Our website uses cookies to understand how you navigate our content and to give you the best browsing experience.
Please read our Data Protection & Use Notification to learn more.
First-Year Admission
Choosing a university can be complicated— applying doesn’t have to be. If you're applying to Arcadia University as an undergraduate student, it's only two steps: Complete an application, and submit documents and test scores.
Step One: Begin Your Application
*The Office of Enrollment Management reserves the right to waive any of the above listed credentials for students with strong academic records, as determined during the initial review of the admissions application.
Additional Materials
Essay (optional)
Use your personal essay to share information not included in your application requirements.
List of Activities (optional)
Share a list of activities or a resume to tell us more about you. We consider these details when making merit scholarship decisions. Include leadership and community service, research projects, employment, and extracurricular activities.
Portfolio Review
Interested in applying to the Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) degree program or the Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) program in Scientific Illustration, Studio Art, or Art Therapy? If so, submit an art portfolio prepared according to our portfolio guidelines.
Acting Audition
Interested in earning a Bachelor of Fine Arts (B.F.A.) in Acting or Acting with a concentration in Musical Theater? If so, you must complete an acting audition.
Are You a Homeschool Student?
Arcadia has plenty to offer homeschooled students. You will find your place within our close-knit community, and our faculty members work with you one-on-one to make sure you reach your educational goals.
Application Deadlines
We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible. Admission offers and scholarships are awarded on a rolling basis, meaning that we make decisions as applications are received.
What Happens Next?
We will notify you of our admission decision within a few weeks of receiving your completed application, and contact you if further information is needed.
Admitted Students
We will send you information about paying a deposit ($400 for resident students, $200 for commuter students) to secure your place in the incoming class. You will need to let us know by May 1 if you will attend Arcadia. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic and to provide our students and families with more time to make their final decision during this unprecedented time, we are extending the deposit deadline to June 1, 2020.
Questions About Applying?
Enrollment Management
1-877-ARCADIA (1-877-272-2342)
admiss@arcadia.edu
A disciplinary matter or criminal conviction, occurring prior to the time of application (whether or not disclosed on the application), while the application is under review, or after the admission decision has been made, may affect decisions regarding admission and Arcadia University reserves the right to revoke admission in such circumstances. Also, because offers of admission and enrollment are based upon a record of academic achievement, Arcadia reserves the right to revoke admission upon receipt of a final high school transcript (or most recent college transcript) reflecting a significant decline in academic performance. Additionally, if an application misrepresents any information, for any reason, admission or enrollment may be revoked at the University’s discretion. Finally, admission to the University does not guarantee placement in campus housing or participation in student teaching placements, internships, or clinical rotations, which may be subject to additional policies or practices.
Under the Pennsylvania Child Protective Services Law (23 Pa.C.S.6301 et seq)., Enrollment Management staff, as school employees, are mandated reporters. As such, staff are required to make a report of suspected child abuse if they have reasonable cause to suspect that a child is a victim of child abuse.
Arcadia University is committed to ensuring equal opportunity to all persons and does not discriminate on the basis of ethnicity, national origin, ancestry, race, color, religion, creed, sex, marital status, affectional or sexual orientation, age, or disability in its educational programs, activities, admissions, or employment practices as required by Title IX of the Educational Amendment of 1972, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 and other applicable statutes. Inquiries concerning Title IX, Section 504 and ADA compliance and information regarding accessibility should be directed to the Affirmative Action Officer, 450 S. Easton Road, Glenside, PA 19038-3295; phone 215-572-2947.