Admission Information

Marywood University accepts applications for admission as an undergraduate student for both fall and spring academic semesters. All prospective undergraduate students seeking an academic challenge and a supportive environment who wish to enroll as first year students, or who wish to transfer academic credit from another college or university, are encouraged to apply. Each application is carefully evaluated with guidelines developed by the Undergraduate Admissions Committee. The Admissions Committee meets on a regular schedule during the academic year, and candidates are normally informed of an admission decision within 1–2 weeks after an application becomes complete. To apply for admission and financial aid, prospective students may telephone the Office of University Admissions (1-570-348-6234 or toll-free 1-866-279-9663) or contact the office by email (YourFuture@marywood.edu). Online applications may be completed through our website (www.Marywood.edu) or the Common Application (www.commonapp.org).

Application for Admission as a First-Year Student

Most students enrolling in Marywood as first-year students in the fall semester are recent secondary school graduates and apply for admission between the completion of the junior year in high school and before completion of the senior year, usually during the fall of their senior year. Marywood Admissions are on a rolling basis and applications are accepted at any time.

Marywood also encourages applications for admission from individuals who have been away from formal education for an extended period and have decided to continue their education. Applications from these persons are welcome at any time and provide a basis for an Undergraduate Admissions Counselor to offer guidance.

Basic Items Required for an Application for Admission

Each person who wishes to enroll in an undergraduate degree program completes and submits to the Office of University Admissions a Marywood application for admission. A check or money order in the amount of the nonrefundable application fee, made payable to Marywood University, should accompany the paper version of the application. Any fee waiver requests must be attached to the application in lieu of the required fee. Applications submitted online do not require an application fee. In addition, the candidate is responsible for the submission of the following to the Office of University Admissions:

An official transcript which reflects all course work in which a person has enrolled in secondary school and/or in a postsecondary institution. The secondary school transcript should indicate the person’s cumulative GPA.
One letter of recommendation from a candidate’s guidance counselor. We also welcome a letter from a teacher, friend, family member or a person familiar with the candidate’s background/work.
Official scores from the College Board’s SAT or from the American College Testing Program’s ACT. The candidate should take the SAT or the ACT in the spring of the junior year and/or in the autumn/winter of the senior year. Test scores should be sent directly to Marywood University by the testing agency.
An official report of the scores from the General Education Development Test (GED), if applicable. Students 21 years of age or older are not required to complete the SAT or ACT. Students less than 21 years of age must complete the SAT or ACT.
A personal statement consisting of at least 250 words on one of the topics provided by the Common Application.
Please see the Admissions website for more information regarding topics.

If the primary language of the candidate is not English and previous formal education was not in English, and official score report of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) is required.

Candidates are invited to visit the campus. An admission interview is not required but is strongly encouraged because it provides a special opportunity to explore the candidate’s interests and the University’s programs, as well as view Marywood’s facilities and learn about student life and academic support services.

Academic Preparation and Assessment of Other Special Talents

Candidates for admission should demonstrate reasonable progress toward graduation in an accredited secondary school, have graduated from a secondary school, or offer evidence of a level of knowledge equivalent to a secondary education.

Each candidate should show satisfactory academic preparation in 16 units of subject matter:

4 units of English
3 units of social studies
2 units of mathematics
1 unit of science with laboratory
6 additional units to fulfill graduation requirements

In addition to fulfilling general admission requirements, candidates for admission to a degree program in Architecture, Art, Communication Sciences and Disorders, Music, Nursing, and pre-Physician Assistant must meet special standards established by each department or program. Prior to enrollment in the Departments of Music or Art, candidates are required to audition on a major instrument or to present an art portfolio. The Office of University Admissions can provide information about these special requirements. Candidates should contact the chairperson of the appropriate departments directly early in the admission process.

For certain programs, candidates without the recommended distribution of units may be eligible for admission if their course work as a whole and the results of their tests offer evidence of a good foundation for work at the undergraduate level. Candidates who are deficient in required coursework may complete appropriate work during the summer or the first year in the University.

