Undergraduate Student Admission
Clark University welcomes applicants for undergraduate admission 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 and extracurricular involvement. Standardized test (SAT, ACT) scores are considered when an applicant chooses to provide them, but are not required. Admissions decisions may also 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 suggested academic preparation for successful candidates includes 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.
First-Year Admission
First-year applicants must submit their applications through the Common Application. 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 $60 (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 teacher and one from a school counselor.
International Admission
International students applying to Clark must submit their applications through the Common Application. Official transcripts covering the student’s prior three (full) years of education must be submitted by the student’s school. Two letters of recommendation are required, one from an academic teacher and one from a school counselor. A nonrefundable application fee of $60 (or official fee-waiver request) must accompany the application.
All applicants whose first 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), regardless of the length of time they have spent in the United States. The Certificate of Eligibility (Form I-20) 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).
Early Action
First-year applicants 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.
Regular Admission
First-year students who wish to apply for fall semester enrollment under our regular decision deadline must submit their applications and supporting credentials by January 15. (October 1 for January admission.)
Transfer Admission
Clark welcomes applications for admission with advanced standing from students attending two- and four-year institutions. Transfer applicants must submit their applications through the Common Application. Applicants for fall-semester enrollment should submit their applications by May 1; spring-semester enrollment 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 post-secondary), a recommendation from a faculty member, and any other information requested by the Admissions Committee (e.g., course descriptions).
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, Berkshire Community College and Quinsigamond Community College. These agreements facilitate a seamless transfer process for Associate Degree graduates and those with the appropriate academic records in their two-year programs.
Standardized Test Scores
All U.S. applicants for first-year or transfer admission have the option of submitting standardized admissions test scores to be included in their admissions applications, but these results are not required. Students who choose to submit test scores may send either SAT I or American College Test (ACT) scores for consideration.
All applicants whose first language is not English (regardless of citizenship or amount of time spent in the United States) 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).
Admission Notification and Deposits
All notifications of admissions decisions are released electronically. Upon receipt of his or her application, the applicant will be given access to an online account for this purpose.
First-year, fall-semester applicants who applied under the Early Action deadline will be notified of their decisions in December; all other first-year, fall-semester applicants will be notified in March. All first-year, fall-semester admitted students who wish to enroll must submit a nonrefundable deposit to be paid no later than May 1. The deposit is credited toward first-semester charges.
First-year, spring-semester applicants can expect to receive their admission decisions in December with the deposit due within two weeks of notification. Transfer applicants are notified of their admission decisions on a rolling basis following submission of their applications, and will be notified of their deposit deadline when they receive their admission decisions.
Deferred Enrollment
An admitted student who wishes to postpone his or her enrollment for up to a year must submit a request in writing by May 1. A nonrefundable deposit (credited toward first-semester charges) is required. A student who enrolls in a degree-seeking program in the interim may not defer enrollment but must reactivate his or her application and submit official transcripts for review.
Advanced Standing
An enrolling student 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. A student who earns 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. |
