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
Students may apply for admission to Gettysburg any time after the end of the junior year in high school using the Common Application (www.commonapp.org).
In addition to the Common Application, first-year students must submit an official high school transcript, a counselor recommendation and/or a secondary school report, a teacher recommendation, and a midyear grade report (for Regular Decision only).
Students who are not selecting test optional on the Gettysburg Member Screen of the Common Application may provide standardized test scores (SAT or ACT) which can be self-reported. The deadlines for submitting the application for admission and all supporting documents are referenced in the following Early Decision, Early Action and Regular Decision sections. Transcripts and other documents required for admission become part of the permanent file of an enrolled student and cannot be returned.
Early Decision (ED)
Students for whom Gettysburg College is a first choice are strongly encouraged to apply for Early Decision admission. The deadline for ED I is November 15 and the deadline for ED II is January 15.
A completed ED application includes: The Common Application, the Early Decision Form, official secondary school transcript, first quarter senior grades, a counselor recommendation, a secondary school report, a teacher recommendation and standardized testing if the student is not applying testing optional.
Notification of the admissions decision will be released in the student’s Gettysburg application portal by December 15 for ED I and February 15 for ED II. If accepted and provided adequate financial assistance, the applicant agrees to withdraw all applications submitted to other institutions, file no additional applications, and enroll at Gettysburg. Most Early Decision applicants who are not offered acceptance will be considered again for Regular Decision admission. Additional semester grades or new test scores may be submitted for applicants deferred to Regular Decision.
Early Action (EA)
Students applying as an EA candidate to Gettysburg College should submit the Common Application by December 1.
A completed EA application includes: The Common Application, official secondary school transcript, first quarter senior grades, a counselor recommendation, a secondary school report, a teacher recommendation and standardized testing if the student is not applying testing optional.
Most offers of acceptance will be released in the student portal by early February. Because Gettysburg College subscribes to the principle of the Candidate's Reply Date, students have until May 1 to make their decision and pay the enrollment deposit.
Regular Decision (RD)
Students applying as a RD candidate to Gettysburg College should submit the Common Application by January 15.
A completed RD application includes: The Common Application, official secondary school transcript, Mid-Year grades for the senior year, a counselor recommendation, a secondary school report, a teacher recommendation and standardized testing if the student is not applying testing optional.
Most offers of acceptance will be released in the student portal by mid-March. Because Gettysburg College subscribes to the principle of the Candidate's Reply Date, students have until May 1 to make their decision and pay the enrollment deposit.
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.