University of Southern Maine (USM) has three dynamic campuses at Portland, Gorham, and Lewiston. Home to students from around 25 countries, the university is committed to offering high-quality, accessible, and affordable education to students. Programs at University of Southern Maine lead to undergraduate, graduate, and professional degrees in a variety of fields, ranging from liberal arts to business to science.
The university has an annual acceptance rate of 81%. Admission to University of Southern Maine is offered on a rolling basis. The intakes open in the fall, spring, and summer semesters. The average SAT score of USM students ranges from 950-1160 or the ACT score ranges from 20-25. There is a learning assistance program managed through a multi-disciplinary team. The university focuses on evidence-based solutions, art-centered education, and interdisciplinary study.
University of Southern Maine Rankings
- Ranked 136-176th in Regional Universities North and 80th in Top Performers on Social Mobility by US News & Report.
- Ranked 50-62nd in Top Public Schools and 123rd in Best Undergraduate Engineering Programs by US News & Report.
- Ranked 201st among Best College Locations and 459th among Most Liberal Colleges in America by Niche.
- Ranked 5th among Most Diverse Colleges and 9th among Best Value Colleges in Maine by Niche.
Highlights
| Type | Public |
| Setting | City |
| Academic Calendar | Semester-Based |
| Acceptance Rate | 81% |
| Student: Faculty Ratio[6] | 13:1 |
| Full-Time Faculty | 265 |
| Accreditation | NECHE |
| Total Undergraduate Enrolment | 6,675 |
| Athletic Affiliation | NCAA III |
| Official Website | www.usm.maine.edu |
University of Southern Maine Campus & Accommodation
USM has campuses in Portland, Gorham, and Lewiston. Only Gorham campus offers student accommodation in the USA on campus. Gorham campus is used for visual and performing arts, with facilities such as an art gallery that showcases both student and professional work.
- Lewiston-Auburn College campus has Career planning and internship options available on-campus, and a Student Resource Hub that is open to students of all three campuses.
- Every campus has a dining hall. The Brooks Student Center's Residential Restaurant and Husky Hideaway Snack Bar, the Ice Arena Kiosk, and the Bailey Hall Café are available on the Gorham campus.
- The Luther Bonney Café, the Library Starbucks, and the University of Maine School of Law Café are all available in Portland. Café-LA is situated on the Lewiston-Auburn campus.
- Student-athletes compete on a regional and national level, with 22 NCAA Division III intercollegiate teams and 500 student-athletes.
- The USM Gorham Campus's Costello Sports Complex is a state-of-the-art facility built to fulfill the needs of USM students and faculty. It has Costello Fitness Center and a multi-purpose studio.11 men's and 11 women's college sports are sponsored by the USM. Every year.
USM has a wide range of student organizations that cover a broad range of academic and social interests. Students can contact the Student Engagement & Leadership Team to start their group in case they aren’t interested in the existing groups.
University of Southern Maine Residence
On the Gorham campus, USM offers several residential options. All residential halls are supervised by a live-in professional resident director, academic mentors, and Resident Assistants who assist the residential students.
There are 6 residential halls. Upon Hastings hall, Anderson Hall, and Robie Andrews hall are for freshmen. Woodward hall accommodates sophomore and transfer students. Phillippi and Upperclass Hall accommodate upperclassmen. All these residence halls are located on the Gorham campus.
Every hall has Wireless internet access in common areas, Campus card access, a free laundry facility, and Security desk staff. The Inclusive Meal Plan is required for freshmen students. An overview of Residential cost and Meal costs is described below-
| Room/Meal | Per Semester Amount in USD |
|---|---|
| Single/Suite Type Room | 3,265 |
| Double Occupancy Room | 2,730 |
| Apartment | 3,825 |
| Meal Plan – Residential Way | 2,415 |
| Meal Plan – Husky Drive | 2,415 |
| Inclusive Meal Plan | 2,490 |
University of Southern Maine Programs
UG at University of Southern Maine includes 53 major and 82 minor programs. The university offers 26 graduate degree programs. Professional development and Online Courses are also available. Online courses are offered in 3 formats: asynchronous and synchronous, and blended. Asynchronous can be completed at any time each week. Synchronous programs require students to attend class online at a particular time each week. Blended programs are a mix of online and on-campus courses.
USM offers numerous Accelerated Graduate Pathways for undergraduate students interested in graduate school. These pathways allow students to begin graduate studies while still earning a bachelor's degree. Advanced study graduate certificates are offered in the Education area and Nursing area. Professional & continuing education, interdisciplinary, and pre-college programs for high school students are also available.
University of Southern Maine International Application process
The university works on the semester system in conformity with the US Education system. There are set procedures for taking admission in the university and that is as follows:
How to Apply – Common Application, University of Maine System Application, or Paper Application. Graduate applicants are required to apply through Online Portal only.
Application Deadline
Though the applications are invited on a rolling basis the deadlines are:
| Semester | Deadlines |
|---|---|
| Fall Semester | July 1 |
| Fall Priority Deadline | February 1 |
| Fall Early Action Deadline | December 1 |
| Application For Scholarship Request | February 15 |
| Nursing Applicants | February 1 |
| Summer Semester Priority Deadline | May 1 |
| Spring Semester | November 15 |
Admission Requirements
- Official School Transcripts and Exam Certificate
- Official University Transcripts and International College Transcript Evaluation
- Essay/Statement of Purpose – Recommended
- Completed Financial Declaration Form and Financial Documentation
- SAT/ACT – Optional
- Letters of Recommendation
- English Proficiency Test Scores
- Any other relevant document required
Applicants of Accelerated BS in Nursing require a review of the school of the nursing application process. They need to fill a supplement application.
