Prospective & New Students
UNM offers amazing opportunities for undergraduates. As a flagship university and the only R1 school in New Mexico, undergraduate students have the chance to work with amazing faculty and other students from around the world. We pride ourselves on being an institution that serves the public and we invite you to join us!
Explore A&S Programs of Study ⇒
Unsure of what you want to study? Contact the A&S Student Recruitment Specialist at ascas@unm.edu to set up a time to discuss your interests and our programs!
Sit in on a class
Sometimes the best way to see if a school is the right place for you is to visit a class. You'll have a chance to see what a college course is like, and meet current students and professors. Many professors are happy to have prospective students sit in. They are teachers, after all!
Contact the A&S Student Recruitment Specialist at ascas@unm.edu to set up a class visit. Let them know your interests and what days and times you'll be available.
Please contact us at least one week before your campus visit so we can do our best to accomodate you. Please note that class visits may not be always be available.
How to Join A&S
- Apply to UNM and UNM Scholarships
- Apply for Financial Aid
- Congratulations and Welcome to the Pack!
- Set up Your NetID and Password
- Apply for Campus Housing
- Send Final Transcripts to Admissions Office
- Know Your Placement Options
- Attend New Student Orientation and Register for Classes
- Meet With Your Advisor
- Pay Your Tuition
- Get Ready for Your First Day
Apply to UNM and UNM Scholarships
It's easy to join us in A&S. Aside from the BA / MD program, you do not need to fill out a separate admission application for A&S majors, minors, or certificates. Submit your admission application to UNM and you're on your way!
Please visit UNM Admissions for complete application details. We understand that your major may change from the time you apply, so don't worry too much about what intended major you put on your admission application.
While many of our scholarships do not require a scholarship application or deadline, several do, including the Regents' Scholarship and Presidential Scholarship.Apply for Financial Aid
The FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid) opens in early October for the following school year. For example, the 2022-2023 school year FAFSA opened on October 1, 2021.
UNM's priority financial aid deadline is in early January - you are considered first for grants and loans. The Financial Aid Office recommends you file your FAFSA even if the priority deadline has passed. Some UNM Scholarships, like the Lobo First-Year Promise, require the FAFSA, even if it's submitted after the priority deadline.
Even if you're not sure if you qualify for federal grants, it's a good idea to fill out the FAFSA! Many internal grants or scholarships, including the ASCAS Student Success Access Grant, require a FAFSA, and filling out the FAFSA gives you access to student loans and work study financial aid.
UNM Financial Aid Instructions ⇒Congratulations and Welcome To the Pack!
The Admissions Office has put together a list of To-Dos and information for admitted students.Set up Your NetID and Password
This is an essential step to staying in contact with the University and accessing UNM's online resources, inlcuding your UNM email, the library, advising appointments, online classrooms, and more.Register for Campus Housing
UNM has many campus housing options to fit your lifestyle, including themed Living Learning Communities and residence halls that allow pets. First-time first-year students under the age of 20 and who live at least 30 miles from campus are required to live on campus (exceptions are granted - contact the Housing Office directly for more information).Send Final Transcripts to Admissions Office
Send your official high school transcript and official transcripts from colleges/universities in which you received dual credit to UNM Office of Admissions. This ensures that your academic record is up to date, and may affect your placement. Official copies can be sent to apply@unm.edu through online transcript services, or the mailing address below if your school does not do online transcript processing:
Office of Admissions
PO Box 4895
Albuquerque, NM 87196-4895
Transcripts must be in a sealed envelope from the issuing college or school.Know Your Placement Options
Course Placement is based on any recent test scores we have from you (we take the highest of any scores on our system) and any dual credit we have in our system. If you have recently taken an AP exam or an Accuplacer, WE MAY NOT have these scores yet. If you are taking classes over the summer at CNM, we don’t know what these are either. Please inform your advisor about these so we can review your placement.
Placement is not meant to gatekeep you from higher course levels, but to make sure you can be successful and have the strong skills needed for the class. Courses requiring placement or pre-requisites require you to demonstrate that you have the necessary knowledge to understand what's going on in the course.Attend Orientation and Register for Classes
New Student Orientation (NSO) is offered virtually and on-campus. UNM is big, but there are a lot of resources available to support your time here. NSO is designed to acquaint you with expectations and offerings at UNM, and in your NSO advisement session, you register for classes! Plus, if you come to campus, it's a great way to get to know the campus and meet other first-year students.
You will be asked to confirm your intended major so you can meet with an advisor who will help make sure you are taking classes that help you reach your goals. Before your scheduled NSO, you will receive an email from your advisor with suggested courses based on your course placement, general education requirements, and your major or academic interests.
We suggest you consider taking an ARSC course your first semester to help you build institutional knowledge and skills that will help you throughout your time at UNM.
Sign up for Orientation ⇒Meet With Your Advisor
While you will meet an advisor during NSO when you register for classes, that will be a group session where the focus will be registering for classes. You should make an appointment with your advisor a week or two after NSO so you can discuss your interests and goals and start to build a relationship with your advisor.
We recommend meeting with an academic advisor at least once a semester. Things happen in your life, your interests evolve, and new opportunities arise. Your advisor is here to help you make sure the courses you're taking serve you in reaching your goals, even as they change.
How Advisement Works ⇒
Find your Advisor by Major ⇒
All A&S Advisors ⇒Pay Your Tuition
The Bursar's Office at UNM oversees all student tuition and fees for the University. Please review their posted Tuition & Fee Rates and Payment Options, including Payment Plans.Get Ready for Your First Day
We're glad to have you here! To prepare for your first day of classes, we recommend you get familiar with campus resources, including parking and transportation!
ASCAS advisors and staff are here to support your pursuit of an Arts & Science degree, minor, or certificate in every step of the process. Contact us if you have any questions!
