Dear High School Seniors,
I know you’ve worked hard the last few years. You have probably overcome major obstacles and put in late nights and early mornings. You’ve done a great job. Before I say anything else, I want you to stop what you're doing and take a moment to appreciate how much effort you’ve put into your high school career. Be proud of yourself. Let all that pride sink in, because no matter where you go after high school, absolutely no one can take away the work you’ve done.
Now I want to explain the application process at the University of Miami. I hope doing so helps demystify the way we do things here. I’ll give you a condensed version, but if you want something with more detail, this page is for you.
The Office of Undergraduate Admission only accepts applications through the Common App. You will self-report your SAT and/or ACT test scores and submit one letter of recommendation from a school counselor or teacher. Starting in September, the Applicant Portal will be available two to three days after you submit your application. There, you’ll have a personalized checklist of requirements with deadlines. That’s also where you can submit supporting documents.
Our Admission Counselors run a holistic review process on all applications. That means they look at the big picture when your application comes in. If you’re a numbers person, take a look at the profile of last year’s first-year class. I have three points of advice to give: Put your best foot forward, lean into your inherent strengths, and acknowledge that your challenges made you stronger too. As far as decisions go, the timeline depends on when you apply. I encourage you to familiarize yourself with the various admission plans and deadlines so you have an idea of your specific timeline.
I want to briefly talk about our Office of Undergraduate Admission team. They'll be your first contacts here. You may even see them at your local college fair or high school visit. They’re dedicated to their work, passionate about the U, and really excited to learn about you. They're a tight-knit group that genuinely looks forward to reading about what makes you a great fit for our institution. Please lean on them to answer your questions. There are real people behind the admission@miami.edu email - use it!
This brings me to my last, and perhaps most important, point. Your college education belongs to YOU. It is the foundation of the work you will do and the life you will build. If the University of Miami becomes your home next fall or spring, make the most of every opportunity available to you. We offer more than 100 majors taught by faculty who are experts in their fields, in a city that serves as a living classroom and laboratory. One of the biggest highlights I hear from students is how accessible their professors are outside of class. Lean on them. Ask them about internships. Ask them if they need support with their research initiatives. Ask them if they have any industry connections to share. You never know where it could lead. Browse our 100+ majors to see what strikes your curiosity, and don't be surprised if you pick up new academic passions along the way. You will get the most out of your education—and do your best work—when what you learn genuinely excites you.
I wish you the best this application season.
Best regards,
