a single language)
• Electives: 2 courses (from the above subjects or from the arts & humanities or computer sciences)

Notes:

• If you are interested in studying math, science or engineering, it is strongly recommended that you take four years of science.
• Students who have documented learning differences may not need to fulfill the foreign language requirements if appropriate paperwork is submitted.
• Along with all other public universities and colleges in the Massachusetts system, UMass Lowell is not using the Writing Score.

All first-year applicants are evaluated using standards determined by both the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education and the university.

Admissions counselors and policy makers are sensitive to the factors that may result in accomplished students having a lower-than-expected GPA or SAT score. The applications of students who don’t meet the standards, but for whom UMass Lowell otherwise seems like a good match, are reviewed individually.

As a member of the National Association for College Admissions Counseling (NACAC), UMass Lowell adheres to NACAC’s Code of Ethics and Professional Practices while conducting all recruitment and yield admissions activities. As outlined in the code of ethics, “members will not be compensated by commissions, bonuses or other incentive payments based on the number of students referred, recruited, admitted or enrolled.” At all times, the admissions staff strives to provide college counseling that is in the best interest of the students.

Alternative Admissions Programs

Several special entrance programs provide non-traditional admission pathways to students who do not meet UMass Lowell's standard admissions requirements.

• MassTransfer: A variety of cost-saving transfer pathways to UMass Lowell.
• Reserved Placement Program: A special enrollment program that guarantees entry to UMass Lowell's first-year class in the spring semester, contingent on one semester of successful full-time study at a partner community college.