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Applying to F&M

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Ready to learn the Diplomat Way? Apply to F&M and take your first step toward an educational journey that’s distinctive to you.

Applying to F&M

Resources for New Students

We are so excited you chose Franklin & Marshall as the next step in your educational journey. Your F&M experience will start with new student orientation. Orientation at F&M is a multi-part program, with virtual summer courses and in-person orientation offered at the start of the fall semester.

Learn more »

What Does It Mean to Be a Diplomat?

"It means being able to move fluidly between cultures and among cultures. It means bridging between different languages, different fields of study, different fields of expertise, different cultures and different points of origin. It means transforming disruption into opportunity." — F&M President Barbara Altmann

Start Your Application

F&M accepts applications from one of two sources: the Common Application or the Coalition Application. These platforms allow you to streamline your application process and apply to multiple colleges at once.

Begin Common Application
Begin Coalition Application

Once we receive your application, you’ll have access to your F&M Application Portal, which you can use to upload additional materials to support your application.

Application Dates to Remember

Early Decision I

November 15
(Notified within 30 days from the application deadline)

Early Decision II*

January 15
(Notified within 30 days from the application deadline)

Regular Decision*

January 15
(Notified by April 1)

Transfer (Fall)

Deadline: July 1

Transfer (Spring)

Priority Deadline: November 1
Final Deadline: December 15

* Please note the deadline to switch to Early Decision I from Regular Decision or Early Decision II is December 9. The deadline to switch to Early Decision II from Regular Decision is February 3.

** We continue to accept fall transfer applications after the April 15 priority deadline and release decisions on a rolling basis.

Application Options

Applying Early Decision

Are you convinced you want to be a Diplomat? If F&M is your top-choice school, applying Early Decision is your best option. Please note that applying Early Decision means that if you apply to F&M and are admitted, you’re committed to enroll.

To apply Early Decision, you must complete an Early Decision Agreement on either the Common Application or the Coalition Application on Scoir.

Early Decision Application Deadlines

There are two deadlines for applying Early Decision—in early fall and early winter. 

Early Decision I Deadline
November 15
(Notified within 30 days from the application deadline)

Early Decision II Deadline
January 15
(Notified within 30 days from the application deadline)

* Please note the deadline to switch to Early Decision I from Regular Decision or Early Decision II is December 9. The deadline to switch to Early Decision II from Regular Decision is February 3.

Early Estimates of Financial Aid

We understand that many families need to know how much financial aid they may receive before committing to F&M via Early Decision. We can provide you with an early estimate of the need-based financial aid for which you might qualify. This is an estimate only, not a guaranteed financial aid package. It also doesn’t guarantee or imply admission.
LEARN HOW TO GET AN EARLY ESTIMATE



Stay Organized With an Application Checklist

We understand the application process involves a lot of moving parts. To make sure you haven’t missed anything important, check out this step-by-step guide to applying Early Decision.
CHECK OUT YOUR APPLICATION CHECKLIST


Applying Regular Decision

If you’re still exploring your options and F&M is one of many colleges you are considering, applying Regular Decision is likely your best option. We have one Regular Decision deadline in January. 

Regular Decision Deadline
January 15
(Notified by April 1)

* Please note the deadline to switch to Early Decision I from Regular Decision or Early Decision II is December 9. The deadline to switch to Early Decision II from Regular Decision is February 3.

Begin Your Common Application
Begin Your Coalition Application

 

Stay Organized With an Application Checklist

We understand the application process involves a lot of moving parts. To make sure you haven’t missed anything important, check out this step-by-step guide to applying as a first-year student.
Check out your application checklist

Applying as a Transfer Student

Are you looking for more from your college experience? As a transfer student, it takes courage and conviction to demand a college experience that goes beyond baseline expectations. At Franklin & Marshall College, we welcome students who bring a fresh perspective to our community—students like you. Welcome to the first step on the journey to becoming an F&M Diplomat. Let’s create a new path—together.
Explore the transfer student experience

There are two application deadlines depending on which semester you’d like to transfer. 

Fall Semester
Deadline: July 1

Spring Semester
Priority Deadline: November 1
Final Deadline: December 15


** We continue to accept fall transfer applications after the April 15 priority deadline and release decisions on a rolling basis.

If you have any questions, you can email transfer@fandm.edu.

Begin Your Common Application

Stay Organized With an Application Checklist

We understand the application process involves a lot of moving parts. To make sure you haven’t missed anything important, check out this step-by-step guide to applying as a transfer student.
Check out your application checklist

Applying as an International Student

We’re delighted you’re interested in pursuing an American liberal arts education at F&M. There is a strong global presence at F&M, with 17% of our students coming to our campus from countries outside of the U.S.
Explore the international student experience

If you’re applying to F&M as an international student, you will be asked to follow the standard application procedures and also supply some additional information, including proof of proficiency in the English language. If F&M is your first-choice institution, we recommend you apply Early Decision. We place an exceptional value on students who apply early. Otherwise, you may apply Regular Decision.
Apply to F&M as an international student

Stay Organized With an Application Checklist

We understand the application process involves a lot of moving parts. To make sure you haven’t missed anything important, check out this step-by-step guide to applying as an international student.
Check out your application checklist


Test Optional Policy

We know you are more than a test score. That’s why we have been proudly test-optional for more than 30 years: when you apply to F&M, you choose whether or not to submit your standardized test (SAT or ACT) scores with your application. 

We also know that making that choice can be complicated, which is why we take a “no harm” approach when reviewing test scores. This means that we will only consider your scores if they strengthen your application. It’s that simple. 

