Prospective Students

Each fall, a cohort of approximately 85 students interested in cybersecurity enter ACES. To be offered admission into the ACES LLP, prospective first-year students must first be invited to the UMD Honors College and then preference the ACES Program online. Learn more about this process below!

University of Maryland AdmissionsHonors College Admissions

As part of the University’s Honors College, the Advanced Cybersecurity Experience for Students invites approximately 75 students each fall to join the two year Living-Learning program. This program requires students to live in Prince Frederick Hall for two years while completing a 15-credit curriculum of cybersecurity courses.

During the admission process, ACES aims to select academically talented students who are interested in participating in a collaborative team-based environment to study the complex challenges of cybersecurity. As the program emphasizes a multidisciplinary approach, LLP students learn both technical and non-technical skills through interactive classes, team projects, experiential learning, and extracurricular activities.

Successful ACES Living-Learning Program students demonstrate a strong academic performance at the high school level, a willingness to learn and develop in a collaborative environment and a passion for accelerating the field of cybersecurity. Admissions into the ACES LLP annually follows the below timeline.

To be considered for entry into the ACES LLP, prospective undergraduate students must first get an offer from the Honors College. When applying to the University of Maryland, students are automatically considered for admission to the Honors College if they apply by the November 1 priority deadline. Prospective students who apply by the November 1 priority deadline are typically notified in late January of their admissions decision (including their Honors College invitation status).

After being invited into the Honors College, students with an interest in cybersecurity must indicate ACES on their Honors College Preference Form. This form tells the Honors College which living learning programs interest a student most. For best consideration, forms must be completed and submitted in students’ Coalition accounts by deadline, typically in mid-February.

Students who express strong interest in the ACES Living-Learning Program are reviewed by ACES program staff, who select students for the incoming cohort. Students are typically notified of their ACES Living-Learning Program invitation by late February or early March.

To be considered for the ACES Program, it is recommended that prospective students:

  • Have an outstanding high school academic record, particularly in mathematics and science courses.
  • Express an interest in studying cybersecurity. Previous coursework or experience is not required but may be considered a positive indication of interest in the field.
  • Possess an interest and potentially some first-hand experience with computer languages.

If you've completed all of these steps and have been invited to join the ACES Living-Learning Program, CLICK HERE to learn what to do next!


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