UMD Academic Calendar

The University of Maryland at College Park (UMD), located in College Park, Maryland, operates on a traditional semester-based academic calendar. This structure includes a Fall semester typically beginning in late August or early September and concluding in mid-December, followed by a Spring semester starting in late January and ending in mid-May. Additionally, UMD offers shorter Winter and Summer sessions for students seeking accelerated coursework or additional credits. A notable feature of UMD’s calendar is its alignment with significant holidays, providing extended breaks during Thanksgiving and winter holidays, as well as a spring break in March to support student well-being and academic planning.

• Fall Semester Start: Late August 2025 (typically around August 25–30), marking the beginning of the academic year with orientation events for new students.
• Thanksgiving Break: November 26–30, 2025, offering a short hiatus for students to recharge before final exams.
• Fall Semester End/Final Exams: Mid-December 2025 (approximately December 10–18), concluding with exams and winter commencement ceremonies.
• Spring Semester Start: Late January 2026 (around January 20–25), following the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday.
• Spring Break: Mid-March 2026 (typically March 15–22), providing a week-long break for students.
• Spring Semester End/Final Exams: Mid-May 2026 (approximately May 10–18), ending with spring commencement celebrations.

• Early Action Deadline: November 1, 2025, for prospective undergraduates seeking priority consideration, with decisions often released by late January 2026.
• Regular Decision Deadline: January 20, 2026, the final date for most applicants, with notifications typically sent by early April 2026.
• Financial Aid Priority Deadline: February 15, 2026, recommended for students applying for need-based aid to ensure timely processing.
• Enrollment Confirmation Deadline: May 1, 2026, the national deadline for admitted students to confirm their intent to enroll at UMD.

UMD’s academic calendar aligns closely with national norms for semester-based systems, particularly in the Mid-Atlantic region, ensuring compatibility with public holidays like Thanksgiving and Martin Luther King Jr. Day. This structure offers predictability for both domestic and international students, with breaks strategically placed to accommodate travel or cultural observances. Additionally, the university’s admissions timeline reflects a commitment to accessibility, providing clear deadlines and notification periods that allow ample time for planning. While specific dates for the 2025–2026 academic year and admissions cycle are estimates based on historical patterns, they are subject to change, and prospective students are encouraged to verify exact dates through official university communications.