Early Admission

Under Marywood’s Early Admission Plan, well-qualified students may enroll in the University after the completion of their junior year of high school if they have completed all the high school units required for admission and offer evidence of the maturity necessary to perform well in a university environment. A candidate must have the recommendation of the secondary school principal.

Enrollment with a Limited Academic Schedule

Candidates who do not meet all standard admission requirements may be offered conditional acceptance to the University. Students accepted under this status are limited to no more than 12-14 credits per semester until they achieve a minimum QPA of 2.00 in 12 or more graded credits. These students will also be reviewed by the Grades and Academic Standing Committee each semester until achieving the minimum QPA. If the student does not demonstrate a sufficient level of academic achievement, s/he may be dismissed from the University.

Project GREAT

(Gradual Re-entry for Adults in Transition)

Marywood welcomes adults who have been away from formal education for a few years. For many in this group, life experiences reflecting a high level of motivation and personal success may be better predictors of academic success than are high school records. Project GREAT provides for mature learners, including the development of part-time academic schedules, with day and/or evening classes.

Deferred Enrollment

Candidates offered admission who, for reasons of travel or work, wish to defer enrollment for one or two semesters, should notify in writing the Director of University Admissions of their intentions on or before May 1 or another designated reply date, depending upon the semester of enrollment. Students requesting a deferral beyond one year, or who have previously had their application deferred from another semester, will be required to submit a new application.

Transferring from another College

A student who demonstrates satisfactory academic performance at another college or university may apply for admission as a transfer student. Academic courses presented for transfer should be equivalent to courses required by the programs of study at Marywood. A student must earn a minimum of 42 credits at Marywood University; at least one-half of the credits required for a major must also be earned at Marywood. Individuals interested in particular academic departments should read about programs and policies in the appropriate sections in this catalog.

A candidate for admission as a transfer student is responsible for the submission of the following items to the Office of University Admissions in order to complete an application for admission:

An application form with the appropriate fee (free for online filers),
An official high school transcript,
Official transcripts from ALL colleges or universities that the candidate has attended,
At least one letter of recommendation,
An official score report from the General Education Development Test (GED), if applicable.
A personal statement consisting of at least 250 words on why the applicant wishes to pursue the intended major.

International Student Admission

Prospective students who are citizens of other countries, whether they are or have been enrolled in a school in the United States or abroad, are welcome at Marywood and should contact the Office of University Admissions for special guidance. International candidates are required to meet the academic standards for admission, demonstrate proficiency in the use of the English language, include a copy of their passport, and submit documentation of sufficient funds to cover educational and living expenses for the duration of study.

To certify English proficiency, candidates whose primary language is not English must take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and submit to Marywood an official report of test results. Information about the examination may be obtained by contacting:

TOEFL Services
Educational Testing System
P.O. Box 6151
Pasadena, CA 91130, USA
Phone: 1-443-751-4862
Web: www.ets.org

IELTS International
100 East Corson Street, Suite 200
Princeton, NJ 08541-6151, USA
Web: www.IELTS.org

Additionally, international applicants must submit transcripts of all college-level coursework that has been completed and other documentation as required to support the application. Marywood conducts an Intensive English Program (IEP) to assist those whose first language is not English.

International Baccalaureate

Marywood University recognizes the strength and diversity of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program and accords special consideration for students presenting IB Credentials, on an individual basis. To receive University credit, students who take the higher-level IB examinations must request that their scores be sent to Marywood University. Upon receipt of the scores, an evaluation for credit will be performed. Students will be notified in writing of the results of that evaluation.

Final Transcripts

Admitted freshmen must submit a final high school transcript following their completion of all high school course work prior to the start of the fall semester. Admitted transfer students currently enrolled in classes at another institution at the time of acceptance must submit a final transcript showing grades assigned. Failure to do so may result in dismissal from Marywood.

Acceptance to Marywood is based upon information contained in transcripts and other materials accompanying the application. If transcripts are submitted following acceptance (final high school or college transcripts), and those transcripts show academic achievement below the achievement the original acceptance was based upon, Marywood University reserves the right to modify or revoke the offer of acceptance. Any fees paid to date will be non-refundable.

Special Opportunities