Graduate Admissions FAQs

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What programs are offered?
What are the application deadlines for Fall 2010?
What materials do I need to include in my application?
Where do I send the application materials?
What financial assistance is available?
Where can I find more information?

What programs are offered?
Master of Architecture (ARCH)
Master of Community Planning (CMPL)
Master of Historic Preservation (HISP)
Master of Real Estate Development (RDEV)
Ph.D. Urban and Regional Planning and Design (URPD)
Joint Master of Architecture and Master of Community Planning (ARCP)
Joint Master of Architecture and Master of Historic Preservation (ARHP)
Joint Master of Community Planning and J.D. (LCPL)
Joint Master of Community Planning and Master of Historic Preservation (CPHP)
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What are the application deadlines for Fall 2010?

Note: The deadlines listed here apply to domestic applicants only;  for non-US Citizens, or for an application with one or more transcripts from institutions located outside the US, please consult the graduate catalogue for the appropriate programs.

For all programs except Real Estate Development:

• December 16, 2009 for Part I (initial online application) and Part II (ASF)
• January 1, 2010 for transcripts and recommendations
• January 16, 2010 for ARCH, ARCP and ARHP portfolios

For Real Estate Development:

• Fall Term (late August 2010)
• April 15, 2010 - domestic applicants
• March 1, 2010 - preferred consideration and international applicants


• Spring Term (beginning January 2010)
• July 15, 2009 - international applicants
• September 15, 2009 - preferred consideration (domestic)
• November 1, 2009 - domestic applicants

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What materials do I need to include in my application?

1. Online Graduate Application (Part I).
   Click the link above to begin the online application. When prompted for the program code, enter the four-letter code for the program of interest from the listing above.
   
   
2. Online Application Supplemental Form (ASF) (Part II).
   After electronically submitting the Online Graduate Application (Part I), the applicant will receive an e-mail from graduate admissions providing a system login and password in order to file the ASF (Part II). This e-mail usually arrives within two business days of submitting Part I online, but in peak times may take three to five business days.
   
   
3. Transcripts.
   Applicants must request transcripts to be forwarded to the Graduate Admissions Office from each institution where undergraduate or prior graduate work was undertaken. Sealed envelopes of transcripts that meet the requirements below may be submitted; copies will not suffice. Transcripts of course work and degrees from University of Maryland need not be submitted.
   Transcripts must bear the signature of the registrar and seal of the granting institution and should include the years of attendance, courses taken, grades received, class standing and any degree, certificate or diploma received. If you anticipate a serious delay in official transcripts arriving, you may submit unofficial copies to the School (see submission addresses below) for review purposes only. Official admission (and registration for classes) cannot occur until all official transcripts have been received by the Graduate Admissions Office.
   
   
4. Letters of Recommendation.
   Three recommendations are required from professors or others who can assess the quality of the applicant’s potential to succeed in the graduate program they have selected. For RDEV students with experience in real estate, up to two of the recommendations may be from industry references. Part II, the online ASF, provides an electronic recommendation form, which facilitates submission and receipt in most cases. Applicants can also download the Recommendation Letter Forms and add the applicant’s full name, so that the Graduate School can attach the recommendation letter upon receipt. All recommendations must be submitted directly to the Graduate
   School by the person providing the recommendation (online or in a sealed envelope).
   
   
5. Statement of Goals, Experiences and Research Interests (1000–2000 words).
   All programs require applicants to prepare a statement of their goals and objectives in pursuing graduate study. This should be submitted using the online ASF.
   
   
6. Resume.
   All programs require applicants to provide an up-to-date resume using the online ASF.
   
   
7. Graduate Record Examination (GRE) scores.
   For all programs except Real Estate Development:
   A GRE score is required to be sent directly to the University by the testing Authority. The Institutional Code for the GRE and GMAT is 5814.
   For Real Estate Development:
   GRE or GMAT scores are accepted. Applicants with 5 or more years of experience may request a waiver. The waiver request may be included in the Statement of Goals.
   
   
8. Portfolio (ARCH, ARCP and ARHP applicants only).
   Portfolios must be submitted directly to the School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation. They should be bound and should not exceed 9” x 12”. The portfolio 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 should 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.
   
   
9. Writing Sample (HISP applicants only).
   A writing sample must be submitted via the online ASF (Part II) for all HISP program applicants.
   
   
10. International Applicants.
    Additional documents must be submitted in accordance with requirements of the University’s Office of International Education Services.

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Where do I send the application materials?

Submit Part I and Part II (ASF) application and supplemental materials ONLINE. Submit your Online Application (Part I) before submitting any other materials. A non-refundable application fee of $60.00 is payable upon submission of the online application.

Submit portfolios to:

Graduate Admissions
School of Architecture, Planning and Preservation
University of Maryland, Building #145
College Park, MD 20742

Submit transcripts or other off-line materials (recommendations if necessary) to:

Enrollment Services Office/Graduate Admissions
0130 Mitchell Building
University of Maryland
College Park, MD 20742

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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 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.
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Where can I find more information?
For more information on the application and admissions process for the Architecture Program, please write to grarchadvise@umd.edu.  For questions about our other academic programs, please contact the following program directors:

Graduate Student Services
Online Application
Graduate School Catalog
International Education Services
Financial Aid Office
Graduate Student Housing

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