First-year

Take the next step.

The University of New Hampshire takes a holistic approach in reviewing your application for admission. While your academic record is the most important piece of information, your whole application will provide relevant context to help us learn more about who you are, how you’ve contributed to your community – in and outside of school – and how you’ll find a home here in Wildcat Country.

Apply now via the Common App

First-year Deadlines

Key dates to know

From applying early to securing your spot, these are the big dates every future Wildcat should keep in mind. Staying on track with deadlines ensures you’ll move smoothly through the admissions process and into life at UNH.

Durham (Main Campus) applications

Early action deadline: November 15

Regular decision deadline: February 1

FAFSA deadline: March 1

Deposit deadline: May 1

UNH Manchester applications

Fall semester, early action deadline: November 15

Fall semester, regular decision deadline: April1

FAFSA priority deadline: March 1

Spring semester: November 15

Deposit deadline: May 1

How to apply

Application process

Follow the required steps below to complete your application, and check the additional requirements to see if any apply to your situation.

Complete these steps

01

Step 1: Complete Application

Apply via the Common Application. No supplemental essays required other than the essay required as part of the Common Application.

Application Fee

$50 NH residents · $65 non-residents

Pay online when you submit your Common Application.
Mail a check payable to the University of New Hampshire. Include the student's name and date of birth in the memo.
Need a waiver? Request a fee waiver through the Common App.

02

Step 2: Submit High School Transcript, GED, or HiSET Scores

Each applicant must have their official high school transcript, college transcript(s) for dual enrollment coursework, GED, or HiSET sent directly to UNH.

UNH uses the Self-Reported Transcript and Academic Record System (STARS), letting first-year applicants apply without an official transcript right away. Visit our STARS FAQ to learn more.

03

Step 3: Submit letter of recommendation

UNH requires one letter of recommendation as part of the student's application. This letter should be written by the applicant's school counselor or a core academic teacher. In our holistic review process, we do not require more than one recommendation and it is our preference to receive no more than two.

Additional requirements that may apply

01

Interested in submitting SAT or ACT scores?

UNH is test-optional. During your application, you'll be asked whether you'd like scores considered in your admission decision — if you opt in, scores must come directly from the testing agency to count as official. This choice can only be changed before your application is reviewed.

If you enroll and have taken the SAT or ACT, we'll ask you to submit scores after the May 1 deposit deadline for research purposes only — this has no bearing on admission.

The writing section is not required for UNH consideration. Compare new and old score scales.

SAT / TOEFL — UNH code: 3918
ACT — UNH code: 2524

02

Have Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate Credit (IB), or Freshman Credit?

Advanced Placement (AP)

For qualified students only

UNH recognizes the College Board's Advanced Placement Examination (AP) program as a means of evaluating a student's eligibility for advanced placement and credit. Students who have participated in the AP program and who have been admitted to the University should have official AP grade reports sent directly to the UNH Admissions Office (CEEB # 3918) from the College Board (telephone: 609 771-7300). After receiving the College Board AP grade report, the Admissions Office notifies the student, the student's college dean/adviser, and the Registrar's Office of any credit award and advanced placement. Please review UNH’s AP policies related to scores and transferring credits.

International Baccalaureate Credit (IB)

For qualified students only

The University of New Hampshire recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme and awards 8 credits for each IB Higher Level examination with a score of 5, 6, or 7. We do not award credit for standard level exams, Higher Level Art/Design, film, and Business/Management.

Students in an IB program who have been admitted to UNH should have their official exam results sent directly to the Admissions Office (CEEB #3918). After receiving the exam results, the Admissions Office notifies the student, the student's college dean/adviser, and the Registrar's Office of any credit awarded.

Freshman Credit

Ask your College or Community College to send your sealed official grade reports directly to the Admissions Office (CEEB # 3918). After we receive your report(s), we’ll notify your college dean/advisor and the Registrar’s Office of any credit award and advanced placement.

03

Applying to Music, Theatre, or Arts program?

If you're applying to one of the majors below, an audition or portfolio is a required part of your application — not optional, and not something you can add later. Check whether your intended major is listed.

Audition — Theatre
- Theatre: Acting & Directing
- Theatre: Dance
- Theatre: Musical Theatre
Audition — Music
- Music Composition (B.A. / B.M.)
- Music Education (B.M.)
- Music: Liberal Studies (B.A.)
- Music Performance (B.A. / B.M.)
Portfolio - Art & Art History
- Arts: Art History (B.A.)
- Arts: Studio Art (B.A.)

04

Are you a homeschooled student?

We welcome applications from students who are receiving their secondary level education at home, and we value the different perspective homeschooled students bring to our classroom and community. With as many as two million students receiving their secondary education at home, we view homeschooling as simply another viable and well established means of preparation for college or university.

You are a homeschooled student if you are receiving your secondary school education from your parents or through an accredited distance learning program. Our admissions criteria for homeschooled students are the same as for those students who receive their diploma through the local public school system or through a traditional private secondary school.

Enrollment Documentation Required

If you choose to enroll at UNH, you will need to provide documentation of successful completion of your secondary level studies in the form of a final transcript, a General Equivalency Diploma (GED), HiSET, or a certificate of completion from your local school district or state board of education. If your homeschool program does not provide a "diploma" please feel free to contact us to establish the final documentation we will require before your enrollment.

05

Serving, a veteran, or military-affiliated?

Visit our Military & Veterans page for DD214 submission and credit for military training.

06

Not a U.S. citizen?

Permanent resident aliens need to submit a copy of their permanent resident card. Non-U.S. citizens should include a photocopy of the passport page with biographic information. If you are applying from outside the U.S., you should visit our International Students page for full details on documentation, visas, and additional admission requirements.

Before you apply

Minimum academic requirements

See the coursework and GPA benchmarks UNH looks for when reviewing first-year applications, plus program-specific requirements for majors like Engineering, Nursing, and Health-Related Disciplines.

View first-year admissions criteria

Additional information

A few more details to help you get your application materials to us correctly.

Physical application material

All physical application materials (non-online) for undergraduate admissions should be mailed to the following address: UNH Admissions, 3 Garrison Avenue Durham, New Hampshire 03824

Please use black ink and the student’s date of birth on all documents.

Accessibility services

IEPs, 504 Plans, and other documentation regarding a disability should not be sent to the Admissions Office. These materials should be sent to the Student Accessibility Services. Any materials of this nature sent to the Admissions Office will be shredded.

Check application status

Once you've submitted your application, you can track its status — including received materials and decision updates — through the Applicant Portal. Log in with the email address you used to apply.