First-Time Freshman

We look forward to receiving your application. Submit the following to complete your Principia College application:

• Online application
• High school transcript
• SAT Reasoning or ACT scores*
• One Christian Science references
• One character reference or additional Christian Science references
• One academic reference
• One guidance counselor reference

Note: For information about scholarships, please visit our scholarships page.

Once you have submitted your online application, we recommend checking with those writing your references to confirm that they have been sent. Your admissions counselor will be in touch with you as well to ensure the application process goes smoothly. 

Once we've received your completed application (including references), your materials will be reviewed by the Admissions Committee. Reviewing your application may take up to two weeks. 

Application Items

Online Application

Applying to Principia College is free—no application fee is required. We accept The Common Application.

Simply fill out the application using a log-in and password that you create, and work on it at your own pace. 

High School Transcript

Contact your high school guidance counselor to request that an official copy of your transcript be sent to Principia College. All transcripts should be sent directly from your high school to the Admissions Office (see address below). For evaluation purposes, an unofficial copy either faxed or mailed to the Admissions Office is sufficient until the official copy is received.

All high school transcripts are evaluated to determine a Principia College GPA, which is used for admission and scholarship decisions. This GPA is based on core academic subjects and is weighted for AP, IB, and honors classes.

SAT Reasoning Test/ACT Test scores

*(Due to the suspension of the SAT/ACT standardized tests until August 2020 (due to COVID-19) the Admissions Committee is temporarily offering an holistic assessment exam – please contact Brett Grimmer, Interim Director of Admissions for more information).

All applicants are required to take the SAT Reasoning or ACT and submit an official copy of their scores. Applicants can submit SAT scores from the new 2016 redesigned test or the older version. We use test scores in order to consider prospects in a consistent manner, but we recognize that examinations do not reflect students' entire abilities.

The Admissions Committee recommends that students take the SAT or ACT exam in their junior year and again in their senior year. Under certain circumstances, we can use an unofficial copy of test scores while an official copy is being sent directly from the testing service.

References

The Admissions Office prefers references be submitted online using the link you send them. If that is not possible, your references can print out the forms and send them to our office via mail or fax:

Office of Admissions
Principia College
Elsah, IL 62028

618.374.5181
Fax: 618.374.4000

Christian Science References

High school seniors should include one reference from their current or a recent Sunday School teacher. The second reference can be from a Christian Science practitioner, teacher, or fellow church member. References from family members, someone related to you, or peers will be considered but not counted as your required references.

Access the Christian Science reference form.

Academic Reference

The academic reference is required to provide a greater understanding of you as a student and your preparation for a rigorous college curriculum. An academic reference from an English teacher or another core subject, preferably one in which writing is a major component, is preferred. References from non-core subjects may be included with the application but do not count as the main academic reference.

Access the academic reference form.

Guidance Counselor Reference

The Admissions Committee requires information from your guidance counselor.

Access the guidance counselor reference form.