First-Year applications are available online.
First-Year Application Requirements
- First-year applicants must submit a completed and signed application, including essay
- $40 application fee (non-refundable)
- Official high school transcript
- *(Optional) Official SAT or ACT test scores (essay section is not required)
- School Official Recommendation
- Teacher Recommendation is suggested but not required
Have official transcripts sent from all high schools attended.
*Note: Student score reports are accepted during the application process. All enrolled students must submit scores from the testing agency.
Note: home-schooled students must submit two recommendations; one must be from a non-family member who can attest to academic ability and potential.
Applicants who choose to submit SAT and/or ACT scores should submit the results of all tests taken. Meredith will combine the highest math and evidence-based reading and writing scores from all SAT scores submitted and the highest sub scores from all ACT scores submitted.
TOEFL or IELTS scores are required for students for whom English is not their first language. Please see test score expectations.
Interviews are not required but are strongly encouraged. A meeting with an admission counselor provides important insight into an applicant’s background, interests, and goals. An interview also provides students with information about the academic environment and the Meredith community – important information for making an informed college choice. A visit and interview can be scheduled on the Admissions website, by email at admissions@meredith.edu, or by calling the Office of Admissions at (919) 760-8581.
Meredith accepts many sources of application fee waivers including The College Board, ACT, NACAC, and Friends of the College Fee Waiver. Contact the Office of Admissions for additional information.
First-Year Application Deadlines
First-year applicants may apply for fall or spring terms. Students applying for the spring term should apply by November 15. Fall entry term deadlines, notification dates, and deposit deadlines are described as follows:
| Application Type | Application Deadline | Notification Date | Deposit Deadline |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Early Decision (binding) |
October 30 |
November 15 |
December 15 |
|
Early Action |
December 1 | December 15 | May 1 |
| Regular Decision | February 15* |
Rolling beginning mid-January |
May 1 |
*Priority application date: applications received after February 15 are received on a space-available basis.
** Students applying to Scholar Programs must submit the applicable program application in addition to the application to the College. Additionally, students seeking admission to the programs must be admitted to the College by January 15 and are encouraged to apply Early Decision or Early Action. Instructions for applying may be found on financial aid webpages.
Early Decision Plan (Binding)
Application Deadline: October 30, Notification Date: November 15
Students whose first choice is Meredith are encouraged to apply Early Decision. The Early Decision agreement is a binding agreement that a student will enroll at Meredith if admitted. Students admitted for Early Decision must return a signed Early Decision Agreement, withdraw applications from all other colleges and universities, and submit a non-refundable $300 deposit to Meredith by December 15. The deposit is applied toward the costs of the first semester.
Students applying Early Decision and for whom additional academic information is needed may be deferred for regular admission.
Students applying under the Early Decision Plan and seeking financial assistance should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by November 10. The aid award will be delivered to the applicant by December 10. Students may be released from the binding nature of the Early Decision plan if the financial aid award does not meet the student’s demonstrated financial need.
Early Action Plan (Non-Binding)
Application Deadline: December 1, Notification Date: December 15
Students who would like to receive an early, non-binding decision on their application are encouraged to apply Early Action. Early Action applicants who would like to be considered for financial aid should submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) in early fall.
Students applying under the Early Application Plan should reserve their space in the class by submitting the Enrollment Deposit Form and $300 non-refundable deposit on or before May 1, National Reply Date. The deposit is applied toward the costs of the first semester.
Regular Decision Plan
Application Priority Date: February 15
Notification Date: Rolling
Students applying under the Regular Decision Plan are encouraged to submit their application in the fall of their senior year. Upon receipt of all required application credentials, the application is read and a decision is offered. Students are notified of admission beginning in mid-January and on a rolling basis thereafter. Applications received after February 15 are considered on a space-available basis.
Students applying under the Regular Decision Plan should reserve their space in the class by submitting the Enrollment Deposit Form and $300 non-refundable deposit on or before May 1, National Reply Date. The deposit is applied toward the costs of the first semester.
Students applying for spring admission should reserve their space in the class by submitting the Enrollment Deposit Form and $300 non-refundable deposit on or before December 1. The deposit is applied toward the costs of the first semester.
First-Year Admission Requirements and Application Review
Admission to Meredith is competitive. Meredith welcomes students from many backgrounds with strong academic preparation who can contribute to and benefit from the college’s academic and extracurricular programs.
