Applications may be filed at any time after the junior year in high school. Applicants should submit the required credentials as early as possible, preferably by March 1 of the senior year. For students requesting Early Decision, the application deadline is November 15 for notification by December 1, and January 1 for notification by January 15.
All candidates must submit the following:
the application for admission, (Susquehanna participates in the Common Application program and welcomes copies of this form),
a $35 nonrefundable application processing fee,
a secondary school transcript listing senior courses,
senior grades when available,
a guidance counselor evaluation,
a teacher evaluation from a junior- or senior-level academic course, and
results of the SAT, the ACT, or two graded writing samples from applicants who choose the Write Option.
In addition, the following are recommended:
results of one or more SAT Subject Tests,
letters of evaluation from additional teachers, and
samples of the applicant’s creative work, as appropriate.
Standardized Tests. The university urges prospective applicants to take the SAT in their junior year and again by January of the senior year in high school. Students who choose the ACT should take it by December of their senior year.
Susquehanna also advises applicants that SAT subject tests are not required, but can provide valuable information for admission. Students should complete these tests no later than January of the senior year.
Testing services can mail test results directly to Susquehanna’s Office of Admissions. Mailing request forms are available when students register for the tests. (Susquehanna’s test code for the SAT is 2820. The ACT code is 3720.) The university will also accept test scores recorded on official secondary school transcripts. Further information is available from high school guidance offices or Susquehanna’s Office of Admissions.
Early Decision. Applicants who select Susquehanna as their first-choice college should consider the advantages of Early Decision. Applicants accepted for Early Decision receive first consideration for scholarships, on-campus housing and financial aid. Applicants may still apply to other colleges as regular decision candidates. They must, however, withdraw any other applications and enroll at Susquehanna if they are admitted under the Early Decision program. To be considered for Early Decision, candidates must:
indicate Early Decision at the designated place on Susquehanna’s application,
certify (by signing the pledge on the application) that Susquehanna is the first-choice college and that, if accepted, the student will withdraw other applications,
submit all application materials by November 15 for Early Decision I or January 1 for Early Decision II (the Common Application form is acceptable),
take standardized tests at least six weeks before the deadline, and
schedule a personal, on-campus interview prior to the Early Decision deadline, if at all possible.
The Admissions Committee will notify the Early Decision I candidate of its decision as soon as possible after the application is complete, or by December 1. Early Decision II candidates will be notified on or before January 15. The university automatically reviews applications of unsuccessful Early Decision candidates for regular decision admission after receipt of additional grades and test scores. In such cases, the applicant is released from the first-choice enrollment commitment.
Graphic Design Major Candidates. Applicants for admission to the bachelor of arts program in graphic design must also submit a portfolio of art work (five to 12 examples) to the art faculty after applying to the university. In addition, it would be helpful for an applicant to submit a personal statement expressing why he or she wants to study art and graphic design. For further information about portfolio preparation and format, please contact associate director of admissions Nick Stephenson at 570-372-4260.
Honors Program Candidates. The university selects exceptionally well-qualified students for the Honors Program. This offers a more independent and interdisciplinary approach to learning than the standard curriculum. Admission is competitive and limited. All students who are admitted to Susquehanna are automatically considered for the Honors Program. For additional information about the Honors Program, please contact the admissions office at 1-800-326-9672.
Music Major Candidates. Applicants for admission to either of the two bachelor of music degree programs (performance or music education) or the bachelor of arts in music degree program must also audition with the Susquehanna music faculty after applying to the university. For further information about registration and preparation for the audition, music scholarships or music programs, please contact the Department of Music at 570-372-4309.
Creative Writing Major Candidates. Applicants for admission to the bachelor of arts program in creative writing must also submit a portfolio (8-10 pages) of work to the creative writing faculty after applying to the university. For further information about portfolio preparation, please contact Professor of English Gary Fincke at 570-372-4164.
Early Admission. Not to be confused with Early Decision, the Early Admission program allows some outstanding students to enter Susquehanna after their junior year in high school. The first year in college then replaces the senior year. To be considered for Early Admission, candidates must:
be academically and socially prepared to undertake a college-level experience,
submit the required admission credentials, including test scores, by March 1 or earlier if possible,
have the written approval of their parents and secondary school officials, and
have a personal interview with a member of the Susquehanna admissions staff.
Candidate’s Reply Date. Susquehanna uses the Common Candidate’s Reply Date of May 1 for first-year applicants. A nonrefundable enrollment deposit of $400 is required by this date. Transfers and successful Early Decision candidates are given separate reply dates in their letters of admission.
Credit and Exemption by Examination. Susquehanna recognizes exceptional high school achievement by participating in the Advanced Placement Program of The College Board. Students may earn academic credit and/or exemption from entry-level courses by superior performance on AP examinations. The appropriate academic department at Susquehanna reviews each student’s AP score and academic record to determine placement and/or credit. In general, departments award credit for scores of four and five.
As part of an orientation program held on campus during the summer, students with strong skills in mathematics, foreign language, or information technology may earn exemption without credit from university Core curriculum requirements in these areas.
Some academic departments at Susquehanna also grant credit toward graduation for both the General and the Subject Examinations of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Normally, a CLEP score at or above the 50th percentile receives the equivalent of four semester hours of course credit.
Students who earn exemption or credit through examination for a specific course may not subsequently enroll in and receive credit for the same course. They also may not enroll in any lower-level course in the same department without the permission of the department head.
For further information on exemption and placement examinations, please write or call the Office of the Registrar at 570-372-4109.
International Baccalaureate Credit Policy. Susquehanna University recognizes the intellectual rigor, high academic standards, and emphasis on international understanding and responsible citizenship of the International Baccalaureate (IB) program. The IB program is an internationally recognized two-year, comprehensive curriculum overseen by the International Baccalaureate Organization, a nonprofit foundation based in Switzerland. The program is available to students between 16 and 19 years of age at numerous secondary schools in the United States, Canada and other countries. IB diploma recipients who gain admission to Susquehanna University may receive up to 32 semester hours and the equivalent of sophomore standing in the university. IB certificate recipients may receive credit for up to two courses in each subject area for which a higher-level examination score of five or more has been achieved, subject to final confirmation by the appropriate university department. Credit for a higher-level examination score of four will be awarded at the discretion of the appropriate university department. No credit will be awarded for subsidiary level examinations.