Undergraduate Application Process

Congratulations on your decision to apply to Pace University.

Below you will find information and advice regarding our undergraduate admission process for first-year and transfer students. If you have any additional questions, please don't hesitate to contact our Office of Admission.

Are you an international student? If so, please skip to the International Application Procedures for instructions. An International Student is defined as any student studying at Pace University who is neither a U.S. citizen nor a U.S. permanent resident.

All of your application's supporting documents should be sent to:
Pace University
Application Processing Center
861 Bedford Rd
Pleasantville, NY 10570-2799

Required Documents for All Applicants:

• Application & Fee: A completed application and $50 nonrefundable application fee. Pace offers online and print application options, which vary by student type. To get started, please visit our Apply Today web page and select an application based upon your student type. Veterans are eligible for an application fee waiver.
  
  Note: If you are completing the Common Application, you will also need to submit Pace's Common App Supplement. This is a simple, 1-page form that will supplement your completed Common Application.
   

• Letters of Recommendation: Two letters of recommendation from a faculty member or counselor who knows you well and can attest to your academic potential and personal characteristics.
   
• Personal Statement/Essay: One personal statement (essay), approximately 250-500 words in length. You may submit your personal statement (essay) on a subject of your choice or on one of the following subjects:

  1. A discussion of a personal, local, or national issue;
  2. An autobiographical account; or
  3. A representative sample of your creative ability.

• Transcripts and Test Scores:  First-year and transfer students with fewer than 32 completed credits must submit the following (in addition to the documents listed above):

1. An official high school transcript (with first semester senior grades, if available) or GED diploma and test scores.
2. Official SAT or ACT test scores. Applicants who have been out of school two or more years are not required to submit test scores.

• Transfer Students Only: All transfer students must submit the following (in addition to the required documents for all applicants listed above):

1. Official college transcript from all postsecondary schools attended.
2. If you are transferring into the Lienhard Nursing program there are specific requirements, including taking the Evolve Reach Admissions Assessment (A²) examination. Please refer to the Lienhard Transfer FAQ page for additional information.

• Optional Scholarship Consideration: Applicants for the Carl and Lily Pforzheimer Community Service Scholarship need to submit an essay discussing participation and leadership roles in a community service activity. 

College Coursework Completed in High School

Applicants who completed AP, IB , or other college-level coursework while attending high school may be eligible for transfer credit. For evaluation of credits, forward official college transcripts and/or test score reports to the Undergraduate Admission Office. In general, AP scores of 4 or better are awarded credit at Pace. The computer science, environmental science, and physics departments grant credit for a score of 3 or better.
 

Program Specific Admission Information

Pforzheimer Honors College (Fall Admission: First-Year Students Only)

The Pforzheimer Honors College is a community of high-achieving undergraduate scholars studying under the distinguished faculty of a great university. The Honors College is open to all majors within the university. Entering first-year students who meet eligibility criteria will be invited to join the Honors College upon review of completed application for admission.

Theater and Performing Arts (NYC Campus Only)

Please note that the application deadline for this program is January 15th for first-year and transfer students.

• Apply for fall admission by January 15th, and schedule your audition by February 15th.
• Auditions will be conducted in late fall for spring semester admission and in January-February for fall semester admission. Information about scheduling an audition will be sent to each applicant upon receipt of the application. An application for admission must be filed prior to scheduling an audition. 

Four-Year BS in Nursing Program ( Westchester Campus Only)

The four year BS in Nursing Program is offered only on the Westchester Campus in Pleasantville. Deadline for first –year and transfer applications is February 15th. Admission to the program is competitive. Click to view a complete list of Admission Deadlines. If you are transferring into the Nursing program from another college/university, we suggest referring to the Lienhard Transfer FAQ page.

Challenge to Achievement at Pace (CAP) (Fall Admission: First-Year Students Only)

The CAP program is a one-year program designed to help first-year students meet the academic demands of a college education and is geared toward applicants whose potential is not fully reflected in their academic profile. Carefully designed courses, small classes, seminars, work-shops, and tutorials assist students in achieving their potential. Entering first-year students must apply to the University and then be invited to join by the CAP Admission Committee.

Admission Decision Notification

Applicants for admission to Pace University are considered in terms of past achievement and future promise. The Admission Committee considers the record of each applicant individually. Academic achievement is the primary factor for admission to Pace, but qualities such as motivation, creativity, and community involvement are also considered in evaluating the applicant.

Pace University allows a rolling decision notification plan and the Admission Committee makes every effort to notify students with a decision in a timely fashion. Early Action applicants will be notified in early January. Incomplete Early Action applications will be reviewed for regular decision.
 

Deferred Admission

In some cases an accepted student may defer his or her enrollment for up to one year, provided the request is approved by the Director of Admission. (A student who is not granted a deferral or attends another college prior to enrolling at Pace must file a new application for admission).

Requests for deferred admission should be made in writing to the Office of Undergraduate Admission. A student who is granted approval to defer his or her admission will be reconsidered for academic scholarship, housing, and financial aid prior to enrolling at Pace University.

Students who request a deferral will be notified in writing by the Director of Admission.