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Admission Requirements

Contact

Ramapo College Office of Admissions

McBride House
505 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, NJ 07430

p: (201) 684-7300
e: admissions@ramapo.edu
f: (201) 684-7964

Ramapo College considers several factors in reviewing an admissions application. Most important being the student’s academic performance in high school, particularly the student’s high school GPA and the rigor of the courses taken. Other factors include: strong letters of recommendation from teachers and/or counselors; a thoughtful admissions essay; and a record of extracurricular activities (for example: community service, leadership in student organizations and athletics, performance and artistic activities, and part-time employment). AP, IB, and Honors courses are also looked upon favorably.

Ramapo College is test-optional for all programs, except our Articulation Programs. If you choose to submit an SAT or ACT score, please indicate that on your application. If you choose not to submit, we will review your application holistically using other documents and submitted materials.

Each application for admission to Ramapo College is reviewed holistically. Each decision is made within the context of the whole applicant pool and the number of places available in our incoming class.


Criteria for General Admission

Freshmen applicants are expected to complete a GED or HS diploma prior to enrollment. 

Required Credentials

All supporting credentials should be sent by mail or via email to:
Office of Admissions
Ramapo College of New Jersey
505 Ramapo Valley Road
Mahwah, NJ 07430-1680
admissions@ramapo.edu

1. Application

You may apply to Ramapo using the Common Application, Coalition Application or our own Ramapo online application. (You must have a credit card available to pay the $65 application fee).

2. Transcripts

Ramapo College will evaluate your academic transcripts in the admission process. Send your official high school transcript for review; if you have taken any college classes for credit, submit your college transcript(s) as well.

3. SAT or ACT Scores for certain programs

Ramapo College is test-optional for all programs, except our Articulation Programs (Biology/Dental-LECOM, Biology/Optometry-SUNY Optometry, Biology/Osteopathy-LECOM, Biology/Pharmacy-LECOM, Biology/Pharmacy-Touro College). If you choose to submit an SAT or ACT score, please indicate that on your application. If you choose not to submit, we will review your application holistically using other documents and submitted materials.
Ramapo College SAT code 2884    Ramapo College ACT code 2591

4. Letters of Recommendation

All applicants must submit one letter of recommendation from a school counselor, teacher or other individual who can attest to your abilities. There is no required standardized format for the letters.

Joint & Dual Enrollment Advanced Degree Programs

In addition to the Joint and Dual Degree programs listed below, Ramapo College offers multiple articulated programs in areas including Physical Therapy, Biomedical Informatics, Chiropractic Medicine and Dentistry. For more information about these articulated programs, please click here.


OPTOMETRY (B.S.-O.D.)

Ramapo College offers an accelerated, joint degree program for prospective freshmen students interested in pursuing a Doctorate of Optometry (O.D.) with SUNY College of Optometry.

The Ramapo College-SUNY College of Optometry Program is a seven-year program. A student in this program will complete three years at Ramapo College as a Biology major, and their fourth through seventh years at SUNY College of Optometry. Upon completing their fourth year of schooling (first year at SUNY College of Optometry), the student will be awarded a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Ramapo College.

The application deadline for high school seniors applying to the Ramapo College-SUNY College of Optometry Program is December 15. All supporting credentials (test scores, transcripts, recommendations) should be received no later than January 15.

All applicants will be reviewed by Ramapo College and SUNY Optometry. It is recommended that students have the following:

  • 3.75 GPA on a 4.0 scale
  • Strong Science grades (B or higher)
  • SAT Score of 1360 (Minimum Math SAT of 700) and/or ACT Score of 29
  • Demonstrated interest in the Optometry field

Students will be notified by April 1 of their senior year of high school regarding their acceptance to Ramapo College’s Biology program and the joint program with SUNY College of Optometry. Students who are admitted to the joint program must successfully complete all Ramapo College coursework, maintain a minimum 3.3 GPA at Ramapo College and achieve a minimum OAT score of 330 in each category.

