Apply to USM

Start your application process to the University of Southern Maine (USM) right here. You'll find checklists, deadlines, and instructions for applying as an undergraduate or graduate student. If you have any questions, the Admissions team is ready to help.

Undergraduate: Common Application

Undergraduate: University of Maine System Application

Undergraduate: Certificate Application

Graduate: Degree and Certificate Applications

Undergraduate Degree Application Process

First Year & Homeschooled Applicants

  • Completed application form: Common Application, University of Maine System application, or paper .
  • All applicants apply for free.
  • Official transcript sent by the high school, listing all courses and grades received to date; or official General Education Diploma (GED); or High School Equivalency Test (HiSET).
    • If homeschooled, transcript must show date of graduation, or annual assessment of courses completed, and should be signed by the person responsible for homeschooling the student.
  • Official SAT or ACT test scores sent directly from the testing agency or included on official high school transcript.
    • If you are applying for Fall 2020 enrollment: Submitting test scores is optional for all undergraduate applicants except those applying for a BS in Nursing.
    • If you are applying for Spring 2021, Summer 2021, or Fall 2021 enrollment: Submitting test scores is optional for all undergraduate applicants.
  • Completed school counselor statement and/or letter of recommendation.
    • If homeschooled, the statement and/or letter should be sent from someone outside the student’s family.
  • Completed personal statement/essay (recommended).
  • Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score (may be required of those applicants whose primary language is not English).
  • Nursing applicants:
  • Performing arts applicants:

Adult & Transfer Applicants

  • Completed application form: University of Maine System application or paper .
  • All applicants apply for free.
  • Official final high school transcript that certifies the date of high school graduation; or official General Education Diploma (GED); or High School Equivalency Test (HiSET).
    • This is not required if you have completed an associate's or bachelor's degree from a regionally accredited institution at the time the application is submitted.
  • Official transcripts from all colleges attended, whether or not credit was earned, sent directly from each institution.
  • Completed personal statement/essay (recommended).
  • Resume: If you have had a significant gap (three or more years) since your last experience in education, it is recommended you submit a resume or list of life experiences.
  • Official SAT or ACT scores.
    • If you are applying for Fall 2020 enrollment: Submitting test scores is optional for all undergraduate applicants except those applying for a BS in Nursing.
      • BS in Nursing applicants: These scores are not required if you have completed more than 12 post-high school college credits or if you are at least 20 years old at the time you submit your application.
    • If you are applying for Spring 2021, Summer 2021, or Fall 2021 enrollment: Submitting test scores is optional for all undergraduate applicants.
  • Official Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores may be required of applicants whose primary language is not English.
  • International College Transcript Evaluation: Official evaluation of college-level transcripts from a USM-approved transcript analysis agency.
  • Nursing applicants:
  • Performing arts applicants:

International Applicants

Re-entry Admission Materials

Admission and Financial Aid Deadlines

Priority filing dates indicate when information should be received by the University. The dates upon which we receive your application and then enrollment deposit may impact other factors, including financial aid awards, priorities for on-campus housing, orientation dates, and course selection. Please note the following dates, references, and deadlines.

Admission Deadlines

Fall Semester

  • December 1 — Early Action deadline.
  • February 1 — BS in Nursing deadline for transfer students.
  • February 1 — Priority filing application date and Traditional BS in Nursing deadline.
  • May 1 — Priority enrollment deposit date.
  • July 1 — International student application deadline.
  • August 15 — Deadline for application and all supporting materials to be received by Admissions.

Spring Semester*

  • November 15 — International student application deadline.
  • December 1 — Priority filing application date.
  • January 2 — Priority enrollment deposit date.

*Admission will not be granted to nursing applicants (with the exception of RN to BS in Nursing program) for the spring semester.

Summer Semester

  • May 1 — Priority deadline.
  • October 1 — Accelerated BS in Nursing application deadline.

Rolling Admissions

Applications are accepted throughout the year and are reviewed on a rolling admission cycle. The application deadline for students who want to enroll in the fall semester is August 15.

Although applications will be reviewed throughout the year, we recommend students complete their applications by the priority filing date of February 1. All students who want to be considered for academic scholarships must have their completed application on file by the February 15 scholarship consideration deadline.

Nursing program applicants: First-year Nursing applicants and transfer students must submit an application by February 1.

Early Action

Students that submit an undergraduate admission application by December 1 — and provide all supporting materials by December 15 — to apply for the following fall semester will be guaranteed an admission decision by January 15.

Students offered admission to the University through an Early Action application, must respond to the offer by May 1.

Financial Aid Deadlines

In order to be considered for financial aid, you must submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). For fall applicants, this form should be filed either electronically or through the mail by January 15, in order for the federal data to be received by Student Financial Services on schedule.

Fall 2020 Applicants

  • January 15 – FAFSA application filing deadline.
  • Beginning March 15 – Financial aid award notification.

Spring 2021 Applicants

  • Spring semester applicants should file their FAFSA as soon as they apply for Admission.

Application for financial aid submitted after the stated deadlines will be reviewed only to the extent that funds remain available throughout the spring. For more information, visit Student Financial Services or call (207) 780-5250.

Application Fee

All applicants apply for free.

Standardized Test Scores

SAT & ACTs

Beginning with the 2020-2021 academic year, undergraduate degree applicants will no longer be required to submit SAT or ACT test scores to be considered for admission (this includes BS in Nursing).

Applicants may submit SAT or ACT scores as reported on the official high school transcript, or directly from the Educational Testing Service (ETS) or the American College Testing Program (ACT). If you did not previously request that your scores be sent to USM (CEEB code #3691) from ETS or ACT, you may do so by contacting ETS at collegeboard.org or by contacting ACT at act.org.

