Reserved Placement Program FAQ

More students apply for fall entry than we can accommodate. We wanted to create a seamless pathway for more students to choose UMass Lowell. If you see yourself at UMass Lowell, this program is perfect for you.

No. This is an offer of admission, contingent on a minimum of 12 transferable credits and a minimum GPA of 2.5 at one of our partner community colleges. Students on our waitlist have not received an offer of admission. There is no guarantee they will receive one.

You can, and plenty of students do. Enrolling through the Reserved Placement Program program has several advantages:

• You will not have to reapply for admission to UMass Lowell. Students who meet the requirements of the RPP will be guaranteed entry after one semester.
• UMass Lowell will provide wrap-around academic advising at no cost to you. We will ensure you take the right courses – with no credit loss at transfer.
• We will regard you as our student from day one. You will have a UMass Lowell ID card, attend our January orientation, have a UMass Lowell advisor, and be welcomed at UMass Lowell sports games and events.

RPP will lower your costs. When you are enrolled at the community college, you will pay the tuition rates for that community college. When you transfer to UMass Lowell, you will pay UMass Lowell tuition rates.

The RPP program lasts for up to one academic year. Students interested in remaining at their community college to take advantage of Mass Transfer benefits will be transitioned to another member of our transfer counseling team and will re-apply when they decide to enroll at UMass Lowell. For continued enrollment in RPP (and housing), students must have a GPA of at least 2.3. Students who do not maintain the minimum academic requirements will be removed from RPP and housing (as applicable) and will transition to another transfer counselor for advice on next steps.

Below is the list of our community college partners.

• Bunker Hill Community College
• Mass Bay Community College
• Middlesex Community College
• North Shore Community College
• Northern Essex Community College
• Quinsigamond Community College
• Roxbury Community College

Maybe. Some community colleges in Massachusetts require placement tests and some do not. You will be notified directly by your selected community college of any needed placement tests.

For 2022-2023, this program is offered for students who will enroll in majors within the Manning School of Business, the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the Francis College of Engineering and the Kennedy College of Sciences.

Please note that that students interested in selecting a major within the Francis College of Engineering and Kennedy College of Sciences will need to demonstrate appropriate math and science preparation.

RPP is designed to support the transition of students to any of our majors in the College of Fine Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, the Manning School of Business, the Francis College of Engineering and the Kennedy College of Sciences. If you are interested in pursuing a major in another college at UMass Lowell, please speak with one of our transfer counselors who can help you plan your pathway to one of those majors.

Please send official college transcripts and official AP score reports to both UMass Lowell and your selected community college. We want to make sure to give you credit for the work you’ve already completed.

Students accepted into RPP can apply to live in at UMass Lowell as part of the MCC cohort. Students should apply on the online housing portal by May 5.

Joining the MCC2UML LLC is a great way to live in a residence hall alongside other students transitioning to be UML students. Study with fellow MCC students and participate in community-building programs that work to help you balance an academic and social life.

MCC2UML also has a dedicated faculty/staff member paired to provide further mentorship beyond the classroom, run programs and day trips dedicated to career development, as well as make transitioning to college life at UMass Lowell more comfortable. Some examples of MCC2UML community programs could be social programs for a chance to meet new people, networking to learn about time management, as well as sharing campus resources to support academic success. Programs can be adapted to meet students’ majors and interests.

As an RPP student living on campus and attending Middlesex Community College, you are entitled to all of the benefits that our UMass Lowell students have. You can use the libraries, the Wellness Center and the Campus Recreation Center. You will eat in the university dining halls, can get involved with UMass Lowell student clubs and organizations, and can enjoy any of our athletic events for free. 

If you do not plan on living on campus, you have access to fewer resources, but are welcome on campus at any time. You can get a UMass Lowell ID card, get involved in student clubs and organizations, use UMass Lowell libraries and enjoy any of our athletic events for free.

Most on-campus work at UMass Lowell or at any community college is through federal work-study, which will be awarded in your financial aid package. When you are a student at your selected community college, you may be able to secure work-study on that campus. When you transfer to UMass Lowell, you may be able to secure a work-study job on our campus.

Please contact Transfer Admissions by email: Transfer@uml.edu or phone: 978-934-3931.

To register, please fill out the Reserved Placement Program Registration form. Please note that you will need to complete a separate application for the community college of your choice. If you have any questions, please contact Transfer admissions by email at Transfer@uml.edu or phone at 978-934-3931.