University of Maine at Farmington 2017-2018 Catalog

Statement on College Readiness by the Chief Academic Officers of the University of Maine System:

While the seven campuses of the University of Maine System have different criteria for admission and placement, they all share a common understanding of what comprises an optimal, college-ready high school transcript. Students who succeed in college and graduate on time usually have the following high school preparation in the core academic areas:

Four years of English courses that incorporate a variety of texts (fiction, non-fiction, essays, memoirs, journalism) and that emphasize expository and analytic writing skills.

Four years of mathematics courses that include at least algebra I and II, geometry, and a 12th grade college-preparatory math course that provides a solid foundation in quantitative and algebraic reasoning. For those students planning to major in mathematics, science, or a technical or professional field that requires advanced math skills, a pre-calculus or calculus course is strongly recommended.

At least three years of laboratory science - offered as either separate courses or as integrated core classes that include the study of biology, chemistry, and physics. Science courses should emphasize the writing of technical reports and the quantitative representations and analyses of data.

At least three years of history and social science in courses that emphasize reading of primary and secondary texts, writing of analytic and expository essays, and use of quantitative data and research findings.

At least two years of study in a language other than English.

Admission Criteria for the University of Maine Farmington (UMF)

The degree of academic challenge in your high school program of study and rank-in-class (a numerical comparison with other seniors) are significant in the admission decision. Preference is given to students who graduate in the upper half of their senior classes with a well-planned program of sequential college preparatory courses. Note: Applicants over 25 years old are evaluated on their present motivation and readiness for college in addition to their secondary school record and/or GED results.

Following is a list of college preparatory level course units that are required or recommended for all applicants:

*Some UMF academic majors require foreign language proficiency which can be met by one year of foreign language study at UMF or by two years of the same foreign language in high school.

The University of Maine requires first year students to have earned a high school diploma or its recognized equivalent in order to be admitted to one of its programs of study.

Another important measurement of maturity and motivation is the official high school evaluation/recommendation written by your school counselor, teacher, or principal. This recommendation is submitted as part of the secondary school transcript and is required for admission. Applicants may submit additional recommendations from other individuals who could provide the admission staff with more insight into the merits of an application.

UMF does not require the SAT or other standardized tests for admission, and students are asked on their admission application whether they would prefer their scores to be considered or not to be considered when the application is reviewed.

We recommend a visit to the University because a campus visit is the best way for prospective students and their family members to learn about any college.  To schedule a visit, you can register at visit.farmington.edu, call  207-778-7050, or write to umfadmit@maine.edu.  Individual appointments are available most weekdays throughout the year as well as a limited number of Saturdays.  Open houses and accepted student days are held at various times throughout the year.  Advanced registration is preferred for tours and for information sessions but is required for interviews.

UMF admits a limited number of students who choose to enroll for fewer than twelve credits per semester. The application procedure for part-time degree status is the same as for full-time status. Once accepted, part-time degree students work with faculty advisors to plan course selections.

Students from other New England states can apply for admission to a variety of programs of study at UMF as New England Regional Students, through a cooperative effort directed by the New England Board of Higher Education. Eligible majors may differ by New England state. Applicants to these programs qualify for significantly reduced tuition. Further information on the New England Regional Student Program is available from high school guidance offices, the UMF Office of Admission, or by writing to NEBHE, New England Board of Higher Education, 45 Temple Place, Boston, MA 02111.

In recognition of the close ties between the State of Maine and Canada, the University of Maine System has approved a special tuition rate for Canadian citizens who are residing in Canada and applying for admission as international students. This tuition rate is equal to the New England Regional tuition rate.

UMF welcomes students from around the world, enrolling students from countries in Western and Eastern Europe, Asia, and Africa. Students who wish to attend UMF must have completed their secondary education, must demonstrate proficiency in English if English is not their first language, and must meet the requirements for an F-1 student visa, including the ability to document adequate financial resources to support their study in the USA. International applicants must submit all required materials to the Office of Admission by March 1 for the fall semester.

Information about the admission process, as well as applications and International Student Data Forms, may be obtained from the UMF Web site: www.umf.maine.edu

Applicants must submit official high school and college records accompanied by certified English translations, and TOEFL or IELTS scores if English is not their first language. To meet UMF’s requirement of proficiency in English, the minimum required scores are 79 on the TOEFL and 6.0 on the IELTS.  TOEFL or IELTS scores may be waived for applicants who have completed a minimum of two (2) years of course instruction taught in English. Also, documentation that adequate finances are available to meet educational costs are required. Full documentation of the availability of funds to cover total first year costs is required in order for UMF to issue the I-20 form, which is required to apply for an F-1 student visa. A limited number of partial tuition waivers may be available.

Students who have previously taken postsecondary coursework at an institution outside of the United States or Canada are required to submit their transcripts to a professional credentialing agency for evaluation at the time of application.  For further information, contact the Office of Admission.

A special orientation and other support programs assist our international students' adjustment to the University and the region. UMF is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant alien students.

UMF accepts the Common Application and the University of Maine System Application, both of which can be found on our web site www.farmington.edu/apply.  Paper applications may be available upon request.

All applicants (first-year and transfer) are responsible for delivering the Request for Academic Records to their high school guidance office to be completed and returned to the Shared Processing Center or The Office of Admission. Applicants are responsible for making sure that all necessary documents are submitted in a timely manner.

