FAQs: Graduate Admission
What programs are offered, and what are the program codes (for use on application)?
What is the Fall 2009 application deadline?
What are the University's eligibility requirements for admission?
What materials do I need to include in my application, and where should I send them?
What are the GRE, TOEFL and GMAT institutional codes for the University of Maryland?
Is the TOEFL required of international applicants?
Is the GRE required of all applicants?
For candidates to the Master of Architecture, what should be included in the portfolio?
What financial assistance is available?
Where should I go for more information?
What programs are offered, and what are the program codes (for use on application)?
Master of Architecture (ARCH)
Master of Community Planning (CMPL)
Joint Master of Architecture and Master of Community Planning (ARCP)
Master of Historic Preservation (HISP)
Master of Real Estate Development (RDEV)
Ph.D. Urban and Regional Planning and Design (URPD)
Joint Master of Community Planning and J.D. (LCPL)
Joint Master of Community Planning and Master of Historic Preservation (CPHP)
What is the Fall 2009 application deadline?
The University of Maryland Graduate School Online Application must be completed by December 1, 2008; this deadline only pertains to the online application. All remaining application materials, such as transcripts and reference letters, must be received by January 2, 2009.
PLEASE NOTE: ARCH and ARCP applicants must submit a portfolio to the School. Portfolios must be received by January 16, 2009.
For candidates interested in the Master of Real Estate Development the application deadline for the fall semester is June 15. Interested candidates may apply for the spring semester. For the spring semester, the deadline is November 1, but it is preferred that applications be submitted by October 1. Back to top
What are the University's eligibility requirements for admission?
The University encourages applications from students with solid
academic backgrounds who have earned or will earn at least a bachelor's
degree at a regionally accredited college or university in the U.S., or
the equivalent of this degree in another country. As a minimum
admission standard, the Graduate School expects candidates to have a
"B" average, or 3.0 on a 4.0 GPA scale. Back to top
What materials do I need to include in my application, and where should I send them?
The Online Graduate Application
should be completed by December 1. Please complete it before sending any other materials to the
University.
Submitting the online application incurs a $60 US non-refundable application fee. Applicants
have the option of paying online or by credit card or check using the Credit
Card/International Check form.
Send all of the materials listed below in a single package, if possible, to:
Applicants will be contacted by e-mail after submitting the Online Graduate Application. A system login and password will be provided at that time. In most cases, students will be contacted within two business days of submitting their Online Application; during peak times, however, the notification may take as long as 3–4 business days.
• One complete set of transcripts reflecting all undergraduate and graduate work completed or in progress. Each transcript must bear the signature of the registrar and the seal of the granting institution and should include the years of attendance, courses taken, grades received, class standing and the degree, certificate or diploma received. If the applicant attended the University of Maryland, College Park, the Graduate School will obtain records of courses completed on the College Park campus. To facilitate the processing and review of an application, unofficial copies of transcripts from institutions other than the University of Maryland, College Park may be used for review purposes. Official copies of those transcripts, however, are required before full admission can be granted.
• A Maryland In-State Status Form, if you wish to apply for Maryland resident status. Students who apply online do NOT have to submit this form in paper copy as well.
• Three letters of recommendation submitted by professors or others who can assess the quality of the applicant’s academic performance and scholastic potential. The Application Supplemental Form (ASF) contains an Online Letters of Recommendation feature, through which applicants can request electronic letters from their recommenders. If applicants prefer not to use Online Letters, they can download University of Maryland Recommendation Letter Forms. Be certain that the applicant’s full name is included on each recommendation.
• Statement of Goals, Experiences and Research Interests (1000-2000 words). All graduate programs within the School require applicants to prepare a statement of their goals and objectives in pursuing graduate study. This can be submitted using the Application Supplemental Form (ASF).
• Official Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores. GRE scores must be sent directly to the University by the testing authority. The University of Maryland, College Park institutional code for the GRE and GMAT is 5814.
• Any additional graduate program requirements. All candidates must provide an updated resume to be submitted via the ASF. Candidates to degree programs in the Architecture Program must submit a portfolio while candidates to the Master of Historic Preservation must submit a writing sample. Portfolios are to be mailed to the School, while the writing sample may be submitted via the ASF.
• International applicants: In addition to sending the above materials, you must submit documents as required by the Office of International Education Services.
The following application materials must be received by the School by January 2, unless otherwise noted:
Graduate Admissions School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation University of Maryland Building #145 College Park, MD 20742• Unofficial transcripts. In addition to official transcripts sent to the Graduate School, please provide unofficial copies of all transcripts to the School.
• Statement of Goals, Research Interests and Experiences (1000–2000 words). As described above, the Statement can be submitted via the ASF.
• Writing Sample (only applies to candidates for Master of Historic Preservation).
• Resume. All candidates are requested to submit an updated resume via the ASF (see above).
• Portfolio (only applies to candidates for degree program of the Architecture Program)—must be received by January 16, 2009. Back to top
What is the GRE and TOEFL institutional code for the University of Maryland? What is the GMAT institutional code?
The University’s institutional code for the GRE and TOEFL is 5814. The GMAT code is SQT-3H-56. Back to top
Is the TOEFL required of international applicants?
The TOEFL is required of all non-native English speakers. Those who have received a degree from an institution in the U.S., United Kingdom, English-speaking Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand or the Commonwealth Caribbean need not present TOEFL scores. Even if you have been living in the U.S. for a number of years, if your undergraduate degree was earned abroad the TOEFL must be taken. For more information, visit www.ies.umd.edu. Back to top
Is the GRE required of all applicants?
Yes, except for candidates applying to the Master of Community Planning who hold a 3.5 or higher, on a 4.0 scale, GPA and candidates applying to the Master of Real Estate Development who have five or more years of professional experience. MRED applicants wishing to waive the GRE requirement must obtain permission from the program director. Back to top
For candidates to the Master of Architecture, what should be included in the portfolio?
The portfolio should be bound and not exceed 9" x 12". It should
contain reproductions of creative work, including drawings, paintings,
photographs, sculpture, sketches and/or architectural designs. Creative
writing and original papers and research may also be submitted within
the portfolio, but overall emphasis will be on visual creativity. Any
other form of portfolio will be automatically rejected. If return is
requested, a self-addressed envelope of sufficient size and adequate
postage must be included. All portfolios not returned must be picked up
from the School by September 1 of the year of your application. Back to top
What financial assistance is available?
There are merit-based scholarships available both from the University
and the School. For more information on University funding, refer to the following:
http://www.gradschool.umd.edu/gss/ . In addition, the School provides a limited number of scholarships and graduate assistantships that provide both a stipend and tuition
remission. Back to top
Where should I go for more information?
Graduate Student Services
Online Application
Graduate School Catalog
International Education Services
Financial Aid Office
Graduate Student Housing
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