How to Apply

Principia College accepts applications submitted through the Common Application (Common App). All students can access the Common App through our application website beginning August 1, 2023.

Once an application is completed, students will be prompted to sign into Principia's online Application Status Portal. Applications from students who hold US passports are reviewed on a rolling basis, meaning applications will be reviewed once completed. A completed application includes financial aid information. International students should refer to the relevant section below. 

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Principia College offers generous merit and need-based aid to qualified students who submit completed applications in the online Application Status Portal by the due dates. Details about our financial aid program can be found in the Financial Aid section of the catalog or by contacting:

Principia College
Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships
One Maybeck Place
Elsah, IL 62028
finaid@principia.edu
Phone: 618-374-5187
Fax: 618-374-5929

Domestic Student Admissions Process:

Definition of a Domestic Student: Principia College defines a domestic applicant as one who will not require an international Visa or Student and Exchange Visitor Information System (SEVIS) transfer to attend Principia College. Domestic students are American citizens, naturalized U.S. citizens, permanent residents, refugees, or asylees. Holders of dual citizenship with the United States and another country should apply as domestic applicants.

For the 2023-2024 academic year, students may apply for either a B.A. or B.S. degree.

First-Year Student

An application is complete and ready to be considered by the College Admissions Committee only after the Office of Admissions and Recruiting has received the items listed below:

  • Application
  • High School Transcripts: courses in progress and any dual credit courses
  • Select one of the following assessment options: 
    • SAT (1010 minimum/1600) standardized test score
    • ACT (19 minimum/36) standardized test score
    • Holistic “Supplemental Assessment”: This option serves as an alternative to the SAT/ACT and involves a short, written response to a prompt followed by a recorded interview.
  • Admissions Interview: An interview with an Admissions Manager. The purpose of this interview is to gain a better understanding of the applicant, their potential fit at Principia College, and to answer any remaining questions.

Please refer to our website for due dates for all application materials on our website: All Materials Received (College Application, High School (and if applicable, College) Transcript(s), Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT).

Once enrolled and prior to the first day of class:

  • As evidence of high school graduation, students must submit either their official final transcripts to demonstrate an earned diploma, or a document showing completion of a GED with a minimum total score of 580, and no score below 145 on any of the individual tests.

Transfer Students

We welcome applications from students enrolled at other colleges who wish to transfer to Principia College. For the 2023-2024 academic year, students may apply for either a B.A. or B.S. degree. Transfer students must earn a minimum of 36 semester hours from Principia College and be enrolled for two of the three semesters immediately prior to graduation. Please see Principia’s residency requirement for more details. 

Courses taken at other fully accredited colleges and universities are accepted for credit provided they parallel courses available at Principia College and were completed with a grade of C– or higher.

Students wishing to understand credit transferability should work with their Admissions Counselor, who will consult with the Registrar’s Office. (See Academic and Non-Academic Credit Rules.)

Transfer applications are complete and ready to be considered by the College Admissions Committee only after the Office of Admissions and Recruiting has received the following items:

If applicant has 30+ college credit hours with GPA above 2.0:

  • Official final high school transcript and official College transcripts, including a listing of college courses in progress
  • Admissions Interview: An interview with an Admissions Manager. The purpose of this interview is to gain a better understanding of the Applicant, their potential fit at Principia College, and answer any remaining questions. 

If applicant has fewer than 30 College credit hours, independent of GPA:

  • Official final high school transcript and official college transcripts representing all previous college work, including a listing of college courses in progress
  • Select one of the following assessment options:
    • SAT (1010 minimum/1600) standardized test score
    • ACT (19 minimum/36) standardized test score
    • Holistic “Supplemental Assessment”: This option serves as an alternative to the SAT/ACT and involves a short, written response to a prompt followed by recorded interview
  • Admissions Interview: An interview with an Admissions Manager. The purpose of this interview is to gain a better understanding of the Applicant, their potential fit at Principia College, and answer any remaining questions. 

Returning Students

If a student has been away from Principia for any reason for two semesters or more, a new application is required.

An application is completed and ready to be considered by the College Admissions Committee only after the Office of Admissions and Recruiting has received the following items:

  • Application
  • Transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended since last enrolled at Principia
  • Admissions Interview: An interview with an Admissions Manager. The purpose of this interview is to gain a better understanding of the Applicant, their potential fit at Principia College, and answer any remaining questions.
  • If returning from any type of suspension, additional requirements for re-admission may be necessary

After all application materials are submitted, we will schedule a personal interview via telephone or an online platform. Due dates for returning domestic students are the same as for any other domestic applicants.

Enrollment Deposit

Once an applicant has been admitted, a good-faith enrollment deposit of $100 is required to demonstrate the student’s intention to enroll. This non-refundable deposit will be credited to the student’s account as the first payment towards their bill.

If a student does not intend to pay the enrollment deposit, the student should notify the Office of Admissions and Recruiting as soon as possible, thus canceling the student’s admission decision.

