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: academic achievement; standardized testing (optional); writing ability; and letters of recommendation from your college counselor and/or teachers. First-Year candidates for admission are required to submit a completed First-Year Common Application or Saint Anselm Application (including essay), an official secondary school transcript(s), an academic evaluation from a teacher or school counselor, and a school report form. The results of the SAT or ACT examination(s) are optional for all academic majors in the application process.  Self-reported test scores will be accepted for review.  A $50 fee is also required with each application. Saint Anselm College will waive the $50 application fee for all students who visit campus prior to submitting their application.  Additionally, the application is waived for all first generation domestic and international students. For this purpose, a first-generation college student is defined as a student whose parent(s) or legal guardian(s) have not completed a bachelor’s degree.  All other applicants can contact their school counselor to see if they are eligible for an application fee waiver. 

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 or Saint Anselm Application.  A non-refundable fee of $50 must accompany the application, unless the student has a waiver.

First-Year Candidate for Fall Semester Admission Application Deadlines:

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

The Early Action Plan is a non-binding program. This plan notifies a student on or before January 15 and a non-refundable $500 deposit is due by May 1 should the student choose to enroll.

The Early Decision Plan is a binding program and requires the completion of the Common Application Early Decision Agreement form.  This plan notifies a student of an admission decision and any need based aid or merit based scholarships by January 1.  If admitted, an enrollment deposit is required by January 15.  

If you apply for the Regular Decision Plan, you should send all application materials to Saint Anselm College no later than February 1. This plan notifies a student on or before March 15.

Admission to the Nursing Program

Saint Anselm College offers one of the most selective and respected nursing programs in New England, preparing its graduates to join the fast evolving world of nursing as compassionate caregivers and leaders in their profession.

The application deadline to apply for our nursing program is November 15 (Early Action) or December 1 (Early Decision).  Please note Early Decision is a binding application agreement. External or internal (change of major) transfer applicants for the nursing program are extremely rare.

The following documentation is required in the admission review process:

• Common Application & Essay
• Official High School Transcript
• SAT or ACT scores
• School Report & Counselor Recommendation
• Teacher Recommendation (preferably from a science or math teacher in the last two years)

More detailed information regarding these documents can be found on our admission website.  

Competitive students will have completed the following academic requirements:

• Four Years of English
• Three or more years of a laboratory science
• Three or more years of mathematics
• Two or more years of social science and additional credit electives
• Two-four years of the same foreign language
• Minimum high school recalculated GPA of 2.75
• Minimum SAT of 1000/ ACT of 18

Admission to the 4 + 1 Accelerated Bachelor’s Master’s (ABM)

The 4+1 ABM Program in Criminology and Criminal Justice is intended for highly motivated criminal justice, forensic science, and cyber criminology students, as well as students minoring in criminal justice who wish to pursue an advanced degree. The program is only available to Saint Anselm College students and alumni who meet admission criteria and are accepted into the program. 

The deadline to apply for the 4 + 1 program is August 1st at 5:00pm. Applications should be submitted to the Office of Admission and later reviewed by the Graduate Director and the Criminal Justice Department 

Contact Information for the Graduate Director:

Kaitlyn Clarke
Email: Kclarke@anselm.edu
Phone: 603-641-7064

Applications must be completed and submitted online at https://admission.anselm.edu/apply/. Supporting documents should be submitted electronically with the application. 

Admission Criteria

Applicants considered for admission to the 4 +1 ABM program at Saint Anselm College must be a Saint Anselm College graduate or a senior at Saint Anselm College with a minimum of 96-semester credits and meet all program admission standards. Applicants who have completed a baccalaureate degree from Saint Anselm College must satisfy program requirements or requisites, including a 3.0 (on a 4.0 scale) minimum cumulative grade point average (GPA) or higher based on these required courses: Introduction to Criminal Justice, Theories of Crime, Research Methods in Criminal Justice (or equivalent), Statistical Techniques for Criminal Justice (or equivalent), one criminal justice law course (Criminal Law, Criminal Procedures, or Evidence), and any CJ course (a system course or any criminal justice elective) that has not already been factored into the applicant’s cumulative GPA.

Acceptance

Applicants should submit official transcripts to admission@anselm.edu. 

