Undergraduate Admissions - First Year

Students who come to Springfield College are students who want to make a difference! They are educated in spirit, mind, and body in leadership for service to others.  Students applying to Springfield College need to understand this, as our mission and values that are lived out each and every day both inside and outside the classroom. There is something very special about Springfield College - see for yourself.

The Springfield College student is selected and admitted on the basis of leadership potential, character, and intellectual ability. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions seeks those who possess personal qualities required in the human-helping professions. Reasonable accommodations are provided for students with disabilities on the basis of need if the disabilities are documented with appropriate evaluations administered by qualified professionals such as psychologists, medical doctors, or agencies specializing in the diagnosis of such disabilities.

This page contains information about the following topics:

• Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity
• Guidelines for Learning Disability Documentation
• Timeline For Applying
• Admissions Deadlines
• First-Year Student Admissions Policy
• Requirements
• Applying For Admission
• Admissions Staff Review
• Deferred Admission
• Early Decision
• New Student Orientation Week
• Re-Admission
• Changes in Admission

Additional information is also available on the Admissions home page on the Springfield College website.

Non-Discrimination and Equal Opportunity

Springfield College does not discriminate against any person on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected basis in admission and access to, and employment and treatment in, its programs and activities.

In order to determine eligibility for services, students are asked to submit documentation for the purpose of determining appropriate academic adjustments and auxiliary aids. The following guidelines are provided to ensure that the evaluation reports are appropriate to document eligibility and determine reasonable accommodations:

1. Testing must be comprehensive and address aptitude, achievement, and information processing.
2. Testing must be current (within last three years).
3. Testing must show clear and specific evidence and identification of a learning disability.
4. Testing must include a statement of functional/educational limitations.

It is the student’s responsibility to self-identify and request support services. In addition to the foregoing, many of the College’s departments have established technical standards which describe essential functions and which must be maintained to participate in that department. Documentation should be submitted directly to the Academic Success Center. Documentation cannot be collected by the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

In an effort to be responsive to students who are sincerely interested in Springfield College, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions welcomes applications and supporting credentials from students upon completion of the junior year in high school. For those highly qualified students who indicate Springfield College as their first choice, there is an early decision program. For all other candidates, the Office of Undergraduate Admissions will attempt to make a decision as soon as sufficient evidence has been provided to indicate a candidate’s appropriateness for the College.

Springfield College has a recommended deposit deadline of May 1. Accepted students must indicate their intention of enrollment with the payment of a nonrefundable deposit fee of $300. No accepted first-year candidate (except those applying for early decision) is required to make such a commitment before this date. Following this date, all accepted candidates who have not yet paid this fee will be withdrawn. It should be understood, however, that the acceptance fee cannot be waived nor can it be credited from any financial aid awarded. The deposit fee can be paid by credit card, check, or money order. If necessary to complete the class, other offers of admission will be made to candidates in a group held for deferred action.

Rolling admission available for most programs (with the exception of the physical therapy.) 

Selection is based on the total preparation of the student. The final selection of an applicant is an individual decision. Many factors are considered, and among those given serious consideration are: secondary school achievement record; the personal essay; recommendation of secondary school authorities; capacity for leadership as evidenced by responsibilities successfully undertaken in school, church, and/or community; and personal references.  Springfield College is test optional for all programs. While students are welcome to submit SAT or ACT scores, they will not have any impact on merit-based financial aid awards and may not influence an admissions decision.

1. An application to Springfield College by way of the Common Application.
2. A record indicating satisfactory achievement in a college preparatory program in an accredited secondary school. The course distribution should show competence in English, social studies, science, and mathematics. Due to the professional nature of many of Springfield College’s programs, the evaluation of a candidate’s high school record will be favorably affected by an emphasis on courses that relate to the students intended major. For instance, candidates planning to major in applied exercise science, athletic training, biology, health science/general studies, health studies, nutritional sciences, physical education, physical therapy, or physician assistant should include additional sciences in their high school curriculum.
3. Evidence of involvement in extracurricular activities. Since Springfield College seeks to educate those interested in human service careers, involvement in out-of-class experience is not only desired but also necessary for all candidates. This is viewed as evidence of motivation for the major chosen. School activities (clubs and teams), community activities (churches, public or private agencies), summer or weekend activities, or any experience that manifests the candidate’s desire for involvement with people are considered. For those anticipating employment in the teaching field, experience as a teacher, informal though it may be and even though called by some other name (counselor, aide, leader, etc.), is appropriate. Those planning on careers in physical education should demonstrate experience in sport activities as well. Other career programs at Springfield College should be preceded by appropriate relevant experience.
4. A physical examination and immunization record is required after acceptance. The medical form must be returned prior to enrollment.
5. Springfield College is test optional for all programs. While students are welcome to submit test scores, they will not have an impact on merit-based financial aid awards and may not influence an admissions decision.

