Incoming First-Year
Overview
We’ve designed our admission process to get to know you as a whole person. We don’t require standardized test scores, but our team looks closely at your academic accomplishments — we like to see strong performance in challenging courses. We're just as interested in understanding your personal interests and accomplishments, both in school and your community, and in reading your personal essay. Your academic experience and cumulative grade point average is the most important part of our holistic approach to reviewing your appplication for admission.
How to Apply
There are three ways to apply to Saint Joseph's University as an incoming first-year student: you can choose the Common Application, Coalition Application, or the Saint Joseph's University Application. Our application opens on August 1 of your senior year and there is no application fee. Plus, your test scores are 100% optional.
All students who apply to Saint Joseph's are automatically reviewed for a merit-based scholarship, including test-optional applicants.
Application Deadlines
Keep in mind the following information regarding application deadlines:
| Application Plan | Application Deadline | Decision Notification by |
| Early Decision I | November 15 | December 20 |
| Early Action | November 15 | December 20 |
| Early Decision II | January 15 | February 15 |
| Regular Decision | February 1 | March 15 |
We accept required documents up to two (2) weeks after the published deadline for your application plan. If you have concerns about timely document delivery, connect with your assigned admission counselor.
Admission Requirements
We require a high school diploma or recognized equivalent for admission to Saint Joseph’s University. Recommended high school coursework includes the following core subject areas:
- 4 years of English
- 3 years of mathematics
- 2 years of history
- 2 years of a laboratory science
- 2 years of a world language
Competitive applicants typically exceed the minimum requirements and have taken four years in all five core subject areas.
Students applying for a direct-entry health professions program in occupational therapy, physical therapy or pharmacy will need a minimum of 3 lab sciences and 3 math courses with a 3.00 GPA.
Preparing Your Application
We strive to make the application process straightforward and easy to understand. Here are our required and optional documents, in addition to specific requirements for homeschool or GED students.
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The following materials are required for all first-year applicants:
- Common Application or Saint Joseph’s Application or Coalition Application.
- High School Transcript(s) sent directly from your secondary school to Saint Joseph’s University.
- At least one Letter of Academic Recommendation from a teacher or counselor, sent to us directly from your secondary school or the recommender.
- Personal Essay using prompts from the Common Application. While we recognize the use of AI can be beneficial to formulate and brainstorm your essay outline, exclusive use of AI violates academic integrity rules at Saint Joseph's University.
- Early Decision Agreement, if applicable, signed by you, a parent/guardian, and a school counselor.
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Submit these if you think they will strengthen your application:
- ACT or SAT scores may be sent directly from the testing agency or self-reported on your application or uploaded to your SJU Admission Account. SAT scores will be super-scored; we’ll take your highest composite ACT score. The middle 50% of all applicants reporting SAT scores have fallen within the 580-670 Reading and Writing, and 570-660 Math. Learn more about Saint Joseph's test optional policy.
- Resume or supplementary documents uploaded to your SJU Admission Account.
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- Two letters of recommendation from outside your immediate family.
- One letter assessing your academic ability.
- One letter attesting to after-school involvement.
- Homeschool transcript.
- Standardized test scores (ACT or SAT).
- Course outlines or syllabi.
- Homeschool Supplement Form to be completed by the adult educator or homeschool program.
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We expect a competitive applicant to achieve a minimum of 165 in each of the four subject areas, which demonstrates college readiness. Along with your GED scores, we review your essay, activities and recommendations holistically in order to determine your admission to Saint Joseph’s University.
Applying as a Direct-Entry Student
Saint Joseph's University offers a direct-entry admission pathway to our health professions programs in occupational therapy, physical therapy and pharmacy. This option allows you to enter the program directly from high school and seamlessly transition to the professional phase of the program by meeting all academic criteria and program requirements. This option is accelerated and designed for high school students who have a clear vision for their career and are ready to commit to the field.
