Early Decision Application Checklist

You have a lot going on! To make sure you haven’t missed anything important, keep an eye on this list of everything you need to complete the Early Decision application process.

Early Decision Application Deadlines

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)

* 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.

Early Decision Agreement Form

To apply Early Decision, you must submit a signed Early Decision Agreement Form through the Common Application or Coalition Application.

Didn’t Apply Early Decision but Want To?

If you have already submitted your application and decided that F&M is your top-choice school, you are more than welcome to change your application to Early Decision as long as you haven’t missed the Early Decision deadlines. All you need to do is sign and submit the Early Decision Agreement Form.

The College Application 

Submit your application using either the Common Application or the Coalition Application.

Official Secondary School (High School) Transcript

Official secondary school transcript(s) should be submitted through the Common Application or Coalition Application and should list your courses and grades, including your senior year grades as soon as they become available. 

If your school prefers to submit a paper copy of your transcript, please fax it to (717) 358-4389 or mail it to:

Office of Admission
Franklin & Marshall College
P.O. Box 3003
Lancaster, PA 17604‐3003

Academic Letter of Recommendation

An academic letter of recommendation should come from a teacher you have had during your high school years. The letter should be submitted electronically through your Common Application or Coalition Application. For details on how to do this, visit the Recommenders and FERPA section of your application.

If your teacher prefers to submit a paper copy of your transcript, please fax it to (717) 358-4389 or mail it to:

Office of Admission
Franklin & Marshall College
P.O. Box 3003
Lancaster, PA 17604‐3003

Counselor Letter of Recommendation

Make sure your counselor submits a letter of recommendation on your behalf. The letter should be submitted electronically through your Common Application or Coalition Application. For details on how to do this, visit the Recommenders and FERPA section of your application.

If your counselor prefers to submit a paper copy of your transcript, please fax it to (717) 358-4389 or mail it to:

Office of Admission
Franklin & Marshall College
P.O. Box 3003
Lancaster, PA 17604‐3003

Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT) or Standardized Test Option

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. 

Learn more by visiting Applying to F&M and selecting "Standardized Testing Options" from the "Application Options" dropdown.

Application Fee

The $60 application fee is paid electronically through the Common Application or Coalition Application.

Mid-Year Report

Ask your counselor to upload your mid-year report through the Common Application or Coalition Application. Be sure to check in with your counselor to make sure they have completed this step.

 

Need-Based Financial Aid

If you intend to apply for need-based financial aid, be sure to review everything you need to know about how to apply. Completing the financial aid process is just as important as completing the application itself. When the process is completed, visit your F&M Application Portal to ensure your application to F&M is final and ready for review. To receive a full and timely application review, you must submit all financial aid documents along with your application materials. Missing financial aid documents can delay the release of your decision and/or adversely affect the outcome of that decision. When in doubt, feel free to email the F&M Office of Admission at admission@fandm.edu or call (877) 678-9111. 

• Check "YES" to the question: “Do you intend to apply for need-based financial aid?” on the Common Application.
• Complete the College Board CSS / Financial Aid profile.
  • F&M’s CSS Profile Code: 2261
• Fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).
  • F&M’s FAFSA School Code: 003265
• Upload tax documents and supplemental financial aid forms to the College Board’s Institutional Documentation Service (IDOC) system.
• Review how to apply for financial aid or contact the Financial Aid Office with any questions.
  • Email: financialaid@fandm.edu
  • Main Office: 717-358-3991
  • Office Fax: 717-358-4462

Optional: Supplemental Materials 

If you’re further personalizing your F&M application with supplemental materials, you can upload them to your F&M Application Portal under the portfolio section. You can also submit paper copies of supplemental material by fax to 717-358-4389 or mail to:

Office of Admission
Franklin & Marshall College
P.O. Box 3003
Lancaster, PA 17604‐3003

Optional: Official College Transcripts

If you completed college-level course work while in high school, you should submit official college transcripts for those courses, even if completed at multiple institutions.

F&M cannot accept your college transcripts from you; they must be mailed directly by the institution. 

Please ask your current institution to mail an official transcript to:

Office of Admission
Franklin & Marshall College
P.O. Box 3003
Lancaster, PA 17604‐3003

​Electronic transcripts can be addressed and sent directly to the Office of Admission at admission@fandm.edu.