Franklin & Marshall College welcomes applications from students who seek to participate in an engaging liberal arts community. Students most competitive for admission are those who, in the judgment of the Admission Committee, will benefit from and contribute to both the academic and co-curricular programs of the College.
Selection
Selection is based upon several criteria, with the quality of the student’s secondary school record as the most important. The best preparation for study at F&M is a rigorous academic program that provides fundamental training in the arts, English language, foreign language, history, literature, mathematics and science.
Other factors considered in a student’s evaluation are participation in co-curricular activities, standardized test scores, recommendations and information concerning the student’s personality and character. Students who do not believe their standardized test scores reflect their academic ability are welcome to apply to Franklin & Marshall using our Standardized Test Option.
International students who have not attended English-based instruction for at least three years must submit either a TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test.
An admission application must be accompanied by a $60, non-refundable application fee or valid fee waiver. Admitted applicants that wish to enroll, must submit a $500 non-refundable enrollment fee by the appropriate enrollment deadline based on the type of application.
Campus Visit and Interview
A campus visit and interview are welcomed and recommended. Interviews are offered virtually and in person, by appointment on weekdays. Campus tours depart from the and in person, Admission Office, Monday through Friday. For those who are unable to visit the campus on a weekday, information sessions and tours are offered on select Saturdays.
Types of Application
Early Decision
Candidates who identify Franklin & Marshall as their first choice college and desire early notification of an admission decision are invited to apply through the binding Early Decision agreement.
Regular Admission
The Regular Decision applicants for first-year status are notified of the Admission Committee’s decisions by April 1. Admitted students must submit their non-refundable $500 enrollment fee by May 1st in order to reserve their seat in the first-year cohort.
Home Schooled or Non-traditionally Educated Students
Students who are home schooled or educated in a non-traditional setting are welcome to apply to Franklin & Marshall College.
Transfer Students
Transfer applicants are welcome for fall and spring semesters. Transfer applicants are expected to be in good academic and social standing at their present and any past colleges or universities.
Transfer candidates interested in Summer School study should communicate directly with the Registrar’s Office by phone at (717) 358-4168.
Questions regarding the transfer process should be directed to the Office of Admission by calling (717) 358-3951 or (877) 678-9111.
Financial Aid
The College’s financial aid policy reflects a desire to attract and retain a diverse student body of the highest possible promise. F&M offers both need-based grants and merit scholarships.
Franklin & Marshall is a member of the College Board and the College Scholarship Service (CSS) and subscribes to that organization’s principles of financial aid. Need-based grants are provided to students who have demonstrated financial need as determined from information submitted on the CSS/PROFILE form, the Free Application for Federal Student Assistance (FAFSA), federal tax documents (return, schedules, W-2s) and if applicable, the Noncustodial CSS/Profile form.
As the student is the primary beneficiary of the education, Franklin & Marshall assumes that each family will first make a reasonable sacrifice in financing its child’s education before applying to the College for assistance. Students receiving financial aid from the College are expected to work during the summer to earn funds for their education. In addition, all applicants must apply for any state, federal, or other awards for which they may be eligible. Expected federal and state grants usually replace institutional grants. Failure to complete all applications for federal and state grants or to submit all materials by the appropriate deadlines could result in the loss of institutional funding.
For the purposes of awarding federal, state and institutional financial aid at Franklin & Marshall College, the Academic Year is defined by the Academic Calendar and comprised of two 15-week semesters. In addition to standard term awarding, students may receive federal or state aid for the summer terms, provided they enroll in at least two courses at Franklin & Marshall College. They may also receive federal or state aid when attending other colleges in the summer, provided they enroll in the equivalent of six semester hours and complete a Consortium Agreement provided by the Office of Financial Aid.
Institutional financial aid may only be received for a maximum of eight semesters. Federal financial aid requires a student to meet the Federal Satisfactory Academic Progress standards that are listed on the Office of Financial Aid’s website.
Domestic and international students, including transfers, are eligible for financial assistance. Financial aid applications and all supporting financial aid documentation must be submitted as soon as possible, but no later than the deadline published on the Office of Financial Aid’s website.
John Marshall Fellows
The John Marshall Fellow Program supports a limited number of students who, during their first year at Franklin & Marshall, have demonstrated unusual motivation, spirit of achievement and independence of thought. The program was created on the premise that bright, curious minds flourish best when challenged in an environment that gives highest priority to individual interests and abilities. The Marshall Fellow is eligible to apply for a $4000 research/travel grant to enhance the Fellow’s ability to engage in unique and personal academic pursuits, for example, supporting an on-campus research project, doing research in another country, presenting research at a professional conference, or completing a public service project.
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