First-Year Applicants

Apply using the Common Application, Coalition on Scoir, or Questbridge Application, which all include a personal statement.

Colgate will waive the application fee for:

• Any student applying for financial aid who qualifies for fee waivers per the Common Application or Coalition on Scoir guidelines without requiring further verification.
• Non-U.S. citizens (does not apply to U.S. dual citizens or permanent residents).
• U.S. military veterans.
• Students with College Board, the National Association for College Admission Counseling, and Expanding College Opportunities waivers.
• All other fee waiver verifications must be submitted on school/organization letterhead and signed by a counselor.

Recommendations must be from core academic teachers who worked with a student in 10th, 11th, or 12th grade. Must be submitted by a school official.

The guidance counselor recommendation should detail academic and personal preparedness for post-secondary education. Must be submitted by a school official.

An official high school transcript displays 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. Must be submitted by a school official.

Colgate defines mid-year grades as the first semester or first trimester grades from your final year of high school. Colgate requires this item to be submitted by February 15. Your application status will not be impacted if you have applied through the Early Decision I round, and these grades are not available by the deadline. Must be submitted by a school official.

For students who are applying through the Early Decision I or Early Decision II rounds, submit the Early Decision Agreement through the application platform or as a PDF to admission@colgate.edu. This form must be signed by the student, a parent/guardian, and a guidance counselor.

Colgate school codes: SAT - 2086, ACT - 2702

Applicants should indicate on their application whether or not they would like their scores considered.

• Submitting SAT and ACT test scores is optional; students who choose not to submit their scores are at no disadvantage; we will evaluate academic achievement through all other application components.
• Colgate will accept self-reported SAT or ACT score results. Applicants may list SAT or ACT results in their Common Application, Coalition on Scoir, or QuestBridge Application. Additionally, students may send a copy of their score reports to admission@colgate.edu.
• Colgate accepts results from both the paper and digital formats of the SAT. Should a student choose to submit ACT scores, the science and writing scores, if taken, will be reported separately from the composite scores.
• Colgate superscores both the ACT and the SAT.
• After receiving an admission decision, admitted applicants who chose to have their scores considered will be required to send official scores from the testing agency.
• International students: Official TOEFL, IELTS, or DET 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 TOEFL school code is 2086. Learn more on the international applicants page.

Use our first-year class profile information as a benchmark. Reviewing the academic data of our current students can help you feel confident in your decision to submit — or not submit — standardized scores.

You may submit an optional SlideRoom portfolio to highlight your accomplishments in: visual art and media, music (instrument and vocal performance, and composition), theater, and dance.

Submission Tips

• You can include multiple mediums in a single submission; list each medium on your form.
• Ensure your submission highlights your individual role and talent so faculty can accurately identify and assess you as an artist.

Important to Know

• Submitting material does not require you to major in the arts, nor does it affect academic placement.
• You do not need to submit a portfolio or audition to declare an arts major at Colgate.
• Visit SlideRoom for specific file types and technical requirements.
• Every submission will be assessed by a Colgate faculty member and considered as part of the holistic application review.

Submission Deadlines

• Supplementary material submission deadlines coincide with application deadlines for all application plans. We cannot accept submissions for review via email or after the deadline.

Fees and Waivers

• Submission fee: $12 USD 
• Waivers: Those receiving a Common Application fee waiver will automatically have this fee waived in SlideRoom. This fee will also be automatically waived for all students applying via QuestBridge. Colgate is unable to provide SlideRoom fee waivers

If you have questions about a SlideRoom submission, please email admission@colgate.edu. If you have questions about a specific major or faculty/student organization, please email the academic department directly.

Applicants may share online materials showcasing their unique background, talents, or creativity. This is an opportunity to share work that falls outside of traditional portfolios, such as:

• Creative works
• Social media profiles
• Performances
• Online boutiques
• Community pages

How to Submit: Include your URL in the Colgate supplement section of your Common App, Coalition, or QuestBridge application.

Domestic students may submit a 60–90 second Glimpse video. Glimpse is an opportunity to share your story and helps the admissions committee get to know you better.

International students should consider submitting an InitialView video to share their story.

Fees and Waivers
You may automatically qualify for a fee waiver if you received a fee waiver for ACT or SAT testing, and/or the College Board fee waiver.

Deadline
Glimpse videos must be submitted by the application deadline for all application plans.

Colgate invites students who have conducted formal research projects to submit a VIVA. VIVA allows you to submit an academic project (paper, research project, etc.) and answer brief, ungraded questions about your project, which takes around 10 minutes. 

If you qualify for any form of fee waiver, the nominal fee to submit VIVA is waived.

For consideration in the Colgate Admission Process, VIVA videos must be submitted by November 15 for the Early Decision I application round, and February 1 for Early Decision II or Regular Decision rounds.

You may submit brief samples of your best work or achievements in areas such as journalism, leadership, or community service. These materials should complement, not replace, the activity and involvement questions on your application.