university of maryland essay

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2024-25 University of Maryland (UMD) Supplemental Essays – Prompts & Advice

August 7, 2024

With nearly 60,000 applicants per year, you might think that the University of Maryland—College Park admissions committee would want to create a fast-paced assembly line for application reviews that is 99% based on hard numbers like GPA and SAT scores. Yet, in addition to those important data points and the 650-word Common App essay, prospective Terrapins are also asked to complete six short “Complete this Sentence” University of Maryland supplemental essays as part of a genuinely holistic admissions process. Today, we’ll explore the UMD supplemental essays.

 (Want to learn more about How to Get Into the University of Maryland—College Park? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into the University of Maryland: Admissions Data and Strategies  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

As the University of Maryland becomes more selective—the acceptance rate was just 45% last year—applicants need to find ways to stand out from the competition. Fortunately, these six short answer essays provide just such an opportunity. Below are the UMD supplemental essays for the 2024-25 admissions cycle along with tips about how to address each one.

UMD Supplemental Essays – 2024-25 Prompts

Applicants must complete each of the following fill-in-the-blank responses in 650 characters (not words!) max:

1) If I could travel anywhere, I would go to… (650 characters)

There’s nothing wrong with simply naming a popular and/or exotic city if you wish, but don’t feel like that is your sole option with this essay. For example, you could travel to see a particular painting in an art gallery in Finland. You could travel through time to have a conversation with 19th century women’s right’s hero Elizabeth Cady Stanton. You could travel to Montana’s Upper Missouri River Breaks National Monument to dig for dinosaur fossils alongside paleontologists. There is no shortage of ways to create an answer that contains more depth and meaning than simply saying “Paris, because it has beautiful architecture.”

2) The most interesting fact I ever learned from research was… (650 characters)

“But wait, I’m a 17/18-year-old who has done some experiments in Chemistry class, but I didn’t exactly win a Nobel Prize for learning how to safely use a Bunsen burner.” Applicants sometimes panic when they first read this question. However, the only expectation is that you cite a finding from someone else’s research that you found meaningful and enlightening. If you aren’t interested in the hard sciences, that’s perfectly fine! There is plenty of research that takes place outside of the STEM realm. Some ideas include:

• Environment/climate

UMD Supplemental Essays (Continued)

3) in addition to my major, my academic interests include… (650 characters).

Note the operative phrase here—“In addition to my major.” This is a chance to talk about one or more of your academic passions that are a) an extension of your major b) separate from your major or c) part of an interdisciplinary connection between your major and another discipline.

Of course, the second key word here is “academic” so you’ll want to make sure that the subject or subjects you wish to discuss are at least somewhat related to an area that could be studied in college. Use this prompt to showcase your diverse interests and intellectual passions and remember that “academic” in a college setting means more than just straight subjects like high school biology, geometry, or world history. In a collegiate setting, there are academic offerings in psychology, art, criminal justice, philosophy, artificial intelligence, and hundreds of other expansive and intriguing options so don’t feel overly constrained!

4) My favorite thing about last Friday was… (650 characters)

You could look back at your Google Calendar or old texts in a quest to uncover whether last Friday was the day you reheated beef stroganoff for dinner or whether that was the night you ordered Uber Eats from Chipotle while studying for a Calculus final. However, there is another way to reimagine the question which removes “last Friday’s” random and limiting presence altogether. Instead, change the question to, “What is something that has happened to me recently that may have seemed small/everyday-ish, but truly mattered to me and communicates something about my character/personality?”

Think of this prompt as a chance to show off your skills of observation and reflection. Even in 650 characters, try to paint a picture of your appreciation for one of life’s small moments.

5) Something you might not know about me is.. (650 characters)

During an admissions interview, the conversation between an applicant and an admissions officer has the chance to veer into more personal territory. During this exchange, commonalities are revealed and a human connection is forged. Unfortunately, the University of Maryland is not able to offer evaluative interviews. Therefore you should think of this question as a substitute chance to become more than just a name on an application. Whether you decide to pick something light and humorous or sincere and vulnerable (either is perfectly fine), aim for something that cannot be gleaned elsewhere in your application materials.

One example of what not to do would be to say, “I work as a camp counselor in the summer” if that was already listed in the Activities section.

