The first-year application process applies to first-year applicants as well as to other groups. With transfer students or international students, the admission committee reviews applications according to these policies and then reviews additional credentials presented by those applicants.
The admission evaluation at Loyola combines an analysis of academic information submitted along with a review of recommendations, the record of extracurricular involvement and evidence of special talent, leadership and service. The admission committee does not use a formula or have strict cutoffs. Instead, the admission office’s goal is to conduct a balanced and individual review, taking a number of factors into account. The committee does consider special circumstances that might have affected an applicant’s record when such information is provided.
Submission of SAT and ACT scores is optional for all first-year applicants, excluding home-school students. SAT and ACT scores will be reviewed as a core component if submitted. Students who do not choose to submit standardized test scores must submit an additional letter of recommendation or personal essay.
Here is a summary of the main factors that we consider:
- Grades
In general, high school grades count more than the SATs/ACTs (if submitted). Grades are the best single indicator of a student’s potential for academic success in college. To meet Loyola's guideline, a student should have grades of B or higher in academic courses in grades 9 through 12.
- Class Rank
Rank in the upper 25% of the high school class is the guideline (if the high school reports rank).
- Course Selection
Students who take more challenging programs (more difficult subjects, honors courses, AP courses, IB courses) are given extra consideration. When a high school sends a school profile with a transcript, the information provided is considered.
- Recent Grades
Loyola’s admission committee evaluates all grades earned, beginning with the 9th grade work. Since the most recent grades reflect a student’s current level of performance, we give extra weight to achievement in the junior and senior years.
- Standardized Tests
The SAT Reasoning Test: Critical Reading/Math scores or the ACT Assessment Test are optional for all first-year students, except home-schooled students and NCAA athletic recruits. Students who choose to not submit standardized test scores must submit an additional letter of recommendation or personal essay. If submitted, the SAT scores are considered in conjunction with a student’s grades. We count the highest reading and the highest math score. Only the SAT Reasoning Test should be submitted. Last year, the middle 50% of enrolling students scored between 1120 and 1290 (combined reading and math score). We also accept the ACT Exam. The ACT average is 26. The optional essay section of the ACT is not required.
- Recommendations
Since Loyola's admission evaluation is primarily an academic review, teacher and school counselor recommendations are often considered the most. If there are special circumstances (for example, a period of illness, personal difficulties, etc.) that an applicant wishes to bring to the attention of the admission committee, a letter from a counselor, teacher or other party can be submitted. Loyola requires one teacher recommendation and one school counselor recommendation. Students who choose to not submit standardized test scores must submit an additional letter of recommendation (or personal essay).
- Extracurricular Activities
The admission evaluation at Loyola is primarily an academic review. However, at the end of the process, we often find many applicants with similar academic records, and then extracurricular activities, service, special talents and evidence of leadership are considered. Applicants should indicate all activities, achievements and honors when filling out the admission application.
- Non-discrimination
Loyola University Maryland does not discriminate on the basis of race, sex, color, national or ethnic origin, age, religion, disability, marital status, sexual orientation, genetic information, military status, or any other legally protected classification in the administration of any of its educational programs and activities or with respect to admission or employment. The designated compliance officer to ensure compliance with Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, as amended, is Kathleen Parnell, assistant vice president for human resources, 5000 York Road, Room 206, 410-617-2354. The coordinator to ensure compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, as amended, is Kathleen Parnell, assistant vice president for human resources, 5000 York Road, Room 206, 410-617-2354. Loyola University Maryland is authorized under federal law to enroll non-immigrant, alien students. This publication does not constitute an expressed or implied contract. Loyola reserves the right to amend or rescind this publication at any time.
Application Deadlines
Applications are evaluated in two stages:
Early Action
Early Action Deadline is November 1. Early Action at Loyola is a selective, non-binding program that allows academically qualified candidates who view Loyola as a top choice for their undergraduate education to learn of their admission decision by January 15. Students admitted through Early Action have until May 1, the National Common Reply date, to make their enrollment decision.
All credentials must be postmarked no later than November 1. Candidates for Early Action will be evaluated primarily on their high school record through the junior year.
All materials may be submitted to:
Undergraduate Admission Processing Center
Loyola University Maryland
P.O. Box 1467
Beltsville, MD 20704
Fax: 866-543-6756
Loyola permits Early Action applicants to apply to Early Action, Early Decision and Regular Decision programs at other institutions. If you are admitted under binding Early Decision to another institution, you must withdraw your application from Loyola as soon as possible. The admission committee reserves the right to admit, defer or deny any candidate for admission. Deferred Early Action applicants will then be considered for admission under the provision of Regular Decision. A student who has not applied for Early Action, but has submitted a completed application by the deadline, may be accepted under the provision of Early Action.
Regular Decision
Regular Decision deadline is January 15. Students who complete their applications by this date receive preference, and they will be notified of the admission committee's decision by March 15.
Applications may be submitted after our deadline and will be considered on a space available basis.
All materials may be submitted to:
Undergraduate Admission Processing Center
Loyola University Maryland
P.O. Box 1467
Beltsville, MD 20704
Fax: 866-543-6756
Decisions cannot be made before that date, and it is our policy that all notifications are made in writing - we cannot give the decision to you over the telephone. Students are notified of the receipt of the application in approximately two weeks. In December and January, these response times may be longer.
Waiting List Policy
Each year, the number of qualified applicants to Loyola far exceeds the number of available spaces in the first-year class. As a result, the admission process at Loyola is selective, and class spaces are awarded on a competitive basis. In cases where students who have been admitted choose not to enroll, spaces may become available in the first-year class.
Loyola maintains an active waiting list of qualified students in order to fill spaces that become available. Students are selected for the waiting list on a competitive basis. The students offered a position on the waiting list at Loyola, while not initially offered a position in the first-year class, are good students and have been determined by the admission committee to have the potential to be successful Loyola students.
Loyola has offered acceptance to waiting list candidates often in the last several years. The University’s overall undergraduate class and housing spaces are limited, and so the admission office offers a conservative number of original acceptance offers at the first-year level to avoid over enrollment. While there is no guarantee, this makes it more likely that first-year space will be available for students on the waiting list.
The situation varies from year to year, and students who elect to remain active on the waiting list are notified regularly about their status. Loyola maintains the active waiting list as long as additional class spaces are likely to be awarded.
Any student selected for the waiting list who chooses to enroll at another institution has the option to reapply to Loyola as transfer student for the following fall term. Waiting list students are generally considered good transfer candidates, provided that they continue to perform well at the college level.