Admission to the College

Admission Guidelines

The Elizabethtown College Office of Admissions seeks qualified students from a wide range of geographic, socioeconomic, ethnic, religious, and cultural backgrounds. While the ability to meet the challenges presented by Elizabethtown’s curriculum is the primary consideration, all aspects of the applicant’s profile can and will be considered.

Elizabethtown College emphasizes personal attention throughout the admissions process, and the Office of Admissions strives to assure the proper “fit” for both the College and the student. As such, Elizabethtown encourages applications from students who will contribute to and benefit from the College’s academic, co-curricular, service, and cultural programs. Each application is carefully reviewed to determine the student’s seriousness of scholarship, range of talents, and depth of character using the following guidelines:

Applicants must graduate from an accredited secondary school or a state Department of Education-approved program with at least four years of English, three years of mathematics, and two years each of laboratory sciences, social studies, and foreign languages.

Accompanying recommendations from a school guidance counselor and an academic course teacher must attest to the academic ability, potential, and personal character of the applicant.

Students who rank in the top 10 percent of their high school class are able to waive their standardized test scores from Elizabethtown’s review for admission and merit-based scholarship consideration. If a student attends a high school that does not rank, a grade point average of 3.50 or better (on a 4.00 scale) will allow that student to waive his/her standardized test scores. Students applying to the Elizabethtown College Honors Program must submit their standardized test scores to be considered for admission to the Honors Program.

The application form should include references to participation in activities, arts, service, athletics, and other interests beyond the classroom, as well as employment, which indicate the talents, leadership, and abilities the student will bring to the Elizabethtown community.

A writing sample – essay, personal statement, or graded paper – must be provided as an example of the student’s ability to clearly communicate his or her thoughts.

A campus visit is strongly recommended.

An interview is required for students applying to the Elizabethtown College Honors Program, Law Early Admission Program, and the occupational therapy program and is strongly recommended for all other applicants.

The following lists provide some insight into what Elizabethtown considers in the areas of academic, co-curricular and social fit:

Requests for applications and other information regarding admissions should be directed to:

Office of Admissions
Elizabethtown College
One Alpha Drive
Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298
(717) 361-1400
admissions@etown.edu
www.etown.edu

The Application Process

Elizabethtown College admits students on a “rolling” basis with an application deadline of April 1. Most prospective students apply before January of their senior year. The Office of Admissions begins to notify students of acceptance decisions – usually beginning in mid-September – and continues to admit students until late spring. Students who are offered admission to the College must respond to the offer by May 1 for the following fall semester.

An application is considered complete when the following items are submitted for review:

College Application. The use of the Common Application is encouraged and can be accessed on the College website (www.etown.edu). An Elizabethtown College application is also available on the College website as an alternative. The College does not assess an application fee.

School Report and Recommendations. Applicants should notify the appropriate high school office and direct them to complete the School Report and Recommendations. Additionally, one teacher must complete a letter of recommendation on behalf of the applicant. Applicants may submit additional recommendations from other individuals who know him/her well, such as a coach, musical director, clergy member, or employer.

Official High School Transcript. All applicants must submit an official high school transcript.

Standardized Testing Results. In order to make the admissions process as easy as possible for families during this unique time period, Elizabethtown College will review applications with or without standardized test scores for students applying for admission to Etown’s Class of 2025, which will enter the College in Fall 2021. The decision is in the hands of the applicant and there will be no penalty for choosing not to submit scores. This update includes students who are submitting a transfer application for entry to Etown in Fall 2021.

Writing Sample. All applicants must submit an example of their writing by submitting an essay on one of the topics suggested in the application. Students may also choose to submit a personal statement.

International Applicants

In addition to the previously stated requirements, international applicants also must submit the following items:

The International Student Financial Aid Application. Contact the Office of Admissions to request this form.

International Student Certification of Finances Guidelines. Contact the Office of Admission to request this form.

Personal Statement. A 250-word personal statement discussing their choice to apply to Elizabethtown College.

Standardized Testing Results. The official results of the SAT, ACT, TOEFL, IELTS, EIKEN, Pearson PTE English Proficiency, and Cambridge English Examination.

Transfer Applicants

Transfer applicants in good social and academic standing at an accredited college, university or two-year institution are encouraged to apply. Transfer students are accepted for both the fall and spring semesters.