Note: Graduate applicants who apply and are provisionally accepted either by submitting unofficial transcripts or before completing their undergraduate degree must submit a final baccalaureate transcript from Saint Anselm College indicating the degree received and the date conferred. This official transcript must be on file by the end of the summer session for full acceptance to the program. 

To be considered official, transcripts must be received by Saint Anselm College directly from the issuing institution or an approved safe electronic transmission service by sending transcripts to admission@anselm.edu. 

Acceptance on a Conditional Basis

Students whose transcript shows a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5 but below 3.0 for those required classes may be admitted under a “conditional basis” category. These students will be limited to CJ 475/CJ 500 Advanced Research Design and CJ 490/CJ 620 Descriptive & Inferential Statistics prior to advancement to candidacy. After completion of the two courses, the Criminal Justice Department will consider the admittance based on the course performances and the likelihood of success in the program. If the student fails to meet the cumulative GPA of 3.0 for these two courses, they will not be eligible for the program. Students will be notified in writing of the decision of the Criminal Justice Department. 

Non-Academic Issues and Admission

Saint Anselm College reserves the right to deny admission based on non-academic reasons when it is believed to be in the best interest of the College. A disciplinary violation or criminal conviction may affect admission, enrollment, or course of study, whether occurring prior to the time of application, while the application is under review or after the admission decision has been made.

Failure by the applicant to fully disclose this information on the application can result in revocation of the admission offer, dis-enrollment after matriculation, or other disciplinary action. If a student’s application misrepresents any information, for any reason, admission or enrollment may be revoked.

Application by U.S. Citizens and Permanent Residents (Resident Alien Card Holders)

Students should apply online at https://admission.anselm.edu/apply/.. A non-refundable application fee of $65 is required. 

Students who are Permanent Residents of the United States and hold a Resident Alien Card must submit a copy of both sides of the card with their completed application.

Application for International Students

Saint Anselm College welcomes applications for admission from students from all countries who have graduated from Saint Anselm College. 

Application Requirements

A completed online application for graduate admissions. Non-U.S. citizens and U.S. citizens applying from outside the U.S. should complete the application online at https://admission.anselm.edu/apply/

A non-refundable application fee of $65 is required. 

Official transcripts from Saint Anselm College. This transcript must show the degree received and the date conferred. 

International students recruited to the U.S. will be required to pay a Tuition Deposit equivalent to a one-semester tuition charge, and this only applies to tuition fees. This Tuition Deposit is non-refundable upon enrollment and forfeited if the student decides to transfer out of the College. Any forfeited Tuition Deposit will be applied to tuition fees if the student rejoins the College within twelve (12) months from the date of their last class attendance.

Additional Application Requirements

Current Undergraduate Student

Students will also need to submit one letter of recommendation from a criminal justice faculty member for those that have a 3.0 GPA or two letters for those that do not make the 3.0 GPA requirement. One of these letters must be from a CJ faculty member, but the second letter can be from any other faculty member. Both letters need to be from a faculty member (not an employer) and should speak to why they believe the candidate will be successful in the graduate program. GRE scores and a statement of purpose explaining their motivation for pursuing the graduate study are required for those students applying for the Graduate Assistant position. 

Returning Alumni

Applicants will need one letter of recommendation either from a criminal justice faculty member or an employer. For those that do not have the required 3.0 GPA, two letters will be needed and these letters should speak to why the candidate will be successful in the graduate program. 
For those alumni who have graduated before spring of 2016, you will also need to provide your GRE scores.

Appointment as a Graduate Assistant

Students pursuing the academic research track will need to submit their GRE scores taken within the last three years. 

Application by Non-Degree Seeking Students

Students who do not plan to complete a degree or program from Saint Anselm College may request approval from the Graduate Director to take graduate courses at the College as a non-degree student. Non-degree candidates seeking access to graduate-level coursework must satisfy the minimum criteria for graduate study (a completed baccalaureate degree) as well as satisfy all course or program prerequisites, including being an Alum.

A student who wants to register for a course as a non-degree student must complete a non-degree application. A non-refundable graduate application fee of $65 is required. Non-degree seeking students are prohibited by federal regulations from receiving federal financial aid. Tuition for non-degree courses must be paid at the time of registration. Non-degree seeking applicants must first meet with the Graduate Director. Once approved, students can register for classes before the start of the requested term. 

