Early Decision is an ideal option for students who know they want to attend Colgate and are ready to apply.
Colgate offers Early Decision I and II for students who have identified Colgate as their first choice. Both options are binding, which means admitted students must agree to withdraw all other applications and attend Colgate.
Early Decision Applicant Checklist
Required Application Materials
Apply using the Common Application or Coalition Application, which include the personal statement.
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- Colgate's application fee is $60.
- Colgate will waive the application fee for any student who is applying for financial aid and qualifies for any fee waiver guidelines set by either the Common Application or Coalition Application without requiring further verification.
- The application fee is waived for non-U.S. citizens (does not apply to U.S. dual citizens or permanent residents).
- The application fee is waived for all U.S. military veterans.
- Colgate accepts official fee waivers from the College Board, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and Expanding College Opportunities. All other fee waiver verifications must be submitted on school/organization letterhead and signed by a counselor.
Submit the Early Decision Agreement (PDF) with the signatures of the student, a parent/guardian, and a guidance counselor.
Recommendations must be from core academic teachers who worked with a student in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade.
The guidance counselor recommendation should detail academic and personal preparedness for post-secondary education.
An official high school transcript will display courses and grades for all years of high school attended. If your high school does not provide a transcript in English, we require an official original transcript and an official English translation.
Optional Application Materials
To offer each applicant the opportunity to share additional information in their application, Colgate offers optional supplementary questions. Students can choose to respond to any or all of the essay prompts, which will be available in their Colgate applicant portal after their application has been received and processed by our office. Students who choose not to submit responses to supplemental questions will be at no disadvantage in the application review process.
Deadlines for applicants choosing to submit supplemental essay responses:
Early Decision I: December 1
Early Decision II and Regular Decision: February 1
Questions:
Question 1: A great institution is diverse. It brings students of different socioeconomic backgrounds, races, ethnicities, and religions to campus. Colgate recognizes this and exposes students to a rich variety of perspectives and backgrounds in their educational and social experiences. Tell us in 150-200 words how you have prepared to immerse yourself in a community such as this or how you look forward to growing as a result of your experience at Colgate.
Question 2: Colgate cultivates a skilled and engaged student body. Through their achievements, our students reflect the University’s reputation as a great place to pursue one’s academic interests. Tell us in 150-200 words about an academic or personal experience that highlights your skill and potential as a Colgate student.
Question 3: The academic community at Colgate is shaped by the unique talents, character, and personality of each student. Please finish each sentence in 75 characters or less so we can learn more about you.
I am fascinated by…
I want to learn all I can about…
My favorite book is...
My role model is…
In the future, I hope to ...
One thing I would change is…
I wish...
I am most challenged by…
In 5 years, I...
Submission of SAT and ACT scores will be optional for all fall 2021, 2022, and 2023 applicants. Applicants should indicate on the Colgate questions page of their application whether or not they would like their scores considered on their application.
For students who choose to submit their scores, Colgate will accept self-reported ACT or SAT score results. Applicants may list ACT or SAT results in their Common Application or Coalition Application. Do not superscore or recalculate your scores in any way; send your scores exactly as you receive them. Additionally, students may send a copy of their score reports to admission@colgate.edu. Colgate's school code for the SAT is 2086. Colgate's school code for the ACT is 2702.
Official TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for non-native English speakers who do not study at a secondary school where English is the primary language of instruction. These scores must be sent from an official testing agency. Colgate's school code for the TOEFL is 2086.
Students who choose not to submit test scores will be at no disadvantage in the application review process.
Senior year grades, if submitted, must include at least first-quarter or first-trimester grades.
Deadlines:
Early Decision I Applicants: December 1
Early Decision II, Regular Decision Applicants: February 15
Supplementary Materials
Students wishing to document specific extracurricular achievements in high school may submit supplementary materials for review with their applications.
Applicants are welcome to submit art and music materials if they are interested in sharing their work with the art and music faculty and admission staff members. In order to be considered as part of the application, materials must be submitted by the appropriate application deadline.
Submitting material for review does not require a commitment to major in the field, nor will it impact academic placement; we encourage any applicant with ample art or music experience to submit a portfolio regardless of your intended major or focus of study.
Art and music submissions must be uploaded through the SlideRoom portal.
To document athletic achievement, please follow the guidelines in the application and send tapes and talent resumes directly to a coach.
c/o (Coach for your sport)
Department of Athletics
Colgate University
Hamilton, NY 13346
We often receive other samples of students' achievements in fields such as journalism, student government, community service, etc. Such information is most helpful when it is a concisely presented sample of your best work or accomplishment. Such supplements should complement, but not replace, the effort to complete the application questions with regard to activities and involvement.
Challenges in obtaining required application items
Any student experiencing difficulty obtaining a required application item or meeting an application deadline as a result of COVID-19 restrictions, natural disaster, or other emergency should contact the Office of Admission at admission@colgate.edu or 315-228-7401 to discuss these concerns and options.
Application Deadlines
| Early Decision I | Early Decision II | Regular Decision |
| Deadline: November 15 Decision Release: Mid December |
Deadline: January 15 Decision Release: Mid February - Mid March |
Deadline: January 15 Decision Release: Mid March |
*Regular decision applicants may change their application to ED II by submitting the Early Decision Agreement (PDF) no later than March 1.
Early Decision II option for Regular Decision applicants
Regular Decision applicants who have applied by January 15 may convert their applications to Early Decision II up until March 1. This option is designed for students who decide Colgate is their top choice after January 15 to be able to indicate their strong desire to enroll.
Financial Aid for Early Decision Applicants
Colgate meets full financial need for all admitted students, including Early Decision applicants. If you plan to apply for need-based financial aid, we highly recommend using an online cost calculator to estimate of your financial aid package in advance.
Financial Aid Deadlines
All applicants must submit required documents by these dates:
- Early Decision I: November 15
- Early Decision II: January 15
- Regular Decision: January 15
Estimate your cost
Determine your college costs and how much financial aid you may be eligible to receive.
Cost calculators