Admission

Saint Anselm College is an academic community whose students bring a wide variety of backgrounds and interests to the campus. All qualified students are eligible for admission to Saint Anselm regardless of race, age, sex, physical ability, sexual orientation, religion, or national origin.

The Office of Admission is looking for students who have demonstrated a capacity for academic achievement and who possess intellectual curiosity, strength of character, and an awareness of social responsibility.

Admission to Saint Anselm is competitive. When reviewing applications, the Admission Committee will evaluate your application based on a number of factors: the rigor of your high school curriculum; academic achievement; standardized testing; (optional for all majors except nursing) writing ability; co-curricular activities, particularly evidence of leadership; and letters of recommendation from your college counselor and teachers. First-Year candidates for admission are required to submit a completed First-Year Common Application including essay, a Saint Anselm College Supplemental Information Form, an official secondary school transcript(s), a teacher evaluation form from an academic teacher in your last two years of secondary school, a school report form, and a $50 non-refundable application fee or fee waiver. The results of the SAT or ACT examination(s) are required for nursing majors and are optional for all other academic majors.

The completion of a minimum of 16 acceptable units of secondary school course work or its equivalent is usually required for admission to the freshman class. Such preparation typically includes four years of English; three or more years of a laboratory science and mathematics; two or more years of social science; and additional credit electives. The College recommends a minimum of two years of a foreign language study; however the college believes that a student will be better served with the completion of three or four years of foreign language study.

Application for Admission

All first-year candidates for admission must submit by the established deadline a completed First-Year Common Application. Saint Anselm College is an exclusive user of the Common Application (either the online or paper version). A non-refundable fee of $50 must accompany the application, unless a waiver is being requested.

First-Year Candidate for Fall Semester Admission Application Deadlines:

Early Action - November 15
Nursing Majors - November 15
Regular Decision - February 1

The Early Action Plan is a non-binding program. This plan notifies a student on or before January 15 if they have been accepted without requiring a non-refundable $400 enrollment deposit until May 1.

If you apply for the Regular Decision Plan, you should return all application materials to Saint Anselm College no later than February 1. Notification regarding acceptance is between February 15 and April 1st. 

The nursing major at Saint Anselm College is a four year program with a determined number of participating students. Consequently, the college can accept only a limited number of first-year applicants. External or internal (change of major) transfer applicants for the nursing program are extremely rare. To ensure a place in the nursing program, interested candidates must indicate this preference at the time of submitting an application and must apply Early Action, November 15.

Postponed Admission

Saint Anselm College offers the opportunity for an admitted first-year candidate to postpone attendance for one or two semesters. A student who wishes to postpone enrollment must request this in writing and explain the reason(s) for the postponement to the Director of Admission, Saint Anselm College, 100 Saint Anselm Drive, Manchester, NH 03102-1310. Only candidates who have paid the non-refundable enrollment deposit may seek a postponement.

Advanced Placement

Saint Anselm College participates in the Advanced Placement Program of the College Entrance Examination Board. Students who receive a grade of “3” or better in the Advanced Placement Examinations may with certain exceptions be granted advanced placement and credit in the appropriate subject. Applicants who have completed examinations under the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) may receive advanced placement and credit if the scores are acceptable to the College.

International Baccalaureate

Saint Anselm College recognizes credit earned through the International Baccalaureate (IB). Of the two IB examination levels (Higher Level and Standard Level), the College recognizes the Higher Level examinations where a score of 5, 6, or 7 has been achieved. Credit will not be given for Standard Level examinations. 

In general, the equivalent of one or two courses is issued for each acceptable exam result. Individual academic departments at Saint Anselm vary in how and if they award credit for students who have taken the IB Higher Level examinations. This information outlines the standard policies; should you desire further explanation, please consult the appropriate academic department. Each successfully completed Higher Level examination with the conditions noted must be submitted to the Office of Admission prior to a student’s matriculation at the College. Students who have taken both AP and IB examinations do not receive credit/placement for both.

Transfer Students

Students from other colleges who desire to enter Saint Anselm College with advanced standing are required to complete a Common Application Transfer Application and submit a complete record of all previous high school and college work. Normally, full credit is awarded for college courses in the liberal arts in which a grade of “C” (2.00) or higher has been achieved at an accredited college or university within the last eight years. Provided that the equivalent of the general requirements of Saint Anselm and the basic courses in the field of concentration have been fulfilled, a transfer student should be able to complete a degree program without loss of time. Students transferring from other institutions generally are required to spend at least two years and to undertake the majority of studies in the major at Saint Anselm before receiving a degree. All students must spend the complete senior year at Saint Anselm and fulfill all of the College’s requirements for graduation. Advanced standing is provisional and transferred credit may be withdrawn if subsequent academic performance fails to justify the credits allowed at the time of entrance.

International Candidates

Saint Anselm College is authorized under United States Federal Law, Immigration and Nationality Act, to enroll non-immigrant alien students. Applicants are required to follow the regular admission procedures. International applicants must also provide a satisfactory score on the Test of English as a Foreign Language examination (TOEFL), a certification of health and accident insurance, and a request for a Certification of Eligibility. Academic transcripts must be certified as official. Transcripts in languages other than English must be accompanied by official and certified English translations, and authentic verifying statements and signatures. Final verification should be attested to by a United States Embassy or Consular official. Because financial aid is limited for international students, all applicants must submit the International Student Financial Aid Application. International citizens who need financial aid are precluded from applying for January entrance.

Visiting Student Program

The Visiting Student Program at Saint Anselm College is open to a limited number of students who wish to spend one or two semesters as non-matriculating students at the College. Applicants must be currently enrolled in a degree-seeking undergraduate program at another accredited four year college or university and will have completed one full year of college course work by the time of enrollment. Visiting Students may use their Saint Anselm course for credit at their own college or university. We recommend that Visiting Students plan their curriculum in advance and consult with their dean or academic advisor to make sure the credits will transfer back to their home institution.

Applications are welcome from well qualified students with strong academic records who are enrolled in accredited colleges or universities. The filing date for submission of all application materials is May 1 for the fall semester and November 1 for spring semester entrance. Applications for fall semester will be considered after the published deadline on a space available basis. Due to timeline requirements for processing a Visa, international students are welcome to apply for the fall semester only.

RN to BSN Program

Students will be admitted to the RN to BSN program who have graduated from accredited associate degree nursing programs and who hold a current registered nurse license. If the applicant has not worked in the role of a registered nurse within the last 5 years, a competency lab and medication/math exam will be scheduled and must be passed with a score of 90% or higher. Students may apply for admission throughout the year and applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.

To apply for admission, RN to BSN students must complete the following:

Transfer Common Application - paper or online at www.commonapp.org
Common Application Supplement - paper or online at www.commonapp.org
Non-refundable application fee of $50
Official and final high school transcript
Official college transcript
Goal Statement & Summary of Nursing Experience
Copy of Registered Nurse License
Interview with director of RN to BSN program
Health Requirements/CPR/Liability Insurance (Department of Nursing Handbook)

Spring Semester Admission

Saint Anselm College does admit new first-year, transfer, and RN to BSN students for the spring semester which begins in January. Candidates should follow the regular admission procedures. Priority will be given to all applicants who apply on or before December 1.

Campus Visits

Candidates for admission are encouraged to visit the campus and are invited to write or call the Office of Admission for information. Although campus interviews are not required of applicants, they provide an opportunity to discuss academic programs and to view the facilities of the College. The Office of Admission offers interviews, information sessions and campus tours on a regular basis.