6) Because we know that diversity benefits the educational experience of all students, the University of Maryland values diversity in all of its many forms.  This includes (but is not limited to) racial, socio-economic, gender, geographical, and sexual orientation.  We are interested in hearing about your own individual life experiences.  In a few sentences, will you please describe how you have learned, grown, been inspired or developed skills through one or more components of diversity.  (650 characters)

Remember, diversity can apply to race, ethnicity, religion, socioeconomic status, and gender. Even diversity of thought and political ideology are on the table here. The goal is to think about your experiences and observations in this realm—is there a particular situation, challenge, or aspect of your own (or someone else’s) identity that has enabled you to learn or grow in this area? Perhaps you’ve learned how to advocate for yourself or someone else, been exposed to a new way of thinking, learned how to have difficult conversations, educated others, or been inspired by a peer’s story. Bottom line: there are many possible options here, and UMD wants to understand how you would contribute to and/or support diverse spaces on campus.

How important are the UMD supplemental essays?

The essays at the University of Maryland are an “important” factor in their evaluation process, alongside class rank, recommendations, talent/ability, first-generation status, and state residency. This ranks higher than factors such as extracurricular activities, legacy status, or work experience.

Want personalized assistance with your UMD supplemental essays?

If you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your UMD supplemental essays, we encourage you to get a quote  today.

Hoping for more writing resources? Check out the following blogs:

• Common App Essay Prompts
• 10 Instructive Common App Essay Examples
• College Application Essay Topics to Avoid
• How to Quickly Format Your Common App Essay
• Should I Complete Optional College Essays?
• How to Brainstorm a College Essay
• 25 Inspiring College Essay Topics
• “Why This College?” Essay Examples
• How to Write the Community Essay
• College Essay

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Application support for those affected by Hurricanes Helene and Milton

The University of Maryland extends heartfelt support to you and your community following the devastation of Hurricanes Helene and Milton. If you or your students need assistance regarding the application deadline, please contact us at [email protected]

Freshman Application FAQs

Have questions about the University of Maryland (UMD) application process? We have answers. Save time by reviewing these frequently asked questions about the freshman application before contacting the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

Applying to UMD

Freshman students applying to UMD can do so using either the Common App or ApplyWeb .

The freshman early action deadline for fall admission is November 1. If you submit a completed application by this deadline, you will receive priority consideration for admission to the university, merit-based scholarships and special programs . For more information, please review our complete listing of all application deadlines.

The November 1 early action deadline is non-binding. If you are admitted, you will have until May 1 to confirm your enrollment at UMD.

If you are unable to complete your application by the November 1 early action deadline, you can still be considered for admission if you submit a completed application and all required materials by the January 20 regular deadline.

Applications completed after the regular application deadline will only be reviewed on a rolling, space-available basis.

You can choose from a selection of essay questions. Please visit our Essay Questions page for more information.

The undergraduate admissions process is rigorous and individualized. UMD employs a holistic review process that utilizes 24 unique review factors .

Application Platforms

No. UMD employs a holistic review process that utilizes 24 unique review factors . The Admission Committee will undertake an individualized, rigorous and holistic review of each application, assessing academic merit, achievements and potential in the context of the opportunities and challenges the student faced.

No. The application fee is $75 on both platforms.

You can begin using the Common App at any point in your high school career. Once you create an account , you can complete the Common App tab and add schools to the My Colleges list.

You can begin using the ApplyWeb platform at any time. Once you create an account , you can access the Profile, Locker and Colleges sections to organize items for your college application.

To share your contact information with UMD on the Common App, you must first create an account, opt-in to receiving messages from colleges and add UMD to your My Colleges list. Information entered on the Common App tab will later be incorporated directly into your application(s) when you begin the application process.

To share your contact information with UMD on the ApplyWeb platform, you must first create an account and complete your profile. Profile information will later be transferred directly to your ApplyWeb applications when you begin the application process.

If you are experiencing challenges with the Common App platform, account creation and/or password issues, you should seek assistance via the Common App’s Solutions Center .

For assistance with ApplyWeb account creation, password issues and any challenges with the platform or tools, please contact ApplyWeb's Support Center .

Application process and status questions should be emailed to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at [email protected] .

Completing Your Application

For an application to be complete, all items on the application checklist must be submitted and received by our office. Only completed applications will be reviewed and receive an admissions decision.

In Common App, counselors/teachers you've added to your "Invite and Manage Recommenders" list will be able to electronically submit your official transcript(s) through the School Report in addition to your letters of recommendation. This can be completed even after you've submitted your UMD application.

In ApplyWeb, counselors/teachers you've sent requests to will be able to electronically submit your official transcript(s) and letters of recommendation. This can be completed even after you've submitted your UMD application.

For a list of acceptable submission methods, review our Submitting Documents page. Items submitted outside of Common App or ApplyWeb can take up to 10 business days to process and reflect in your Terps Application Portal checklist.

Yes. UMD requires two letters of recommendation for a completed application: one from your school counselor and one from a teacher. If you have additional letters of recommendation you would like to submit, please feel free to do so.

