III400 - USM

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   USM Bylaws, Policies and Procedures of the Board of Regents
                                
                                
          III-4.00 - POLICY ON UNDERGRADUATE ADMISSIONS
                                
  (Approved by the Board of Regents, January 11, 1990; Revised
                        October 4, 1996;
                    Revised October 5, 2001)

Admission to the institutions of the University System of
Maryland shall be determined without unlawful discrimination on
the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age,
sexual orientation, or disabling condition.  The undergraduate
student population of USM institutions should draw from all areas
of the state and reflect the diversity of the state's population.
Consistent with their individual missions, institutions will seek
to enroll the students having greatest potential to benefit from
their programs.  Each institution shall take appropriate actions
in its admissions procedures to achieve these goals, consistent
with State and Federal laws.

I.   ADMISSION OF FRESHMEN

     Each institution shall publish its own decision criteria,
     which may be more rigorous than the systemwide minima stated
     below.

     A.   Minimum Qualifications for Regular Admission
     
         (1)  High school diploma or its equivalent (See exception in
                 paragraph B.)
                 
         (2)  Grade point average
             A high school grade point average equivalent to A C
             or better is required for admission of full-time
             and part-time entering freshmen who have graduated
             from high school within three years of intended
             enrollment.
             
         (3)  Test Score
             A score on a nationally standardized examination
             such as the SAT or ACT is required of all
             applicants who have graduated from high school
             within three years of intended enrollment.
             
         (4)  Minimum core content proficiency requirements
             To indicate their readiness for college-level work,
             high school seniors or graduates must demonstrate
             achievement of the appropriate level of
             competencies¹ and core content associated with the
             array of courses that follows:
             
             Subject                         Year
                                            Courses
             English                              4
             Social Science/History               3
             Biological and Physical              3
             Sciences²
             Mathematics                          3
              Algebra I or Applied Math I & II
              Formal Logic or Geometry
              Algebra II
             Language other than          
             English³,
              or, Advanced Technology⁴            2
             
        
         (5)  Other criteria

             Each institution shall publish other criteria for
             admission that may include (a) rigor of the high
             school curriculum as demonstrated by advanced level
             coursework, (b) academic electives, (c) performance
             on high school assessments, (d) trends in
             performance, (e) citizenship and leadership, (f)
             special talents, and (g) personal circumstances.

     B.   Early Admission

        Early admission may be granted to a high school student
        who has demonstrated superior scholarship, as evidenced
        by his or her academic record or performance on
        standardized entrance examinations.  The expectation is
        that the student will make arrangements to earn a high
        school diploma or equivalent.  Each institution that
        offers early admission shall publish its procedures.

     C.   Admission of Students from Non-accredited/ Non-approved High
            Schools.

        Freshman applicants for admission who are graduates of
        non-accredited/non-approved high schools will be
        reviewed individually, with consideration given to
        factors such as scores on nationally standardized tests,
        high school course content, performance in high school
        academic courses, the performance of previous students
        with similar academic preparation, and other appropriate
        criteria as developed by each institution.

     D.   Admission of Students with non-US Records

        Students with international records, those who have
        completed part or all of their secondary and/or post-
        secondary education outside the United States, may be
        admitted using the guidelines of the following
        educational associations:

        1)   Association of International Educators (NAFSA)
        2)   American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions
             Officers (AACRAO)
        3)   National Association of College Admissions Counselors
             (NACAC)

        Each USM institution will establish procedures to insure
        consistency in admissions practices for its applicants
        with academic records from non-US institutions.
     
     E.   Admission of Home-Schooled Students

        All home-schooled students must demonstrate compliance
        with state and local education regulations.
        Demonstration of the competencies outlined in the USM
        Requirements for Admission may be combined with scores
        on a nationally standardized examination such as ACT or
        SAT to satisfy the minimum qualifications for admission.
        For Maryland students, the home instruction program must
        comply with 13A.10.01 of the General Regulations of the
        State Board of Education.
        
     F.   Admission of Students with Proficiency-Based standards, 
          Standardize Examinations, or Equivalency Diplomas.

