Iona » Admissions » Admissions & Financial Aid

The Application Process

To apply for admission as a freshman, please submit the following documents:


1. Application for Admission, either Iona's or the Common Application. (Click here for the online version)
2. $50 application fee, with the check made out to Iona College.
3. Official high school transcripts
4. SAT or ACT scores
5. An essay answering one of the following questions:

  • Describe your typical weekend day. 
  • In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge that your generation will face?  What ideas do you have for dealing with this issue?
  • What special talents/characteristics make you unique and how could they benefit Iona College?
  • If these topics don't appeal to you, please create your own topic and write about that.

Type of Application: Deadline:  

Decisions Mailed:

   Deposit Due:
Early Action* Dec. 1 Dec. 21   May 1
Honors Program and Presidential/Deans' Scholars Dec. 1 See Note Below**   May 1
Spring Semester Dec. 20 Rolling   Jan. 10
Regular Admission * Feb. 15 Apr. 1   May 1
NOTE: Although Iona does operate under a preferred regular action application deadline of February 15, we will continue to accept and review applications on a rolling basis as long as space is available. As of May 16, space is still available in class, but housing availability is very limited. Students can still apply online at www.commonapp.org.


*Iona's Early Action program is non-binding; you have until May 1 to send your deposit.


**Honors Program and Presidential/Deans' Scholarships - Any student with a minimum 1300 SAT (math and critical reasoning composites) or 29 ACT, and a 3.5 or 95% GPA, may be considered for these scholarships and should complete their applications by December 1, as well as submit a letter of recommendation, and a separate scholarship essay, to the Office of Admissions, by that date. Semi-finalists will be notified of their continuation in the scholarship competition no later than January 15, and awardees will be notified no later than February 15. Further information on both the Honors Program and the scholarship essay topic, can be found at http://www.iona.edu/admissions/resources/pdf/deansscholar.pdf


Iona College seeks individuals who are challenged to be ethical and skilled decision-makers motivated to leadership and service. We select freshmen based on a competitive high school curriculum, grades in academic subjects, SAT/ACT scores, class rank, and extracurricular experiences. Personal characteristics and potential to succeed are highly valued.

In an effort to better serve you and those in your high school and community who support you, Iona College has made a recent change in admissions policy. Iona is NO longer REQUIRING letters of recommendation as part of our standard admissions process. Whereever possible, we want our application process to be more about YOU, your essay and our experience, as seen through your eyes. After receipt of all other required materials (items 1-5 above), if we determine a need for letters of recommendation to make either an admission or scholarship decision, we will personally inform you of that request.


Who: A transfer is a student who has previously attended another college as a full-time student.

Deadline: Preference will be given to students who apply by August 1 for the Fall semester; December 20 for the Spring semester and on a rolling basis thereafter.

To apply, please send the following documents:

  1. A completed application, either Iona's or the Common Application (Click here for the on-line version)
  2. Official transcripts from all colleges previously attended.
  3. An official high school transcript.
  4. If you have attempted fewer than 24 college credits, SAT and ACT scores.
  5. $50 application fee.

Frequently asked questions regarding transferring to Iona College.


Please click here for detailed information about applying for admission and the visa process.