How to Apply to St. John’s

The St. John’s application process is different. At St. John’s, every application is reviewed in its entirety by our Admissions Committee, which is made up of a combination of admissions officers and faculty members. Through our holistic review process, we seek students who will thrive in a uniquely intellectual community engaged in the exploration of great books and big ideas.

While the Admissions Committee will assess traditional factors such as your academic record, grades and test scores alone do not predict who will flourish around the seminar table. In fact, St. John’s has been test optional for over 40 years. The heart of the St. John’s application is also the heart of the college: great books and great discussion. As a result, the Admissions Committee will get to know you through admission essays and interviews.

There is no application fee at St. John’s. All applicants are considered for merit scholarships, and need-based financial aid is available for those students who complete the financial aid application.

Contact Your Personal Admission Counselor

Schedule a one-on-one virtual conversation with your personal admission counselor.

Find your counselor

Meet Your Admissions Counselor on the Road or Online!

Our Admissions team is traveling this fall and may be coming to your area in person or virtually! Check out our events calendar to connect with us this fall.

See the Admissions Events

Deadlines for Undergraduate Admissions

Applicants for both St. John’s campuses may apply Early Decision, Early Action, Regular Decision, or Rolling Admission for the fall. Students also have the option of applying for Rolling Admissions throughout the fall semester for a spring start through the January Freshman Program. 

For Discussion-Based Applications, students must apply under Early Decision or Early Action and complete all requirements by January 15. Decisions will be released within one month of all completed application requirements received.

Decisions will be posted on the student’s application portal by 11 p.m. ET on the dates listed above.

Please also remember financial aid deadlines.

St. John’s Graduate Admissions

St. John’s Graduate Institute offers a master’s degree in Liberal Arts (both campuses) and Eastern Classics (in Santa Fe only). The college accepts applications on a rolling basis for fall, spring, and summer terms. Find out more about Graduate Institute Admissions.