To apply to a direct-entry program, select the appropriate major listed on the application form. For more information about direct entry programs, visit the appropriate links below:
- BS to Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT)
- BS to Doctor of Occupational Therapy (DrOT)
- BS to Doctor of Physical Therapy (DPT)
- BS to Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD)
If you have questions about our direct-entry programs, please contact admit@sju.edu.
Applying as a Nursing Student
Saint Joseph's University Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BSN) on our Hawk Hill campus provides a rigorous and comprehensive program with clinical experience beginning in the sophomore year. Nursing students are provided with hands-on experience even before they begin clinical rotations with hours of nursing-specific programming. Students admitted to Nursing at Saint Joseph's University are guaranteed clinical placement upon successfully completing progression standards, therefore admission to the program is limited and highly selective.
We encourage students interested in the BSN on Hawk Hill to complete all application requirements by the Early Action or Early Decision timeline of November 15. Completed applications received after November 15th will only be considered on a space available basis.
Typically, a successful applicant exceeds general requirements with the majority of applicants having taken as many honors and accelerated courses as possible. While enhanced criteria does not guarantee admission, students must have:
- A minimum of three, preferably four years of college preparatory math. Pre-calculus or calculus is recommended.
- A minimum of three, preferably four years of college preparatory sciences including Biology, Chemistry, a third laboratory science course sich as Environmental or Anatomy, with proven academic ability in each class.
- A demonstrated interest in Nursing and St. Joe's, showcased through extracurricular activities, relevant coursework, and attendance at St. Joe's workshops or events.
- Test scores - while optional, students could submit tests who have higher than average SAT or ACT scores.
Only US citizens or permanent resident first-year students may apply to the Hawk Hill BSN. International students, transfer students and those seeking spring semester enrollment are ineligible. Students accepted to St. Joe's under a different major are not permitted to change their major to Nursing or transfer into Nursing as a sophomore or higher once a student at St. Joe's.
Students applying to the BSN program whose application demonstrates a strong academic record and personal accomplishments, but are not admitted into the Nursing major, may be offered admission into the Health Sciences major at St. Joe's which provides a comprehensive foundation in natural sciences, public health, the healthcare system and social sciences. Ultimately, these students also have the option to change their major prior to enrollment at St. Joe's that will still lead to a professional career in healthcare.
The St. Joe's Lancaster location has a different application and acceptance process. The two locations do not share Nursing applicant information. Contact St. Joe's Lancaster should you have any interest in applying to Allied Health, the ASN or the BSN program in Lancaster.
Learn more about the BSN - Hawk Hill (Philadelphia) at Saint Joseph's University.
Admission Interviews
Saint Joseph's University prides itself in selecting high-achieving, active, and motivated students who will thrive in a campus community that is fun, welcoming, hard-working, and believes in social justice. Our students are dynamic participants in organizations and activities, and have thoughtful and meaningful interactions with our engaged faculty. We are looking for the right-fit student, and we can't wait to meet you!
Admission Interviews are not required, but they do provide you with the opportunity to meet with an Admission Counselor to showcase your high school accomplishments, share your strengths, and ask any questions you may have. You will meet individually with a St. Joe's representative, either in person or virtually, and there will be optional time reserved at the end of your interview to invite your parents or guardians to ask questions as well.
How to Submit Application Materials
Submit additional documents through the CommonApp, Coalition App (Scoir) and other related platforms that your school participates in. Information can also be emailed to admit@sju.edu.
Our mailing address is:
Saint Joseph's University
Office of Undergraduate Admission
5600 City Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19131
Saint Joseph's University School Codes
- College Board: 2801
- ACT: 3684
- FAFSA: 003367
- TOEFL: 2801
Check Your Application Status
You will receive an email within 48 hours of submitting your application with instructions to activate your SJU Admission Account. From your account you can track the status of your required documents, request changes to your application and view your decision letter.
If you don't receive or can't find your "Application Submitted" email, be sure to check your spam/junk folder first. You can email admit@sju.edu or call 610-660-1300 for additional assistance.