Performing Arts applicants require an interview and audition. The School of Music requires an audition, and The Department of Theatre requires an interview or an audition.
University of Southern Maine Cost of Attendance
Estimated cost of attendance is a parameter to calculate the budget to study in the USA. There are various components to the cost like tuition fee, living expenses, books, transportation, health insurance, etc. It is advisable to consider these at the planning stage.
| Expenses | Annual Amount in USD |
|---|---|
| Undergraduate Tuition (30 Credits) | 23,640 |
| Mandatory Fees | 1,960 |
| Room & Board | 10,290 |
| Book & Supplies | 600 |
| Estimated Personal Expenses | 2,250 |
University of Southern Maine Scholarship and financial aid
International undergraduate and graduate students receive scholarships to study in the USA. There are mainly 3 types of scholarships available to freshmen. These scholarships are renewable for 4 years for first-year students and three years for transfer students who maintain the required GPA.
- Dirigo Scholar Award with a value upto 10,000 USD requires the GPA levels of 3.0-3.49 (85-89%).
- President’s Scholar Award with a value upto 12,000 USD needs a 3.5 GPA equivalent to 90%.
- USM scholar award is for those who scored a GPA of 2.75-2.99 (82-84%) and the value is upto 8,000 USD per year.
- To get graduate scholarship awards, students must be admitted into a graduate program at USM, enrolled in at least 6 graduate-level credits in each semester in which they earn the award, and make satisfactory academic progress toward their degree and a GPA of 3.0 (80%). Amount varies and is a maximum of 3,000 USD per year.
Work while you study: The Federal Work-Study program is available for both US students and eligible international students. On-campus, as well as off-campus employers, participate in this program. International students who are degree candidates are permitted to work on campus as long as they retain F1 status and work no more than 20 hours per week while school is in session.
The majority of job opportunities are available on-campus at University offices and departments. Some commercial, non-profit organizations as well as local, state, and national Government entities offer off-campus employment. The job opportunities or positions are posted on the USM Job & Internship Board. The pay scale ranges from 12.15 USD to 12.65 USD.
University of Southern Maine Alumni
USM has a network of more than 58,000 alumni around the world. The alumni association of USM provides numerous alumni resources to its graduates. They are invited for physical as well as virtual networking opportunities. There are alumni affinity groups based on leadership that connects them and like-minded peers with each other.
Alumni are invited to professional development events to establish connections to local employers. They also have access to USM’s Career and Employment Hub. Alumni get discounts on insurance from Liberty Mutual and banking with University Credit Union and also on the book stores and transcripts fee.
Some of the notable alumni are:
- Tony Shalhoub – Actor
- Lois Lowry – Writer
- Richard A. Bennett – Politician
- Spencer Albee – Musician
- Kevin St. Jarred – Author
University of Southern Maine Placement
From current enrollment to school to graduation, the USM Career & Employment Hub helps its students connect with their future by providing a variety of programs. It assists them with career exploration, self-evaluation, resume and cover letter writing, internship selection, interviewing skills, and more.
USM graduates earn an average salary of 65,000 USD per year. The early-career salary is 48,500 USD. Below is an overview of USM graduates at different job positions
| Job Positions | Annual Average salary in USD |
|---|---|
| Executive Director | 102,000 |
| Data Analyst | 46,084 |
| CFO | 78,344 |
| Account Manager | 55,000 |
| Software Developer | 69,943 |
USM is an acclaimed university dedicated to providing the best resources to its domestic as well as international students. USM is continually working to improve its research output to gain more knowledge in the various sectors. To assist the international students in the application and related queries, the Office of International Admission provides convenient resources. Its high-quality education and latest technology-assisted learning programs provide students a significant experience later helping them in their professional life.
FAQs
Ques. How do I submit SAT/ACT scores to USM?
Ans. Applicants can submit SAT/ACT scores as reported on the official high school transcript, or directly through the testing agency.
Ques. How do I get my credential evaluated for admission to USM?
Ans. An official college-level course-by-course transcript evaluation is required by USM from an agency that is a current member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES). For graduate program applicants, evaluation and proof that the applicant's degree is equivalent to the bachelor's degree from America are required.
Ques. Can I send my transcripts through home address to the university for admissions in case of a paper application?
Ans. An academic transcript is only considered when it comes straight from the institution. An official transcript must be submitted in a sealed envelope from the institution stating that it is an official document. It is no longer regarded as official if the transcript envelope has been opened before arriving at the Office of Admissions.
Ques. Is English proficiency waiver available?
Ans. It is available only if the applicant has earned a degree from an English-speaking university or academic institution.
Ques. Can I translate my transcript into English by myself for USM admission?
Ans. Only certified English-translated transcripts are taken into consideration during the evaluation process. The transcript must bear the official seal of translation.
Ques. What are the most popular majors for international students in USM?
Ans. Business, Marketing, Health Professions, Journalism, Biological and Biomedical Sciences are among the most popular majors at the USM.
Ques. How can I check my application status?
Ans. After the applicant submits a completed application, the user’s account gets activated. After activation, the user/applicant can check the application status through this link to MaineStreet.
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