What is Direct Admissions?

Skip the stress of applying to college!

With the University of Maine System’s (UMS) Direct Admit program, eligible high school seniors can gain admission to a UMS university based solely on information provided by their high school—no application, essays, or recommendation letters required!

Direct Admit is a pathway for students to bypass the traditional college admissions process. Instead, they are automatically considered for admission to all seven of Maine’s Public Universities based on academic performance. Information is supplied directly from their high school! Maine students who participate in Direct Admissions are not required to complete the Common Application, send SAT or ACT scores, submit recommendations or essays, or pay application fees!

Student and Family Information

  • Graduating seniors at participating Maine High Schools (to see if your high school is participating, talk to your school counselor)
  • Students who successfully completed any Early College course taken through the University of Maine, The University of Maine at Augusta, the University of Maine at Farmington, the University of Maine at Fort Kent, the University of Maine at Machias, the University of Maine at Presque Isle, or the University of Southern Maine. Early College includes programs like Bridge, Dual/Concurrent Enrollment, and traditional or online classes offered through ExploreEC.
  • Graduating seniors actively participating in 4H programs statewide.
  1. In the fall, university admissions officers will look at your academic background, the courses you’ve taken, and the grades you received in your high school and early college classes. Your high school supplies all of this information; you do not need to do anything now.
  2. Starting in October, eligible students will receive their first admission letters by email and post, potentially gaining admission to all seven UMS universities!
  3. The offer letter will contain a link to a short form to collect information such as majors and housing choices. Filling out the form is not a commitment to attend – it expresses interest in learning more.
  4. Information such as invitations to open houses, events, scholarships, and financial aid will be sent from the university.
  5. At any point between receiving an admission letter and May 1st, the student can confirm their attendance at one of Maine’s Public Universities.

*All admission offers are conditional, pending the successful completion of their high school requirements. Some majors may require supplemental information (art portfolio, music recordings, prerequisite courses, etc.). Not every student will be admissible to every university or program. Talk to your school counselor to learn more.

If you have questions about your Direct Admissions offer, contact the admissions counselor listed in your offer letter.

Coming soon!

High School Partner Information

If you have general questions about the UMS Direct Admit program or would like to learn how your high school or homeschool group can be included, please contact Samantha Toner, UMS Strategic Enrollment Specialist in the Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs office.

  • Calais High School
  • Carrabec High School
  • Deer Isle-Stonington High School
  • Ellsworth High School
  • Fort Fairfield Middle/High School
  • Lewiston High School
  • Maranacook High School
  • Maine Central Institute
  • Noble Middle/High School
  • Richmond Middle/High School
  • Sumner High School

Please upload in Excel or Google Sheets format. Your spreadsheet should include the following:

  • Name
  • Mailing address
  • Email address
  • High school cumulative GPA or other grade assessment (weighted and unweighted GPA, if available)
  • Expected graduation date
  • Notation of special diploma terms if applicable
Upload to UMS