Admission Policy

Muhlenberg College is committed to the ideal of excellent standards of scholarship.  The College selects students who give evidence of ability and scholastic achievement, seriousness of purpose, quality of character, and the capacity to make constructive contributions to the College community. Evidence of integrity and ethical behavior is important in the admission decision.  Careful consideration is given to each applicant as a scholar and as a person with the object being to assemble a class that is academically talented and diversified.

Admission Requirements

Admission to Muhlenberg is based upon a thorough holistic review of each candidate’s scholastic performance records and personal qualities.  There is no precise admissions “formula;” various factors are carefully considered in each decision made by the Admission Committee.  The following credentials are of primary importance:

Secondary School Record

The minimum requirement is the satisfactory completion of a secondary school college preparatory program of at least 16 Carnegie units.  These units should include four of English, two (preferably three) of a second language, three of mathematics, two (preferably three) of science, two of history, and major academic electives.  Exceptions to these requirements will be considered on an individual basis in cases of documented learning disability, home schooling, or other exceptional situations.

The Admission Committee recognizes and encourages secondary school enrollment in accelerated and advanced placement courses.  The strength of an applicant’s four year secondary school program and achievement is of utmost importance in each admissions decision.

Standardized Tests

Results of the SAT or ACT are evaluated in conjunction with the applicant’s secondary school record.  Non-U.S. citizens for whom English is not the first language may submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Duolingo English Test in place of the SAT or ACT.

In the spring of 1996, the Muhlenberg faculty and Board of Trustees voted to make the SAT and ACT an optional part of the admissions process.  Additional details regarding Muhlenberg’s optional standardized testing policy are available from the Office of Admission. 

If submitted, results of the SAT or ACT are reviewed in conjunction with the applicant’s secondary school record.  Non-U.S. citizens for whom English is not the first langage may submit results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Duolingo English Test in place of the SAT or ACT.

Personal Qualities

While the strength of an applicant’s academic preparation is of primary consideration, the Admission Committee is also very interested in each applicant as an individual.  Muhlenberg College is a small community that thrives upon the variety of contributions made by its members.  The College, therefore, seeks students who will contribute to the campus personally as well as academically.  Evidence of an applicant’s personal qualities is considered through the breadth and depth of extracurricular pursuits, the personal essay, and the recommendations from the student’s school counselor and one teacher of major academic classes.  A personal interview with a member of the Admission staff is highly recommended and can be important for students who want to be considered for merit scholarships and selection to one of the four honor programs.

Application Procedures

Muhlenberg College participates in the Common Application program along with nearly 900 other colleges and universities across the country.  Muhlenberg uses the Common Application exclusively as the required application for admission.

Candidates should begin their applications during the fall of their senior year in secondary school.  The complete application file must include the following:

Application for Admission (Common Application), completed in detail by the applicant and accompanied by the non-refundable $50 application fee;

Secondary School Transcript, including seven semesters (11 trimesters);

School Report, completed by the applicant’s guidance counselor, college advisor, or headmaster;

Teacher Reference, completed by one instructor who has taught the applicant in a major academic subject; and

Standardized Test results: Students who choose to submit test scores as part of the admissions application may self-report their test scores on their Common Application.  Some students may also wish to be considered for admission under Muhlenberg’s optional standardized testing policy (see “Standardized Tests”).  Additional details of the test optional admissions program are available from the Office of Admission.

It is the applicant’s responsibility to see that the above-listed credentials are received by the College.  Applcation deadline(s) are as follows:

Early Decision I - November 15

Early Decision II and Regular Decision - February 1.

Inquiries concerning admission and application procedures should be directed to the Dean of Admission and Financial Aid, Muhlenberg College, 2400 Chew Street, Allentown, PA 18104-5586.

Admissions Interview

Muhlenberg believes that an interview with a member of the Admissions staff is of value both to the applicant and to the College.  A personal interview is strongly recommended for all applicants.  Arrangements for all appointments should be made online at http://www.muhlenberg.edu/admissions/types-of-visits/ or by calling the Office of Admissions at 484-664-3200.  Interviews are conducted for seniors until February 1; juniors may plan their interviews beginning March 15 of their junior year.

Campus tours and group information sessions are also available. Appointments can be made online at http://www.muhlenberg.edu/admissions/types-of-visits/ or by calling the Office of Admissions at 484-664-3200.  

