Transfer Admission FAQs

The University designates certain majors as Limited Enrollment Programs (LEPs) to try to match student demand to the faculty, advising and instructional resources of that major. LEP majors have more limited capacity than other majors on the campus. Students who apply to LEP majors when they enter the University are reviewed for direct admission to an LEP major.  Current UMD students who were not directly admitted may apply to transfer internally to that major after they meet the appropriate Gateway courses and other requirements for that LEP.

• New freshmen applying to UMD for Fall 2027 admissions will be under the new LEP requirements.
• Internal transfer students who matriculate to UMD in Fall 2027 and beyond will fall under the new LEP requirements.
• MD Community College and USM Transfer Students
  • External transfer students who first matriculate to a MD community college or USM institution in Spring 2027 or earlier will follow the old LEP requirements.
  • External transfer students who first matriculate to a MD community college or USM institution in Fall 2027 or later will follow the new LEP requirements.
  • Engineering will honor students' original matriculation date for MD community college and USM transfer students through Spring 2030. Beginning with Fall 2030, all students will be subject to the new LEP policy, regardless of their original matriculation date.
• Non-USM Transfer Students
  • External transfer students transferring from a non-USM school or an out-of-state community college will follow the new LEP requirements beginning in Fall 2027 regardless of when they initially matriculated to college. 

Students currently enrolled in an engineering major who wish to change into Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering or who wish to add one of these four majors as a double major or double degree must follow the LEP application process in order to be considered for admission into their desired major. 

Current engineering students wishing to declare one of our majors that are not high-demand (see list above) do not need to submit an LEP application and may simply follow our change of major process. 

Current UMD students interested in declaring an engineering major should follow the internal LEP application process.

Current engineering majors have access to take Keystone courses appropriate for their major as well as any requirements specific to their declared major (e.g., Bioengineering students may register for BIOE courses). Students in General Engineering who wish to take an aerospace, electrical, or mechanical engineering course will need to request permission to register for the course as a non-major by completing a course permission form.

Students outside of the Clark School of Engineering will not have access to register for an engineering course, including our Keystone courses, without requesting permission. Students who are not declared as an engineering major may enroll in engineering courses on a space available basis with permission of the department. For more information on enrolling in engineering courses as a non-major or minor, please review our Course Permission for Non-Majors website.

Students who matriculated at UMD prior to Fall 2027 should refer to the LEP guidelines for students who matriculated prior to Fall 2027.

Students who matriculated to the University in Fall 2027 or later will follow the new LEP guidelines. Students who matriculated to UMD prior to Fall 2027 will follow the old LEP guidelines.

Students who matriculated prior to Fall 2027 who wish to change their major to Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering will need to enter the major prior to Fall 2030. This means that students will need to be admitted to the major no later than the Spring 2030 semester. Starting in Fall 2030, all students will fall under the LEP guidelines for students who matriculated in Fall 2027 or later.

Students who defer admission will follow the LEP guidelines at the time of their matriculation. Students who matriculate at the University in Fall 2027 or later should refer to the new LEP guidelines. 

Students who were admitted directly to one of our high-demand majors will not need to go through the Admissions process again. They will remain in their declared major and may defer their start date to a later term.

Students who matriculate at UMD as freshmen in Fall 2027 or later must follow the new LEP guidelines, regardless of whether or not they have completed transferable coursework, participated in early college programs, and/or participated in dual enrollment programs.

Students who matriculate at UMD as freshmen in Fall 2027 or later will follow the new LEP guidelines.

Admission to Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, and Mechanical Engineering is highly competitive. Academic record, co-curricular involvement, STEM-related research experience or personal projects, as well as college level honors and awards are considered in the admission decision. We strongly encourage students to share their academic and co-curricular experiences and career goals in their application. However, space is limited and not all applicants are guaranteed admission.

Students who meet the minimum gateway course requirements who are not invited to Aerospace Engineering, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or Mechanical Engineering will be invited to declare General Engineering. Students in General Engineering may then change their major to one of our other engineering majors where space is not as limited.

Students who are interested in adding an engineering major as a double major or double degree will need to go through the internal transfer application process.

Students who matriculated to a MD community college or USM school prior to Fall 2027 should refer to these LEP guidelines. Transfer students must successfully complete the Gateway requirements before applying.

Students who attend an out-of-state community college or a 4-year school that is not considered a USM institution will follow the new LEP guidelines beginning in fall 2027 regardless of when they originally matriculated to college.

Students should follow the admission policy for their most recently attended institution. If you transferred to a MD community college prior to Fall 2027, then you may submit an application following the old LEP guidelines. If you matriculated to the MD community college in Fall 2027 or later, then you should follow the new LEP guidelines.

Students who begin taking coursework at any community college or other 4-year school in Summer 2027 will fall under the new LEP guidelines. UMD operates on the semester system and does not recognize summer as a matriculation term.

Second Bachelor's degree students matriculating in Fall 2027 or later will follow the new LEP guidelines. Students who completed their first Bachelor's degree at UMD should work with the Student Success Office to complete the re-enrollment process. Students who completed their first Bachelor's degree at another institution should follow the transfer applicant admissions process. External transfer students who have completed all Gateway requirements before applying to UMD will be considered for direct admission to the major.

Students who matriculated prior to Fall 2027 who wish to follow the old LEP requirements will need to enter the major prior to Fall 2030. This means that students will need to be admitted to the major no later than the Spring 20230 semester. Starting in Fall 2030, all students will fall under the LEP guidelines for students who matriculated in Fall 2027 or later.

Please email transfer_engr@umd.edu with questions or if you need more information. Please allow three business days for a response.