The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) is a premier public research institution nationally recognized for its powerhouse programs in STEM, particularly within the College of Engineering and Information Technology and the College of Natural and Mathematical Sciences. On campus, students thrive in a welcoming, collaborative, and intellectually curious environment that values both rigorous academics and active engagement through more than 250 student organizations and Division I sports. What truly sets UMBC apart is its elite national ranking for undergraduate teaching, which ensures that undergraduates—not just graduate students—actively participate in groundbreaking faculty research. Furthermore, the university is home to the acclaimed Meyerhoff Scholars Program, a gold-standard initiative dedicated to preparing underrepresented students for leadership careers in science and engineering.
Wikipedia:The University of Maryland, Baltimore County (UMBC) is a public research university in Catonsville, Maryland, United States. It had a fall 2025 enrollment of 13,530 students. In 2019, it had 61 undergraduate majors, over 92 graduate programs and the first university research park in Maryland. It is classified among "R1: Doctoral Universities – Very High Research Activity".
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University of Maryland-Baltimore County accepts the Common Application. All Common App schools require the personal statement essay. Some schools also require supplemental essays — check the school's page on Common App for current prompts and word limits.
See the current Common App essay prompts for the personal statement options.
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