Undergraduate Admissions

Manhattanville admits men and women as candidates for undergraduate degrees if their academic records indicate competence to engage in a challenging liberal arts curriculum. The Admissions Committee is particularly interested in a student's willingness and determination to participate actively in the process of his or her education. In considering applications for undergraduate admission, Manhattanville makes every attempt to evaluate students as individuals, each with his or her own unique capabilities for learning, and to appraise each one's capacity for intellectual and emotional growth.

Manhattanville participates in the Common Application Program. Students using the Common Application will be considered for admission in the same way as students utilizing the Manhattanville College online or paper application.

Application Procedure

Applicants must submit the following materials to the Office of Admission (Reid Hall) for evaluation:

  1. Application for admission;
  2. An application fee of $50.00 must accompany the application;
  3. Official transcript(s) of grades earned to date from secondary school or college;
  4. Two (2) letters of recommendation to include one from a guidance counselor/transfer counselor and one from a current or former teacher;
  5. Personal essay describing applicants’ goals and objectives;
  6. Standardized test scores (ACT or SAT), unless applying test optional;

Admissions Interview

A personal interview is encouraged and, in some cases, may be required. Applicants are urged to contact the Office of Undergraduate Admissions at (914) 323-5464 or 1-800-32-VILLE to schedule an appointment. Interviews are conducted Monday through Friday and on select Saturday dates during the academic year. Tours of the campus are also available.

Art, Music, Dance and Theatre Students

In addition to following the normal application procedures:

  • Bachelor of Arts or Bachelor of Fine Arts candidates who wish to specialize in art must present a varied portfolio of their best artwork to the Art Department.
  • Bachelor of Music candidates who wish to specialize in voice or instrumental music must audition with the Music Department. The audition consists of: Performance of three pieces from different musical periods, and a test of general musicianship.
  • Bachelor of Arts candidates who wish to specialize in Dance and Theatre must audition with the Department of Dance & Theatre.

Portfolio review and audition appointments may be made through the Admissions Office. If distance makes it impossible to visit in person, applicants may request permission to submit slides or DVD recordings through the Office of Undergraduate Admissions.

International Applicants

Manhattanville College is extremely proud of its long-standing history of having international students as active members of our community. Students from abroad are eligible for admission if they have completed, with good grades, the academic (classical) secondary school program offered in their country. Students transferring from a college or university in another country must also demonstrate an acceptable academic profile. Manhattanville College offers academic (non-need based) scholarships and some financial aid to international applicants deemed to be eligible. All applicants who speak or write English as a second language are required to submit either the TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or IELTS (International English Language Testing System.) The minimum score required for consideration is 80 on the internet-based TOEFL or 6.5 on the IELTS. Official Test results must be sent to Manhattanville College. Information concerning these tests may be obtained directly by logging onto www.ets.org or www.ielts.org. Applicants seeking to begin studies in the fall semester (September) should submit applications and supporting credentials by March 1. All documents written in languages other than English must be accompanied by certified English translations.

The Admissions Office will not process applications until all supporting documents are received. Once an application is received and reviewed, a decision is forwarded to the applicant on a rolling basis. Some accepted students may be required to register for non-credit, preparatory English courses. These courses, which are conducted at the English Language Institute of Manhattanville College, will involve additional expense and extend the time normally required to complete studies for a degree.

Individuals With a Disability

All applicants to Manhattanville College are considered equally, regardless of disability. Applicants are not required to disclose their disability and will not be asked to provide that information. Disclosure of a disability is voluntary. If an individual chooses to disclose a disability, they may do so during the application process or after acceptance at any time during their tenure as a student at Manhattanville. Please contact the Director of Disability Services at 914-323-7127 for more information on accommodations and services available to students with disabilities. Additional information may also be found in this catalog under The Office of Disability Services. If you require a disability related accommodation for a tour of our campus, or for an interview with admissions, please contact the Director of Disability Services.

Transfer Students

Students from other institutions may be admitted either in the fall or spring semester provided they meet Manhattanville's admission requirements. Transfer students may transfer up to 90 credit hours. They may enter either in the fall or spring semester and are required to submit official transcripts of all undergraduate coursework. While academic work completed at the college level is a more current indicator of a student's potential success at Manhattanville, the Admissions Committee will also consider the secondary school record and test scores. Personal interviews are strongly encouraged. The transcript showing the courses completed at another college will form part of the student's portfolio at Manhattanville. Papers or work from the previous college may also be included. If they are not available, the student, after enrolling at Manhattanville, may prepare evidence of the required skills. Students interested in dance, theatre, music, or studio art should refer to procedures for acceptance in the appropriate department sections above.

Acceptance Plans (Early Action and Rolling Admission)

Early Action: Manhattanville College offers an Early Action option for students who have decided that Manhattanville is their top choice.

  • Apply early for admission and be notified of our decision early. Stop wondering about the admissions process and start planning your freshman year.
  • Applications must be received by December 1 of your senior year in secondary school. 
    • To apply, check off the Early Action box on the application. 
    • Decisions will be communicated to students no later than December 25. 
    • Apply early for financial assistance and receive a financial aid package earlier.
    • Upon admission to Manhattanville, you will have until May 1 to decide whether or not to attend and confirm your enrollment with a nonrefundable tuition deposit of:

      $500 for a resident student

      $300 for a commuter student

Rolling Admission: Manhattanville's Admissions Office will process applications throughout the year, as long as enrollment space remains available.

  • Priority deadline for students are:
  • March 1 for fall applicants
  • January 1 for spring applicants

Under the Rolling Admission Plan, fall candidates will receive an acceptance, denial or deferment on a rolling basis beginning in January once the candidate's file is complete. (Only Early Action applicants will receive notification of their admission status prior to January 1.) Accepted students must confirm their intention to attend by submitting their enrollment deposit fee ($500 for residents; $300 for commuters) by May 1, unless the acceptance letter states another due date. Deposit fees are not refundable.

Advanced Standing and Credit by Examination

Students who have achieved a grade of 4 or 5 on an Advanced Placement Test of the College Entrance Examination Board may receive 3 to 6 credits per test toward their Manhattanville degree. If students wish to use these credits toward fulfillment of major requirements, they should consult the Registrar’s Official webpage for equivalencies. Students who have taken college courses while in high school may receive credit if the course is reported on a college transcript at a level of C- or above. The College will grant six semester hours of credit (for a maximum of 28 credits) for each examination taken at the Advanced (“A”) level of the British General Certificate of Education on which the student received a grade of C or better. Also, six semester hours of credit (for a maximum of 18 credits) will be granted for each Higher Level Examination in the International Baccalaureate Program on which a student has earned a score of 5, 6, or 7. Students may be granted at the time of matriculation a maximum of 12 semester hours of credit through subject examinations of the College Level Examination Program (CLEP). Students who intend to transfer credits for courses taken at international institutions are required to provide evaluation reports (translated and verified with grade equivalencies) from agencies that prepare Foreign Academic Credential Evaluations (FACES). The evaluation must examine and equate all course work on a “course-by-course” basis and include grading equivalents to US colleges. Evaluators charge to have an evaluation prepared.

Transcript of Record

Manhattanville College's Official transcripts bear the seal and an authorized signature of the College Registrar or Assistant Registrar. Requests for transcripts must be made in writing and be accompanied by the appropriate fee. Transcripts are issued within seven days, except during periods of registration, examination or commencement when additional time should be allowed. Transcripts may not be released if there is any outstanding indebtedness to the College.