A complete application consists of the application form, a required essay, an official high school transcript(s), an official recommendation, official transcripts from any and all completed college level course work. Home-schooled applicants may be asked to submit their GED or HISET examination results. Occasionally, an interview may be requested if additional information is needed. International applicants must include the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or IELTS scores if English is not their first language or if they have not graduated from an educational institution in the U.S., as well as financial records to document their ability to fund their education in the U.S.

Applicants requiring special assistance in the application process may contact the Office of Admission for reasonable accommodation.

Accepted students are welcome to confirm their place in the incoming class any time before or on May 1 (for the fall semester) or January 1 (for the spring semester). An enrollment deposit of $150 received by the Office of Admission will reserve the student's place in the incoming class. The enrollment deposit will be credited toward semester charges at the time of registration. The enrollment deposit for the fall semester is refundable by request in writing until May 1, and for the spring semester until January 1.

Admission is not final until the student has satisfactorily completed all high school and admission requirements. The University reserves the right to cancel the acceptance of any applicant when deemed necessary because of changes in academic achievement or emotional readiness for college. In accordance with Maine State law, any UMF student born after 1956 must provide certification of immunization for measles, rubella, diphtheria, and tetanus in the form of a copy of a school health record or physician's record documenting immunity. No student will be able to register without filing the necessary proof of certification. Exceptions to this policy are made on the basis of a physician's written statement that immunization is medically inadvisable. Other exceptions may be made on the basis of sincere religious, moral, or philosophical beliefs, or for other personal reasons. The staff at the UMF Student Health Center can answer any questions about the immunization requirement.

UMF offers an Early Action program for the fall semester whereby selected applicants (with high school class rankings in the top 30% or relevant equivalence) are informed of acceptance before the end of December. In order to apply, UMF's plan does not require enrollment, nor does it exclude from consideration, applicants who have submitted applications to other institutions. Applications received from students ranking in the top 30% of their high school class (or relevant equivalence) which are complete by November 15 will be considered for Early Action.

Each academic year UMF enrolls transfer candidates who have successfully completed academic work at colleges and universities throughout the United States and abroad.

Transfer students who do not have an Associate's Degree from an accredited college or university must submit a high school transcript and meet the rest of the requirements for the program for which they submitted an application.

Instructional programs at institutions of higher education differ widely. This means that major and elective courses taken at other institutions have to be matched against requirements at UMF to make sure the same objectives are reached. Students will be expected to meet the established requirements of the academic program into which they transfer, and appropriate application of credits is the responsibility of that academic division. Transfers are required to complete at least 32 credits at UMF. Students with no more than 32 credits may apply as an undecided/undeclared major.

Transfer credit is awarded only for courses taken at two-year and four-year regionally accredited institutions. Only courses in which the student has earned a grade of C-minus or higher will be transferred. Grades in courses accepted by UMF for transfer credit are recorded on the student's transcript, but they are not computed into the student's UMF grade point average. In some cases, divisions may determine that a previously taken course is obsolete and needs to be repeated in order to update course material. Courses that are more than seven years old are not automatically applied to program requirements for a major; rather, a course-by-course analysis will be made by the division to determine whether the course content is still appropriate to meet program requirements. Appeals regarding decisions about the transferability of credits are made to division chairpersons.

Transfer agreements with the Maine Community College System identify courses for each institution that are equivalent to the major and general education degree requirements at UMF. These agreements provide for a smooth transition from the transfer school to UMF.

The transfer articulation agreements are as follows:

UMF participates in a guaranteed admission agreement, entitled Advantage U, between the Maine Community College System and the University of Maine System. If you are interested in transferring to UMF from the Maine Community College System, meet with the transfer advisor at your community college to establish your University connection and to make sure you are meeting the UMF requirements. With careful course selection, Maine Community College System students who earn an Associate of Arts in Liberal Studies can complete a B.A. in selected programs at UMF with two years of additional course work.

Transfer Admission Criteria

Academic majors are housed in various divisions.  Admission criteria differ among divisions and/or majors. Transcripts for college courses in progress must be sent to UMF when the semester is complete.

Advising and course registration conferences with faculty members are normally scheduled by the academic departments after transfer students are admitted and pay a confirmation deposit. Transfers are invited to register for classes during the same registration period as current students.

UMF considers all students equally for financial assistance, and transfer applicants should meet financial aid deadlines. Transfers are encouraged to participate in the annual welcoming events for new students.

For further information about transfers, contact the UMF Office of Admission.

UMF welcomes applications from veterans of the armed forces. Arrangements for benefits under the various GI Bills must be made through the Department of Veterans Affairs at 1-888-442-4551 or www.gibill.va.gov. Some information also is available from the VA Certifying Official in the Merrill Center. Credit for military schooling will be evaluated in accordance with the American Council on Education recommendations on a case-by-case basis.

The University of Maine at Farmington will award credit for the higher level IB examinations for which you earn scores of 5 or higher on of a scale of 1 to 7. Credit will be awarded for those Farmington courses deemed to be equivalent by the appropriate UMF departments, with a minimum of three credits and a maximum of eight credits per examination.

Students who live in on-campus housing must submit the completed residence life housing application and license.