LAW (B.A.-J.D.)

Ramapo College offers a Dual Enrollment Program with Seton Hall University’s School of Law for prospective freshmen students wishing to pursue their Juris Doctorate (J.D.) and practice law after finishing their undergraduate coursework.

The Ramapo College-Seton Hall University School of Law program is a seven-year program. A student in this program will spend four years at Ramapo College earning their Bachelor of Arts degree in Law & Society or Political Science. The student will then matriculate to SHUSL to pursue their Juris Doctorate degree.

The application deadline for students interested in being considered for this program is February 1, but applicants are strongly encouraged to apply by the priority and scholarship deadline of December 15.

All applicants will be reviewed by Ramapo College and Seton Hall University School of Law. The criteria for initial admission to the program include:

  • Minimum 3.5 Grade Point Average
  • Rigorous high school curriculum
  • Evidence of breadth and depth of focus, as evidenced by participation and leadership in school and/or community involvement
  • Students must be a Political Science or Law & Society major

Students will be notified by April 1 regarding their acceptance to Ramapo College and the Dual Enrollment Program with Seton Hall University’s School of Law. Students who are accepted to the program are required to complete the curriculum and requirements for either the Law & Society or Political Science major within four years, maintain a minimum 3.25 GPA at the end of freshman year as well as a minimum 3.5 GPA at the end of each subsequent academic year, and submit a completed application with valid LSAT scores to Seton Hall University School of Law no later than April 1 of their senior year. Students must also maintain good social standing while enrolled at Ramapo College and not engage in any conduct that might result in denial of admission to the State Bar Association.

ART THERAPY (B.A.-M.A.)

Ramapo College applicants wishing to study Art Therapy should consider our joint program with Caldwell University. Students in this program complete their Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts (Drawing and Painting/Art Therapy or Sculpture/Art Therapy concentration) at Ramapo College and then matriculate on to Caldwell University for their Master of Arts in Counseling with Mental Health Counseling/Art Therapy Specialization.

Students are provided provisional admission to the Master’s program upon their acceptance to Ramapo College during their senior year of high school and are granted full admission to the program upon meeting the following criteria during the senior year at Ramapo College :

  •  Maintenance of a 3.3 cumulative GPA as a Visual Arts major with either the Drawing and Painting/Art Therapy concentration or Sculpture/Art Therapy concentration, with all ARTS courses receiving no less than a “B” grade
  •  Completion of a personal or group interview with Caldwell University during the Fall of the senior year
  •  Completion of a Portfolio Review
  •  Completion of 18 credits of Studio Art courses (advisement is provided by Ramapo College to ensure students following the Art Therapy track take the necessary courses)
  •  Completion of a minimum of 15 credits of Psychology courses with a minimum “B” grade in each course, including Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Data Analysis, and Research Methods

Students in the Art Therapy track of Visual Arts receive special advisement during their time at Ramapo to ensure they are fulfilling the necessary requirements to be considered for full admission to Caldwell University for the Master’s degree.

LECOM ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS

DENTAL MEDICINE EARLY ACCEPTANCE PROGRAM
Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM)
This program is offered jointly by Ramapo College and Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM). The program includes three years (full time) undergraduate education at Ramapo College followed by four years (full time) of dental education. At the end of the senior year of the undergraduate curriculum, which will also serve as the first year of the graduate curriculum, students will receive a B.S. degree (in Biology) conferred by Ramapo College. The program terminates at the end of the third post-baccalaureate year in a Doctor of Dental Medicine degree conferred by LECOM.

Students can be accepted early admission to the Doctor of Dental Medicine program only upon admission to Ramapo and must maintain the standards required for accelerated entry into the program as outlined by the agreement. Other students who are interested in pursuing the Doctor of Dental Medicine Degree at LECOM can apply at the end of their senior year for entry into the Doctoral program.

