First-Year Student Admission
Clark University welcomes applications from men and women regardless of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, religion, age, handicap, national origin or financial condition. Selection is competitive and based primarily on academic promise as indicated by secondary-school performance, recommendations, writing ability, extra-curricular involvement and standardized test (SAT, ACT) scores. Secondarily, decisions reflect consideration of the individual experience and particular circumstances unique to each candidate.
Entrance Requirements
A diploma from an accredited secondary school or G.E.D. equivalency is required for admission to Clark. The academic preparation for successful candidates should include four years of English; three years of mathematics; three years of science; two years of both a social science and a foreign language; and other credit electives recognized in the secondary-school curriculum. The University is most concerned with the strength of the student’s academic program and therefore recommends this framework of courses. However, the University values diversity and understands that some students may be following different high school-curricular patterns.
The Application
Students applying to Clark are required to use the Common Application. and the Clark University Common Application Supplement. Official transcripts for all secondary and post-secondary coursework must be submitted by the student’s high school or college. A nonrefundable application fee of $55 or official fee-waiver request must accompany the application. First-year applicants are also required to submit two letters of recommendation, one from an academic course teacher and one from a school counselor as well as official standardized test (SAT, ACT) scores. Transfer students should contact the Admissions Office for specific supplemental forms and requirements. Learn more.
Clark University
Admissions Office
950 Main Street
Worcester, MA 01610-1477
Telephone: 508-793-7431
Fax: 508-793-8821
E-mail: admissions@clarku.edu
Students applying for financial assistance should refer to information provided in the “Undergraduate Tuition and Financial Aid” section of this catalog.
Early Admission
Exceptional students are welcome to apply for early admission after the junior year when encouraged and supported by enthusiastic recommendations from their secondary schools.
Early Action
Students who are ready to start their college applications at the beginning of senior year are encouraged to apply Early Action. Students who submit their complete application by the November 1 deadline will receive early notification of their admission decision. Early Action is a nonbinding agreement. Because Early Action is a nonbinding agreement, you will have until May 1 to submit the nonrefundable enrollment deposit.
Regular Admission
Candidates for admission in September should apply as early as possible, usually during the first grading period of their final year of secondary school. The deadline for applications and supporting credentials is January 15. (November 1 for January admission.)
Admission Tests
All U.S. applicants for first-year admission are required to submit results of the SAT I or American College Test (ACT).
All applicants whose native or official language is not English, regardless of citizenship, are required to submit evidence of English proficiency either through the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson Test of English (PTE). (See section on International Admissions.)
Campus Visits
The most informative way to learn about Clark University is to spend a day on campus. Prospective students are invited to take tours, sit in on classes and meet students and faculty members. Please visit our website, call or e-mail the Admissions Office for information regarding interviews, tour schedules and directions.
Students who cannot visit campus are encouraged to speak with one of the University’s regional alumni admissions representatives. Contact the Admissions Office for details.
Clark Conversations
A student interested in applying to Clark University will be invited to engage in a conversation with a Clark student, Admissions staff member or alumnus so that s/he may gain a personalized insight into the Clark undergraduate experience. The objective of the conversation is to provide a prospective student with the opportunity to share his or her background, interests, academic priorities and passions with a member of the Clark community. The Clark representative, in turn, will share impressions of the Clark experience that will allow the potential applicant to develop a sense of whether s/he would find Clark to be a good match.
Admission Notification and Deposits
Admissions decisions for Fall are mailed to first-year applicants in March. Early Action decisions will be released in late December to those applicants who have completed all application requirements by November 1. Overseas applicants will be notified by email. Clark requires a nonrefundable deposit to be paid no later than May 1. The deposit is credited toward first-semester charges. Spring applicants can expect to receive an admission decision by mid-December with the deposit due within two weeks of notification.
Deferred Admission
Students offered admission who wish to postpone enrollment for up to one academic Admitted students who wish to postpone their Clark enrollment for up to a year must submit a request in writing by May 1st. A nonrefundable deposit that is credited toward first-semester charges is required. Students who undertake full-time academic work in the interim may not defer enrollment but must reactivate their applications and submit official transcripts for review.
Advanced Standing
Students may earn up to one semester of advanced standing credit by submitting scores of 4 or 5 on Advanced Placement (AP) tests administered by the College Entrance Examination Board or by transferring credit from college-level coursework. Students who earn a diploma through the International Baccalaureate program may be eligible for a full year of advanced standing credit. More information about these requirements can be found here. Please contact the admissions office if you have any questions about specific program in which you are participating.
International Admission
Students applying to Clark are required to use the Common Application and the Clark University Common Application Supplement. Official transcripts for all secondary and post-secondary coursework must be submitted by the student’s high school or college. Two letters of recommendation are required, one from an academic course teacher and one from a school counselor. A nonrefundable application fee of $55 or official fee-waiver request must accompany the application. Transfer students should contact the Admissions Office for specific supplemental forms and requirements. Because of the sequential nature of University courses, Clark allows all international students to apply for the fall semester only (deadline January 15).
All applicants whose native or official language is not English are required to submit evidence of English proficiency either through the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), the International English Testing System (IELTS) or the Pearson Test of English (PTE). The Certificate of Eligibility (I-20 form) necessary to obtain a student visa will be granted only after full admission and receipt of complete financial documentation (in the form of an official bank statement reflecting the student’s family’s financial resources).
Transfer Admission
Clark welcomes applications for admission with advanced standing from students attending two- and four-year institutions. Transfer applicants may use the Transfer Common Application. The Application Supplement must also be submitted. Applicants for Fall should file by May 1; Spring applicants by November 1 (articulation agreement applicants have deadlines of May 15 and November 15 respectively). All transfer candidates are required to submit evidence of good standing, complete transcripts of all previous academic work—secondary and postsecondary—including standardized tests (if taken) and any other information requested by the Admissions Committee, such as recommendations and course catalogs.
Normally, credit is given for academic courses in the liberal arts previously taken at regionally accredited colleges and universities and by advanced standing procedures, described above. No credit is given for grades lower than C. Evaluation of credits for college courses is made at the time of admission or upon receipt of final transcripts and is used in planning a program of study at the University. Up to 50 percent of Clark’s degree and major requirements may be awarded on this basis, and a minimum of two academic years at Clark is necessary for completion of degree requirements.
Clark University participates in transfer articulation agreements with Dean College and Quinsigamond Community College. These agreements facilitates a seamless transfer process for Associate Degree graduates and those with the appropriate academic records in their two year programs. Consult the Transfer Coordinator in the Clark University Office of Admissions for more details.
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