Admissions overview

Through the ILS admission process, our staff identify exceptional students who have performed well in college-level courses in the life sciences and who are interested in participating in meaningful research experiences in a community with like-minded students.  ILS students take a sequence of ILS courses together.  Please see our FAQs for additional details regarding admissions.

Prospective first-year students 

Successful candidates are those who have consistently demonstrated outstanding academic performance throughout high school, with a particular emphasis on excellence in STEM coursework, coupled with a clear commitment and passion for the life sciences. To be prepared for our accelerated curriculum, students must have completed rigorous coursework in the life sciences, particularly in biology. While not required, most of our students earn college credit that the University of Maryland registrar recognizes as equivalent to the freshman biology sequence BSCI160/161 and BSCI170/171. Typically, entering ILS students have also earned advanced placement or college credit in at least one science and/or calculus course, plus other courses in the arts, humanities, and social sciences. Entering first-year students having this background will be prepared to succeed in the rigorous ILS program. ILS admission is highly competitive.   

1. The first step is to apply for admission to the University of Maryland. The University selects the most accomplished group from all applicants and then offers these students the opportunity to participate in the Honors College. When applying, choose your major carefully with the descriptions of life science majors to help guide your selection of an appropriate intended major.

2. Students who have demonstrated academic excellence will be invited to join the Honors College as part of their admission offer to the University of Maryland. These notifications will be sent electronically to the student’s Terp Application Portal (TAP). Acceptances are released in late January, so make sure to check your account!

If you’ve been invited to Honors, you must select your preference of Honors College program by February 19, 2024 for best consideration. There are eight unique programs to choose from to best match your talents and goals, and you are asked to write a short blurb explaining why you have chosen your preferred programs. ILS applicants are asked to provide 1) AP and IB test scores and college-level grades you have already received, and 2) AP, IB, and college-level courses you are currently taking this year. 

ILS is a highly competitive program, so if you are sure we are a good fit for you don’t wait to make your preferences!

3. When you’ve decided to matriculate at the University of Maryland, confirm your enrollment and apply for housing by May 1. ALL first-year ILS students are required to live in the ILS community in LaPlata Hall, and must complete the Campus Housing and Dining Agreement by this date to be eligible to live on campus. Students who miss the housing deadline will no longer be able to participate in ILS.

applying to transfer into ils as a Sophomore

ILS recognizes that some outstanding first-year students were not able to join our community, or have only recently decided that ILS might be the appropriate living-learning program for their career objectives. Thus, ILS offers a second entry point for rising second-year students on a competitive, space-available basis.

Students who matriculated to the Honors College beginning Fall 2020, are in good standing with the Honors College, and are currently enrolled in an Honors Living-Learning Program (LLP) may apply to transfer from their current to any other program within the Honors College in the spring. Students should note that LLP space is limited, therefore transfer approval is not guaranteed, is based upon availability, and highly competitive. Students who transfer to a new LLP will have to start over with the requirements of their new program, as no previous credits earned toward their original program’s citation will be applied to their new program’s citation requirements.

Applications are available in March of each year. Please refer to the Honors College for more information.

Any student who transfers into ILS as a sophomore will be required to participate in all first-year responsibilities with their new cohort of incoming first-year students including living in LaPlata, completing a service-learning component, and completing a research experience. Admission is highly selective and has historically averaged two students per year or fewer.

For more information and FAQs about the transfer application process in the Honors College, please click here.