TOEFL and IELTS

International and non-native English speaking students should submit their Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) scores. The University of Southern Maine accepts score reports sent directly from the testing agency.

Advanced Placement Tests and International Baccalaureate

The University of Southern Maine recognizes the Advanced Placement Tests and the International Baccalaureate program, and may grant placement and credit toward graduation for superior performance. Please contact the Office for Prior Learning Assessment for additional information at (207) 780-4663, or toll-free 1-800-800-4876, ext. 4663.

Where to Send Admission Materials

Send all Undergraduate Admissions official transcripts* and other supporting materials to:

Application Processing Center
University of Maine System
P.O. Box 412
Bangor, ME 04402-0412

Colleges and universities that participate in electronic submission of transcripts can send official transcripts to edocs@maine.edu.

* A transcript is official when it comes directly from the institution. If an applicant is submitting an official transcript, it must be in a sealed envelope from the institution indicating that it is an official document. If the envelope has been opened prior to arriving at the Office of Admissions, it is no longer considered an official transcript.

Graduate Degree Program Application Process

Application Instructions by Program

Master’s Degree Programs

Doctoral Degree Programs

International Student Instructions

In addition to the standard application materials, international students must also provide the following materials before their application will be reviewed:

  • International College Transcript Evaluation: Official evaluation of college-level transcripts from a USM-approved transcript analysis agency.
  • Declaration of Finances accompanied by the appropriate financial documentation.
  • The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) may be required from international applicants and/or applicants whose primary language is not English, unless the applicant has received a degree from an English-speaking institution. Official scores need to be submitted as part of the application process.
    • Only applicants with TOEFL scores of 79 or higher on the internet-based test 550 or higher on the paper-based test, or 213 or higher on the computer-based test; or IELTS scores of 6.5 or higher will be considered for admission to a graduate program.
  • Additional resources are available for international applicants.
  • Creative Writing (MFA) applicants only: Please review additional information regarding residency requirements through our Office of International Programs.

English Proficiency Test Scores

Official English proficiency examination scores are required from international applicants and/or applicants whose primary language is not English, unless the applicant has received a degree from an English-speaking institution. The University of Southern Maine accepts the following score reports sent directly from the testing agency. TOEFL scores of 79 or higher on the internet-based test, 550 or higher on the paper-based test, or 213 or higher on the computer-based test; or IELTS scores of 6.5 or higher will be considered for a graduate program.

Where to Send Admission Materials

If we receive application materials such as test scores or recommendations before your application arrives, we will keep them in a holding file to add to your folder once the application is submitted. If you choose to collect all application materials yourself and mail or deliver everything to us at once, do not open any official transcripts or recommendation letters. Once submitted, all application materials become USM property and will not be returned.

Please send all application materials to the following address:

Application Processing Center
University of Maine System
P.O. Box 412
Bangor, ME 04402-0412

Electronic submissions of official transcripts and other application materials (resume, essay, etc) can be emailed to edocs@maine.edu.

Applications in Progress

It is the responsibility of the applicant to ensure that his or her application is complete by the applicable deadline date.

  • Check Status-Account Activation Required: If you have submitted an application and have received your account activation letter from our office, follow the link below to activate your account.
  • Check Status-Account Activation Complete: If you have already activated your account, and you wish to check on the status of your application, follow this link to MaineStreet.

Certificate Application Process

Undergraduate Certificates

Undergraduate certificates provide students with a solid foundation in a chosen area of study and in a variety of career fields. These certificates can be pursued in conjunction with a major or independently.

Application Requirements

Candidates for admission must submit: 

  • Online application
  • Official transcripts or copies of official transcripts from secondary school and/or all colleges and universities from which you received a degree
  • Applicants who are not currently enrolled at USM: Provide high school transcript; or General Education Diploma (GED); or High School Equivalency Test (HiSET)
    • If homeschooled, transcript must show date of graduation, or annual assessment of courses completed, and should be signed by the person responsible for homeschooling the student.
  • Some programs specify additional admission requirements. Browse the program list below for details.

Please note, students who are enrolled solely in an undergraduate certificate program are not eligible for Federal financial aid. 

Programs with Additional Admission Requirements

  • Event Planning and Management: Resume also required.
  • Gerontology: Resume also required.
  • Risk Management and Insurance: This program is open to non-matriculated USM students only.

Post-Baccalaureate Undergraduate Certificates

Undergraduate certificates provide students with a solid foundation in a chosen area of study and in a variety of career fields. A bachelor’s degree is required in order to complete these certificate programs.

Application Requirements

Candidates for admission must submit:

  • Online application
  • Official transcripts or copies of official transcripts from secondary school and/or all colleges and universities from which you received a degree 
  • Some programs are open to non-matriculated USM students only. Browse the program list below for details.

Please note, students who are enrolled solely in an undergraduate certificate program are not eligible for Federal financial aid. 

Programs open to non-matriculated USM students only

  • Accounting
  • Actuarial Science

Certificates of Graduate Study

A bachelor’s degree or higher is required in order to pursue a Graduate Certificate.

Admission Materials

  • All applicants: Submit the online application
  • Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Priority filing deadlines may apply for some programs.
  • Application requirements vary by program.
  • Browse the links below for details.

Graduate Certificate Programs

Certificates of Advanced Study

A master’s degree or higher is required to pursue a Certificate of Advanced Study.

Admission Materials

Certificate of Advanced Study Programs

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