Students who have decided that Drew is their number one choice of university should apply through the Early Decision program. Early Decision is a binding agreement—if admitted and if the financial assistance provided makes it possible for you to afford Drew, you are obligated to withdraw other applications and pay your enrollment deposit to Drew. You should only apply Early Decision to one school.

There are several advantages for students who apply Early Decision and for whom Drew is their first choice: your college search is concluded by mid-December; chances of admission are greater because Drew seeks to admit students who have identified Drew as their college of choice; students are considered for merit scholarships and need-based financial aid when these funding sources are at full capacity.

There are two Early Decision application options: The ED I deadline for applications is November 1. Applicants will be notified of their decision on or about December 15. Admitted ED 1 applicants must deposit by January 2. Students who decide later that Drew is their first choice college are urged to apply as ED II candidates. The application deadline for ED II is January 15. Enrollment Deposits are due two weeks after admission notification.

Students who apply Early Decision should complete the Early Decision Agreement which can be found as part of the application.

Students who apply Early Decision to Drew and wish to be considered for need-based financial aid must complete the federal Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by November 1 in order to receive an aid decision at the time of admission.

For students who have Drew high on their list and are eager to learn their admission decision, but aren’t quite ready to commit to the binding agreement that comes with Early Decision, Drew offers Early Action. Drew’s Early Action deadline is December 1.

If you apply as an Early Action candidate, you’ll receive your admission decision no later than January 15. This will provide you with several extra weeks to communicate with current students and faculty, plan a visit and explore life in “The Forest.” You’ll also get early access the DREWniverse, our own private social network, allowing you to connect sooner with other admitted and current students.

Students who apply Early Action and wish to be considered for need-based financial aid must complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by December 1 in order to receive an aid package at the time of admission. All applicants are automatically considered for Drew’s merit scholarships.

Drew’s application deadline for those students applying under our Regular Decision program is February 1, with notification by March 6 and a deposit due date by the National Candidate’s Reply Date of May 1. Students are automatically considered for Drew University academic merit scholarships.

A financial aid award will be included along with the letter of admission for students who submit their Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) at the time of application.

Interested students should apply separately for Drew Action Scholars and the Drew Scholarship for the Arts. Applicants will be notified of their scholarship awards upon admission to the University.

Drew will continue to consider regular decision applications after the deadline on a space-available basis.

Students electing not to submit SAT/ACT scores must present a strong high school transcript in a rigorous college-prep or honors curriculum and typically will have at least a B+ average. Students should indicate the desire to be considered under Drew’s test optional admission program when completing your application. To learn more about Drew’s test policy, click here.

Admitted students who commit to Drew are required to submit a final high school transcript. Please request that your college counseling office send your transcript to Office of College Admissions, Drew University, 36 Madison Avenue, Madison, NJ 07940.

Your final transcript is required prior to the start of your first semester at Drew and the release of federal aid.

The Admissions Committee reserves the right to rescind an offer of admission and any scholarship award if a student’s academic performance falls below that upon which the admit and scholarship decisions were made.

The Educational Opportunity Scholars program is a partnership between the New Jersey Commission of Higher Education and Drew University. Within this partnership, the program provides access to higher education and support for highly motivated students who exhibit the potential for success, but come from families of low income and lack access to the quality educational preparation necessary to attend college. The program provides direct services designed to promote persistence through degree completion. Furthermore, the program supports innovative educational initiatives, support services and leadership development activities to enhance the student’s chance for academic success.

Learn more about Drew’s EOS program

Transfer students are high school graduates or GED holders who have completed 12 or more college level credits after graduating from high school. Drew welcomes transfer applications from domestic and international students attending two-year or four-year colleges.

Visit our Transfer page for more details, including Transfer-specific deadlines.