All transfer applicants are encouraged to complete the Elizabethtown College transfer application. Students may also complete the Common Application for transfer students. In lieu of the school report, transfer applicants should submit the Transfer College Report and a letter of recommendation from a professor, teacher, or employer. Additionally, all transfer applicants must submit a high school transcript and official transcripts from all previous college work.

Transfer applicants with an earned associates degree, consisting of at least 40 corresponding general education credits, may be recognized as meeting all of the Elizabethtown College Core Program with full junior standing. For more information, please refer to the Transfer Credit policies under Academic Policies .  

All potential transfer credits – up to 64 from a two-year institution and up to 84 credits from a four-year institution – are evaluated by the Office of Registration and Records to determine how the credits will transfer to Elizabethtown College.

Special Application Requirements

Because of limited and selective enrollment opportunities, applicants to some of Elizabethtown’s programs are encouraged to submit an application earlier than the normal deadline of March 1. Those programs, with their suggested application deadlines, are as follows:

Students considering a degree in music, music therapy, or music education must complete an audition and are encouraged to contact the School of Arts and Humanities at (717) 361-1212 to learn more. Audition forms are available online through the School’s website (www.etown.edu/FAPA).

Personal Interviews and Campus Visitations

A personal interview with a member of the Admissions staff is strongly encouraged for all prospective students. It is suggested that prospective students plan to interview prior to January 1 of their senior year. Campus interviews and tours are available throughout the year. Individual appointments are scheduled between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Morning appointments also are available on select Saturdays in the fall and spring. Simply contact the Office of Admissions at (717) 361-1400 or visit the website at www.etown.edu/visit to schedule a campus visit.

Many on-campus programs are available throughout the year. Contact the Office of Admissions or visit the College’s website (www.etown.edu/visit) for the dates of Open Houses and other specialized on-campus programs.

Advanced Placement

Elizabethtown College participates in the Advanced Placement (AP) program of the College Board. Depending upon approval of the School concerned, the College grants advanced placement credit to students who score four or better on the College Board’s AP examinations. Please visit the Office of Registration and Records website at www.etown.edu/registration for our current AP credit policy. Credit through the International Baccalaureate Program may be granted for scores of five or higher on the higher-level examinations, depending upon the School concerned. (See Academic Policies  for more information.)

Transfer of Dual Enrollment Credits

Dual Enrollment refers to the practice of a student being enrolled at two schools simultaneously, as may occur when an advanced high school student registers to take a course from a college or university. Elizabethtown College has adopted specific rules to define the conditions under which this type of course may transfer to Elizabethtown College. Students can transfer courses from accredited institutions that are judged by the Registrar and the appropriate School (in the case of courses for a major/minor) to be high quality, involve active delivery methods (ongoing exchange of ideas with an instructor), and are consistent with the mission and program goals of Elizabethtown College. No online courses that are independent study or correspondence can be transferred. It is recommended that students request the credit-granting institution include a cover letter with their transcript verifying the course completed adheres to our policy for the Transfer of Dual Enrollment Credits.

For further information, see www.etown.edu/registration/registration-records.

Non-Degree Students

Students who are not candidates for a degree but who wish to enroll in one or more courses should complete the College’s application for admission. Non-degree applicants should arrange for an admissions interview to discuss course selection and special application requirements.

Early-Admission Students

Superior high school students may accelerate their higher education by beginning their college work immediately after completion of their junior year. Students who are admitted enter the College as a regular first-year student. When they successfully complete their first year, they receive their high school diploma in addition to the college credits earned. This program has the cooperation and support of the Pennsylvania Department of Education.

In addition to the fundamental requirement that early-admission applicants must have completed their 11th year in an accredited curriculum, they must exhibit the mental ability, scholastic achievement, social maturity, and personal motivation to adjust to the academic and co-curricular programs of the College. Following enrollment, early-admission students receive close academic advising by selected faculty members.

Early admission to Elizabethtown College after careful, individualized screening is based on the following:

Class Rank and Academic Aptitude. To be considered, students must rank among the top of their high school class and achieve a superior result in the SAT.

Recommendations. Written by the student’s high school principal, guidance counselor, and teachers, recommendations must indicate the student’s suitability for early admission.

Parental, High School and Elizabethtown College Support. The written approval of the student’s parents, high school principal, and guidance counselor is mandatory before acceptance. Included in the approval is the assurance of a high school diploma upon successful completion of the first year at Elizabethtown. The selection process also requires an interview with the Office of Admissions.