Admission

Holy Cross seeks students who are intellectually curious, appreciative of humanity’s creative sense, and committed to the realization of each person’s potential. Admission to Holy Cross is highly selective; therefore, the Admission Committee gives preferential consideration to those candidates who have demonstrated their ability to perform well in a rigorous intellectual endeavor. Although there are no specific secondary-school subject requirements for admission, candidates are urged to complete the most challenging courses available in their schools. A curriculum of this nature should emphasize study in English, mathematics, foreign language (ancient or modern), laboratory sciences, and social sciences. Evidence of superior achievement in analytical reading and writing is of particular importance to the Admission Committee.

Standardized Testing

Standardized test scores are an optional part of the Holy Cross application process. Students have the option to submit their scores if they believe the results present a fuller picture of their achievements and potential. Students who opt not to submit their scores are at no disadvantage in admission decisions. International students who do not attend an English-speaking high school and who are not native English speakers must submit one of the following exams: TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) and TOEFL Special Home Edition, IELTS (International English Language Testing System) and IELTS Indicator, or DET (Duolingo English Test). 

Since Holy Cross seeks students who will contribute to the College both academically and personally, the Admission Committee takes specific note of the individual talents and qualities of candidates as well as the extent of extracurricular involvement. Such information is conveyed to the Committee through recommendations from counselors and teachers, through an optional (but highly recommended) personal interview, and through the candidate’s statements on the application. 

The deadline for filing a Regular Decision application is January 15. Candidates may submit either the Common Application or the Coalition Application. Applicants will be notified of the Committee’s decision in mid-March. Application for admission to Holy Cross is encouraged of all academically qualified candidates regardless of race, religion, color, national origin, age, marital or parental status, veteran status, sex, disability, genetic information, sexual orientation, or gender identity. 

The College of the Holy Cross supports the efforts of secondary school officials and governing bodies to have their schools achieve regional accredited status to provide reliable assurance of the quality of the educational preparation of its applicants for admission. 

Campus Visits

Holy Cross offers in-person campus tours and events, with appropriate health and safety protocols.  Additional virtual visit opportunities are also available.  The website is the best source for up-to-date information regarding in-person and virtual visit opportunities.

Interviews

Virtual and in-person interviews are scheduled Monday through Friday and select Saturdays, from June through December. While not required, they are used in the evaluation of a candidate and, therefore, are highly recommended. We suggest that they be arranged at least two weeks in advance.

The interview deadline for students applying Early Decision I is in mid-November. The Early Decision II and Regular Decision interview deadline is in mid-December. To schedule an interview please visit https:// www.holycross.edu/visit/interviews/.

Early Decision

For high school seniors who have selected Holy Cross as their first choice, the College offers two Early Decision plans. The Admission Committee assumes that all students who apply under either Early Decision I or Early Decision II will accept an offer of admission, provided it includes adequate financial aid if such is needed. Students should apply for Early Decision I by November 15. Students will be notified of their decision on December 15. Students applying for Early Decision II should submit their application by January 15.  Students will be notified of their decision on February 15. Early Decision candidates may submit applications for Regular Decision and Non-Restrictive Early Action to other institutions, but upon notification of acceptance to Holy Cross, all other applications must be withdrawn immediately and a nonrefundable tuition deposit of $500 be submitted.

Should the Admission Committee be unable to grant acceptance, the application will either be denied or deferred for consideration in the Regular Decision pool. Deferred candidates should have an official transcript of seventh-semester grades sent to the College.

Appeal

All Admission decisions are final and there is no appeal process.

QuestBridge

Holy Cross is proud to partner with QuestBridge, a national nonprofit organization dedicated to connecting high-achieving, low-income youth with leading institutions of higher education.

Early Admission

Through its program of Early Admission, the College will consider the application of superior high school juniors who have attained a high degree of personal maturity, fulfilled their graduation requirements and have the full support of their high school. A personal interview is required for students applying for Early Admission.

Deferral Policy

There is much to be gained by taking a gap year, and we are eager to support students who wish to take advantage of these opportunities. Reasons for requesting deferred entrance can vary, but ideally should provide experiences that contribute to your academic and personal growth.  Reasons to request a deferred entrance may include research opportunities, travel and cultural enrichment, internships, or community service. Deferrals may also be granted for medical reasons or family emergencies.
 
To be considered for deferred enrollment, you must complete a Deferral Request Form and submit it by June 1 of your initial year of acceptance. If your request is approved, an additional $500 deferment deposit will be required at that time.  Both the enrollment deposit and deferment deposit will be applied to your tuition bill. Please note that like the enrollment deposit, the deferment deposit is non-refundable.
 
If you received a need-based financial aid offer, you will need to submit the 2025-2026 FAFSA and CSS PROFILE along with a signed copy of your and your parents' 2023 federal tax return, complete with all schedules and W-2s, by January 15, 2025.  For more information regarding financial aid application requirements, please visit:  https://www.holycross.edu/applying-aid/early-and-regular-decision-applicants.  Merit based awards offered at the time of admission will be honored upon enrollment. The College's Revocation of Admission policy applies to student who defer enrollment.

Deferrals are granted with the understanding that you will not apply to other colleges or universities.  You can enroll in up to two college courses per semester during your gap year, but you may not formally matriculate at another college or university. You may only defer one time.

Transfer Students

Each semester Holy Cross accepts a limited number of transfer students to the second- and third-year classes. The College does not admit first year transfer students. Candidates for transfer must present evidence of strong academic achievement at the college level. The application deadline is November 1 for the spring semester and April 1 for the fall semester. A personal interview is highly recommended for all transfer candidates. The College's ability to admit transfer students may be impacted by the size of the enrolling first-year class.

Revocation of Admission

By submitting an application to the College of the Holy Cross, a student certifies to the College that all information in the application, supporting documentation and documentation required subsequent to admission is true, correct and complete.

Any acceptance to, or subsequent enrollment at, the College is conditioned upon the accuracy of the information you have provided or may provide to the College.  The College reserves the right to revoke acceptance or to terminate subsequent enrollment at any time if a student provides false, misleading or incomplete information (including a failure to confirm required criminal conviction information and disciplinary history) or if the College learns of any past or present misconduct by a student that, in the College’s sole judgment, would affect the student’s ability to represent and uphold the high standards of the College.

Admitted students and enrolled students are required to report any convictions, wherever they occur, for crimes that would constitute felonies under Massachusetts law, and those who report such convictions are required to provide, upon request by the College, such documentation as the College may require.

An official final high school transcript is required for all enrolling students. Official college transcripts are required for transfer students and any first-year student seeking transfer credit.

Further Information

Inquiries concerning Admission should be addressed to:

Office of Admission
College of the Holy Cross
1 College Street
Worcester, MA 01610-2395
(508) 793-2443
www.holycross.edu
Email: admissions@holycross.edu