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Freshman Applicants

Application Process for Freshmen

Applying is easy! Just follow the steps below. Our admissions counselors are here to answer any questions you might have. All applications are reviewed on a rolling basis. Each application for admission is reviewed individually, and the process is a competitive one.

Step 1
Online Application

Submit your application online.

After you submit the application, you will see instructions for paying the $65 non-refundable application fee (or submitting a fee waiver request) on the status page of your application portal. At this time, application fee waivers are granted based on financial need. You may locate how to qualify for an application fee waiver based on financial need in the ‘Certification & Signature’ section of the Montclair State University application and under the Profile section in the Common App.

If you are applying to a program with an audition fee (Dance, Music, Music Therapy, Musical Theatre, Theatre), you will also see and be able to pay your audition fee through your status page.

There are two ways to apply:

Montclair State University Application  or     Common App

Step 2
Transcript and letter of recommendation

Submit an official high school transcript and letter of recommendation from your counselor. You can have your materials mailed or faxed to us:

Office of Undergraduate Admissions
Montclair State University
1 Normal Avenue, Cole Hall
Montclair, NJ 07043

Fax: 973-655-7700

You may also submit an unofficial transcript for an admissions decision but your final official transcript will be required for enrollment. Upload your unofficial transcript in your application portal at apply.montclair.edu/portal/admissions

For most majors, a recommendation letter is not required but is strongly encouraged.

Please note that Dance, Musical Theatre, and Theatre majors require two recommendation letters. One of your recommendation letters should speak to your candidacy for your field of study.

Step 3
Personal statement and supporting materials

Complete and upload your Essay/Personal Statement. You will be able to upload your essay/personal statement prior to submitting your application. Essay prompts vary by major. You can view your major’s essay prompt here.

If you wish to submit a resume or list of extracurricular activities you’ve participated in for review, you can upload this document in your application or on your status page after submitting your application. Please note that a resume is required for Dance, Musical Theatre, and Theatre majors, but optional for all other programs.

Step 4
Test Scores

Official SAT or ACT scores are optional. Students submitting SAT scores should enter our CEEB code (002520). Students submitting ACT scores should enter our ACT school code (2572).

College of the Arts Requirements
Important Information for College of the Arts Applicants

The Art and Design, Dance, Music, and Theatre programs in the College of the Arts require you to complete an interview, audition or portfolio review in order to be considered for admission. Once your application for admission is complete, you will receive an email with information about how to schedule an interview, audition or portfolio review.

Links to College of the Arts admission guidelines and audition/interview/portfolio review dates can be found on the College of the Arts site.

Please note, admission to Montclair State University does not guarantee acceptance into the program of your choice.

Freshman Admission Standards

Montclair State University considers a number of factors in reviewing admissions applications. Well-qualified candidates for admission have a 3.2 or higher cumulative high school GPA on an un-weighted, 4.0 scale, a challenging course load (particularly in junior and senior years), and a variety of extracurricular activities. Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required, but, if you chose to submit those scores, they will be considered in the admissions process.

Applicants for admission are expected to complete a minimum of 16 units of college preparatory courses as follows:

  • 4 units of English
  • 3 units of mathematics (including Algebra, Geometry and Algebra II)
  • 2 units of the same foreign language
  • 2 units of a laboratory science
  • 2 units of social sciences
  • 3 additional units in any of the subject areas listed

Students are recognized in the admissions process for pursuing a challenging curriculum beyond the minimum requirements including:

  • Mathematics beyond Algebra II
  • A third or fourth year of the same foreign language
  • Honors courses
  • Laboratory science beyond chemistry
  • Advanced Placement courses

Other factors considered in our holistic review process include: strong letters of recommendation from teachers and/or counselors; a well-written, thoughtful admissions essay; and a commitment to extracurricular engagement, both in school and in the community.