For an applicant holding a US passport:

  • Deposits for Spring 2024 are due no later than December 15, 2023
  • Deposits for Fall 2024 are due no later than July 5, 2024

International Admissions Process:

Definition of an International Student: Principia College defines an international student as any applicant who, if admitted, would require a Visa or SEVIS Transfer. Applicants who hold dual citizenship with the United States should follow the process for domestic applicants. Applicants who transfer college-level work from institutions outside of the United States should contact our international admissions team for assistance with transcript evaluation.

International Student Details

Principia College seeks to ensure adequate and equitable support for all students. We believe that access to campus employment, financial assistance, academic supports, and other resources for basic needs are crucial to success throughout the Principia experience. 

International applicants must indicate their intent to apply for financial aid at the time of application and complete all financial aid application requirements within 15 days of Common App submission.

Our Enrichment Program is currently suspended until further notice. 

International Application Timeline

Principia College accepts a limited number of international students each year. International applicants should complete their applications as early as possible for Fall 2024. To efficiently manage our international admissions process, Principia College will no longer consider international student applications for spring admission. A full-year admissions cycle increases the likelihood that admitted international students can complete the necessary visa application process, purchase airline tickets, and arrive at the College fully prepared. Applicants who do not meet the below timeline will not be considered for Fall 2024 Admission.

See deadlines for all application materials on our website (Apply as an International Student - Principia College)

  • All Materials must be received by our due dates.
  • Materials: College Application, English Test (Duolingo*, TOEFL, IELTS)/ English waiver, Secondary School Report, Standardized Test Scores (SAT/ACT), and financial aid/scholarship application (includes CSS profile, etc.).

The International Admissions Office release of decision date is on the website.

International Application Requirements:

  • Application
  • Financial Aid/ Scholarship Application: latest date to receive the financial aid application (if applicable) is on the website
  • Completion of Secondary School scores:
    • Principia College International Admissions recognizes that final scores for academic evaluation take various forms depending on the sending country. Furthermore, the acquisition of these scores is done in various ways depending on the country where the student studied. 
  • Proof of English Proficiency (see below)
  • Standardized testing. Select one of the following assessment options:
    • SAT (1010 minimum/1600) or ACT (19 minimum/36) standardized test scores
    • Holistic “Supplemental Assessment”: This option serves as an alternative to the SAT/ACT and involves a short, written response to a prompt followed by a recorded interview. 
  • Admissions Interview: An interview with an Admissions Manager. The purpose of this interview is to gain a better understanding of the Applicant, their potential fit at Principia College, and answer any remaining questions.
*

Subject to change.

International Transfer Students

We welcome applications from students enrolled at other colleges or universities who wish to transfer to Principia College. Courses taken at other fully-accredited colleges or universities are accepted for credit provided they parallel courses available at Principia College. Applicants who transfer college-level work from institutions outside of the United States should contact our international admissions team for assistance with transcript evaluation.

English Proficiency

Some international applicants and some US nationals are required to take an English proficiency exam. Applicants who are native English speakers from the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, and non-French speaking Canada are not required to take an English proficiency exam. U.S. citizens who attend secondary school outside of the United States where classes are not conducted in English are required to take an English proficiency exam. 

Students with DACA status or permanent residency may request a waiver. Exam scores and waiver requests must be received by the Office of Admissions and Recruiting before admissions applications can be reviewed. International students who study in the United States under an F1 visa may qualify for an English waiver according to our English waiver policy (see the International Admissions webpage for more details). 

 The following exams will be accepted:

  • IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score: minimum 6.5 requirement, maximum 9.
  • Duolingo score: minimum 115 requirement, maximum 160.*
  • TOEFL exam (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score: minimum 80 requirement, maximum 120. Principia’s TOEFL code is 1630.
*

Subject to change.

Post-Admission Process

Again, Principia College admits a limited number of international students per year. To secure their place in the incoming class, admitted international students who plan to enroll must pay an enrollment deposit of $100, and should immediately apply for their student visas. The International Admissions Specialist will reach out to admitted international students to guide them through the visa application process, if outside the USA and in need of an F1 visa. The International Admissions Specialist also provides support for SEVIS transfer students who already have an F1 visa at an institution within the USA. Please see the Principia College International Admissions webpage for more details.

Returning International Students

If a student has been away from Principia for any reason for two semesters or more, a new application is required.

An application is complete and ready to be considered by the College Admissions Committee only after the Office of Admissions and Recruiting has received the following items:

  • Application 
  • Transcripts from all colleges and/or universities attended since last enrolled at Principia
  • Admissions Interview: An interview with an Admissions Manager. The purpose of this interview is to gain a better understanding of the Applicant, their potential fit at Principia College, and answer any remaining questions.
  • If returning from any type of suspension, additional requirements for re-admission may be necessary.

After all application materials are submitted, we will schedule a personal interview via telephone or an online platform. If a refreshed I-20 is needed, communications with the International Admissions Specialist are also required. Due dates for returning international students are the same as for other international applicants (please see the website).