Early Decision

The Admission Committee will make a formal early commitment of acceptance to candidates whose qualifications indicate strong promise for successful college performance.  Muhlenberg subscribes to the “first choice” option of the Early Decision Plan Agreement.  This agreement stipulates that Early Decision candidates may file regular decision applications at other colleges with the understanding that they must be withdrawn if accepted under the Early Decision Plan at Muhlenberg.  When filing an application for Early Decision, applicants must sign the Early Decision commitment form or indicate Early Decision as their preferred application plan on the Common Application stating that they agree to the provisions of the Early Decision agreement. 

The Early Decision I application deadline is November 15.  Notification will be sent from the Admission Committee by December 15.  The Early Decision II application deadline is February 1.  Notification will be sent from the Admission Committee between February 15-28.  Those candidates not accepted under the Early Decision plan but whose credentials warrant further consideration will be deferred to the regular decision applicant group where full review will again be made at a later date when additional information is available.

Notice of Admission

Muhlenberg notifies regular decision candidates of an admission decision by April 1, contingent upon the successful completion of their senior year.  The College subscribes to the National Candidate’s Reply Date of May 1 for confirmation of enrollment.

Enrollment Confirmation

In order to confirm their enrollment, students accepting the College’s offer of admission must submit a non-refundable $400 enrollment deposit (to be credited to the first semester’s tuition) by the May 1 Reply Date. 

Deferral of Enrollment

Incoming students who have submitted a $400 non-refundable enrollment deposit and commitment card may request a deferral of enrollment for up to a maximum of one year.  Students who defer their attendance cannot be a full-time, degree-seeking (matirculated) student at another college or university in the United States or abroad during their deferral period.

To request a deferral, please email the dean of admissions & financial aid.  In the request, students should include the following information: the reason for deferral, the duration of deferral and the specific plans for the deferral period (which should include program name and specifics if a formal program will be attended).

If a student is granted a deferral and they have been awarded need-based aid for the original entry term, they will need to submit a FAFSA and supporting financial documents for the entry term that they will be attending after their deferral. If a student has been awarded merit-based scholarships and/or talent grants, these awards will carry over to the student’s entry term following their deferral.  Please note that if a student has been selected to an honors program, eligibility to participate may be impacted by a deferral enrollment.

Advanced Placement

Students who obtain an Advanced Placement (AP) score of 4 (well qualified) or 5 (extremely well qualified) will receive a course unit credit in the appropriate discipline that will apply toward one of the 32 course units required for graduation and satisfy the corresponding general academic requirement at Muhlenberg.  Some academic departments apply AP credits toward their major requirements; some do not.  Students who later choose to or are required to register for the equivalent course will lose the AP credit.

International Baccalaureate Program (IB)

Muhlenberg College will award course units and the fulfillment of general academic requirements for courses and exams taken through the International Baccalaureate Program as follows:

Some departments count IB credit toward their major requirements; some do not.  Please consult with the appropriate department chair.  Students who later chose to or are required to register for the equivalent course will lose the IB credit.

Transfer Admissions

The College accepts transfer students for entrance in both semesters of the academic year.  Transfer candidates must submit a Transfer Common Application, transcript(s) of previous college work, a statement of Good standing from their previous institution, a complete secondary school record, and one teacher reference.  In addition, an interview is required of all transfer applicants and must be completed by the appropriate application deadline.

A minimum of 16 courses must be successfully completed through Muhlenberg toward the 32 course units required for a degree from the College. Each course completed at another institution is evaluated individually as to its transferability.

Applications for transfer must be filed by the preceding June 15 for fall semester entrance and by December 10 for spring semester entrance. Decisions regarding transfer applications are notified of admissions beginning in March for fall applicants and in late October for spring applicants.  The current semester’s grades are required for an admission decision and it will be made as soon as possible after receipt of the grade report or transcript.

Community Colleges

Agreements with Lehigh Carbon Community College and Northampton Community College allow students to apply for admission to Muhlenberg at the time of admission to the community college.  Upon completion of their work at the community college, students accepted into this program who have earned a grade point average of 3.00 or greater and who meet all other requirements, may enroll at Muhlenberg to pursue a bachelor’s degree. The completion of degree requirements is facilitated through the joint counseling provided.  Regulations governing transfer work apply (see “Transfer Courses ”).