Undergraduate admissions
Are you inspired by the idea of changing the world? Do you want an undergraduate college experience that will support you in advocating for yourself and others? Are you a self-starter who wants to be surrounded by other students like you—and unlike you?
Earlham could be the place for you. For good.
We invite you to apply through the Common Application.
Start your adventure
Discover all that Earlham has to offer.
Steps to begin your Epic journey
Prepare to apply
Important dates, to-do’s and information you need to know to make your application process seamless.
Complete your application
A walk-through of our application and all the materials you need to be considered for admittance.
What’s next?
There are a few things you can do while our admissions team is reviewing your application.
Step 1: Prepare to apply
Important dates, to-dos and information you need to know to make your application process seamless.
Earlham seeks students who are academically prepared, intellectually curious and who possess a variety of special talents and interests. We also look for students who are comfortable in their own skin and embrace differences. Admission to Earlham College is selective, and we expect our students to demonstrate superior academic performance and preparation, as well as an excellent record of extracurricular involvement. In our holistic application review process, our admissions team looks at your individual grades, your cumulative GPA, your ACT and/or SAT scores (if submitted*), your recommendation letter, your leadership experience and the depth and uniqueness of your application essay.
*Earlham has a test-optional policy, which means applicants are not required to submit any standardized test scores. Learn more about our test-optional admissions policy.
Academic preparation
Although Earlham does not have specific entrance requirements, most successful applicants have completed a minimum of:
- 4 credits of English, such as literature, grammar or composition
- 3 credits of mathematics, such as algebra, geometry, pre-calculus or calculus
- 2 credits of social sciences, such as government, economics, sociology, history or similar topics
- 2 credits of sciences, such as biology, chemistry or physics
- 2 credits of world languages, including a second language that is not your native language
- Studio or performing arts, experience in the area of studio or performing arts is very desirable
Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and/or Advance College Project (ACP) courses help us gauge if you are ready for the rigorous Earlham curriculum but is not a requirement. Though we understand that not every school offers these programs, if we see that you’re taking Advanced or Honors courses or any courses that are at the highest level that the school offers, we take that into consideration when reviewing your application.
Grades in academic classes
Earlham takes your cumulative GPA into consideration when reviewing your application, but keep in mind that it is not the only thing we consider.
Application essay
This is a part of your application. Your essay should be an original piece of writing that demonstrates your thinking process and writing style and should be reviewed/proofread by someone else before you submit it.
Other decision-making factors
At Earlham, we take a holistic approach to our applicants, looking beyond the classroom when reviewing applications. When provided, we take into consideration leadership experience, extracurricular involvement, community service and work experience.
FAFSA deadlines
- Application available: January 1 or earlier
- Application deadline: Priority deadline is March 1. Deadline to ensure that financial aid will be awarded before the first bill issues is June 1. Final deadline is May 1.
Learn more about the Free Application for Federal Student Aid.
Early action deadlines
- Early action 1 applications due: Nov. 1
- Early action 2 applications due: Dec. 1
Regular decision deadlines
- Deadline Extended
With more than 40 majors and minors to choose from, as well as applied minors that combine academic interests with hands-on practical experiences, your Earlham adventure starts here.
A nationally ranked liberal arts college can be affordable. From scholarships and grants to loans and student employment, we award multiple types of aid to qualifying students.
Step 2: Complete your application
You’re on your way to becoming an Earlhamite! The following information will walk you through our application and all the materials you need to be considered for admittance.
| Application Essay | This is a part of your application. Your essay should be an original piece of writing that demonstrates your thinking process and writing style. |
| High School Transcript | Request an official copy be sent from your school. All enrolled students are required to submit a final high school transcript that includes the date of high school completion or a GED. |
| Recommendation Letter | This will be completed by your school counselor or a core teacher of your choice. |
| Standardized Test Scores (Optional) | Earlham has a test-optional policy, which means applicants are not required to submit any standardized test scores. Read our test-optional policy. Earlham’s SAT code is 1195 and our ACT code is 1186. |
This is a part of your application. Your essay should be an original piece of writing that demonstrates your thinking process and writing style and should be reviewed/proofread by someone else before you submit it.
Once you complete all the steps above and have collected the necessary items, you’re ready to apply! And, don’t worry if you don’t have all the necessary items right now–our admissions team will work with you to complete your application.
Step 3: What’s next?
While our admissions team is reviewing your application, there are a few things you can do–but you won’t have to wait long. We will make an admittance decision within two weeks after receipt of your completed application.
No matter where you are in your college search, we invite you to visit and find out firsthand why Earlham College is consistently ranked as having one of the nation’s “best classroom experiences,” according to The Princeton Review.
We are actively implementing sanitization and safety measures including social distancing, requiring masks in all buildings, temperature checks and limiting reservation time slots for in-person visits to a maximum of four families.
Come and experience Earlham for yourself and plan your on-campus or virtual visit today!
In addition, we’re happy to host you virtually on Zoom for an information session, campus tour and/or meeting with our professors, athletic coaches and other campus representatives.
Save the dates: Our 2022-23 admitted student events will be held on November 18, 2022 and February 19-20, 2023.
Please see our 2024-25 FAFSA Updates page to learn about this year’s FAFSA timeline and process.
Check out these resources for available scholarships:
There’s nothing like experiencing it for yourself. Take a few minutes to see all that Earlham has to offer!