More information about first year admissions requirements is available at https://springfield.edu/admissions/undergraduate-admissions/admissions-requirements.

1. File the completed application through the Common Application. Submit your application today!
2. All other necessary forms, including a secondary school report form for distribution and completion, are available on the Common Application website. Candidates should follow all instructions carefully, accurately, and completely. Mistakes, incomplete information, or illegible entries all serve to delay the final decision. The Common Application includes the Common Application essay. The essay must be the applicant’s own original work. Plagiarism and use of AI are grounds for denial.
3. The College encourages as many candidates as possible to visit the campus. Candidates can schedule a campus tour and/or information session online or by contacting the Office of Undergraduate Admissions. However, students may arrange for an interview in their own community or nearby area. Springfield College is fortunate to have active, specially trained alumni who serve as interviewers in their local communities. The candidate should contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions for an off-campus interview if this is preferable.

Appointments for on-campus interviews can be scheduled between the hours of 9:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., Monday through Friday. Candidates should either write or call for an appointment. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions is open on Saturdays from 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. for scheduled interviews from October to the end of April. General information sessions for students and parents take place in the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at 10:15 a.m. and 11:45 a.m. each Saturday from October to May. Due to a limited number of available interviews on Saturday mornings, candidates should request an appointment in advance of their visit. Schedule a campus visit today.

The admissions staff begin reviewing applications as they become complete. Hence, it is advantageous for all candidates to complete their folders as soon as possible. 

All applicants who are accepted before completion of their current year in secondary school should understand that acceptance is contingent upon successful completion of that year.

Life experience outside of an academic environment and prior to continuing one’s formalized learning at the collegiate level can be stimulating and beneficial. For this reason, Springfield College will consider, on an individual basis, requests for deferment of acceptance for one academic year. Due to the selective nature of the admissions process, however, it cannot be guaranteed in every situation. Consideration for such deferment is given until May 1 for a plan of activity for broadening the experience and general education of the individual. Enrollment in another institution, other than for language study in a foreign country, is not allowed. The College expects at least one report during the year from any student so deferred. Arrangements for these reports are to be made at the time of considering the request.

If the deferment is granted, the acceptance is extended to the following January or September only. The $300 nonrefundable deposit is due and students are encouraged to follow the May 1 recommended deposit date of the year preceding enrollment.

Highly qualified students whose first choice is Springfield College may request consideration for early decision. For consideration in Early Decision 1, the application must be filed by December 1, and all other supporting credentials must be furnished by January 1. For consideration in Early Decision 2, the application must be filed by January 15, and all other supporting credentials must be furnished by February 1. For Early Decision 1, the financial aid deadline is January 30, with decisions being made by February 15. For Early Decision 2, the financial aid deadline is February 15, with decisions being made by March 15.

A nonrefundable $300 enrollment deposit is due by March 1 for Early Decision 1 candidates, and April 1 for Early Decision 2 candidates. In cases where acceptance is not granted, the credentials will be kept and updated for a decision in the rolling admissions process. Acceptance via the Early Decision 1 and Early Decision 2 programs is binding. It is expected that applications to other colleges or universities will be withdrawn if the candidate is accepted to Springfield College and, if qualified, receives a favorable financial aid award.

First-year and undergraduate transfer students come to campus for a four-day orientation immediately prior to the start of their first semester. The New Student Orientation program gives new students an introduction to the College and to the local community, in addition to preparing them for true-life experiences on the Springfield College campus. A group of upper-class leaders assist during this program. Notification of orientation dates is given upon receipt of the admissions deposit.

Students who have separated from the College for two or more consecutive semesters must be re-admitted. Re-admission to the College must be effected through the Office of Enrollment Management unless arrangements have been made with the Dean of Students prior to separation. Service members called to active duty should discuss details of their leave with the Dean of Students prior to their departure to develop a plan for returning.

An interview with the Executive Director of Undergraduate Admissions is a requirement for re-admission in some cases. Substantiation by the student of the appropriateness of readmission must be given in writing; at least one reference is required; and, in nearly all cases, a new medical report must be submitted to update records already on file.

Initially, submission of the student’s letter of substantiation or arrangements for the interview must be made no later than the beginning of the semester prior to the one in which re-enrollment is desired. All supporting papers must be received no later than four weeks prior to the intended enrollment date. A $300 enrollment deposit is requested within four weeks after the date of the acceptance letter. The fee is applied to tuition and is nonrefundable.

The College reserves the right to make whatever changes in admission requirements, fees, charges, tuition, instructors, regulations, and academic programs in its sole discretion prior to the start of any class, term, semester, trimester, or session. The College also reserves the right to divide, cancel, or reschedule classes or programs if enrollment or other factors so require.