A student may enroll as a non-degree student for up to 8 credit hours. To continue as a non-degree student after the initial 8 credit hours, the student must submit a graduate degree-seeking application and an official undergraduate transcript showing baccalaureate degree conferral to the Office of Admission. Non-degree students must meet with the Graduate Director before registering for courses, since they are subject to the same prerequisite course requirements that apply to degree-seeking students.

Admission Appeal Process

Students who have been denied admission to the College’s Criminal Justice 4+1 BM may appeal their decision through the Criminal Justice Department Appeal Committee (all criminal justice faculty involved in the acceptance process). Students seeking a successful appeal must submit the following information to be considered:

A statement (no longer than 2 pages, double-spaced) detailing the reasons why the Appeal Committee should consider altering the initial admission decision. Students should discuss why they believe they will succeed in the 4 +1 program and should convey any important information related to academic potential not indicated on the transcript(s).

Other documentation may be required upon request.

Admissions appeals should be sent electronically to the graduate Director at Kclarke@anselm.edu and addressed to the attention of the chair of the Admissions Appeal Committee.

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 via email to admission@anselm.edu. Only candidates who have paid the non-refundable enrollment deposit and the additional fee 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 “4” 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. Please note the high school transcript requirement is waived if you have earned an associate’s degree or higher prior to enrolling at Saint Anselm College.  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 equivalents 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.

Internal Transfer Policy to earn a 2nd Bachelor’s Degree

Saint Anselm College provides students who have completed their first baccalaureate degree with the opportunity to complete an additional major while pursuing a second degree.

Note: Students should be aware that not all majors may be eligible for the second degree option.

A student who wishes to return to Saint Anselm College to pursue further study following graduation may do so under the following conditions:

• Students must apply through the Office of Admissions.
• Students must be eligible for and intend to complete a second major.
• Only course work taken at Saint Anselm College can be applied for the second degree.  (Exceptions to this policy may be made by the Dean of the College.)
• Students must complete the equivalent of a full year of study-that is, 32 credits.
• Students may count up to 96 credits of their previous work toward future work at Saint Anselm College.  Departments may have additional restrictions in regard to their major.
• The College may not be able to guarantee courses availability for completion of a second degree within a year
• Students will begin their second degree with a new GPA.  Course work completed for a student’s first bachelor’s degree-including in a student’s second major-will be treated as internal transfer courses, and, as such, they will not count towards the second major’s GPA.
• Students must achieve a 2.0 in their major courses and in their cumulative GPA in order to earn a second degree.
• Students must pass all their first semester courses in order to continue to the second semester.

Application for the second bachelor’s degree must typically be submitted to the Office of Admission by June 1st for the fall semester or December 1st for the Spring semester.

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 proof of English proficiency, Certification of Finances and a photo copy of his or her passport.  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.  Financial aid is limited for international students, all applicants can submit the International Student Financial Aid Application.  All international applicants are reviewed for any need based aid or merit based scholarships.  International applicants who need financial aid are precluded from applying for the Early Action or Early Decision programs.

Spring Semester Admission

Saint Anselm College does admit new first-year and transfer, 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 November15.

Campus Visits

Candidates for admission are encouraged to visit the campus and are invited to contact the Office of Admission or visit www.anselm.edu/visit for more information and to register. The Office of Admission offers interviews, information sessions and campus tours on a regular basis. Although interviews are not required of applicants, they provide an opportunity to discuss academic programs and learn what Saint Anselm College has to offer based on the applicant’s interest(s). Special events and open house programs are also offered throughout the year.  

Non-Degree Seeking Students 

Non-matriculating students may take classes at the College on a space available basis. A maximum of 6 courses can be taken as a non-degree seeking student. Students wishing to continue at Saint Anselm will need to apply through the Office of Admission. 

In order to be considered for full-time enrollment non-degree students need the permission of the Dean of the College. Additionally, non-degree students need to demonstrate the completion of a high-school degree in order to enroll in courses. Exceptions to this policy are made by the Dean of the College.

High School students must be rising seniors for consideration to take classes at the College.