Admissions

Admissions Requirements - Undergraduate

Academic requirements include:

  • two years of algebra
  • one year of geometry
  • two years of a foreign language

Additional work in mathematics and foreign language is advised, as well as two or three years of natural science. In addition to the application essays and secondary school report, each applicant must present transcripts of any college work and two letters of recommendation, including one from a teacher. In exceptional cases certain of these requirements may be waived, or additional information may be requested. SAT or ACT scores are not required, but may prove helpful.

Occasionally, St. John's accepts an applicant who is not a secondary school graduate. Such students must be well qualified to profit from the college program and must submit either the results of a nationally recognized test (SAT, ACT, or PSAT) or a GED certificate. A campus visit and interview are especially important in such cases.

St. John's admits as regular students only those who: 1) have a high school diploma, or 2) have a GED or the equivalent, or 3) are beyond the age of compulsory education in Maryland.

Homeschooled Students

St. John's welcomes applications from homeschooled students but requires the following in addition to the general requirements noted above: 

1. Homeschooled applicants must submit the results of either the SAT or ACT.

2. They must also submit an outline of the curriculum they have followed, arranged in chronological order by conventional subject matter, wtih brief descriptions of the course content and texts used.

International Students

St. John's seeks to enroll a diverse student-body and welcomes applications from international students. 

The college is authorized under federal law to enroll foreign students. In order to be considered for admission, international students must have followed a pre-university course of study and must submit the following documents:

  • A completed St. John's application form accompanied by the required essays.
  • Two letters of reference, at least one of which must be from a teacher of an academic subject.
  • An official record of secondary work, with all courses and grades, including the results of the appropriate examinations (e.g. “A” Levels, International Baccaulaureate, and so on). This must be accompanied by an explanation of the grading system used and an English translation of records in other languages.
  • Test results from:
    a. The Student Assessment Test (SAT) or American College Test (ACT).
    b. The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), if the applicant's first language is not English.

    These tests are offered at test centers throughout the world, and information about them can be obtained through American embassies, consulates, and educational resource centers.


Test Code Numbers

St. John's College's test code numbers for the College Entrance Examination Board (SAT and TOEFL) are: Annapolis=5598; Santa Fe=4737. 

The American College Test (ACT) numbers are: Annapolis=1732; Santa Fe=2649

Admissions Information 

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis and decisions are given about two weeks after files are completed.  Although there is no deadline, international students are urged to file their applications as early in the year as possible (The application can be downloaded or completed online.)

Advanced Placement and Transfer Credit

Because the curriculum at St. John's is all-required, the college does not offer advanced placement or credit for college-level work done elsewhere.  All students must enter the St. John's program as first-year matriculants and complete the full four-year curriculum in order to earn a bachelor's degree.  The college, however, does recognize the level of work represented by the full International Baccalaureate diploma and by other diploma programs whose final years of secondary education are the equivalent of college work in the United States.  The Admissions Committee, therefore, takes such work and the results of corresponding examinations into account in reaching its decisions.

Financial Aid

Davis United World Scholars Program: St. John's is one of only 65 colleges and universities in the United States committed to enrolling graduates of the United World Colleges.  All graduates of the United World Colleges who have been accepted and demonstrate financial need are eligible for $10,000 scholarships for each year of enrollment at St. John's, awarded in combination with grant aid offered by the college.  For details contact the Office of Admissions on either campus.

Financial aid for international students is limited and competition for it is strong.  All aid is based on financial need.  For non-US citizens the college offers two full-need scholarships annually on each campus, in addition to an unlimited number of institutional assistance awards covering up to 65% of current tuition, room, and board. 

In addition to need-based grants, foreign students are eligible for low interest loans from the college and jobs on campus.  Foreign students are also eligible to apply for summer employment at St. John's, but the availability of jobs cannot be guaranteed.  Non-US citizens should file the International Student Financial Aid Application with the St. John's Admissions Office as early as possible, preferably no later than February 15.

United States citizens living abroad are eligible for all federal financial aid programs and are thus incorporated in the college's regular pool of applicants for financial assistance.  They should file a Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and the College Scholarship Service's Financial Aid PROFILE as early as possible, preferably no later than February 15.

Click here for the forms necessary to apply for financial assistance or they should be available from the student's secondary school counseling office.   No requests for financial assistance will be considered and no offers of financial aid will be made until after a student has been admitted to the college.

International Student Services

Because both of St. John's campuses are small, cohesive, and supportive communities, there is no separate office designated for international student services.  The Office of the Assistant Dean (click here for Annapolis Office, and for the Santa Fe Office)handles all aspects of student life and provides counseling and guidance on an individual basis.  In addition, each new student participates in a two-day orientation program at the time of registration.  The college's Registrar (click here for Annapolis Registrar and for the Santa Fe Registrar) acts as advisor to all international students with respect to visa requirements and related matters.  Informal "F-1" clubs have been formed by international students together with other students, faculty, and staff for special social events, but in general, international students find themselves easily participating in the mainstream of campus academic and social life.

Admission and Visas

A student is admitted to St. John's only upon receipt of an official acceptance letter from the Director of Admissions.  These letters are sent on a rolling basis, as described above.  A student accepts an offer of admission (and an offer of financial aid if applicable) by submitting a $300 deposit to the Admissions Office.  When the deposit is received, the student is sent a Certificate of Eligibility for Nonimmigrant Student Status (also known as an I-20 form).  The student may then apply for a visa at a United States embassy or consulate.  It is the responsibility of each international student to become familiar with and observe all applicable United States immigration rules and regulations.

For more information, please visit the U.S. State Department's EducationUSA website at http://www.educationusa.state.gov/ for assistance with the application process and information on how to contact an advising center in your country.