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FAQ

Admissions Question & Answer

Q: How do I apply for admission?
A: Complete the application for admission as an undergraduate, graduate, transfer or international student.

  • Pay a $35 non-refundable application fee online by credit card, or the $40 application fee for the paper application. If you are eligible to use an application fee waiver, please refer to the CU Fee Waiver Policy.
  • Submit an official high school transcript. Request an official high school transcript from your school counselor. If you are a home schooled applicant, submit an official transcript issued by the Pennsylvania Homeschoolers Accreditation Agency (PHAA) or official documentation that your current curriculum has been approved by your state's Board of Education.
  • Send official SAT or ACT scores. It is the applicant's responsibility to send the Office of Admissions the official results of the SAT or ACT. Test scores imprinted on an official high school transcript are also acceptable. ACT scores imprinted on an official high school transcript must include all sub scores, along with a composite score. If you graduated from high school more than three years ago, it is not necessary to submit SAT or ACT scores; however, an official high school transcript is required.
  • The Office of Admissions strongly suggests an essay as well as recommendation letters however they are not required.
  • Submit General Equivalency Diploma (GED), if required. Students who received a General Equivalency Diploma (GED) must forward their official score report, an official high school transcript, and SAT or ACT results to the Office of Admissions. If you received the GED more than three years ago, it is not necessary to submit SAT or ACT scores.

*It is the applicant's responsibility to supply the Office of Admissions with the necessary documents to complete his or her application. The Office of Admissions reserves the right to withdraw an application if the required information is not received.

Q: When is the best time to apply?
A: Most programs at Clarion fall under a rolling admission policy minus the 4 year BSN program. We encourage incoming freshman to apply early in the fall of their senior year of high school for the following Fall. For the 4 year BSN program seats are limited and on a first come, first serve basis. We encourage any students interested in the 4 year BSN to apply as soon as possible. Transfer students should start the process at least one semester before the planned start date at Clarion.

Q. What SAT score do I need to apply?

A: The average SAT score is between 1030-1070 (critical reading and math scores combine).

Q: What do I need to get into Clarion?
A: These are the factors we consider in the Admissions decision

• Strength of Curriculum
• High School Class Rank
• Grade Point Average
• High School Profile
• SAT or ACT Test Score
• Recommendations
• Extra-Curricular Activities

A personal interview is highly recommended (for those applicants who can’t travel to campus, the admissions staff would be able to conduct personal interviews via telephone, Skype, or Facetime).

Q: When will I hear if I've been accepted?
A: All students who submit an application will receive a notification that it has been received. The turnaround time for an admissions decision is usually 2-3 weeks once the application is complete. During the November and December holiday periods an admissions decision may take longer.

Q: After I have been accepted to Clarion, how do I let them know I will be attending in the fall?
A: Students who have been offered admission to the University are given until May 1, to accept the offer with the exception of the 4 year BSN program. Students indicate their intention to attend by sending a non-refundable deposit of $100 to the Admissions Office. Students who have been accepted to the 4 year BSN program need to submit their non-refundable deposit of $100 to reserve their seat in the class. On receipt of this deposit, the university will mail the student information about on-campus housing and the student's name will be submitted to the Orientation office.

Q: What do I need to transfer into Clarion?
A: Transfer students should submit both high school and all college transcripts with their application. (The Office of Admissions works with students to identify courses that transfer into the university; the respective academic deans determine how those courses apply to a particular program at Clarion.) To be admissible to Clarion, transfer students should be in good academic standing.

Q: Do you require a student to have taken a foreign language in high school for admission to Clarion?
A: No, it is not required, but the University strongly encourages foreign language courses to prepare for college and to prepare for life/work experiences. An average incoming student has completed two years of a foreign language.

Q: What kinds of subjects should I be taking in high school?
A: We strongly recommend four years of English, college prep math, science and social studies. Courses in foreign language, computer science and arts are also very helpful in college.

Q: Is it harder for an out-of-state student to be accepted than for a Pennsylvania student?
A: No. We evaluate all students on the same basis.

Q: I took an AP (Advanced Placement) test in high school. Will Clarion give me credits?
A: You may receive three credits or more per exam, depending on the score received. You must have an official copy of your test score results sent to the Admissions Office. AP credit chart.

Q: Are the requirements for admission different for the various majors?
A: No, with the exception of nursing. Admission to the ASN nursing program will depend, in part, on the student's score on the NLN (National League for Nursing) pre-examination. This does not include the 4 year BSN program.

Q: Do you have any special days when I can visit the campus to learn more?
A: Clarion offers visit options all year long. We have a number of Group Visit Day events throughout the year. Special visit days, according to majors, are scheduled for the spring semester. We request appointments be made approximately two weeks in advance so that we have time to send a confirmation with a campus map and parking permit.

Last Updated 1/31/22