Yes, we superscore both the SAT and ACT. We use the highest subscores from the SAT and ACT in our review of your application, so it is to your benefit to submit all of your test scores. Please note that we will accept scores from the redesigned SAT , first administered in March 2016, but these scores will not be combined with scores from the old SAT.

No, we do not require subject tests or scores from the writing sections of the SAT or ACT. Even if these scores are sent to us, they are not one of the 24 factors we review for admission.

Test Optional

Yes. UMD is currently test-optional and has extended this policy through to the Spring and Fall 2025 application cycles. This means that students applying between now and Fall 2025 will not be required to submit standardized test scores. Students can decide whether or not to include SAT/ACT scores with their application.

UMD first implemented its test-optional policy due to the limitations of testing in some areas hardest hit by the COVID-19 pandemic. UMD is currently assessing the impact of this policy on our students and the admission process to inform its standardized test score requirement for application cycles beyond Fall 2025.

You will be able to indicate your test-optional status on your application.

No. Once you submit your application, your response to the test-optional question will be final and your status cannot be changed.

The Admission Committee will not consider submitted SAT/ACT test scores in the application review if the student has indicated that they would like their application to be evaluated without them.

The Admission Committee uses a holistic, full-file review. This means the Committee will consider all factors of your application including grades earned in academic coursework, trends in your grades, your performance in honors, International Baccalaureate and Advanced Placement, A/AS level courses (when available in your school), your letters of recommendation, your essay, extracurricular activities and other achievements.

Yes. The review processes for merit scholarships and for our living-learning and other special programs will also be test-optional.

The review processes for Limited Enrollment Programs will also be test-optional.

Yes. Standardized tests such as the Duolingo English Test, the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) are still required for non-native English speakers. To learn more about this requirement, please visit our English Language Proficiency page.

After Submitting Your Application

You can track your application status and confirm receipt of application materials online through the Terps Application Portal (TAP). Within two business days after submitting your application, you will receive an email with instructions on how to create a TAP account. It may take up to 10 business days for recently submitted materials to be listed as received on your checklist and it is your responsibility to confirm receipt of all required materials.

Standardized test scores can take several weeks to process and be received by our office. Please confirm that the testing agency submitted your scores to the University of Maryland, College Park, using the SAT code 5814 or ACT code 1746. Applicants often send their scores to other institutions in the University System of Maryland by mistake.

If your scores were sent to the University of Maryland, College Park, confirm that the first, middle and last names indicated on your test are the same as those used on your application. Different spellings can result in scores not matching with application files.

If you have confirmed both of these details and still have questions, please email us at [email protected] for assistance.

Only materials received or postmarked by the deadline will be reviewed for admission. We cannot guarantee that new scores or materials received or postmarked after the deadline will be reviewed as part of your application

If you listed the incorrect social security number on your application, please email us at [email protected] using the subject line "SSN Error" and include your full name, date of birth and a message regarding the mistake. Do not include your corrected number or a copy of your card in your email to our office. Once we receive your email, we will provide you with next steps for resolving this issue.

If you intend to apply for financial aid using the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA), it is important that you include your social security number on your application to ensure your FAFSA information is processed correctly.

Please email us at [email protected] using the subject line "App Demographic Info Changes". In the body of the email, please write your full name, date of birth and the high school you attend along with any demographic information that should be updated.

Our office will send you an email notification when your admission decision is ready. When you receive this email, you can view your admission decision online by logging in to your Terps Application Portal . For security and privacy reasons, we cannot reveal admission decisions over the phone or email.

If you are offered admission to UMD, you will also receive a general welcome letter from our office in the mail a few days later. Unlike the virtual letter, this hard copy will not include your major or university identification number (UID).

We are most interested in how you performed in your high school courses. Admission decisions will be based primarily on factors typically submitted in the application, although college credit may be used as one additional piece of information.

Costs & Aid

Visit the Office of Student Financial Aid website to review the estimated tuition and fees for UMD.

If you submit a completed application by the November 1 early action deadline, you will automatically be reviewed for all merit scholarships. No separate application is required.

If you plan to seek need-based financial aid, you should complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You can submit your FAFSA prior to completing your UMD admission application. Be sure to include your social security number when submitting both your FAFSA and UMD application. We encourage you to review the Office of Student Financial Aid's website for information on the financial aid process and FAFSA FAQs .

UMD's priority deadline for submitting the 2024-25 FAFSA is April 1, 2024 . Our school code is 002103.

There are various types of financial aid available at UMD which can be classified as either need-based, meaning you and your family are not able to cover education expenses, or non-need based, which generally refers to aid you receive based on merit or qualification.

