International First-Year Application Checklist

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)

Regular Decision: 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.

Language Proficiency Exams

An English Proficiency Test Score is required for students whose native language is not English. We accept the following English Proficiency Tests: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language), IELTS (International English Language Testing System), Duolingo English Test (DET), or Pearson PTE Academic (PTEA).

You will not be required to complete a language proficiency exam if: 

• English is your native language
• You've been studying at a school for at least 3 years where the main language of instruction in all courses is English
• You are enrolled in the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP) and have obtained or are predicted to obtain the following IB scores:
  • IB English Standard Level (SL) examination with a predicted score of 5 or higher
  • IB English Higher Level (HL) examination with a predicted score of 4 or higher

If you believe you’re eligible to have your language proficiency requirement waived, please email the Office of Admission at intladmissions@fandm.edu after you submit your application.

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.

Financial Aid

If you intend to apply for financial aid as an international student, you will need to submit the CSS Profile (Fall 2025/Spring 2026) or the International Aid Form. 

Please keep in mind that while the amount of aid is generous, it is also limited. If you require a high level of aid, the admission process becomes more competitive. If you’re admitted to F&M, we will meet 100% of your institutionally determined financial need for all four years on campus based upon your family contribution and the information provided to F&M prior to admission. You will not be required to file a new CSS Profile each year. If the College's standard tuition, fees, room and board change in future academic years, your financial aid will be adjusted to reflect those changes. However, changes in circumstances that affect your acceptance or in subsequent years will not be considered.

If you’re not requesting financial aid, you must submit a Certification of Finances form. This form will be accessible to you after you submit your admission application. If you’re admitted to F&M without financial aid in your first year, you will not be eligible for financial assistance in subsequent years.

Completing the financial aid process is just as important as completing the application itself. Your application will not be reviewed until we have all your financial aid documents, whether they include the CSS profile or Certification of Finances form. When completed, visit your F&M Application Portal to ensure your application to F&M is fully complete and ready for review. When in doubt, feel free to inquire about your status by emailing the F&M Office of Admission at intladmissions@fandm.edu or calling at (877) 678-9111.

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.