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Admissions Process and Requirements

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Application Requirements

  • Application Form: Complete and submit the Caldwell University Application for Admission or The Common Application. 
  • Transcripts: Have an official high school transcript or official results from the GED exam forwarded to Caldwell University Office of Admissions
  • Letters of Recommendation: Request two letters of recommendation from a high school guidance counselor, teacher, or other personal sources (faculty, coaches, employer supervisor, or religious leader).  
  • Essay : If you have applied through the Caldwell University Application for Admission you should submit an essay using one of the topics below.  The essay should be at least 250 words and not exceed 650 words.  If you are applying using The Common Application the essay requested will fulfill this requirement.
    • Who are the people who have had the greatest influence on your personal development and in what ways were they influential?
    • How do you feel that obtaining a college degree will allow you to become a better person and in turn help others?
    • An essay of your choosing that will allow the admissions committee more insight into you as a person and your academic performance?
  • SAT/ACT (Optional): Caldwell University is now test-optional. Applicants have the option to include SAT and/or ACT scores as part of their application requirements. It is your personal decision as to whether you will or will not submit these test scores. This policy is for students applying to all majors, with the exception of the 3+4 Medicine Program with Rutgers-New Jersey Medical School and the Medicine and Dentistry programs with LECOM.  Applicants who have already received a decision for a start term may not re-apply test-optional for that same term. Students that submit SAT/ACT reports with high scores may be eligible for higher academic scholarships (Presidential Scholarships).

*To find out about academic scholarship opportunities, see Scholarships and Grants.  

Important Application Dates

 Applicants for Financial aid and academic scholarship consideration are advised to submit completed applications as early as possible to ensure priority review.

 Type of Applicant  Priority Application Deadline  Decision Notification  Recommended Deposit Date
Freshman Student Early Action December 1 Before December 31 May 1
Freshman Student Regular Decision February 15 Before April 15 May 1
Rolling Admissions (Based on available openings) N/A Notification within 2 weeks of completed application Reply within one week
Transfer Student September Term July 15 Rolling Two Weeks
Transfer Student January Term December 1 Before January 8 One Week
 

Application Review

The average GPA for Caldwell’s most recent incoming freshman class was 3.3 on a 4.0 scale or a B average.  The Admissions Committee is able to review the entire application and extracurricular activities.   

Sixteen units of work in college preparatory courses must be completed by graduation. These should include successful completion of four (4) units of English, two (2) units of a foreign language, two (2) units of college preparatory mathematics, two (2) units of science with at least one of which must be laboratory science, one (1) unit of history and other college preparatory courses. A student who has sixteen units but has not satisfied all the prerequisites may be admitted on the recommendation the Admissions Committee provided evidence is given of ability to pursue college work. 

The average SAT is 1130 and the Average ACT is a 21. Caldwell University is test-optional as of May 2020 for a 3-year pilot program. 

Admission Decision

You will be notified of the decision on your Application for Admission once your application and required documents have been received by the Office of Admission and evaluated by the Admissions Committee. 

All accepted students are considered for an academic scholarship as your admission decision is made.  All scholarship awards will be included in your acceptance notification.   

Enrollment Decision

Once you have made the decision to attend Caldwell University a tuition deposit is required to hold your place in the incoming class.  Students wishing to reside on campus should make a $650.00 deposit payment and students who will be commuting should deposit $250.00. Deposits may be made by mail or online.

 Upon receipt of your enrollment deposit important information regarding your Caldwell NetID and Caldwell University email account, Health Forms, Placement Tests, Orientation, and Housing will be sent via email.  Please frequently check your email. 

To continue your enrollment process and become a Caldwell Cougar, follow the Accepted Student Checklist.