Students should have taken a rigorous selection of college preparatory or higher-level courses throughout their four years of high school. Generally, a student is expected to present a challenging academic program, including honors, advanced placement, and/or international baccalaureate coursework. The most promising candidates for admission will have demonstrated solid achievement in five or more academic subjects with a total of 16 units of credit earned. Minimum preparation/requirements:
|
Minimum Academic Course Program |
|
|---|---|
| English |
4 units (required) |
| Mathematics |
3 units (required), 4 recommended (Algebra I, Algebra II, and Geometry or their equivalent, or a higher level course for which Algebra II is a prerequisite. |
| Science |
3 or more units (required) |
| History/Social Studies |
3 or more units (required) |
| Foreign Language |
2 or more units of the same language (required) |
| Elective |
1 or more units (required) |
Meredith conducts a holistic review of an applicant’s application for admission. The high school record is the most important credential; careful attention is given to grades in academic subjects. The depth of service to one’s community and/or family is also important to the decision process.
Cumulative unweighted grade point average, rigor of coursework, and class rank are considered when reviewing the high school record. Attention is paid to the competitive nature of the high school attended. Applicants are expected to rank within the school’s college-bound population. Test scores, though optional for admission, may also serve as a predictor of success at Meredith. The essay provides insight into writing skills and “fit” for Meredith. The essay and recommendations provide important insight into initiative, persistence, curiosity, purpose, creativity, and maturity. Leadership experience, school and community honors, and service to community and family are also important in the review of an applicant. Offers of admission are made to applicants whose application indicates the potential for academic success and positive contributions to the Meredith community. Continued quality academic work, good citizenship, and completion of the high school curriculum are required. Admission may be rescinded for students whose final academic transcript does not represent a continuance of quality work and persistence.
First-Year Admission Notification
Applicants will be notified of a decision according to the timetable above. Some applicants may receive a deferred decision and be asked to submit additional information that provides a clearer picture of a student’s potential for success at Meredith. Typically, deferred students will be asked for one or more of the following: a seventh-semester transcript, additional writing sample, or interview with an admission counselor. Early Decision applicants who are deferred and asked to submit first-semester senior grades will be reconsidered for Regular Decision and notified after the requested credentials are received.
All offers of admission are contingent on satisfactory completion of senior year courses and a continuing record of good character. Meredith reserves the right to withdraw an offer of admission for unsatisfactory academic performance or social behavior up to the date of enrollment.
Musical Auditions
A prospective music major must be admitted to the College first and subsequently schedule an audition and interview with the music faculty prior to enrollment at Meredith.
Prospective music majors should contact the Department of Music directly to schedule an audition at (919) 760-8536.
Scholars Program Admission
Students are admitted to the Honors, Teaching Scholars, AWE-STEM and Paschal Scholars by application and interview. For application instructions, see the financial aid webpages.
Additional Information for Home-Schooled Students
Meredith welcomes home-schooled students; diverse educational experiences are important to our academic community. Home-schooled applicants must meet the same high school course requirements as all first-year students. U.S. states have varying requirements for affirming home school education. Applicants from states which require a home schooler to file a transcript with the state or home school association should submit their official transcript filed with the state or association. All other home school students should submit a transcript clearly reflecting their coursework in accordance with the high school curriculum required for entry to Meredith.
Because many types of home-school programs exist, the Office of Admission may request additional information to assist in assessing an applicant. Credentials used in the evaluation may be established on an individual basis.
Additionally, an interview with an admission counselor is required as well as two letters of recommendation, one from a non-family member.
Health Record
Meredith College requires all new students to submit a variety of health forms and immunization records. All required forms can be completed and submitted in the Meredith College Wellness Portal. The deadline for submitting all medical forms is July 1st. Students will be withdrawn from the College 30 days after classes begin if immunization requirements have not been submitted.
North Carolina General Statute 130A-155.1 requires students at Meredith College to receive certain immunizations. The State of North Carolina and Meredith College requires all students to provide a provider-reviewed copy of their immunizations. The statute applies to all students except students residing off-campus and registering for any combination of:
- Off-campus courses
- Evening courses (classes beginning after 5 p.m.)
- Weekend courses
- No more than four day credit hours in on-campus courses
If at any time the above student status changes to: on-campus courses, course load of more than four (4) credit hours, on-campus residence, and/or enrollment in day-time courses, a provider-reviewed copy of their immunizations must be presented on or before the date the person first registers for a semester/term. The medical form is available from the Office of Admissions.
Students with Disabilities
In accordance with Section 504 of the Federal Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, and the regulations issued, a student with a disability will not be denied admission on the basis of disability. After an offer of admission is made, an applicant needing special accommodations is encouraged to visit the Disability Services Office and to inform the College of their disability. Students who want to arrange for accommodations are required to submit appropriate documentation of the disability and complete the certification process as required by Disability Services. Requests for accommodation letters must be completed in the Meredith College Wellness Portal. Students may contact the Disability Services Office staff at (919) 760-8427.