Admission to the College

Print this Page

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 should attest to the academic ability, potential, and personal character of the applicant.

Elizabethtown is a test optional school with the exception of the Physician Assistant Program.  Applicants to the Physician Assistant Program must submit either ACT or SAT scores as an application requirement. For all other programs, the decision is at the discretion of the applicant and there is no penalty for choosing to not submit scores.

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 campus visit is strongly encouraged.

An interview is required for students applying to the Occupational Therapy Program. Students applying to the Physician Assistant and Premedical Primary Care Programs will be invited to interview. Prospective Music Majors must audition. Qualified candidates for the Honors Program will be reviewed and invited to interview.

All other applicants are strongly recommended to interview.

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

Questions and information regarding admissions can be directed to:

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

The Application Process

Elizabethtown College admits students on a “rolling” basis with an application deadline of April 1. The Office of Admissions begins to notify students of acceptance decisions beginning in mid-September, and continues to admit students until late spring. Students offered admission to the College must respond by May 1 for the following fall semester.

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

Application. Applicants can use either the Common Application or the Elizabethtown College Application which can be accessed on the College website (www.etown.edu/admissions/apply/index.aspx). The College does not assess an application fee.

School Report and Recommendations. Applicants should notify their High School Guidance Office to complete the School Report and Recommendation. Applicants may submit additional recommendations from other individuals who know them well, such as a coach, teacher, musical director, clergy member, or employer.

Official High School Transcript. All applicants must have an official high school transcript submitted through their guidance office.

(Optional)* Standardized Testing Results. SAT/ACT scores are optional for all applicants, with the exception of the Physician Assistant Program.* 

International Applicants

We operate on a two-part review process. First, international applicants are reviewed for academic acceptance by submitting the following items:

• One of the following: SAT/ACT/TOEFL/IELTS/EIKEN/Duolingo/PTE/IESOL/Cambridge English scores or an English proficiency letter written by a teacher
• One letter of recommendation from your guidance counselor, advisor, principal or teacher
• An official copy of your secondary school transcripts

After you are admitted academically, then we ask you to submit the following items to ensure you are financially able to attend:

• The College Board Certification of Finances form
• A copy of the photograph page of your passport
• Current bank statement

Transfer Applicants

Transfer applicants in good social and academic standing at an accredited college, university or two-year institution are encouraged to apply to either the fall or spring semesters. The College’s Occupational Therapy and Physician Assistant Program are not open to transfer students.

All transfer applicants must complete either the Elizabethtown College or Common Transfer Application. Additionally, applicants must submit an official, final high school transcript and official undergraduate transcripts from all previous college work. Letters of recommendation, writing sample, and standardized test scores are optional.

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 required to complete and submit an application earlier for review or by the deadlines listed below. 

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/depts/music/auditions.aspx).

Personal Interviews and Campus Visitations

Persoanl interviews and campus tours are available throughout the year. Individual appointments are scheduled between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., Monday through Friday. Information Sessions and Open Houses are also available on select Saturdays in the fall and spring. Please contact the Office of Admissions at (717) 361-1400 or visit the website at www.etown.edu/visit to schedule an appointment or view all visit opportunities.

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. Admitted students 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.