        Students who have graduated from regionally accredited
        secondary institutions with proficiency-based standards
        will be considered individually.  Each secondary
        institution with proficiency-based standards will be
        asked to provide documentation about the student's
        achievement in secondary school.

        Admission may be granted to students who have been
        awarded a high school equivalency diploma by passing a
        standardized evaluation, such as the General Educational
        Development (GED) test or the External Diploma Program
        (EDP). Each USM institution will establish procedures to
        insure consistency in admissions practices for its
        applicants presenting external evaluations.

     G.   Admission of Students Who Have Been Out of School More Than
          Three Years

        Students who have earned a high school diploma (or
        equivalent) with a minimum GPA equivalent to a C or
        better, but who are more than three years beyond high
        school enrollment, may be admitted without meeting the
        usual criteria for admission if the institution
        determines that the individuals applying have the
        potential for successful college work. This
        determination may be made by evaluation of successful
        work experiences, by portfolio assessment, and/or by
        placement testing.

     H.   Special Program Requirements

        With the approval of the President, an institution may
        establish additional requirements for admission to
        specified academic programs.

     I.   Admission to Two Institutions

        USM institutions that have established joint degree or
        cooperative programs with other institutions will
        outline procedures to permit students to be admitted
        simultaneously to two institutions to earn the targeted
        degree(s).

     J.   Exceptions

        Each institution may admit, to a maximum of 15 percent
        of its entering freshman class, students who do not meet
        the minimum qualifications outlined in sections I.A.-G.
        of this policy, but who show potential for success in
        postsecondary education.  Each institution shall develop
        written guidelines, in accordance with this policy,
        concerning individual admission.

        For those instances in which applicants have not
        completed all of the required courses for admission,
        each institution shall establish a method of assessment
        by which a student can demonstrate competence equivalent
        to having passed a required high school course to
        qualify for admission.

II.  ADMISSION OF TRANSFER STUDENTS⁵

     Each institution shall publish its own decision criteria
     that may be more rigorous than the systemwide minima stated
     below.

     A.   Minimum Requirements

         (1)  All transfer students must have a cumulative GPA of at least
              a 2.0 on a 4.0 scale, or its equivalent, for all attempted
              college-level work.

         (2)  Students who have completed 23 or fewer credits are required
              to meet minimum qualifications as set forth in Part I of this
              policy.

         (3)  Students transferring from institutions that are not
              regionally accredited shall demonstrate proficiencies comparable
              with Sections II.A.1 and 2.
         
     B.   Maryland Public Institutions Of Higher Education

         (1)  Students who have completed an associate's degree, or 56 or
              more credits of college/ university parallel courses with a
              minimum GPA of 2.0 from public institutions of higher education
              in Maryland, shall be admitted to a USM institution.  In cases
              where the number of applicants exceeds the number who can be
              accommodated, or where programs require higher performance
              standards, admissions decisions shall be based on criteria that
              provide fair and equal treatment for native and transfer students
              in accordance with COMAR Title 13B.06.01.02-1.

         (2)  Students wishing to transfer from public institutions of
              higher education in Maryland with fewer than 56 credits of
              college/university parallel coursework who would have met
              freshman requirements of the USM institution to which they are
              applying in the year they entered postsecondary education shall
              be admitted with a GPA of 2.0.  In cases where the number of
              applicants exceeds the number who can be accommodated, or where
              programs require higher performance standards, admissions
              decisions shall be based on criteria that provide fair and equal
              treatment for native and transfer students in accordance with
              COMAR Title 13B.06.01.02-1.

     C.   Admission to Two Institutions

        To facilitate the enrollment of transfer students and to
        enhance relationships with community colleges, USM
        institutions are strongly encouraged to establish
        agreements with community colleges to provide for dual
        admission of students who first matriculate at the
        community college.  The agreements shall stipulate
        requirements for eligibility, conditions for maintaining
        good academic standing, curricular requirements, and
        credit/grade transfer acceptance.
        
     D.   Providing Transfer Information

        Each institution shall participate in the systemwide
        computerized information system to assist prospective
        transfer students.  In cooperation with Maryland
        community colleges, programs shall be developed that
        represent the lower division course work required for
        completion of a baccalaureate degree at that
        institution.  Information about such recommended
        transfer programs, updated on a regular basis, shall be
        available to potential transfer students to serve as a
        basis for advisement and student planning.  Students
        will be encouraged to seek advisement on a regular
        basis.

