Applying to Gettysburg

Applying to Gettysburg College is the first step toward joining a global community of changemakers and trailblazers who are invested in helping you realize and achieve your potential.

Each year, Gettysburg College welcomes a diverse class of highly-motivated students who–surrounded by history and opportunity–strive to Do Great Work as they progress toward building a better world for themselves, their families, and their communities. And by applying to Gettysburg, you are taking the first steps toward becoming a lifelong Gettysburgian. 

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Step 1: Log in to the Common App

Gettysburg College accepts the Common Application, so the first step in the application process is to create a Common App account–or log into an existing account. Once you’re logged in, be sure to add Gettysburg College to your “My Colleges” list. This will give you access to the Gettysburg College member screen, and enable you to submit your Common App to Gettysburg. 

Step 2: Choose an Application Plan

Gettysburg College offers three distinct application plans, designed to fit your college search: Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision. Each plan offers unique advantages, so be sure to review all three before you pick the one that’s right for you.

Early Decision (EDI & EDII)

Early Decision applicants make a commitment to Gettysburg College as their primary choice and agree that, if admitted, they will enroll and withdraw applications to other institutions. These applicants are most likely to be admitted and will have priority consideration for financial aid. There are two Early Decision periods—Early Decision I and Early Decision II—and notifications of admission and scholarship are delivered within a month of the submission deadline. Roughly 40% of each incoming first-year class are enrolled via Early Decision.

  • Application Deadline: EDI - November 15 / EDII - January 15
  • Document Deadline: EDI - November 20 / EDII - January 20
  • Financial Aid Application Deadline: EDI - November 15 / EDII - January 15
  • Decision Notification: EDI - December 15 / EDII - February 15

Early Action (EA)

Early Action applicants submit their application to Gettysburg College early, but do not make a binding commitment to enroll or to withdraw applications to other institutions. These applicants will receive notifications of admission and scholarship by February 1, but will have until May 1 to choose to enroll.

  • Application Deadline: December 1
  • Document Deadline: December 5
  • Financial Aid Application Deadline: December 1
  • Decision Notification: February 1

Regular Decision (RD)

Regular Decision applicants submit their application by mid-January, and receive notifications of admission and scholarship in March. These applicants will then have until May 1 to choose to enroll at Gettysburg College.

  • Application Deadline: January 15
  • Document Deadline: January 20
  • Financial Aid Application Deadline: January 15
  • Decision Notification: March 15

Step 3: Submit the Necessary Materials

Before the admissions staff can read and consider your application file, it must be complete. To be considered complete, an application file must contain the following items:

  • Completed Common Application
  • Official high school transcript
  • Teacher recommendation
  • Counselor recommendation
  • Senior mid-year grades (when available)
  • Early Decision Form (only if applying via Early Decision I or II)
  • SAT or ACT scores may be submitted as self-reported or official scores, but are not required. Self-reported scores will be verified upon enrollment, and official scores should be sent to the College. The institutional codes for Gettysburg College are 2275 (SAT) and 3580 (ACT).

When submitting these materials, please note that Gettysburg College accepts online submissions of transcripts, secondary school reports, counselor recommendations, and teacher recommendations through the Common App. We consider these official documents–there is no need to follow up with paper copies.

Get the Facts

Visit our Facts & Figures page, along with our Academic Programs page, for additional information about Gettysburg College.

In compliance with federal requirements, we also provide extensive information on campus policies and safety measures as well as our commitment to providing equal opportunities.