Applying Without Test Scores

F&M conducts a holistic review of every application. If you opt not to submit your test scores, we will redistribute the weight test scores would otherwise carry across the other components of your application—transcripts, academic recommendation and other supporting materials—to make our decision. Choosing to apply test-optional has no negative impact on your likelihood of admission.

You should indicate on your Common Application or Coalition Application if you are applying test optional. If you have already submitted your standardized test scores but would like to remove them from your application, you can tell us through your F&M Application Portal or contact us directly to request this change.

Applying With Test Scores

Applicants who choose to submit test scores with their application are evaluated in a holistic manner. We do not use test scores as the decisive factor in review. We also take a “no harm” approach to test scores. This means that we will only consider your scores if they strengthen your application. 

If you choose to submit standardized test scores, we will “superscore” your results. This means that if you have taken a test more than once, we will take the highest score for each section, even if they come from different testing dates. 

Submission of the essay portion of the SAT/ACT is optional. Students are welcome but not required to send optional subject tests.

How to Submit Scores

You may ask The College Board (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT) to submit your scores directly to F&M by using their school code systems:

  • F&M SAT Code: 2261
  • F&M ACT Code: 3574

Test scores will also be considered if they are:

  • listed on the official high school transcript (unless applying test-optional);
  • sent directly by an applicant’s secondary school to the Office of Admission; or
  • self-reported by the student on their Common/Coalition Application.

Students who choose to self-report scores on the Common/Coalition Application and who later enroll at F&M are required to submit verified test scores at the time of their enrollment.

Additional Application Materials

Do you want to further personalize your application to F&M? We welcome any materials that you feel add value to your application. These may include an optional admission interview; videos or images of dance or theater performances; or samples of your work in film, art or creative writing. 

Schedule an Interview

Interviews are a great way for us to get to know each other better. At F&M, interviews are engaging, informal conversations. And while interviews are not required, they are a good way to strengthen your application. This is your time to tell us something about you hat may not show up on your application.

Check out our interview tips to get some insight into what makes a good interview.
Schedule an interview

Art Portfolio Samples

F&M’s art, art history, and film department welcomes samples of  your artistic work in any medium. Art talent samples should include between no less than six and no more than 20 works, preferably submitted as a PDF file to your F&M Application Portal. 

Please include your full name and type of medium on the PDF file name. Also include a short personal statement (approximately 250 words) about why creating art is important to you.

Music Samples

There are many ways to share your musical prowess with F&M’s music department. You can submit a recording of a performance to your F&M Application Portal (a video recording is preferred), submit copies or recordings of any compositions, and meet with a music department representative on campus or virtually. 

Dance Samples

Dance at F&M is open to all students, regardless of prior experience. If you have experience and would like to demonstrate your dance technique, you can upload a video to your F&M Application Portal. Please include your first and last name in the title. If the performance you submit includes multiple dancers, please identify yourself when submitting. Please also indicate whether you choreographed the piece.

Additional Letters of Recommendation

Beyond the required recommendations, you are welcome to send additional letters of recommendations from coaches, supervisors, or mentors who know them well. However, we ask that you be mindful of how many letters you send.

Schoolhouse Mastery Certification

Students are welcome to submit Schoolhouse certification(s) to their application. After you have completed certification in a subject area, you will be able to download a PDF document verifying your completion. You can upload this PDF to your F&M Application Portal under "Material Upload" as "Other Documents," after you have submitted an application to F&M.

Scholarship Opportunities

F&M students are global citizens who lead lives of meaning. Diplomats are collaborative, intellectually curious, creative and entrepreneurial. To build a community of students of high promise and diverse backgrounds, we offer multiple forms of scholarships and merit aid.
LEARN MORE »

iF&M in Bath, England

iF&M (the i stands for international) is a program during which a select group of first-years spend the fall semester living and learning in England under the guidance of an F&M faculty member. Outside the classroom, you’ll have the chance to explore London, Stratford-upon-Avon, Oxford, and other awe-inspiring locations steeped in culture and history.
Learn more »

F&M Application Portal

If you are a current applicant, you can access your application at any time.
F&M Application Portal »

Join the F&M Family Connection

Sign up for our parent and family portal, the F&M Family Connection, for additional information on your student's journey through the application process. You can also fill out this form telling us more about yourself and your student. We look forward to connecting with you!

Sign up now »

Financial Aid at F&M

We’re dedicated to making an F&M education affordable for all. By offering need- and merit-based financial aid, we’re able to welcome talented students from all backgrounds.

Learn more about financial aid at F&M

65%

of F&M students receive some sort of need-based aid

Experience Campus

Ready to take your first look at campus? Whether you visit us in person or “walk around” with a virtual tour, our Admission team is prepared to help you build your visit to suit your schedule and needs.

Plan your visit »

Franklin & Marshall College is committed to having an inclusive campus community where all members are treated with dignity and respect. The College does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race or ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, family or marital status, or sexual orientation in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid programs, athletic and other College-administered programs.

Federal legislation requires institutions of higher education to share with all prospective members of the community a copy of their Annual Security Report (ASR), which is available through Franklin & Marshall's Department of Public Safety. The ASR contains information about the college, its facilities, crime statistics, and where to report any crimes, among other information. A hard copy of the ASR is available by contacting Franklin & Marshall's Department of Public Safety or calling (717) 358-3870.

As required by Pennsylvania law, if there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child has been abused, F&M will report this to the appropriate state authorities.