First-Year Application Requirements

Students are required to respond to one of seven Common App prompts in a personal statement of 650 words or less. Remember, this essay will be visible to any school you submit an application to, not just UM.

You will also be required to submit a supplemental essay of 250 words, just for us.

Updated June 2025.

These portions of the Common Application give you the opportunity to demonstrate your ability to develop your thoughts, to communicate them clearly, and to write them concisely conveying your unique voice.

Psst! Click here for tips on how to write an essay that reflects you as a person.

In the Common App, there will be a section where you can add extracurricular activities. These can include things like sports, clubs, service trips, involvement in politics, even babysitting! Be sure to include a thorough list of your extracurricular activities as they are part of our holistic review process.

Another video for ya! Check out how our holistic admission review process includes a look at the activities you engaged in outside the classroom.

UM is test optional for Fall 2025 and Spring 2026. Students who choose to submit an ACT and/or SAT score may:

• Request that official scores be sent to the University directly from the testing agency.
• Self-report their scores on the Common Application.

You will not need to Superscore your own results or recalculate your scores. Simply enter your scores exactly as you receive them. Students self-reporting scores will be required to submit official score reports only if they are admitted and choose to enroll.

The deadline for opting in or out of having your test scores considered as part of your application and for self-reporting your test scores is the Final Credentials Deadline of your chosen admission plan. 

Here are some examples of testing-specific updates applicants can make:

• Submit test scores for the Admission Committee’s consideration
• Update your test scores
• Update your choice to be test optional or not

To make these and other changes, applicants must complete the Test Score Updates form in the Applicant Portal.

Note, School of Architecture applicants who do not submit test scores must submit a portfolio instead. 

Read more about the testing policy at the University of Miami.

All students whose native language is not English are required to submit official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), or Duolingo English Test (DET).

For additional information on scores, visit the English Proficiency Requirements page.

You are required to submit one letter of recommendation/evaluation, which can be from either a school counselor or a teacher. The most expedient way to submit your letter electronically is through the Common Application, Slate.org, Scoir, or Parchment.

Who should you ask for your letter of recommendation? Click here for tips from an admission counselor.

The School Report should be completed by your high school guidance counselor and can be found on the Common Application. It is often submitted along with your high school transcript and information about your high school.

Official high school/secondary school transcripts should be sent directly from your school. A school official may submit them electronically via the Common Application, Slate.org, SCOIR, or Parchment. They can also be emailed directly from your school official to mydocuments@miami.edu.

Homeschooled applicants, please visit the Homeschool Transcript Requirements page for instructions on transcript requirements.

Is your high school/secondary school transcript in a language other than English?

An English translation of your official high school/secondary school transcript must be issued by a school official or by an accredited translation agency and sent directly to the University of Miami.

Translated transcripts must be sent in their original form (we cannot accept photocopies/screenshots/etc.) via the Common Application, Slate.org, SCOIR, or Parchment. They can also be emailed directly from your school official to mydocuments@miami.edu.

Certified transcript translations issued by an accredited agency must contain the following: 

• Confirmation that the document type is official and received directly from a school official
• A statement of the translator's qualifications
• A statement affirming the completeness and accuracy of the document
• Identification of the translated document and language
• The translator's name, signature, and date

Accredited U.S. based translation agencies include International Education Evaluations (IEE), Josef Silney & Associates International Education Consultants, or The Evaluation Company (TEC). You can also connect with the EducationUSA office for options in-country.

Although electronic submission is preferred, if electronic submission is not possible these documents can be mailed to one of the following addresses:

Mailing Address
University of Miami
Office of Undergraduate Admission
P.O. Box 249117
Coral Gables, FL 33124-9117  

If sending via FedEx, DHL, UPS, or courier
University of Miami
Office of Undergraduate Admission
1306 Stanford Drive
University Center, Suite 2275
Coral Gables, FL 33146

If you are interested in applying for need-based financial aid you must submit the FAFSA, CSS Profile (for both custodial and noncustodial parents), and relevant tax documents. All items need to be submitted by the due dates listed for the admission plan to which you apply. 

The CSS Profile and tax documents are required for consideration of institutional need-based aid. 

Estimated financial aid offers will be provided with the admission decision. Confirmed financial aid offer will be provided after final FAFSA review. 

Note, you must be a degree-seeking student to apply for financial aid. 

If you are interested in applying for need-based financial aid, you must also complete and submit the CSS Profile.

First-Year Applicants who do not submit ACT/SAT test scores are required to submit a portfolio. 

The Frost School of Music requires applicants to submit a supplemental application, prescreen, and audition.

Supplemental applications will be available in the Applicant Portal beginning mid-September. Be sure to submit the additional documentation as soon as possible, but no later than the Final Credentials Deadline.

Note, if you are applying to the Audio Technology (BS) major or the Music Industry (BA) major, no audition is required.

All applicants interested in majoring in the Theatre Arts, BFA program are required to audition and submit a supplemental application. 

Supplemental applications will be available in the Applicant Portal beginning mid-September. Be sure to submit the additional documentation as soon as possible, but no later than the Final Credentials Deadline.

If you have a time gap of three months or more during your educational career or from the time you graduated high school to the date of your intended University of Miami enrollment, you must submit an Educational Activities statement in the Common Application explaining the reason for the gap(s) and include the dates.

If you are unable to provide this information within your Common Application, you can submit it through the Applicant Portal under the "Materials Upload" section, or by emailing it to mydocuments@miami.edu.

If emailing, be sure to include “Educational Activities” in the subject line and your full name and date of birth on all correspondence. This information is required to complete your application file.

If there is any update to your academic achievement or personal conduct, you must notify the Office of Undergraduate Admission within one week by uploading the documentation to your Applicant Portal in the "Materials Upload" section or by emailing the update to conductupdate@miami.edu. 

Be sure to include your name and date of birth on all documents.