Admission Information

• Admissions Philosophy
• Admissions Criteria (includes link to first-year student profile)
• Applications and Deadlines
• Early Decision Option
• Early Admission
• Deferred Entrance
• Transferring Credit (includes information on AP credits)
• For Transfer Students
• For International Students
• For Non-degree Candidates

Admissions Philosophy

From the time a prospective student first contacts Allegheny, the emphasis of the College's approach is directed to the unique character, needs, and aspirations of each candidate. During the application process, primary attention is focused on those criteria which indicate academic promise. Beyond that, careful consideration also is given to those personal qualities which are vitally important in the total success of the college experience. The result is a highly personalized approach to the selection of students that is consistent with the aims of the College, that incorporates all available data into the decision-making process, that respects the individuality of each applicant, and that ensures equal consideration of every candidate. The College encourages diversity and actively seeks students from all ethnic, religious, racial, political, geographic, and social backgrounds.

Admissions Criteria

Criteria: Our admissions committee will thoroughly review each application. The following is a list of admissions criteria, in order of importance. Some criteria are detailed after the chart. Though we do not have "cut-off" scores, you may view a profile of the most recent incoming class of first-year students to obtain average GPA, SAT/ACT scores and class rank.

1. Difficulty of high school classes
2. Class rank (if the secondary school ranks)
3. SAT I or ACT scores
4. Personal qualities and character
5. School/community activities
6. Admissions interview (on-campus or off-campus)
7. Essay and recomendation letters (two recommendations required)

Detailed Descriptions of Criteria

1. Difficulty of classes: Rigor of secondary program and the grades earned (minimum of 16 academic units typically required, including four years of English; three years each of science, math, and social studies; two years of foreign language). Those individuals who elect more than the minimum number of subjects are considered to have stronger entrance credentials. Honors or AP classes are recommended, if the school offers such levels. (Credit and/or placement awarded for AP scores of 4 or 5, or equivalent scores on CLEP, IB, or British A-Level exam. Allegheny also accepts most "College in High School" credits.)
2. Class rank (if the secondary school ranks)
3. SAT I or ACT scores (SAT II recommended, but not required): Standardized tests have been an integral part of the college admissions process for many years. However, no student is admitted or denied acceptance to Allegheny based solely on standardized test scores. The use of "score cut-offs" is not practiced, nor are scores used in isolation in evaluating a candidate for admission.
4. Personal qualities and character
5. School/community activities: Allegheny prides itself on having a very active student body. It is important to us that candidates for admission are academically talented and also involved in their school and/or community.
6. Admissions interview: Prospective students and their parents are strongly encouraged to visit the Allegheny campus to appraise the College's educational programs, campus atmosphere, and physical facilities. Although a meeting with a member of the Admissions staff is not a requirement, this conference can provide a deeper insight into the character and personality of the College. Individuals wishing to visit the campus should contact the Office of Admissions (1-800-521-5293) preferably 10 to 14 days in advance to confirm arrangements. Meetings with members of the faculty or with other member of the Allegheny community can also be scheduled upon request. Interviews/individual confereneces are offered weekdays all year, plus school-year Saturday mornings. For more information on these topics, visit campus visits or off-campus interviews. (Overnight stays are available during the acadmic year on Sundays through Thursdays with two-week advance notice. The Overnight Coordinator can be reached directly at (814) 332-4740 or visa@allegheny.edu. Please note that overnight stays are not available during the week of final exams at the end of each semester.)
7. Essay and recommendations (two recommenations required): What you can tell us about yourself and what others can tell us are both important. We recommend an essay that is 1 to 3 pages, typed and double-spaced. Tell us something about you that we don't already know, or tell us something we forgot to ask. Have fun with it! As far as recommendation letters, we require one from your counselor and one from a teacher. If you'd like, you may also submit a letter from a pastor, coach, employer, etc., but these are not required.
   • Supplemental materials: We're often asked about portfolios from intended art majors and auditions from potential music and theatre majors. These are not required during the application process, but if you'd like to submit pieces of your work (slides, an audio tape, a video tape, etc.), we'd be happy to forward them to our faculty members to evaluate as part of your application. Materials can be returned upon request.

Applications and Deadlines

An Allegheny application may be obtained from the Office of Admissions or your high school guidance office, or you may apply online or download an application (pdf). Allegheny also accepts the Common Application in lieu of its own and gives equal consideration to both. Students may obtain copies of the Common Application from their high schools or www.commonapp.org.

Completed applications should be returned to:

Dean of Admissions
Allegheny College
520 N. Main Street
Meadville, Pennsylvania 16335

The application fee is $35.00. The check or money order should be made payable to "Allegheny College" and attached to the application. A fee waiver may be requested if financial hardship is demonstrated. Additionally, a fee waiver is offered to all campus visitors. Candidates should be aware that the applications are not reviewed until they are complete.

