How to Apply: First-Year

Students may apply for UNH admission using the online Common Application. Further instructions and details about the application process are outlined on the site. No supplemental essays or writing prompts are required other than the essay required as part of the Common Application.

Application Fee

$50 for New Hampshire residents
$65 for non-residents
Fee waivers can be requested through the Common Application.

Pay online at the time you submit your Common Application.  Or you can mail a check, made payable to the University of New Hampshire. Please reference the student’s name and date of birth in the memo. Please mail your payment to the following address:

UNH Admissions
3 Garrison Avenue
Durham, NH 03824

Each applicant must have their official high school transcript, college transcript(s) for dual enrollment coursework, General Equivalency Diploma, or HiSET sent directly to UNH Admissions either electronically or via mail to the following address:

UNH Admissions
3 Garrison Avenue
Durham, NH 03824

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.

First-year applicants have the option to submit SAT or ACT scores to be considered as a part of their admission application. It is not required to submit SAT or ACT scores for the application process at the University of New Hampshire. When submitting the application, you will be asked “Would you like us to consider your standardized test scores in the admissions decision?” If you choose that you would like your SAT/ACT scores to be considered as part of your application, the scores must be sent directly from the testing agency in order to be considered official. Please note, that once your application is submitted, the answer to this question can only be changed if the application has not yet been reviewed by our office and a decision made.

Students who choose to enroll at UNH, and have taken the SAT or ACT, will be asked to submit test scores after the May 1 deposit deadline for university research purposes only. Students are not required to take the SAT or ACT.

Please note that the writing section of the SAT or ACT is not required for UNH consideration. To compare the new test scores to the old test scores, please reference this guide.

SAT - UNH CEEB Code: 3918

TOEFL – UNH Destination Code: 3918

ACT - UNH CEEB code: 2524

Audition

For specific music and theatre programs only

Students are required to do an audition for the following music programs as part of the application process. Please visit the Music Department for more details and information.

• Music Education (B.M.)
• Music Composition (B.A.)
• Music Composition (B.M.)
• Music: Liberal Studies (B.A.)
• Music Performance (B.A.)
• Music Performance (B.M.)

Students are required to do an audition for the following theatre programs as part of the application process. Please visit the Theatre Department for more details and information.

• Theatre: Acting & Directing
• Theatre: Dance
• Theatre: Musical Theatre

Portfolio

For art studio majors only

Students are required to submit a portfolio as part of the application process for the following Studio Arts Departments. Please visit the Studio Arts Department for more details and information.

• Art: Studio Art
• Art: Studio Art/Art Education

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. 

DD214 (Veterans Only)

Veterans should submit a copy of the DD214 or 2586 form with nature of discharge to verify potential credits earned for military service. Do not submit the original, as you will need it throughout your life to prove your veteran status and establish eligibility for GI Bill and other veterans benefits from the VA, State, and local community. If still on active duty, submit the copy when you are released.

Military Transcripts (Optional but recommended for Veterans)

Veterans are encouraged to request a copy of their military transcripts to be evaluated for possible transfer credits.

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.

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

Application Documents

• Please use black ink and the student’s date of birth on all documents.
• The Common Application must be received by November 15, in order to be classified as Early Action. Supporting materials (transcript(s), recommendation letter(s), test scores may arrive after November 15. You will receive a confirmation email from the Common Application when your application was sent to UNH successfully. We follow up with a mailed letter notifying applicants of their UNH applicant ID typically within 7-10 days.
• All offers of admission are considered conditional and are subject to the verification of satisfactory senior year achievement when final high school transcripts are reviewed by the Admissions Committee.

Citizenship

• 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.

Disability 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 Accessibility Services for Students Office. Any materials of this nature sent to the Admissions Office will be shredded.