How to Apply
Drew is a test-optional school, which means you can choose whether or not to submit your SAT or ACT scores for consideration with your application. We take a holistic approach to reviewing your application and consider many factors in our decision, including your high school grades, course of study, recommendations, essay, extracurricular involvement and SAT/ACT scores, when submitted. We know that standardized tests may not measure the full range of your qualities, so it’s not a requirement of Drew’s admission process.
There are three options when you apply to Drew: Early Decision, Early Action & Regular Decision.
LEARN MORE ABOUT EARLY DECISION
Sometimes you just know when something is the right fit. So why wait?
If you can already picture yourself happy, challenged, and thriving at Drew University, we strongly encourage you to apply for Early Decision and take the stress out of the college selection process—you’ll have your decision by Thanksgiving.
Students admitted through Early Decision receive access to priority registration for first-year classes and early parking privileges on campus. The deadline to apply for Early Decision is November 1.
Curious about finances? Take advantage of Drew’s Early Read program to learn your estimated merit scholarship eligibility. Contact your admissions counselor to get started.
More details about Early Decision
Early Decision is a binding agreement—if admitted and if the financial assistance provided makes it possible for you to afford Drew, you are obligated to withdraw other applications and pay your enrollment deposit to Drew. You should only apply for Early Decision to one school.
There are two Early Decision application options: The ED I deadline for applications is November 1. Applicants will be notified of their decision on or about Thanksgiving. Admitted ED 1 applicants must deposit by January 2. Students who decide later that Drew is their first choice college are urged to apply as ED II candidates. The application deadline for ED II is January 15. Enrollment Deposits are due two weeks after admission notification.
Students who apply for Early Decision should complete the Early Decision Agreement which can be found as part of the application.
Students who apply for Early Decision to Drew and wish to be considered for need-based financial aid must complete the federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by November 1 in order to receive an aid decision at the time of admission.
Interested students should apply separately for Drew Action Scholars and the Drew Scholarship for the Arts. Applicants will be notified of their scholarship awards upon admission to the University.
LEARN MORE ABOUT EARLY ACTION
For students who have Drew high on their list and are eager to learn their admission decision, but aren’t quite ready to commit to the binding agreement that comes with Early Decision, Drew offers Early Action. Drew’s Early Action deadline is December 1.
If you apply as an Early Action candidate, you’ll receive your admission decision by January 15, with some decisions starting mid-December. This will provide you with several extra weeks to communicate with current students and faculty, plan a visit, and explore life in “The Forest.”
Students who apply for Early Action and wish to be considered for need-based financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by December 1 in order to receive an aid package at the time of admission. All applicants are automatically considered for Drew’s merit scholarships.
Interested students should apply separately for Drew Action Scholars and the Drew Scholarship for the Arts. Applicants will be notified of their scholarship awards upon admission to the University.
LEARN MORE ABOUT REGULAR DECISION
Drew’s application deadline for those students applying under our Regular Decision program is February 1, with notification on or about March 6 and a deposit due date by the National Candidate’s Reply Date of May 1. Students are automatically considered for Drew University academic merit scholarships.
A financial aid award will be included along with the letter of admission for students who submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at the time of application.
Interested students should apply separately for Drew Action Scholars and the Drew Scholarship for the Arts. Applicants will be notified of their scholarship awards upon admission to the University.
INFORMATION ABOUT HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS
Students electing not to submit SAT/ACT scores must present a strong high school transcript in a rigorous college-prep or honors curriculum and typically will have at least a B+ average. Students should indicate the desire to be considered under Drew’s test optional admission program when completing your application. To learn more about Drew’s test policy, click here.
Admitted students who commit to Drew are required to submit a final high school transcript. Please request that your college counseling office send your transcript to Office of College Admissions, Drew University, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940.
Your final transcript is required prior to the start of your first semester at Drew and the release of federal aid.
The Admissions Committee reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission and any scholarship award if a student’s academic performance falls below that upon which the admit and scholarship decisions were made.
EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITY SCHOLARS (EOS/EOF)
INFORMATION FOR TRANSFER STUDENTS
Transfer students are high school graduates or GED holders who have completed 12 or more college level credits after graduating from high school. Drew welcomes transfer applications from domestic and international students attending two-year or four-year colleges.
Visit our Transfer page for more details, including Transfer-specific deadlines.
INFORMATION FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS
Visit our International Admissions page for more details.