     E.   Exceptions

        At the discretion of the receiving institution, transfer
        students with special circumstances may be admitted on
        the basis of criteria other than prior academic
        performance. Up to 15 percent of the institution's
        entering transfer cohort may comprise such exceptions.

III. ADMISSION OF SECOND BACCALAUREATE STUDENTS

     Each institution shall publish in its catalog procedures for
     admission of students seeking a second baccalaureate degree.

IV.  ADMISSION OF NON-DEGREE STUDENTS

     A.   Minimum Requirements

        Procedures for admitting non-degree students shall be
        established by each institution.  Criteria for changing
        from non-degree to degree status must be equivalent to,
        or exceed the minimum requirements set forth in this
        policy, sections II.A.1 and 2, for students transferring
        between Maryland public institutions.

     B.   Concurrent Enrollment

        Concurrent enrollment may be granted to a high school
        student who has demonstrated superior scholarship, as
        evidenced by his or her academic record or performance
        on standardized entrance examinations.  Each institution
        may allow such students to enroll in its undergraduate
        classes concurrently with their enrollment in high
        school.

V.   ADMISSION OF OUT-OF-STATE STUDENTS TO UNDERGRADUATE PROGRAMS

     Each institution may establish standards for out-of-state
     students that are higher than the undergraduate admission
     standards for in-state students.  If a choice must be made
     between applicants of roughly comparable ability and
     promise, preference should be given to the Maryland
     resident.

     Excluding UMUC students and all students enrolled
     exclusively in distance education programs, the number of
     out-of-state undergraduate students in any institution,
     shall not exceed 30 percent of its total undergraduate
     student body.

VI.  IMPLEMENTATION

     A.   Effective date

        Notice shall be provided local school systems and
        community colleges at least two years prior to the
        implementation of additional or modified course
        requirements in order that students may prepare to meet
        them.

     B.   Review Schedule

        Recognizing that Maryland is changing its high school
        graduation requirements to a proficiency-based system,
        this policy should be reviewed and revised as necessary
        to accommodate that transition.

     C.   Publication of Standards

        The USM shall publish the content, competencies,
        achievement levels, and skills required for success in
        college.  Each institution shall publish its admission
        standards in its catalog and shall submit them to
        University System of Maryland Office for information.

     D.   Maintenance of Records

        Each institution shall maintain in each enrolled
        student's record evidence that minimum criteria for
        admission have been met.  Lacking such evidence, the
        record shall contain a note that the student is an
        exception, and whether the exception was based on
        minimum GPA or demonstration of competency in the
        required courses.

     E.   Application Fee

        Each constituent institution in the University System of
        Maryland may assess a non-refundable admission
        application fee for each applicant, unless the fee is
        waived in accordance with institutional policy.


Replacement for:   BOR  I-1.00, 1.10, 1.11, 1.20, 1.30, 1.40,
                   1.50, 1.60, 1.80, 13.00 and
                   BOT  II-D.3, X-A.1, X-A.2, X-A.3, X-A.4, X-A.5, X-
                   A.7, X-A.8, X-A.9, X-A.11, and X-B

FootNotes:

[1]  A grade equivalent to a C or better in required courses
     would normally demonstrate the minimum level of preparation for
     college-level work.

[2]  The courses completed must be in at least two different
     subject areas.  Two of the three must include a laboratory
     experience.  For students interested in science-oriented careers
     (such as medicine, engineering, the sciences, veterinary
     medicine, physical therapy, etc.), four years of science are
     recommended in three different science areas, with three
     laboratory experiences.

[3]  The two units must be in the same language.  American Sign
     Language is among the languages accepted.

[4]  Students should consult the admissions office of the
     particular institution they are seeking to attend to determine if
     advanced technology is accepted in fulfillment of this
     requirement.

[5]  A transfer student has earned a total of twelve or more
     transferable credits during a regular term or terms following
     high school graduation.  Credits earned in courses taken during
     the first summer following high school graduation, concurrently
     with high school, by Advanced Placement, or by examination are
     not to be counted in the twelve.
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