Early Decision (binding)

Deadline: November 15
Notification to student: No later than December 15

Regular Decision

Deadline: February 15
Notification to student: April 1 (Reply by May 1)

Accepted applicants will be expected to complete the initial registration process according to instructions in the letter of notification. Candidates are encouraged to consider their college plans carefully prior to the notification date in order to comply with the reply deadline. A nonrefundable $400 deposit is part of the initial registration process; accepted students are advised to adhere to the explicitly stated procedures outlined in the acceptance letter to ensure enrollment.

Early Decision Option

A formal Early Decision program permits students who especially desire to attend Allegheny to have their credentials considered in advance of the regular selection process. Prospective students should not become candidates for Early Decision unless Allegheny is the first choice college and unless they intend to accept an offer of admission. Early Decision candidates may submit applications to other colleges, but these applications must be withdrawn when acceptance to Allegheny is confirmed. A one page insert in the "Application to Allegheny College" details the exact terms of the agreement. The Early Decision procedures are identical to those for Regular Decision, except for the application deadline noted above.

Why apply under the Early Decision plan?

If you have decided that Allegheny is your first choice, you will hear about your acceptance (and financial aid offer, if applicable) early and have your college plans set. If you are ready to commit to Allegheny, we can be ready to commit to you as early as the fall of your senior year. You must complete the Early Decision Agreement (pdf) and submit it with your application. We typically start receiving Early Decision applications in October and can accept these applications until November 15. If you and your family are candidates for financial aid, we will send you an early version of the financial aid forms so that we may provide you with an early estimated financial aid package. Your parents will still need to complete the FAFSA by February 15 to confirm the data they report on this early form.

The admissions committee will make one of the following decisions on an Early Decision application:

• Accept for admission. Approved candidates must pay a non- refundable $400 deposit by the date indicated in the letter of acceptance (normally four weeks are allowed) or the applicant will be withdrawn and no further request for consideration honored.
• Delay final notification. This action by the Admissions Committee suggests that additional grades from the senior year, test information, or an interview is desired prior to making the final decision. Candidates may opt to retake the SAT I or ACT. The additional scores will then be considered prior to making a final decision. No additional application is required, and a candidate's admission status will not be adversely influenced by the Committee's action to delay final notification.
• Deny entrance. Applicants who should direct their college planning to other institutions will be notified accordingly and as quickly as possible. Early Decision candidates seeking financial assistance will not be required to forward the $400 initial deposit before they receive an estimated financial aid award.

Early Decision is an excellent option, and we encourage you to call or e-mail us if you have any questions or concerns. Typically, 20 percent of our incoming class is filled through Early Decision and 80 percent via Regular Decision.

Early Admission (entering college after the junior year of high school)

Secondary school students who wish to begin college study at the conclusion of the junior year may do so under a special enrollment plan. The student must demonstrate the ability to benefit from entering college earlier by:

• interviewing with a member of the admissions staff to discuss the particulars of such an enrollment plan
• submitting ACT or SAT test scores no later than January prior to the date of desired entrance
• obtaining a letter from the high school principal or senior administrator indicating full understanding and approval of the Early Admissions plan
• enclosing a one-page letter with the application for admission that explains why the applicant desires early enrollment

Deferred Entrance

A student may elect to defer entrance to Allegheny for one calendar year. A written request should be submitted to the Office of Admissions after all enrollment procedures have been completed. The $300 initial registration deposit will reserve the space for a year.

Transferring Credit

Transfer credit for advanced work may be considered for credit according to the conditions outlined under the section titled "Academic Regulations" in our catalogue. Students may also earn college credit by achieving an acceptable score on the AP exam (4 or 5), College Level Examination Program (CLEP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) examinations. Allegheny also accepts most "College in High School" credits.

For Transfer Students

Transfer students can be accommodated in both the fall and spring semesters.

Fall Semester
Application Deadline: July 1

Spring Semester
Application Deadline: November 1

For more information or an application, please visit our Transfer Student Admissions page.

For International Students

For information, please visit our International Student Admissions web site. We also encourage you to explore the services that Allegheny offers to international students at the College's International Programs and Services web site.

For Non-degree Candidates

Persons desiring to pursue studies in the College are expected to be prepared to enter the freshman class as candidates for a degree. Under exceptional circumstances, however, individuals who are not seeking a degree may be admitted as non-degree candidates and allowed to follow selected studies to a maximum of two courses per semester. An interview with a member of the Admissions staff is suggested to discuss the particular educational aims of the candidate and the requirements of the non-degree program. For more information, call 1 (800) 521-5293, e-mail Kelsey Oakes, or complete an online information form.

For more information about anything on this page, call 1 (800) 521-5293 or complete an on-line information form.