  • Applications are accepted prior to entering Ramapo College and students should complete the LECOM online EAP application by April 1.
  • The admissions requirements for Phase I of the Dental Early Acceptance Program are:

SAT (Critical Reading and Math)=1240 or higher, ACT=26 or higher, High School GPA=3.5 or higher.
Students must be accepted into the guaranteed admissions program by the Ramapo College Admissions Office.

Students who are not admitted into the early acceptance program who decide to matriculate at Ramapo College may complete the LECOM online application before beginning their third year of study at Ramapo College.

Admissions criteria for Phase II to LECOM are: students must have completed at least one year of study at Ramapo College and have an overall GPA of 3.4 or higher and a 3.2 GPA in Science classes

See LECOM School of Dental Medicine Affiliation Agreement for further details.

PHARMACY EARLY ACCEPTANCE PROGRAM (3+4)
Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM)
This program is offered jointly by Ramapo College and Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM). The program includes three years (full time) undergraduate education at Ramapo College followed by four years (full time) of Pharmaceutical education. At the end of the senior year of the undergraduate curriculum, which will also serve as the first year of the graduate curriculum, students will receive a B.S. degree (in Biology) conferred by Ramapo College. The program terminates at the end of the third post-baccalaureate year in a Doctor of Pharmacy degree conferred by LECOM.

Students can be accepted early admission to the Doctor of Pharmacy program only upon Admission to Ramapo College and must maintain the standards required for accelerated entry into the program as outlined by the agreement in what is known as the 3+4 program. Students who are not admitted into the early acceptance program and who are interested in pursuing the Doctor of Pharmacy degree at LECOM may apply at the end of their senior year for entry into the Doctoral program.

Early Admissions Applications are accepted prior to entering Ramapo College and students should complete the LECOM online EAP application by April 1.

The admissions requirements for Phase I of the Pharmacy Early Acceptance Program are:
SAT score (Critical Reading + Math)=1240 or higher, ACT Composite =26 or higher, High School GPA=3.5 or greater.
Students must be accepted into the guaranteed admissions program by the Ramapo College Office of Admissions.

See LECOM School of Pharmacy Early Acceptance Affiliation Agreement for further details.

MEDICAL COLLEGE EARLY ACCEPTANCE PROGRAM (3+4)
Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM)
This program is offered jointly by Ramapo College and Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM). The program includes three years (full time) undergraduate education at Ramapo College followed by four years (full time) of Osteopathic Medical Education. At the end of the senior year of the undergraduate curriculum, which will also serve as the first year of the graduate curriculum, students will receive a B.S. degree (in Biology) conferred by Ramapo College. The program terminates at the end of the third post-baccalaureate year in a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree conferred by LECOM.

Students can be accepted early admission to the Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine program only upon admission to Ramapo and must maintain the standards required for accelerated entry into the program as outlined by the agreement. Students who are not admitted into the early acceptance program who are interested in pursuing the Doctor of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree at LECOM may apply at the end of their senior year for entry into the Doctoral program.

Applications are accepted prior to entering Ramapo College and students should complete the LECOM online EAP application by April 1.

The admissions requirements for Phase I of the Medical Early Acceptance Program are:
SAT (Critical Reading + Math)=1340 or higher, ACT=29 or higher, High School GPA=3.8 or higher. 
Students must be accepted into the guaranteed admissions program by the Ramapo College Office of Admissions.

See LECOM School of Osteopathic Medicine Affiliation Agreement for further details.

Admission Decisions

All applications are reviewed thoroughly by the Committee on Admission. Some applications will be reviewed several times as part of our evaluation process. Decisions on early decision applications will be sent on or before December 5. For those who submit early action applications, decisions will be sent on or before February 1. All decisions on regular decision applications will be sent on or before March 1.

If you applied using the Common Application, Coalition Application or our online application, you may check the status of your application any time by logging in to our system.

You will be notified by email of any significant updates to your application status. You may use the link below to log in to your application and check your status.

Check My Application Status Now