Applying to F&M
What Does It Mean to Be a Diplomat?
"It means being able to move fluidly between cultures and among cultures. It means bridging between different languages, different fields of study, different fields of expertise, different cultures and different points of origin. It means transforming disruption into opportunity." — F&M President Barbara AltmannStart Your Application
F&M accepts applications from one of two sources: the Common Application or the Coalition
Application. These platforms allow you to streamline your application process and
apply to multiple colleges at once.
Begin Common Application
Begin Coalition Application
Once we receive your application, you’ll have access to your F&M Application Portal, which you can use to upload additional materials to support your application.
Application Dates to Remember
Early Decision I
November 15
(Notified within 30 days from the application deadline)
Early Decision II*
January 6
(Notified within 30 days from the application deadline)
Regular Decision*
January 6
(Notified by April 1)
Transfer (Fall)**
April 15
(Notified by June 1)
Transfer (Spring)
November 1
(Notified by Nov. 15)
* Please note the deadline to switch to Early Decision I from Regular Decision or Early Decision II is December 9. The deadline to switch to Early Decision II from Regular Decision is February 3.
** Fall transfer applications received after the priority deadline are considered on a space-available basis until the class is full. You are encouraged to complete your application as soon as possible.
Application Options
Applying Early Decision
Are you convinced you want to be a Diplomat? If F&M is your top-choice school, applying
Early Decision is the best option for you. Please note that applying Early Decision
means that if you apply to F&M and get in, you’re committed to enroll.
To apply Early Decision, you must complete an Early Decision Agreement on either the Common Application or the Coalition Application on Scoir.
Early Decision Application Deadlines
There are two deadlines for applying Early Decision—in early fall and early winter.
Early Decision I Deadline
November 15
(Notified within 30 days from the application deadline)
Early Decision II Deadline
January 6
(Notified within 30 days from the application deadline)
* Please note the deadline to switch to Early Decision I from Regular Decision or Early
Decision II is December 9. The deadline to switch to Early Decision II from Regular
Decision is February 3.
We understand that many families need to know how much financial aid they may receive
before committing to F&M via Early Decision. We can provide you with an early estimate
of the need-based financial aid for which you might qualify. This is an estimate only,
not a guaranteed financial aid package. It also doesn’t guarantee or imply admission. We understand that this is a lot to remember and track! To help, we put together a
step-by-step guide to completing the application process as an Early Decision applicant.
Early Estimates of Financial Aid
LEARN HOW TO GET AN EARLY ESTIMATE
Keep Track of What You Need With an Application Checklist
CHECK OUT YOUR APPLICATION CHECKLIST
Applying Regular Decision
If you’re still exploring your options and F&M is one of many colleges you are considering,
applying Regular Decision is likely your best option. We have one Regular Decision
deadline in mid-January.
Regular Decision Deadline
January 6
(Notified by April 1)
* Please note the deadline to switch to Early Decision I from Regular Decision or Early
Decision II is December 9. The deadline to switch to Early Decision II from Regular
Decision is February 3.
Begin Your Common Application
Begin Your Coalition Application
Keep Track of What You Need With an Application Checklist
We understand that this is a lot to remember and track! To help, we put together a
step-by-step guide to completing the application process as a first-year applicant.
Check out your application checklist
Applying as a Transfer Student
We’re so glad you’re considering making F&M the place to continue your academic journey.
F&M is a welcoming place for transfer students. There are two application deadlines
depending on which semester you’d like to transfer.
Fall Semester
April 15
(Notified by June 1)
Spring Semester
November 1
(Notified by Nov. 15)
*Fall transfer applications received after the priority deadline are considered on a space-available basis until the class is full. You’re encouraged to complete your application as soon as possible.
If you have any questions, you can email transfer@fandm.edu.
Begin Your Common Application
Keep Track of What You Need With an Application Checklist
We understand that this is a lot to remember and track! To help, we put together a
step-by-step guide to completing the application process as a transfer student.
Check out your application checklist
Applying as an International Student
We’re delighted you’re interested in pursuing an American liberal arts education at
F&M. There is a strong global presence at F&M, with 17% of our students coming to
our campus from countries outside of the U.S.
Learn about the international student experience at F&M
If you’re applying to F&M as an international student, you will be asked to follow
the standard application procedures and also supply some additional information, including
proof of proficiency in the English language. If F&M is your first-choice institution,
we recommend you apply Early Decision. We place an exceptional value on students who
apply early. Otherwise, you may apply Regular Decision.
Apply to F&M as an international student
Keep Track of What You Need With an Application Checklist
We understand that this is a lot to remember and track! To help, we put together a
step-by-step guide to completing the application process as an international student.
Check out your application checklist
Test Optional Policy
We know you are more than a test score. That’s why we have been proudly test-optional for more than 30 years: when you apply to F&M, you choose whether or not to submit your standardized test (SAT or ACT) scores with your application.
We also know that making that choice can be stressful, which is why we take a “no harm” approach when reviewing test scores. This means that we will only consider your scores if they strengthen your application. It’s that simple.
