Aug 02, 2025  
Undergraduate Catalog 2025-2026 
    
Undergraduate Catalog 2025-2026

Admission to the College



Admission Guidelines

The Elizabethtown College Office of Admissions seeks qualified students from diverse backgrounds and experiences. While academic readiness to meet the challenges of Elizabethtown’s curriculum is the primary consideration, all aspects of an applicant’s profile are taken into account.

Elizabethtown College emphasizes personal attention throughout the admissions process, and the Office of Admissions is committed to ensuring the right fit for both the College and each student. The College encourages applications from students who will both contribute to and benefit from its academic, co-curricular, service, and cultural programs. Each application is carefully reviewed to assess the student’s academic commitment, range of talents, and depth of character based on 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. We acknowledge each high school has its own set of requirements. Please contact the Office of Admissions if you have questions regarding the suggested guidelines. 

Recommendations should reflect on the applicant’s academic abilities, potential for success, and personal character.

Elizabethtown College is currently a test optional school with the exception of the 3+2 BS/MS Physician Assistant Program and international candidates. Applicants to the 3+2 BS/MS Physician Assistant Program must submit either official ACT or SAT scores as an application requirement. For international applicants, please visit the website for specific programmatic information regarding the admissions process. For all other academic programs, the decision is at the discretion of the applicant and there is no penalty for choosing not to submit scores.

The application form should include references for 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 Counseling Psychology (BS/MA) 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.

The following lists provide insight into how Elizabethtown College considers the areas of academic, co-curricular and social activities:

Academic
Strength of curriculum
Grade point average
Rank in class
Letters of recommendation
Academic awards/honors

Co-Curricular
Athletic ability
Musical ability
Dramatic ability
Service and leadership
Work experience
Activity involvement

Social
Integrity
Persistence
Seriousness of attitude
Appreciation for the College
Interest in Elizabethtown
Work ethic


Questions and information regarding admissions can be directed to:

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

The Application Process

Elizabethtown College admits students on a rolling basis with a priority deadline of November 1 and a recommended deadline of April 15. Exceptions to these deadlines include select specialty programs noted below. 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. Please note some programs may reach capacity before that date.

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. The College does not charge an application fee.

Recommendations: To fulfill this requirement, applicants should request that their High School Counselor or Teacher write and submit a Letter of Recommendation. Applicants may request 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 school counselor office or accredited home education program.

(Optional)* Standardized Testing Results are optional for all applicants, with the exception of the 3+2 BS/MS Physician Assistant Program and international students.*

Special Application Requirements

Because of limited and selective enrollment opportunities, applicants to some of Elizabethtown College’s programs are required to complete and submit an application earlier for review or by the deadlines listed below. 

 
Counseling Psychology Program (BS/MA)
 
Occupational Therapy Program
 
Physician Assistant Program
 
 
 
Pre-Med Primary Care Program

Law Early Admission Program

Honors Program
 
Music 
January 15/Invited to Interview
 
Priority Deadline January 15/Interview Required
 
Priority Deadline: November 3
General Deadline: December 3
Final Deadline: January 15
 
January 15/Invited to Interview

March 15

March 15/Invited to Interview
 
Audition Required
 

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) 361-1112 to learn more. Audition forms are available online through the School’s website.

International Applicants

For academic admission, international applicants must submit the following academic items for review and verification:  

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

If you are academically admitted to the College, you must submit the following items to verify that you are eligible to obtain your form I-20 for the F-1 student visa. If you do not need an F-1 student visa, are already in the U.S. or entering on a different status, you do not need to submit the documents below:

  • A copy of the photograph page of your passport
  • Certification of Finances form
  • Official bank statement with bank seal or signature (from within three months)

To receive a SEVIS form I-20, students must show proof of funds to cover the total cost of their first year of study minus scholarships. An expense breakdown is available on our Tuition & Cost page. International students are eligible for merit scholarships.

Proof of financial support is required by the U.S. Student Exchange Visa Program, section 101(a)(15)(F), through the department of Citizenship and Immigration Services. If you would like more information about this requirement, please visit this website.

Please note that the Elizabethtown College Office of Admissions reserves the right to request additional information and/or an admissions interview at any point in the admission process.

  • The deadline for a completed application for Fall entry (August start date), including all academic and financial credentials referenced above, is July 15.            
  • The deadline for a completed application for Spring entry (January start date), including all academic and financial credentials referenced above, is November 15.

Please email all credentials and any questions to international@etown.edu or by mail to:

Elizabethtown College

Office of Admissions

1 Alpha Dr.

Elizabethtown, PA 17022-2298

USA

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.  

A grade of C- or better in a 100-level or higher course from an accredited institution will transfer to Etown College. All potential transfer credits – up to 64 from a two-year accredited institution and up to 84 credits from a four-year accredited institution – are evaluated by the Office of Registration and Records to determine how the credits will transfer to Elizabethtown College.

Campus Visitations

The Office of Admissions offers several options for weekday and weekend campus visits. Please visit our website to view visit opportunities. Appointments also can be scheduled online or call the Office of Admissions: (717) 361-1400.

Advanced Placement

Elizabethtown College participates in the Advanced Placement (AP) program of the College Board. Depending upon approval of the respective School, the College grants advanced placement credit to students who score three or better on the College Board’s AP examinations. Please visit the Office of Registration and Records website 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. (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.

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 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 advisement 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.

Recommendations. Written by the student’s high school principal, school 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/guardians, high school principal, and school 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 College. The selection process also requires an interview with the Office of Admissions.