First-Year Student Application Process

You're a first-year applicant for the Fall 2025 start term if you'll be graduating high school at the conclusion of the 2024-2025 school year.

  • Admission Plan Deadline Binding/Non-Binding
    Early Decision December 1 Binding
    Early Action I December 15 Non-Binding
    Early Action II February 15 Non-Binding
    Regular Decision* Rolling Non-Binding

    *All applications received after February 15. Priority Deadline: March 1

    Q: What is a binding admission decision?
    A: We are your first choice. Upon acceptance you will enroll at the University of New Haven.

    Q: What is Early Action?
    A: We are one of your top choice schools and you'd like to receive your admissions decisions early, but you still want to explore other options without having to commit until the normal reply date of May 1.

    Students who are admitted under Early Decision or Early Action will receive a guaranteed minimum $18,000 annual merit scholarship. Please note that each admitted student is eligible for a maximum of one merit scholarship.

    To be considered for certain programs and receive numerous benefits, students must follow the established timelines and important dates listed above. Admission to the University of New Haven is competitive and early applications are encouraged for priority consideration of admission and merit scholarships.

    Our admissions staff reviews applications for admission on a rolling basis, even for students applying Early Decision or Early Action. Students should expect to receive a decision on their completed application no later than 4-6 weeks of when their application is complete.

  • The University of New Haven considers potential first-year students and transfer students for our spring semester admission on a rolling basis.

    Our priority deadline for spring applications is the first week of December.

  • Benefits Early Decision Early Action I & II Regular Decision
    A minimum of $18,000 in annual merit scholarship X X  
    Priority consideration for enrollment into your top choice academic program X X  
    Early notification of admission X X  
    More opportunities to attend exclusive accepted student events X X  

  • All first year candidates for undergraduate admission must submit the following:


    Students applying for Early Decision must also:

    • Complete a personal interview with an admissions counselor. Interviews will be conducted virtually on Zoom and can be scheduled by visiting the application portal: kaf.c178.net/portal
    • Submit the Early Decision Contract (available via the Common Application or the application portal)
    • File the 2025-2026 FAFSA
    • Early Decision admitted students must submit their enrollment fee and, if applicable, housing deposit (both non-refundable) by the February 1, 2025 deadline.
  • Home School Applicants

    Home-schooled applicants are required to also submit their SAT or ACT scores along with detailed documentation of their academic curriculum. The transcript (or accompanying syllabi or alternate documentation) should verify that the home-school curriculum meets the graduation requirements as detailed by the applicant’s state or district, or if part of an accredited program. This also includes documentation of any learning/credits outside of the homeschool but which contributed to completion of the high school diploma/credential. Home-schooled students must indicate that they’re completing high school through a home-school program on their application to the University.

    Prior to enrollment, home-schooled students must provide proof of their completion of secondary school that verifies that the student has met graduation requirements from their state or school district. This can be achieved by submitting a final transcript with a graduation date, official high school equivalency diploma, or a high school diploma recognized by the applicant’s state of residency.

    Applicants that were homeschooled for a limited time during high school but have returned to a program through their district and plan to graduate through their district may follow our standard first-year student application process. Applicants that have transitioned from their district to a home-school program and will complete their high school education through a home-school program should follow the application process for a home-schooled applicant.

    Online School Applicants

    Applicants that are completing high school through an online program must submit their SAT or ACT scores along with detailed documentation of their academic curriculum. A letter of recommendation may also be requested to verify that the student is on track to graduate. The transcript should verify that the online curriculum meets the graduation requirements as detailed by the applicant's state or district, or if part of an accredited program. This includes documentation of any learning/credits pursued outside of the online school that contributed to completion of online high school program. Prior to enrollment, online school students must provide proof of their completion of secondary school that verifies that the student has met graduation requirements from their state or school district. This can be achieved by submitting a final transcript with a graduation date, official high school equivalency diploma, or a high school diploma recognized by the applicant’s state of residency.

    Applicants that were enrolled in an online school for a limited time during high school but have returned to an on-ground program through their district and plan to graduate through their district may follow our standard first-year student application process. Applicants that have transitioned from their district to an online program and will complete their high school education through an online program should follow the application process for an online school applicant.

    High School Equivalency Applicants

    Applicants who have obtained a high school equivalency diploma, such as GED or HiSET, are required to submit their equivalency diploma and scores, as well as transcripts detailing any high school or college coursework completed, and a set of SAT or ACT scores.

  • Ways to Submit Application Materials:

    • Upload within Application Portal
    • Email documents to admissions@c178.net
    • Electronic Submission by School Counselors (Naviance, Slate.org, Scoir, etc.)
    • Mail documents to Office of Undergraduate Admissions
    • SAT or ACT score submission (if you request for your SAT or ACT scores to be considered)
      • Request official scores be sent through College Board or ACT website
      • Upload your unofficial Score Report (downloadable from College Board) to your portal for SATs
    • Portfolio submission (only applicable if applying to Art + Design or Music programs)

  • The University of New Haven is one of many schools offering conditional admission through Niche Direct Admissions - a new way to apply for college. High school seniors that have a Niche profile (or create one!) may see an offer for conditional direct admission from the University of New Haven in their Niche account.