UMD Joins Common Application for 2020-21

Students applying to the University of Maryland now have the ability to do so through the Common Application, also known as the Common App, the university announced today. The online college application platform serves more than 3 million applicants, teachers, counselors and advisers across all 50 states and around the world each year.

“We remain committed to expanding access to potential future Terps by offering them another option to apply through the Common App, in addition to the existing MyCoalition platform,” said Shannon Gundy, executive director of the UMD Office of Undergraduate Admissions. “We are very proud to receive tens of thousands of applicants each year, and we constantly reassess ways to streamline pathways for a wide population of diverse and academically talented students to apply to be part of the Terrapin community.” 

The Common App helps reduce barriers to the college application process, including making the fee waiver process more efficient for students in need. It also connects students and those who support them to additional tools and services, such as financial aid and scholarship information, virtual mentors, online portfolios, and a vast library of counselor resources available in English and Spanish. Common App also offers 24/7/365 technical support to all applicants and recommenders using the system. 

Future first-year students can choose to apply through the Common App or the institution’s existing MyCoalition platform, a free and accessible platform of online tools to streamline the experience of planning for and applying to college. Students seeking to transfer to the university will be able to submit their application through MyCoalition in mid-October. 

Common App is a nonprofit membership organization dedicated to access, equity and integrity in the college admission process. By becoming a Common App member, the University of Maryland aims to streamline the application process for students interested in applying to multiple institutions, and gain exposure to students who may not have otherwise considered UMD. Each year, more than 1 million applicants use the Common App. One-third of those applicants are the first in their family to pursue a college degree. 

"The diversity of our membership helps us forge a direct and unambiguous path to a viable future for all students,” said Jenny Rickard, president and CEO of Common App. “Through membership with Common App, University of Maryland has demonstrated a shared commitment to pursuing access, equity, and integrity in the college admission process. Thanks to our members, all students have the opportunity to easily apply to the college or university that will help them achieve their best future.” 

The Common App as well as the MyCoalition platform enhance UMD’s holistic approach to the admissions process, considering 26 unique factors. The review process for both application platforms consider all aspects of each applicant’s academic achievements and potential in the context of the opportunities and challenges they faced. Admission is offered to the most competitive applicants to build an entering class that will best complement the existing student body and meet the university’s mission objectives.