For admitted freshman students who applied by the November 1 early action deadline, financial aid decisions will be released electronically as soon as possible . Students awarded a merit scholarship will receive an email notification by April 1. Admitted freshman students who applied by the January 20 regular deadline are not considered for merit scholarships but will be notified in early April.

In order to qualify for in-state tuition, you must prove that you (or your parent/guardian if you're a financially dependent student) are a financially contributing citizen of the state of Maryland and have been so for at least one full year (12 consecutive months). To demonstrate eligibility for Maryland residency, you must submit the residency questionnaire portion of the admission application. Residency can be determined by factors such as holding a Maryland driver’s license, paying Maryland taxes and proving that the primary reason for living in Maryland is not to attend the university. For the full policy, please visit the Office of the Registrar 's website.

You may be eligible to receive these benefits at UMD. Information regarding veteran benefits can be found on the Office of the Registrar website.

We do not need proof of military service and other related documentation until after you are offered admission to the university.

There is a lot more to learn about UMD, so let's stay in touch!

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How to Write the University of Maryland Supplemental Essays 2024–2025

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University of Maryland (UMD) is renowned for its innovative research programs and support for entrepreneurship . UMD’s accomplished alumni include Google co-founder Sergey Brin, comedian Larry David, and Carly Fiorina, the first woman to lead a Fortune Top-20 company. Hoping to follow in their footsteps? First, you’ll need to master the UMD supplemental essays. Let’s dive in.

University of Maryland’s 2024-2025 Prompts

If i could travel anywhere, i would go to… (650 characters or fewer), the most interesting fact i ever learned from research was… (650 characters or fewer), in addition to my major, my academic interests include… (650 characters or fewer), my favorite thing about last friday was… (650 characters or fewer), something you might not know about me is… (650 characters or fewer), because we know that diversity benefits the educational experience of all students, the university of maryland values diversity in all of its many forms. this includes (but is not limited to) racial, socio-economic, gender, geographical, and sexual orientation. we are interested in hearing about your own individual life experiences. in a few sentences, will you please describe how you have learned, grown, been inspired or developed skills through one or more components of diversity. (650 characters or fewer), we’ll review your essay.

Receive edits in as little as 24 hours

General Tips

These six prompts are unique among supplemental essay questions asked by universities. Instead of requiring a word count, each prompt has a character count of 650 or fewer. This works out to approximately 90-150 words, depending on how long your words are and how close you come to hitting the character limit. Put differently, these are very short essays. Only a couple sentences will be required for each question.

The admissions officers at UMD ask these questions to learn about who you are as a person. Because of this, you can and should bring your authentic self to the page. Humor is welcome in these responses, as long as you still appropriately answer the question at hand.

In order order to write your UMD supplemental essays effectively, you will need to be concise and precise. Avoid passive voice, roundabout language, and nonessential descriptive language. When possible, use specific details to make your points, and avoid generalizations. Keeping these general tips in mind during your writing and editing process will help bring your UMD supplemental essays to the next level.

UMD Supplemental Essays

All of the UMD supplemental essays are required, so it may be useful to read through the questions before beginning your drafts in order to get a sense of the scope you’re working with. Now, let’s break each prompt down.

For a college essay prompt, this is a relatively fun, light-hearted question. That said, it has more layers than might be discerned at first glance. You don’t have to take the question literally: consider time travel, intergalactic travel, etc. What if you could travel to the interior of the mitochondria? What if you could follow the trajectory of the asteroid that struck the Yucatán Peninsula? Or what if you could travel to the future to see the impact of AI on human society?

In order to bring your most creative, genuine answer to the page, you might want to invest in a brainstorming session. Make a list of 8-10 different places (or times) you could, hypothetically, travel to. Then, narrow down your list to the few that seem most enjoyable to write about. Make sure that the ideas you narrow down to are manageable enough to write about in 650 characters or fewer. Then, write a couple sentences about each idea and choose your favorite for this essay topic.

This brainstorming process might sound like more work than necessary, but the process is likely to produce a much more original and engaging essay than just writing about the first thing that pops into your head. Of course, you can also modify this process to suit your working style. Whatever you do, have fun with it, and don’t hesitate to get creative in this response, perhaps more than any of the other UMD supplemental essays.

This prompt is open-ended, just like the first one. Note the prompt’s usage of the word “research.” In order to narrow down the many interesting facts that you surely know, consider the occasions when you have researched topics. This research counts whether it was big or small, but if you have any larger-scale, higher-commitment research projects under your belt, this essay could be your opportunity to share some of that research with the reader.

