Admission
The Committee on Admissions considers each applicant on the basis of high school academic performance, standardized test scores, activities, letters of recommendation, and the personal essay.
Admission Calendar
Application Deadlines
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| November 15 | Early Decision I application deadline |
| November 15 | Spring Semester Transfer application deadline |
| December 1 | Early Action application deadline & Fellowship in the Arts application deadline |
| January 15 | Early Decision II application deadline |
| February 1 | Regular Decision application deadline |
| April 1 | Fall Semester Transfer application deadline |
| Due in line with application for admission | Need-based Financial Aid deadline (FAFSA and CSS Profile) |
Decision Notifications
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Mid-December | Early Decision I notification |
| Mid-February | Early Decision II notification |
| Mid-February | Early Action notification |
| Mid-March | Regular Decision notification |
Enrollment Confirmation Due Dates
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| 30 days post decision release | Early Decision I & II enrollment deposit due |
| May 1 | Early Action and Regular Decision enrollment deposit due |
Secondary School Preparation
Sewanee admits students who are prepared for its challenging academic environment. The following are typical of what we would expect to find in the application file of a competitive candidate:
A challenging high school curriculum which typically includes:
- four years of English
- two or more years of a foreign language
- three or more years of math including algebra I and II and geometry1
- two or more years of lab science (most students have four)
- two or more years of social science, including history
- full high school transcript with strong high school GPA showing consistent or increased strength in class work
- either SAT or ACT scores OR apply as a test optional applicant
- extracurricular activities such as clubs, sports, church groups, or work experience
- clearly written admission essay
- recommendations from teachers and school counselors with an optional recommendation from church leaders, work supervisors, or volunteer coordinators
| 1 | Three years of college preparatory mathematics (two years of algebra, one of geometry) are considered the minimum preparation for a student to attempt the required mathematics course at Sewanee; most entering students have taken four years of math. |
College Entrance Examination Options
Applicants must submit either SAT or ACT scores, or apply as a test optional candidate. Information on the SAT and ACT is available from the applicant’s secondary school or counselor.
Test of English as a Foreign Language
To be competitive with other applicants, non-native English speakers should present a minimum internet-based TOEFL score of 90 or a minimum International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 7. The University does not offer a conditional admission program for students lacking fluency in English.
Homeschooled Applicants
Sewanee welcomes applications from homeschooled students. The Coordinator for Homeschool Admission asks that such applicants complete additional steps so that the talents, strengths, and accomplishments of each applicant may be fully understood.
- The Common Application’s Homeschool Supplement allows the homeschool supervisor to explain educational philosophy, grading scale, and outside evaluation.
- A letter of recommendation from a teacher, tutor, or professor outside the applicant’s immediate family provides insight into the rigor of curriculum.
- SAT and/or ACT results provide the Committee on Admission with a standardized reflection of the applicant’s preparation for Sewanee’s rigorous curriculum.
- An interview with a member of the admission counseling staff may be conducted in person, by phone, or via teleconference.
Campus Visits
Campus visits for prospective students are not required for admission but are strongly recommended. The campus visit is one example of student-initiated interest in the University that the Committee on Admissions considers when making admission decisions. A typical visit includes a group information session with an admission counselor and a student-led tour with optional opportunities for attending a class, meeting with a faculty member or coach, or an informational interview with a current student. Other special visit opportunities include residential life tours, specialized facility tours, and lunch with a student host.
Students may schedule a visit by registering on the Office of Admission’s website. Group information sessions and campus tours are available year round and non-evaluative interviews are available during the academic year. Campus tours are offered regularly throughout the year in both the morning and afternoon. On select Saturday mornings during the academic year, a group information session with campus tour is offered at 10:30 a.m. All non-evaluative interviews are conducted by carefully selected and trained seniors in the college, and provide a formal opportunity for prospective students to engage with a current student. Interviewers are interested in learning about not only the student’s academic achievements, but also about their extracurricular activities and interests.
Group information sessions and campus tours are available year round and non-evaluative interviews are available during the academic year. Campus tours are offered regularly throughout the year in both the morning and afternoon and select Saturdays during the academic year. All non-evaluative interviews are conducted by carefully selected and trained seniors in the college, and provide a formal opportunity for prospective students to engage with a current student. Interviewers are interested in learning about not only the student’s academic achievements, but also about their extracurricular activities and interests.
The Office of Admission, located in Fulford Hall, is open Monday through Friday from 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Central Time).
Early Decision Plan
Early Decision is an option for those students who consider Sewanee as their number one choice. If admitted under the Early Decision plan, an applicant agrees to withdraw all applications to other colleges and universities and enroll at Sewanee. There are two Early Decision opportunities for which students may apply. Early Decision candidates are eligible to be considered for all potential financial aid awards through both the academic scholarship and/or need-based financial aid processes.
Applicants who are NOT admitted under Early Decision are released from their binding agreement and may be deferred to the regular admission cycle. These deferred candidates must submit a completed Mid-Year Grade Report, along with any additional supporting documentation, if applicable, in order to receive full consideration under regular admission.
The student applying for early decision should:
- Indicate “Early Decision I” or “Early Decision II” on the Common Application. Complete and submit the binding Common Application Early Decision Agreement.
- Submit all required documentation on or before November 15 for Early Decision I, or January 15 for Early Decision II. If all documentation requirements are not met by the respective application deadline, the application will be treated as a regular decision application.
- A student admitted to the University under either binding Early Decision plan agrees to withdraw any applications to other colleges and to enroll at Sewanee.
Early Admission After the Junior Year
Students may apply for admission after the junior year of high school. Although Sewanee does not encourage early admission to the college, this plan is sometimes appropriate for select students. The early admission candidate should have exhausted most of the academic courses offered by his or her high school and be ready academically, emotionally, and socially for the college environment.
An early admission candidate must complete the same requirements and meet the same deadlines as a regular candidate with the following additions:
- An interview is required on campus with either a member of the admission staff or a member of the Committee on Admissions.
- Written recommendation and approval must be received from the candidate’s counselor, principal, or headmaster for early admission action, including a statement that the student is prepared emotionally, academically, and socially for success in the college environment.
- The candidate should present academic credentials as strong as or stronger than the average student who typically enrolls at Sewanee (i.e., an A-/B+ average in academic courses from high school and at least 1860 on the SAT or 28 on the ACT).
- The candidate must state (in writing to the Committee on Admissions) why he or she wants to forego the senior year in high school and enter college as an early admission student.
Although the committee prefers that the candidate meet all requirements for the high school diploma, this is not a requirement for acceptance as an early admission candidate.
Transfer Applicants
Students seeking to transfer to the college from other accredited colleges must complete the Common Application for transfer students, the College Instructor Evaluation form, and the Registrar’s Report. In addition, transfer applicants must submit a final high school transcript, official transcripts from each college attended, and either official SAT or ACT exam scores.
Credit for transfer students is subject to approval by the Office of the Associate Dean of the College. The College Standards Committee, in consultation with the chair of departments concerned, may be called upon to evaluate transfer credit for courses of uncertain interpretation.
Quarter hours are converted to semester hours at two-thirds face value. Thus five quarter hours equal three semester hours.
To receive a degree, students transferring from other institutions must meet the college’s graduation requirements. Each such student must spend at least four semesters in residence in Sewanee enrolled on campus as a full-time student. Because each student must earn at least 64 semester hours of credit at Sewanee, transfer credit is limited to 64 semester hours.
The application deadline for transfer candidates is April 1 for the fall semester and November 15 for the spring semester. Decision notification for both deadlines is on a rolling basis.