Your path to UNH starts here
Apply to UNH's Main Campus as a first-year student
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.
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
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 an application fee waiver? Request a fee waiver through the Common App.
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.
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.
Step 4: New Hampshire residents, submit the Residency Statement
If you live in New Hampshire, complete the Residency Statement. It’s how we confirm your in-state status.
Additional requirements that may apply
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
Have Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate Credit (IB), or Freshman Credit?
Advanced Placement (AP)
UNH recognizes the College Board's Advanced Placement (AP) program as a way to evaluate your eligibility for advanced placement and credit. If you've been admitted, have the College Board send your official AP grade report directly to UNH Admissions (CEEB #3918). You can reach the College Board at 609-771-7300.
After we receive your report, we'll notify you, your college dean or adviser, and the Registrar's Office of any credit and advanced placement. Review UNH's AP policies for scores and transferring credits.
International Baccalaureate (IB)
UNH recognizes the IB Diploma Programme and awards 8 credits for each Higher Level exam with a score of 5, 6 or 7. We don't award credit for standard level exams, or for Higher Level Art/Design, film, or Business/Management.
If you've been admitted, have your official exam results sent directly to UNH Admissions (CEEB #3918). We'll notify you, your college dean or adviser, and the Registrar's Office of any credit awarded.
College Level Examination Program (CLEP)
See which CLEP exams and scores earn UNH credit, and which exams count toward course requirements. View CLEP credit and course equivalents.
Have your official CLEP score report sent directly to UNH Admissions (CEEB #3918).
College credit earned in high school
Ask your college or community college to send your sealed official grade reports directly to UNH Admissions (CEEB #3918). After we receive them, we'll notify your college dean or adviser and the Registrar's Office of any credit and advanced placement.
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.)
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.
Serving, a veteran, or military-affiliated?
Visit our Military & Veterans page for DD214 submission and credit for military training.
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.
Early Action
November 15
Want your answer early? Submit your Common App by Nov. 15, supporting docs by Dec. 12, and receive an admission decision before the end of January.
Early Action is non-binding and strongly recommended for priority consideration.
Priority Deadline for Select Majors
December 1
Students applying to Exercise Science, Health Sciences, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, or CHHS Undeclared must submit their application by December 1.
Regular Decision
February 1
Prefer more time? Apply Regular Decision and hear by March. We’ll send portal setup details soon so watch your inbox for updates.
FAFSA Priority Deadline
March 1
Ready to make UNH more affordable? File FAFSA between Oct. 1 and March 1 with code 002589. We’ll email when your aid is ready to view in WebCat.
Deposit
May 1
Make it official! Submit your UNH deposit by May 1 to save your spot and unlock next steps like housing and course registration.
Minimum academic requirements for first-years
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.
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.
Contact us
Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Smith Hall, 3 Garrison Avenue
3 Garrison Avenue
Durham, NH 03824
P: (603) 862-1360
E: admissions@unh.edu
Office hours: M–F, 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m.