University of Southern Maine is a public, co-ed research institute that fosters an excellent academic atmosphere and produces appreciable research outputs. Currently, the university houses a total of 8,022 students with an international population of around 1.2%. In the Fall admissions session, around 4,774 students applied to 115 diverse programs offered by University of Southern Maine. Out of which, 4,198 students were admitted, exhibiting a moderately selective acceptance rate to 81%.
University of Southern Maine accepts applications for two intakes- Fall and Spring. The university does not follow open admissions policy and strictly adheres to the mentioned application deadlines. Freshmen can apply through the Common Application or apply directly to the university. Students are advised to start the application procedure a couple of months before the submission of the same. To get admission at University of Southern Maine as an international student, a candidate should have a GPA above 2.25 and submit academic transcripts along with English proficiency test scores such as a TOEFL score of 79 or an IELTS score of 6.5.
University of Southern Maine Admission Highlights
| Application portal | Common Application, University of Maine System Application or paper |
| Application fee | Nil |
| Acceptance rate | 81% |
| Average SAT score | 950-1160 |
| Average ACT score | 20-25 |
| Academic calendar | Semester based |
| Number of countries represented | 25 |
| Graduation rate | 54.4% |
| Retention rate | 69.66% |
| Intake seasons | Fall and Spring |
| Total applicants last year | 4,744 |
| Work experience | Required in some graduate programs |
University of Southern Maine Admission Deadlines
The application deadlines at University of Maine are based around two intake seasons- Fall and Spring. The graduate application deadlines differ based on programs, but the undergraduate deadlines are similar. They are discussed below.
| Intake session | Deadline |
|---|---|
| Fall/September | July 1 |
| Fall/September for Law students | June 1 |
| Spring/January | November 15 |
University of Southern Maine PG Courses Deadlines
Some of the popular programs and their deadlines and test scores are summarized below:
| Programs | Deadlines |
| MS in Biochemistry | Fall- January 15 Spring- September 15 |
| MBA | Rolling |
| MA in Communication | January 15 |
| MA in Economics | Fall- January 15 Spring- November 15 |
| ME in Engineering Physics | Rolling |
University of Southern Maine International Student Admissions
University of Southern Maine invites international applicants for admission to all of its graduate programs. The admission process for the international students is uniform to the domestic students enrolled in the university.
International students who wish to get admitted to University of Southern Maine are required to provide the minimum GPA, official academic documents, standardized test scores, English proficiency test scores such as TOEFL, IELTS, financial documents, medical records and health insurance for one entire academic year.
Given below are some of the additional requirements to be met by the international students seeking to study in the institution:
English Proficiency Test Scores
English proficiency test scores are mandatory for admission as an international student at University of Southern Maine. The score requirements differ for the variety of academic programs offered and they are tabulated below.
| Type of program | Minimum TOEFL score | Minimum IELTS score |
|---|---|---|
| Intensive ESOL program | 45 CBT | 5.0 |
| Admissions pathway program for undergraduate students | 60 | 5.5- 6.0 |
| Direct entry for undergraduate degree programs | 79 | 6.5 |
| Direct entry for graduate degree programs | 79 | 6.5 |
US Student Visa for International Students
There are many international aspirants who wish to study in the USA at University of Southern Maine. The university sends an acceptance letter and issues an i-20 form which is needed for obtaining a US Visa. To get an i-20, the student must submit financial certification which will contain a statement from the bank declaring support to the student financially, and proof that there are sufficient funds present to pay tuition and living costs. Also, a copy of the official page of the passport is required.
After all the materials have been submitted successfully, the university responds with an i-20 form. After that, the candidate can proceed with the F-1 or J-1 student visa application and payment of the SEVIS fee which is 350 USD. The US Embassy or Consulate at the student’s home country should be contacted for scheduling a visa interview. The documents which should be brought to the visa interview are as follows:
- A passport which will be valid beyond the student’s period of stay in the USA, preferably for six more months.
- Receipt of SEVIS fee
- I-20 form issued by Miami University
- Acceptance letter from Southern Maine university.
- Printed copy of the visa appointment letter.
- Proof of financial support
- Scholarship or sponsorship letter (if applicable).
- Photographs
- Employment/job offer letter.
- Transcripts, diplomas and degrees from all previous institutions attended.
- Proof of English proficiency through test scores like TOEFL, IELTS, PTE etc.
After all the materials have been submitted, and upon completion of the interview, the consular office will let the candidate know if any additional steps are required. Then, if the student is accepted for a US Student visa, the passport will be stamped which will act as the Visa to the USA.
