Q: What are the most important criteria in the admission process?
A: The rigor of your high school program is what carries the most weight in the admission process. Have you pushed yourself academically and intellectually even in the subjects you don't like? Or, did you opt for the easy "A" in a college prep curriculum when you knew you would have been challenged more in the honors/AP track?
The level of courses you take says two things to us. One, it gives us a better sense of your preparation for the demands of college work. The higher level your courses, the better you will be prepared. Two, it says something to us about your intellectual motivation and curiosity. You are not satisfied to just get by with good grades. You are driven by the quest to stretch yourself conceptually and be challenged by your teachers and your classmates.
Other parts of your application that are important to us are your essay, recommendations (two from academic teachers and one from your counselor), extracurricular activities, and interview. We are actively looking for students who would most benefit from a Connecticut College education and see the College as one of their primary choices for post-secondary education. Students can connect with the College by visiting campus, interviewing (in-person or virtual), and visiting with admission counselors during their fall travel.
Q: How can I interview with Connecticut College?
A: Interviews are not a required component of the admission process at Conn, but they're an excellent opportunity to add depth to your application. In-person interviews are available on our campus and in select locations around the United States when our admission counselors are traveling. Online interviews with a Connecticut College representative are also available. All interviews are approximately 30 minutes and equally valued regardless of format. First-year applicants for Fall entry may interview at any time between mid-June and mid-December prior to our January deadlines. To register for a Conn interview, click here.
In lieu of an online interview, international applicants are encouraged to submit an InitialView interview. InitialView interviews are conducted in your timezone and can be sent to multiple colleges. Applicants interested in an InitialView interview are encouraged to make a reservation here as soon as possible in order to secure a timely appointment. InitialView interviews must be submitted by December 1 (EDI applicants) and February 1 (EDII & Regular Decision applicants) in order to be considered with your application.
Applicants attending high school in the United States are welcome to record a Glimpse video. Glimpse is an opportunity to share a 60-90 second video helping us to get to know you better. Glimpse videos must be submitted by December 1 (EDI applicants) and February 1 (EDII & Regular Decision applicants) in order to be considered with your application.
Q: What should I take senior year that will benefit me when applying?
A: The most competitive applicants are those who have maximized their high school's curriculum and taken the most demanding courses available. We expect applicants to go above and beyond their high school's minimum graduation requirements and continue on in all academic subjects all four years. Does this mean that we deny students who do not take a lab science senior year? Of course not, but the strongest applicants are those who have a full academic load senior year (English, math, lab science, social science/history, and foreign language).
Q: What other materials may I submit in addition to the Common Application?
A: You may choose to submit an art portfolio through your applicant portal and/or one non-academic recommendation (such as a peer recommendation) via your Common Application account.
Q: How can I submit my application materials?
A: We use the Common Application, which requires electronic submission of your application. Connecticut College has waived the application fee. School Reports, transcripts, school profiles, teacher recommendations and one non-academic recommendation may also be submitted electronically via the Common Application system. Electronic submission of these materials is strongly preferred, but if that is not possible school materials and recommendations may be emailed to admission@conncoll.edu or mailed to the Office of Admission.
Q: Does Connecticut College offer Early Decision or Early Action?
A: Connecticut College offers two rounds of Early Decision (ED), but no Early Action (EA). To clarify: colleges and universities may offer an option for students to apply in November and be notified in December if they have been admitted. The difference between ED and EA is that ED is binding and EA is not. What this means is that you can only apply to one school ED and if admitted you must go, whereas you may apply to more than one school EA.
Q: What are your deadlines?
A: The deadlines for students who choose to apply Early Decision (ED) are different for those who select to apply Regular Decision (RD).
Q: Do I need to submit standardized tests?
A: Connecticut College does not require students to submit standardized test scores. If your standardized test scores do not reflect your full potential, we recommend you choose not to submit them to us. Learn more about our standardized test policy.
You are asked to indicate the standardized test scores you would like us to consider on the Common Application Member Screen. You may choose to submit the SAT Reasoning Test, the ACT (writing component not required), or no tests at all. You will not be disadvantaged in the admissions process by choosing "no tests."
Connecticut College's ACT code is 0556 and its SAT code is 3284.
Q: Why don't you require standardized testing?
A: Learn more about our standardized test policy.
