How to Apply

Eligibility

All University of Maryland students who have a serious interest in Germany are invited to apply to the Maryland-in-Berlin program. Applicants should be open-minded and flexible, should have completed 30 semester hours of college credit and have an overall grade point average of at least a 3.0. Students who do not meet the minimum requirements should contact the coordinator of the Maryland-in-Berlin program before applying.  You do not need to have taken any German language to apply to the Maryland-in-Berlin program.

Maryland students who wish to study at FU-BEST in the Fall must go through the Maryland-in-Berlin program.  Before applying, you must download and read the General Terms and Conditions of Business for the FU-BEST program. As participants on the Berlin program, you are bound to the same Terms and Conditions as the rest of the students at FU-BEST.

The Admissions Process

You may now apply for Fall 2009!

1. A complete preliminary application includes:
   • Completed Online ELF Application for Study Abroad
   • Please print a copy of your completed form to turn in with your application materials.
   • Personal Statement (1-2 pages, only if you plan to live in a home stay)
   • Two (2) formal passport photos
   • 1 academic letter of recommendation (can be submitted via email by reference to program coordinator by program deadline - in some cases a second recommendation may be requested)
   • Official University of Maryland transcript, including Fall 2008 grades 
   • Non-refundable $75 application fee, in a check or money order made payable to the University of Maryland
   • Optional: University of Maryland Study Abroad Scholarship Application

   Please turn in all of the above materials simultaneously to the Study Abroad Office by March 25, 2009.*

2. Once you submit the above materials, you will be required to complete the FU_BEST application and turn it in to the Study Abroad Office. Please do not hesitate to contact the Study Abroad Office if you have questions about completing the FU-BEST application form.  
• Download the Maryland Cover Sheet for the FU-BEST application.
• Open and complete the FU-BEST Application for 2009-10. 
• Please be sure to provide full and correct information through the forms. Please complete the form online and then print it out, rather than completing the form with pen or pencil.
• When selecting courses, please remember that you are required to enroll in both of the courses taught in Berlin by the visiting UM faculty member, plus one 6-credit German language course and one (or two) other content courses from the FU-BEST menu.
• You are not required to enter your credit card information on page 4, as UM will pay your registration fee and deposit directly to FU-BEST. However, if selecting an apartment, you will need to submit credit card information for use as a security deposit.

*PLEASE NOTE: Admissions for the program are made on a rolling basis, and decisions will be given in a timely manner. However, please be aware that decisions will not be made on a daily basis, so you should expect a delay between when you submit an application and when you receive notification. Because admission is competitive and space is limited, early application is advisable. Meeting the minimum GPA requirement alone is insufficient to guarantee admission.

All required materials will be considered during the admission process. You may be asked to interview with a study abroad advisor or a member of the German department faculty.   

Contact Us

If you need additional information, please do not hesitate to contact the Study Abroad Office.