General Policies

Admission to all baccalaureate day programs is made through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions according to established undergraduate policies. Admission to programs of professional studies or to summer school, which is made through the Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies, does not constitute admission to baccalaureate day programs and implies no commitment, per se, for subsequent application of professional studies or summer school courses to baccalaureate day programs. It is the policy of the University of Massachusetts Lowell that students seeking admission to either regular or professional studies programs will be evaluated on their merits and (as prescribed in applicable federal and state laws) without respect to their race, color, creed, national origin, age, gender, handicap, sexual orientation, veteran status or marital status.

The admission policies of the University of Massachusetts Lowell, which are in keeping with its mission and the guidelines of the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education, specify procedures for admitting three types of applicants for undergraduate degrees:

  1. high school seniors and individuals who have graduated from high schools within the past three years;
  2. non-traditional students (students who have graduated from high school more than three years at time of application to the University of Massachusetts Lowell); and
  3. transfer students.

Accordingly, these policies not only protect the intellectual integrity and strength of the university by requiring standards of preparation and objective evidence of the student’s potential for success, but also provide access for a diverse student population, including traditional and non-traditional students and students with special needs and talents. Individuals who are admitted by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions must be accepted under one of the following categories:

  1. as undeclared students (entering as freshmen or transfer students with less than 45 semester credits) who wish to establish initial matriculation in an undeclared status offered by one of the colleges of the University of Massachusetts Lowell;
  2. as declared students (entering as freshmen or transfer students) who wish to establish initial matriculation for a UMass Lowell degree and who have a commitment to an academic major or professional program which is offered by one of the colleges of the university;
  3. as declared students with advanced standing who wish to pursue a second baccalaureate degree at Lowell after having completed an initial baccalaureate degree at the university or another accredited institution; or as non-matriculating students admitted on a semester-by-semester basis.

To be admitted for undergraduate study, applicants must present records of academic performance that indicate a reasonable probability of success in their chosen programs or colleges. For regular freshman admission to an undergraduate college or degree program, probability of success is measured by an individual’s high school record, class and standardized test results and/or by his or her academic record at the University of Massachusetts Lowell for prescribed provisional courses of study. For regular transfer admission to an undergraduate college or degree program, probability of success is measured by an individual’s previous academic record at some other accredited institution of higher education. Within the space available in particular programs, admission is offered first to those whose performance record indicates the highest probability of success in the chosen college and/or program. Specific academic standards and requirements are described below under headings for admission categories.

The university welcomes correspondence from prospective students who may need assistance in adapting their high school programs to satisfy specific program requirements. Such correspondence should be addressed to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Students may apply online through the Common Application or UMass Lowell Application.

Applicant Decisions Concerning Program Selection

Entering freshmen who prefer to test their abilities and interests or who wish to explore several areas of study before identifying themselves with one of the baccalaureate day programs can request admission as undeclared students. Students transferring 60 or more credits may not request status as undeclared students and must enter the University with a commitment to an academic major or professional program. Undeclared students are advised that openings in a desired professional program may be inadequate to accommodate all qualified undeclared student applicants at the time when program declarations must be made (upon completion of 45 credits). When resources of a college or program render it necessary to establish admission quotas, different admission criteria, above and beyond specified admission requirements, will be applied in the selection of applicants as matriculating students.

The University of Massachusetts Lowell has an Early Action deadline of Nov. 5, Early Action 2 deadline of Jan. 5, and a Regular Decision deadline of Feb. 5 for freshmen applicants for the fall semester. The decision deadline for freshmen applicants for the spring semester is Dec. 1. The deadline for transfer applicants for the fall semester is Aug. 15, and Jan. 7 for the spring semester. International applicants have earlier deadlines to allow time for the processing of documents. Applicants must also submit a fee waiver or non-refundable application fee.

Baccalaureate degree programs are offered by the College of Education, College of Fine Arts, Humanities, and Social Sciences, Kennedy College of Sciences, Francis College of Engineering, the Manning School of Business and the Zuckerberg College of Health Sciences. Professional studies degree programs, including certificate, associate's, and baccalaureate degree programs are offered in the evening and online. Applicants who wish to apply for online and professional studies programs should address their inquiries to Division of Graduate, Online & Professional Studies (GPS).

Special Admissions

Applicants not eligible for undergraduate admission based on the standards for first-year, transfer, or non-traditional students may be admitted based upon the demonstration of their potential for academic success at a state university or UMass campus. Appropriate indicators of success include steadily improving high school grades and academic achievement, a high class rank, special talents, and/or strong recommendations from appropriate individuals who have direct knowledge of the student’s ability to succeed in college (such as teachers, principals, and school counselors; employers; and mentors).

Students who demonstrate the potential to be successful but do not meet all of the requirements may be admitted through special admissions. The Massachusetts Department of Higher Education limits special admissions to 10 % of new enrollers.