Applying Without Test Scores
F&M conducts a holistic review of every application. If you opt not to submit your test scores, we will redistribute the weight test scores would otherwise carry across the other components of your application—transcripts, academic recommendation and other supporting materials—to make our decision. Choosing to apply test-optional has no negative impact on your likelihood of admission.
You should indicate on your Common Application or Coalition Application if you are applying test optional. If you have already submitted your standardized test scores but would like to remove them from your application, you can tell us through your F&M Application Portal or contact us directly to request this change.
Applying With Test Scores
Applicants who choose to submit test scores with their application are evaluated in a holistic manner and we do not use test scores as the decisive factor in review. We also take a “no harm” approach to test scores. This means that we will only consider your scores if they strengthen your application.
If you choose to submit standardized test scores, we will “superscore” your results. This means that if you have taken a test more than once, we will take the highest score for each section, even if they come from different testing dates.
Submission of the essay portion of the SAT/ACT is optional. Students are welcome but not required to send optional subject tests.
How to Submit Scores
You may ask The College Board (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT) to submit your scores directly to F&M by using their school code systems:
- F&M SAT Code: 2261
- F&M ACT Code: 3574
Test scores will also be considered if they are:
- listed on the official high school transcript (unless applying test-optional);
- sent directly by an applicant’s secondary school to the Office of Admission; or
- self-reported by the student on their Common/Coalition Application.
Students who choose to self-report scores on the Common/Coalition Application and who later enroll at F&M are required to submit verified test scores at the time of their enrollment.
Additional Application Materials
Do you want to further personalize your application to F&M? We welcome any materials that you feel add value to your application. These include an optional admission interview; videos or images of dance or theater performances; or samples of your work in film, art or creative writing.
Schedule an Interview
Interviews are a great way for us to get to know each other better. At F&M, interviews
are engaging, informal conversations. And while interviews are not required, they
are a good way to strengthen your application. This is your time to tell us something
that may not show up on your application.
Check out our interview tips to get some insight into what makes a good interview.
Schedule an interview
Art Portfolio Samples
F&M’s art, art history, and film departments welcome samples of your artistic work in any medium. Art talent samples should include a minimum of six and maximum of 20 works, preferably submitted as a PDF file to your F&M Application Portal.
Please include your full name and type of medium in the PDF file name. Also include a short personal statement (approximately 250 words) about why creating art is important to you.
Music Samples
There are many ways to share your musical prowess with F&M’s music department. You can submit a recording of a performance to your F&M Application Portal (a video recording is preferred), submit copies or recordings of any compositions, and meet with a music department representative on campus or virtually.
Dance Samples
Dance at F&M is open to all students, regardless of prior experience. If you have experience and would like to demonstrate your dance technique, you can upload a video to your F&M Application Portal. Please include your first and last name in the video title. If the performance you submit includes multiple dancers, please identify yourself when submitting. Please also indicate whether you choreographed the piece.
Additional Letters of Recommendation
Beyond the required recommendations, you are welcome to send additional letters of
recommendation from coaches, supervisors, or mentors who know you well. However, we
ask that you be mindful of how many letters you send.
Schoolhouse Mastery Certification
Students are welcome to submit Schoolhouse certification(s) to their application. After you have completed certification in a subject area, you will be able to download a PDF document verifying your completion. You can upload this PDF to your F&M Application Portal under "Material Upload" as "Other Documents," after you have submitted an application to F&M. You can learn more about Schoolhouse here.
Scholarship Opportunities
iF&M in Bath, England
F&M Application Portal
We’re dedicated to making an F&M education affordable for all. By offering need- and
merit-based financial aid, we’re able to welcome talented students from all backgrounds. 65% of F&M students receive some sort of need-based aidJoin the F&M Family Connection
Sign up for our parent and family portal, the F&M Family Connection, for additional
information on your student's journey through the application process. You can also
fill out this form telling us more about yourself and your student. We look forward to connecting with
you!
Sign up now »Financial Aid at F&M
Learn more about financial aid at F&M
Ready to take your first look at campus and explore the place that could be your home
for the next four years? Whether you visit us in person or “walk around” with a virtual
tour, our Admission team is prepared to help you build your visit to suit your needs.
Experience Campus
Franklin & Marshall College is committed to having an inclusive campus community where all members are treated with dignity and respect. The College does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race or ethnicity, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, family or marital status, or sexual orientation in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, financial aid programs, athletic and other College-administered programs.
Federal legislation requires institutions of higher education to share with all prospective
members of the community a copy of their Annual Security Report (ASR), which is available through Franklin & Marshall's Department of Public Safety. The ASR contains information about the college, its facilities, crime statistics,
and where to report any crimes, among other information. A hard copy of the ASR is
available by contacting Franklin & Marshall's Department of Public Safety or calling (717) 358-3870.
As required by Pennsylvania law, if there is reasonable cause to suspect that a child
has been abused, F&M will report this to the appropriate state authorities.