First-Year Applicants

Students who consider Fairfield University to be among their top choices and would like to have their application reviewed early may submit their application under our Early Action program. Applicants for Early Action must submit the completed application by November 1.

Students who are certain that Fairfield University is their first choice for a college education and are willing to commit to attending if admitted are welcome to apply as Early Decision Candidates. Once admitted, an Early Decision candidate agrees to withdraw all other college applications and confirm his or her attendance at Fairfield. Early Decision I applications are due November 15.

Early Decision II applications are due January 15.

The Regular Decision application deadline is January 15.

The priority application deadline for entry into the fall semester is April 1. Students who apply by this date and have all supporting docuements to our office, will receive priority review for admission, institutional financial aid, merit scholarships, and housing.

More info for Transfer Students

Fairfield University uses the Common Application as its only application.

The application deadline for Early Action consideration is November 1, for Early Decision I November 15, and for Early Decision II and Regular Decision January 15.

Yes. Students who are certain that Fairfield University is their first choice for a college education and are willing to commit to attending if admitted are welcome to apply as an Early Decision candidate. Once admitted, an Early Decision candidate agrees to withdraw all other college applications and confirm his or her attendance at Fairfield. The application deadline for Early Desicion I is November 15 and for Early Decision II is January 15.

Students who consider Fairfield University to be among their top choices for their undergraduate education and who would like to have their application reviewed early may submit their application under our Early Action program. Applicants for Early Action must submit a completed application by November 1.

A competitive applicant has a solid A/A- average weighted GPA in a strong college preparatory program which includes some honors and/or advanced placement classes. The middle 50% of admitted students scored between 1300-1410 on the SAT, and between 27 and 31 on the ACT.

Fairfield also seeks to enroll students for whom Fairfield is a good fit. We appreciate when students have taken the time to get to know the campus through visit programs, tours, and time with our counseling staff. Students who take an active role in their admission process demonstrate that they have an interest in Fairfield and have taken the necessary steps to decide that we may be the right place to continue their academic journey.

Fairfield University received 18,508 applications for undergraduate admission for the Class of 2028. The admit rate for the Class of 2028 was 33%.

Fairfield University evaluates prospective students using a holistic review process, looking at all aspects of a student’s record in making our admission assessment. This process reflects our educational mission as a Jesuit institution. We strongly believe in the education of the whole person and look for signs of academic and community engagement—factors that are not well measured by test scores.

Based on our research, we know that a student's academic record in high school—including the strength of the curriculum and the student's performance in that curriculum—provides the best information about his/her potential success at Fairfield

Our application review process for students who do not submit scores and those who do submit scores is very similar. We review all applications holistically. The most important aspect of any application is the student's academic record over four years in high school. We look carefully at the quality of the academic program the student has pursued, as well as their performance throughout high school. We also consider all of the subjective aspects of a student's application, including the personal statement, recommendations from teachers and counselors, and the student's interests and extracurricular activities.

Students who have chosen not to submit their scores must indicate on the Fairfield University Supplement to the Common Application that they have chosen that option.

Students should reflect on their standardized test scores and their overall academic performance in high school. If a student feels that the scores are an accurate reflection of his/her academic ability and potential and would like them to be considered by the admission committee, the scores should be included. If a student does not feel the scores accurately reflect his/her ability and potential, the scores do not need to be submitted.

No. Students who do not submit their test scores will have the same opportunities for admission as those who do.

Yes. Students who have been homeschooled during high school are still required to submit their SAT or ACT results. International students whose English is not their native language must submit the results of the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language).

This policy took effect beginning with first year students who applied for the fall of 2010, and for transfer students who applied for admission for the spring of 2010.

Yes. All applicants, regardless of whether or not they have submitted SAT or ACT results, will be eligible for merit scholarship consideration.

Please visit the Office of Financial Aid page for details.

Yes. All admitted students are automatically considered for merit scholarships, regardless of whether they have completed an application for financial aid. To find out more about this scholarship opportunity, please visit our scholarships page.

Over 90% of the entering class received a merit scholarship, need-based financial aid, or a combination.

Fairfield University will award 3 or 4 credit hours for each AP course taken by a student, provided that the student has taken the Advanced Placement Test and obtained a test score of 4 or 5. A maximum of 15 AP credits will be awarded. 

A formal review of AP coursework will occur after enrollment at the University, and how AP classes transfer may differ based on a student’s major choice.

Official score reports, transcripts, and related documentation should be sent to Pamela Kelly (if sending electronically, email asr@fairfield.edu), Academic Commons, DiMenna-Nyselius Library Complex, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824-5195.

Fairfield University recognizes the advanced nature of Higher Level International Baccalaureate courses and will award 3 or 4 credit hours provided a grade of 6 or 7 is achieved. A maximum of 15 IB credits will be awarded.

A formal review of IB coursework will occur after enrollment at the University, and how IB classes transfer may differ based on a student’s major choice.

Official score reports, transcripts, and related documentation should be sent to Pamela Kelly (if sending electronically, email asr@fairfield.edu), Academic Commons, DiMenna-Nyselius Library Complex, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824-5195.

For students who pursue college courses while in high school, upon receipt of an official college transcript, the course work will be evaluated by the appropriate academic administrator in consultation with the respective curriculum area, provided the following criteria are met:

• The course(s) must have been completed in a college environment and must have been taught by a college professor
• The course(s)/credits were not used to satisfy high school graduation requirements
• A final grade of “C” or better was earned.

College/school officials will determine the appropriateness of the transfer credit for the student’s program and decide whether it has met Fairfield’s curriculum standards.  A maximum of 15 credits of approved coursework will be awarded transfer credit. The grades will not be transferred.

College-level courses will be evaluated upon receipt of the following documentation:

• An official letter from the high school principal or school counselor stating that the course was taught on the college/university campus, by a member of the college/university faculty, and with regularly matriculated undergraduates at that college/university
• An official transcript from the college/university
• A course description and/or course syllabus
• High school profile outlining all high school graduation requirements

It is the discretion of college/school officials to determine if AP, IB, or transfer credit may be used to exempt students from specific University courses or requirements.

A formal review of dual enrollment coursework will occur after enrollment at the University, and how dual enrollment classes transfer may differ based on a student’s major choice.

Official score reports, transcripts, and related documentation should be sent to Pamela Kelly (if sending electronically, email asr@fairfield.edu), Academic Commons, DiMenna-Nyselius Library Complex, 1073 North Benson Road, Fairfield, CT 06824-5195.

Housing is required of incoming freshmen who reside outside of a radius (typically 30 miles) determined by the University. A portion of upperclassmen enter a lottery each year to take advantage of additional housing options at Fairfield Beach. Approximately 80% of all students live on campus in a traditional residence hall, suite-style residence hall, an apartment, or a townhouse.