Office of Admissions

Ways to Apply | Requirements | Aid & Scholarships | Deadlines | Notification

Ways to Apply

Do you seek an institution that will stimulate and challenge both your mind and spirit? TCNJ students are academically gifted, demonstrate strong initiative, and have diverse talents. Recently admitted students have an average SAT score between 1210 and 1380 and rank in the top 15% of their graduating class. The admissions department takes a holistic approach to the review of our applicants, considering student abilities and involvement beyond academics.

TCNJ’s admissions staff examine every component of a student’s application, but none more carefully than the high school transcript. This record of course selection, grades, GPA, class rank, and the strength of the curriculum provides the most accurate predictor of a student’s chance for success in college. Other criteria used in the evaluation process can be found on the “Requirements” section.

Because we receive over 10,000 applications, students are encouraged to apply as early as possible once the application becomes available in early September. Historically, TCNJ begins notifying students on-or-around February 15th. All students are notified of their official admission decision no later than April 1st.

Other Applications

• Non-Matriculation Application
• Re-Enter Application
• Re-Admit Application

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Requirements

$75 application fee	The non-refundable application fee must be paid before an application can be processed.
Supplement/Academic Major	If filling out a paper application, the TCNJ Common Application Supplement (available in September) must be downloaded and included with your application. You must declare an official TCNJ program of study on this Supplement. You cannot apply “undecided” to TCNJ.
Academic transcripts	Official high school and/or college transcripts are required for all applicants. The Common Application secondary school report is not required. Mid-year transcripts will be requested if needed by TCNJ.
Official test scores	SAT’s or ACT’s are required for all Freshmen applicants. Scores must be sent from the official testing agency or printed on an official school transcript. TCNJ does NOT use the Writing portion of either the SAT or the ACT in its evaluation. TCNJ does NOT require any SAT II Subject Tests.
Recommendations	TCNJ strongly encourages applicants to submit two or three recommendations. It is not necessary to use the Common Application Teacher Evaluation form. Recommendations can come from teachers, guidance counselors, coaches, employers, or extracurricular advisors.
Essay	The Common Application essay, which provides a choice of six topics, is the official essay used in the evaluation process.
Activities List/Resume	In addition to using the activities list provided by the Common Application, applicants are encouraged to send in their own activity resume, which should provide a thorough explanation of your involvement in each activity.

TCNJ does not provide an Admissions Interview as part of the application process.

All paper documentation should be mailed to:

The College of New Jersey
The Office of Undergraduate Admission
Paul Loser Hall 228
PO Box 7718
Ewing, NJ 08628

* Whenever possible, it is in the best interest of the applicant to mail everything in one package.

Codes: SAT CEEB: 002519  |  ACT Code: 002614  |  Financial Aid: 002642

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Aid & Scholarships

The only form you need to apply for all TCNJ, state and/or federal aid is the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). You must list “The College of New Jersey” as a recipient and write TCNJ’s school code number (002642) on your FAFSA.

There are two options for filing the FAFSA:

1. File electronically over the Internet, which is the quickest and most efficient process, via the Financial Assistance Web site.

2. Complete the paper version of the FAFSA, which can usually be obtained from your high school or college or by calling 800-4-FED-AID.

To recognize academic achievement, The College of New Jersey is proud to invest in students who have shown strong academic potential, as evidenced by their high school transcripts, standardized test scores, and co-curricular involvement.  Giving such incentives is one way The College of New Jersey maintains its own outstanding reputation.

• Merit Scholarships for In-State Students
• Merit Scholarships for Out-of-State Students
• Other Scholarships

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Deadlines

TCNJ strongly encourages students to apply on-line.

Deadline For	Application Deadline	Supporting Documents Deadline	Notification of Decision
Early Decision*	November 15	December 1	December 15
General Admission	January 15	February 15	No later than April 1
January Admission	November 1	November 15	December 1

*Students accepted through the Early Decision program MUST attend The College of New Jersey. Early Decision students will be given the same consideration for merit scholarships and need-based financial aid as those applying General Admission.

Other Deadlines

• Applications for the seven-year medical programs and the seven-year optometry program are accepted only for September admission and are due December 1st
• Music applications must be received by November 1st for Early Decision.
• Art applicants must have their portfolio review completed by November 30th (for Early Decision candidates) or February 15th (for General Admission applicants.)

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Notification

Students will be notified of a decision no later than the following dates.

• Notification dates Early Decision*: December 15
• General Admission (student starts following fall semester): April 1
• January Admission (student starts following spring semester): December 1

*Students accepted through the Early Decision program MUST attend The College of New Jersey. Early Decision students will be given the same consideration for merit scholarships and need-based financial aid as those applying General Admissions.

The College of New Jersey prides itself on giving every application the most thorough review possible. While TCNJ makes every effort to notify students regarding their admission decision as early as possible (starting February 15th), some applications will undergo multiple reviews before a final decision is made. Therefore, the Admissions Office can only guarantee that a decision will be mailed prior to April 1st, no matter how early the student applies.

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