Q: What kind of test scores are submitted by applicants?
A: Keep in mind that Connecticut College does not require the submission of standardized tests. The middle 50% ranges for test scores submitted by admitted students for the Class of 2024 are:
SAT Evidence Based Reading and Writing 670-740
SAT Mathematics 660-750
ACT 31-34
SAT subject scores range from the high 600s to low 700s.
Q: How do I know whether to submit my standardized test scores?
A: Our advice would be to submit your scores if you feel they are representative of your achievement and you believe they will enhance your application. Some students use our middle 50% ranges as a guideline. If their scores fall within our upper ranges, they submit them.
Q: Do you penalize students for not submitting standardized test scores?
A: No, you are not penalized for withholding your standardized test scores. Some students do not submit them simply because they like our philosophy on standardized tests.
Q: If I want to submit standardized tests, does it matter when I take them?
A: Yes, it does. Check with the College Board for test dates and register early. We recommend that you take either your SAT Reasoning Test or the ACT for the first time in June of your junior year. If you feel the need to take them again, the October administration is recommended. We do not recommend that you wait until December of your senior year to take standardized tests for the first time.
Keep in mind that we do not require the submission of standardized tests, so whether you've taken your tests once or more than once, it will not be held against you if you choose not to submit them at all.
Q: What does Connecticut College require from home-schooled students?
A: If you are a home-schooled student, we welcome your application to Connecticut College. There are a few things you should keep in mind when you are submitting your application.
If you do not have a traditional high school transcript, please submit a detailed accounting of the courses you have pursued along with syllabi or reading lists. If you have taken courses at a high school, college/university or through a distance learning program, please send official transcripts along with your application.
In addition, your letters of recommendation should not come from your parents. Instead many students submit letters of recommendation from instructors of classes they may have taken at a high school, college or university or from people for whom they have volunteered or worked.
You should also try to have an interview, if possible, with an admission officer in-person or online. The home-schooled students who are successful applicants to the College have generally availed themselves of local college, university or distance learning courses through an accredited educational organization, and have participated in extracurricular activities at the local level.
Q: Do you offer merit awards or scholarships?
A: We offer a limited number of merit scholarships based on your academic performance in high school. There is not a separate application and a student does not need to be applying for financial aid, all applicants are considered at time of applying. Learn more about our Scholarships and Grants.
Q: How many first-year students apply and enroll each fall?
A: For our most up-to-date admission data, please visit this page.
Q: How much of the class enrolls through Early Decision?
A: We enroll just under 50% of each class through Early Decision.
Q: Does it make a difference which teachers I ask for my recommendations?
A: Ask teachers who know you the best, not necessarily the teachers in whose class you earned the highest grade. For example, you may not be a particularly gifted math student, but you went after class for weeks to get help and finished with a well-earned but lower grade than you are used to. Does your math teacher know the kind of student you are better than the AP English teacher in whose class you received an A? That is for you to decide. Please be sure two recommendations are from academic teachers.
Q: What's the deal with AP and IB exams?
A: We accept 4s and 5s on certain AP exams and 5s, 6s and 7s on certain IB Higher Level exams. Exam scores that are accepted for credit are applied toward your degree requirements and may count towards your major and/or general education requirements, with departmental approval. Learn more about course credits.
Q: How will I know if someone is visiting my school or region?
A: See where admission counselors are traveling. You can search by zip code or state. This information is posted each year by mid-September.
Q: When are first-year students due on campus?
A: Typically, orientation, testing, and registration for first-year applicants and transfers begin the last week of August. Visit the Orientation page for more information.
Q: When are applicants notified of decisions?
A: Regular Decision applicants are typically notified of decisions electronically at the very end of March.
Q: Can I apply to Connecticut College if I already have a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B.S.) degree?
A: No, this is not permitted. Once one has earned a bachelor's degree, regardless of the institution from which the degree was received or whether it is in the arts or in the sciences, one is not allowed to apply to Connecticut College for a second bachelor's degree. This rule also applies to Connecticut College alumni who contemplate matriculating for a second round of studies.
Q: Does Connecticut College have an application fee?
A: No, there is not an application fee.
Q: What if I have submitted my Common App but now wish to apply Early Decision?
A: If you wish to convert to ED, please contact our office and we will email you an ED agreement form to be signed by you, your college counselor, and a parent/guardian.