The prompt specifically requests one fact that you have learned from research. Therefore, be sure to distill your response’s topic to a single piece of information, even if you describe more details relating to the fact in the essay as well. Given the low character count mandated for this essay, though, you may just want to stick to the fact, brief context as to how you researched this fact, and why you find it interesting.

This response can go in many different directions. If your academic interests are numerous, feel free to list them with only the briefest explanations. On the other hand, if you have fewer, but deeper interests, then you may want to list just two or three additional interests with a bit more explanation.

Regardless of how much explanation you have space to provide, bear in mind the following:

• You list more than one academic interest .
• Your academic interests are distinct from your major .
• This list should not be exhaustive .

To address each of the above points, you might notice that the prompt asks for academic interests , plural. Second, these interests are in addition to your major (thus, they do not include and are not overlapping with your major). Third, you’re asked to list what your academic interests include , meaning that these are not all of your academic interests.

In other words, the admissions team would like to see that you are broadly curious, even outside of your chosen discipline. This is because well-rounded students are often assets to academic communities. These students tend to bring multifaceted perspectives, develop interdisciplinary research, and connect with peers across departments.

Think about all the classes in high school that you have enjoyed, outside the area you’ve chosen to major in. Consider the topics you’ve enjoyed reading about or watching documentaries on. If any of the topics you’ve enjoyed learning about are studied in academic contexts, then they can work for this answer.

This is another question seeking out your personality and individuality. Contrary to popular belief, admissions officers aren’t looking to fill classes with like-minded people. Instead, they seek to build communities full of diversity. This includes diversity of personality and life experience. By describing your favorite thing about last Friday, you bring a bit of your personality and life experience to your application.

If you’re struggling to see how this essay response fits into the larger picture of your college application, consider the parts of you that haven’t made it into your application. Is it your fun-loving relationship with your younger sister? The joy you find in skateboarding with friends after school? Your excitement when your favorite YouTuber uploads a new video? Think expansively, and see if any of those parts of you fit into last Thursday.

Alternatively, write up a brief list of everything that happened last Friday. Once you’ve settled on your favorite thing about the day, consider turning your short essay into a narrative (that is, a story). If 650 characters or fewer seems like not enough space to craft a real story with a beginning, middle, and end, look up “Six Word Memoirs” for inspiration. There are thousands available online, and they demonstrate the power you can imbue in just a few words.

This essay question gives you another opportunity to zoom out and consider all the parts of you that have or have not made it into your college application. Although this prompt is set up to expect a surprising conclusion to the sentence, remember that the UMD admissions officers don’t know much about you. The way you would finish this sentence when writing to a friend or family member is very different than the way you would finish it when writing to a stranger.

Therefore, a way to rephrase this prompt is, “Something I would like you to know about me is… ” Phrased this way, the essay becomes less about giving the reader a surprising, exciting piece of information and more about filling in one of your application’s blanks. You can take this essay as an opportunity to explain a confusing part of your academic profile. You could also share a quirky skill you’ve developed. Alternatively, you could describe an aspect of your personality that otherwise wouldn’t come through on the page. The options are almost endless.

Moreover, there might be something that you thought about writing into your last essay (”My favorite thing about last Thursday was… ”), but that didn’t happen last Thursday. If so, this essay response is your opportunity to write about it!

This is an expansive essay question that asks you to explore the role diversity has had in your life. However, like the more light-hearted essay questions above, you’re still restricted to 650 characters or fewer. In other words, this prompt, perhaps more than the rest of the UMD supplemental essays, presents a tall order.

If you’re stuck on ideas, here a few mini-prompts to get you started:

• Describe a conversation you’ve had that was influenced by the differences between you and your conversation partner. In other words, if you are your conversation partner shared all the same identities, the conversation would have gone differently.
• Describe an occasion when an aspect of your identity impacted a significant decision in your life.
• Explain how you gained a new perspective through encountering diversity.
• Explain how you have changed as person after encountering different types of people.
• Describe a travel experience you have had that significantly impacted on your worldview.

Note that UMD defines “diversity” broadly, writing that it “includes (but is not limited to) racial, socio-economic, gender, geographical, and sexual orientation.” Therefore, if you hold an identity that isn’t covered by the most standard definition of diversity, that doesn’t mean you can’t write about it.

That said, because of the limited space in which to answer this essay question, don’t feel pressure to write about a very complex identity or life experience. This essay question should be taken seriously, but you don’t have to cover a lot of ground to write an effective essay. Keep your answer focused and specific!

If you need help polishing up your UMD supplemental essays, check out our College Essay Review service. You can receive detailed feedback from Ivy League consultants in as little as 24 hours.

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