Students learn in and beyond the classroom through research, study abroad, career exploration, and civic engagement. We encourage students to blend their passions academically, socially, and personally to find their place in the world. Apply now to start your journey. Why not?
Apply to Lafayette via Common App
Early Decision I: November 15
Students who have decided that Lafayette College will provide the right home to grow as a student and person should consider the option of applying Early Decision. It is a binding agreement and you must provide the Early Decision Agreement as part of your application. To learn more about the requirements for early decision, consult the Early Decision page. Applications are due by 11:59 pm your local time on November 15.
In mid-December all Early Decision I decisions are released, and students can view their decisions via their Lafayette portals. U.S. domestic students who have been accepted to the College will be sent letters via U.S. mail in mid-December.
Those choosing to apply for financial aid must submit the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and IDOC by November 15. Learn more about financial aid deadlines. Financial aid documents are not required for consideration for merit aid.
Regular Decision: January 15
Applications for Regular Decision must be submitted to Lafayette College by January 15; applications are due by 11:59 pm your local time. If first semester grades are not available at the time of application, the student’s high school can submit the grades as soon as they become available. For more information, consult
In late March, all Regular Decision applicant decisions are released, and students can view their decisions via their Lafayette portals. U.S. domestic students who have been accepted to the College will be sent letters via U.S. mail in late March.
Those choosing to apply for financial aid must submit the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and IDOC by January 15. Learn more about financial aid deadlines. Financial aid documents are not required for consideration for merit aid.
Early Decision II: January 15
For students who have decided later in the application process that Lafayette College will provide the right home to grow as a student and person, we offer Early Decision II as an option. It is a binding agreement and you must provide the Early Decision Agreement as part of your application. To learn more about the requirements for early decision, consult the Early Decision page.
Applications are due by 11:59 pm your local time on January 15.
In mid-February, all Early Decision II applicant decisions are released and students can view their decisions via their Lafayette portals. U.S. domestic students who have been accepted to the College will be sent letters via U.S. mail in mid-February.
Those choosing to apply for financial aid must submit the FAFSA, CSS Profile, and IDOC by January 15. Learn more about financial aid deadlines. Financial aid documents are not required for consideration for merit aid.
Convert Regular Decision to Early Decision II: February 1
Students who realize after applying that Lafayette truly is their first choice for their college education have the ability to convert their Regular Decision application to an Early Decision II application by sending an email to admissions@lafayette.edu. Students must also submit the Early Decision Agreement. Consult the Early Decision webpage for more information.
In mid-February, all Early Decision II applicant decisions are released and students can view their decisions via their Lafayette portals. U.S. domestic students who have been accepted to the College will be sent letters via U.S. mail in mid-February.
Those choosing to apply for financial aid must submit the CSS Profile, FAFSA and IDOC by January 15. Should a student decide to convert their application to Early Decision II after January 15, they must submit financial aid documents as soon as possible. Learn more about financial aid deadlines. Financial aid documents are not required for consideration for merit aid.
Spring Transfer: November 1
Transfer students looking to enter Lafayette in the spring semester may submit applications by November 1. We begin application review in October and admit students on a rolling basis. Students can view their decisions via their Lafayette portals.
Fall Transfer: May 1
Transfer students looking to begin in the fall semester may submit applications by May 1. We begin application review in March and admit students on a rolling basis. Students can view their decisions via their Lafayette portals.
Filling out the Common App
The Common App is the only way to apply to Lafayette. Our hope is to see you, the student, at your best through your submission of the Common App. Take your time filling it out and note the important aspects below.
Lafayette Is Test Optional
The submission of standardized test results will continue to be optional for students applying for admission and planning to enroll in the fall of 2025 and 2026.
Any student who decides to change the status of testing as part of the submitted application, please email admissions@lafayette.edu by the application deadline to indicate the change. Early Decision I applicants must email by November 15. Regular Decisions and Early Decisions II applicants must email by January 15.
Should you choose to submit testing as part of your Common Application, note that Lafayette accepts both self-reported and official scores from SAT/ACT. Lafayette also superscores testing, meaning we take the best results of multiple SAT scores or the best scores of multiple ACT scores and choose the highest in each section to calculate final testing score. Upon enrollment, official test scores are required if you submitted self-reported scores as part of your application.
Activities Section: Quality over Quantity
Lafayette has chosen to focus on your top six activities listed in the Common App. Why six? We know that it’s hard to do 10 activities (the number of spaces on the Common App in the activities section) really well, in addition to maintaining a fine academic record and robust personal life. So rather than focus on how many activities you can list, focus on those activities that have the most meaning to you. We always recommend students list their activities in order of what you are most passionate about and/or spend the most time on at the top of the list, rather than chronologically by when you began the activity. Don’t have six activities to list? That’s fine. Be proud of what you as an individual can do. Remember that part-time work and caring for your family and household is an activity, too.
What if you are one of those individuals who is able to juggle it all and has 10 activities to share? Then fill in those spaces. We will read them, as we read every part of your application.
Supplement Essay Question
The Marquis de Lafayette live by the motto Cur Non or Why not? Your Cur Non spirit manifests our namesake who altered the course of world history. Your application moves you closer to releasing that same energy into life. Charge on! In addition to the standard Common Application personal statement essay, you will be asked to respond to the following question, found within Lafayette’s Common Application Member Pages:
Why Lafayette?
Required supplemental essay. Length: 20-200 words. Students identify Lafayette as an excellent fit for countless reasons. In your response, be deliberate and specific about your motivation for applying to Lafayette. Why do you see yourself at Lafayette?
Apply to Lafayette
Being Accepted to Lafayette
Accepting an Offer of Admission
To accept an offer of admission, the applicant must view their decision on their applicant portal, including financial aid status if any was awarded. The student then must accept the offer of admission by submitting the enrollment form electronically and posting a $750 nonrefundable deposit electronically.
Early Decision I
Early Decision I applicants can check their applicant portal in mid-December. Letters are sent to students with U.S. postal addresses who have been accepted to Lafayette. Students must submit the $750 nonrefundable enrollment deposit by January 5.
Early Decision II
Early Decision II applicants can check their applicant portal in mid-February. Letters are sent to students with U.S. postal addresses who have been accepted to Lafayette. Students must submit the $750 nonrefundable enrollment deposit by March 1.
Regular Decision
Regular Decisions applicants can check their applicant portal beginning the end of March. The exact date of release will be publicize closer to the time of release. Letters are sent to students with U.S. postal addresses who have been accepted to Lafayette. Students must submit the nonrefundable enrollment deposit by May 1.
Questions?
We’re eager to help you with your application to Lafayette. Get in touch if you have any questions.
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