Admissions Policy

Application Process

Applications will be reviewed holistically as we look for students who are a good match for Fordham. Our primary focus is that applicants will be academically successful and bring personal qualities of integrity, perseverance, and leadership to our campus communities. We learn about applicants through their transcripts, test scores (if submitted under our test-optional policy), essay, extracurricular activities, and a primary academic letter of recommendation. For many students, this part of our review provides a strong indication if Fordham is a place where they may find a home for their undergraduate studies. For some applicants, we need to know even more about them to inform our decision. Therefore, we will also consider elements such as additional recommendations or other supplementary materials.

Early Action

Students who would like to receive an admission decision early may submit an application by November 1. Students who choose to submit testing and are applying under the Early Action process should complete the SAT or ACT by October of their senior year. The Early Action process is non-binding, and students do not have to commit to the institution they plan to attend until May 1. Decision letters will be sent by December 20.

Note: Students applying to the theatre major or the Ailey/Fordham BFA in Dance program must apply by the Early Action deadline of November 1 and decisions will be rendered on a rolling basis after March 1. These programs have additional audition/interview requirements.

Early Decision I

Students who would like to receive an admission decision early may submit an application by November 1. Students who choose to submit testing and are applying under the Early Decision I process should complete the SAT or ACT by October of their senior year. The Early Decision I process is binding, and admitted students are required to commit to Fordham. Decision letters will be sent by December 20.

Early Decision II

Students who would like to receive an admission decision in mid-February may submit an application by January 3. Students who choose to submit testing and are applying under the Early Decision II process should complete the SAT or ACT by December of their senior year. The Early Decision II process is binding, and admitted students are required to commit to Fordham. Decision letters will be sent by mid-February.

Regular Decision

Students applying Regular Decision may submit an application by January 3. Students who choose to submit testing should complete the SAT or ACT by December of the senior year. The Regular Decision process is non-binding, and students do not have to commit to the institution they plan to attend until May 1. Decision letters will be sent by April 1.

Part-Time/Adult Admission

Fordham University offers highly regarded part-time/adult degree programs at three convenient locations in New York City and the metropolitan area—at the Lincoln Center campus in Manhattan, the Rose Hill campus in the Bronx, and the Westchester campus in West Harrison, New York. Our part-time/adult degree programs are flexible, personal, intellectually stimulating, and built on the same standards of excellence that have made the Fordham degree prestigious since the 1840s.