University of Southern Maine Undergraduate Admissions
Admission to the undergraduate courses at University of Southern Maine is fairly competitive and there are a lot of programs to choose from. There are 5 colleges that offer 150+ majors with concentrations in art, science, engineering etc. The College of Science, Technology and Health received the maximum number of applications and the Nursing program is a very well-pursued program. An international applicant should keep the following in mind while applying to University of Southern Maine:
- Application portal- Common Application, University of Maine System application, or paper
- Application Fee: NA
Admission Requirements:
- Official secondary school transcripts/transcripts from all other institutions attended
- A GPA above 2.25 is generally recommended.
- Standardized test scores can be submitted but they are not compulsory. SAT/ACT scores are submitted and they are usually in the range of: SAT: 950-1160, ACT: 20-25
- English proficiency test scores
- Financial documents containing bank statements
- Personal statement
- Statement of purpose
- Medical records stating the complete medical background of the student.
- Health insurance
- Letter of recommendation
- CV/Resume
- Art based majors require an audition or interview or both
University of Southern Maine Graduate Admissions
The graduate courses at University of Southern Maine include very professional majors like liberal arts, engineering, science, technology etc. All programs have their own set of requirements regarding GPA, test scores and additional materials. International applicants should keep the following in mind before applying to the graduate programs at University of Southern Maine.
- Application Portal: Online application
- Application fee- Nil
Application Requirements:
- Completed online application
- Academic transcripts from secondary institutions, colleges/all other universities attended with their english translations.
- English proficiency test scores
- GRE/GMAT/MAT scores, MAT- 398, GRE- 286
- Financial documents
- Medical records.
- Health insurance.
- A professional CV/Resume
- Personal essay.
- 2-3 letters of recommendation
- Statement of purpose
To get into University of Southern Maine as a nursing student, an applicant
Some of the most popular programs and their requirements are summed up below:
| Requirements | MS in Athletic Training | MS in Biology | MS in Computer Science | MS in Clinical Mental Health Counseling | MS in Cybersecurity |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deadline | April 1 | Fall- February 1 Spring- October 15 | Fall- February 1 Spring- October 1 | Fall- November 15 and March 15 | Fall- August 1 Spring- January 2 |
| GPA | 2.5 | 3.0 | 3.0 | 2.5 | 3.0 |
| Personal statement | Required | Not required | Not required | Not required | Not required |
| Recommendations/references | Two references required. | 3 letters of recommendation required | 2 references are required. | 3 letters of recommendation required. | 2 letters of recommendation required. |
| GRE/GMAT/MAT | Not required | GRE- 290+ required. | GRE scores are optional. | MAT- 398 GRE- 286 | Not required. |
| Essay | Not required | Required | Required | Required | Required |
| Interview | Not required | Not required | Not required | Required | Not required |
Students typically wait for a few weeks after which University of Maine communicates the admission decisions after submission of all the required materials. Due to the volume of applications sent, it might take some time to sift through all of them, but the selection committee lets the applicant know about the selection as soon as possible. With the variety of programs, excellent academic atmosphere and appreciable student outcomes, University of Southern Maine is receiving an increasing number of applications with every passing year
University of Southern Maine FAQ
Can I send in my application materials before I submit my application to University of Southern Maine?
Yes, students are allowed to send their application materials including academic transcripts and test scores before submitting the application. The materials provided will be kept in file until the application is received.
What is the difference between a Certificate of Graduate Study and a Certificate of Advanced Study at University of Southern Maine?
A certificate of advanced study requires a post-baccalaureate degree from the applicant while the certificate of graduate degree does not. In fact, in the case of Certificate of graduate study, recommendations and academic transcripts are optional. The application process for all the programs is the same.
How do I check the status of my application for University of Southern Maine?
Students should submit the application materials to the online application portal. Once the application is received, instructions to activate the candidate’s MaineStreet account will be provided. In the Student Centre under the Admission tab, the candidate can easily check the status of the application as well as materials to include according to the ‘to do list’ given.
What is an official transcript according to the University of Southern Maine?
A transcript is considered to be official if it comes directly from the institute. The official transcript should be sealed in an envelope from the institution which will prove that it is indeed an official transcript. If the envelope has been opened before, it will not be accepted.
Can I change or add a recommender in my University of Southern Maine application?
An applicant is allowed to change or add recommenders using the electronic letter of recommendation system tied to the online application. Nursing and leadership programs require 2 letters of recommendation while other programs require 3.
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