FAQs
Choosing the right college for you is more than just selecting a major and applying to schools.
It requires research, visits, meeting people, asking the right questions, and getting to know the core of what makes that college special. At St. John’s, the proximity to New York City, the University’s heritage in the Catholic faith and the students are what help make St. John’s unique. With more than 100 different majors, a booming student life, and numerous study abroad opportunities, students come to St. John’s feeling a part of a community.
FAQs
Click below to get answers to all of your questions about St. John's University!
How do I know if I should apply as a first-year student, transfer student, or readmit student?
Choosing the correct application depends on your previous educational history. Use the descriptions below to determine which application is right for you.
First-Year Student
You should apply as a first-year student if you are currently in high school and will graduate from high school before enrolling at St. John’s University. This includes students who are applying directly from high school, even if they have earned college credits while in high school.
- Apply using:
St. John’s University Application or Common Application
Transfer Student
You should apply as a transfer student if you have graduated from high school and attended another college or university after high school. This includes students who have earned college credits at another institution after graduating from high school.
- Apply using:
St. John’s University Application or Common Application
Readmit Student
You should apply as a readmit student if you previously attended St. John’s University as a matriculated undergraduate student, left the University, and have not attended another college or university since leaving St. John’s. If you attended another college or university after leaving St. John’s, you should apply as a transfer student instead.
- Apply using:
St. John’s University Readmit Application
What are the admission requirements for first-year students?
The general admission criteria for first-year students at St. John’s University include a strong B average, or approximately a 3.0 GPA.
If you choose to submit standardized test scores, we recommend a minimum score of 1070 on the SAT or 21 on the ACT.
Please note that some academic programs have additional or higher admission requirements for direct admission into the program. Requirements may vary by program.
If you have questions about the admission requirements for a specific academic program, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission at 718-990-1802 or email [email protected].
What is your application deadline?
St. John’s University follows a rolling admission policy, which means the Admission Committee will consider applications throughout the year, as long as space is available. However, we encourage students to apply by the Early Action deadline, as admission consideration is given to applications received by the deadlines listed below. Please note that some deadlines are specific to priority consideration or admission to a particular program.
Your application will not be reviewed until all required application materials and documents have been received. We encourage you to submit your application and all required documents by the appropriate deadline to ensure your application can be reviewed in a timely manner.
| Deadline | Application Deadline | Notification Date (on or around) |
| Early Action | December 1 | January 3 |
| Rolling Decision (excludes Pharmacy and Bio-Optometry) | N/A | Beginning February 1 |
| Pharmacy Regular Decision | February 1 | March 15 |
| Bio-Optometry Regular Decision | January 1 | February 15 |
I am interested in more than one major. Do I need to submit multiple applications?
With 100+ undergraduate programs available, we understand that choosing a major can be difficult. You do not need to submit multiple applications if you are interested in more than one major.
When completing your undergraduate admission application, you will be asked to indicate:
- First-Choice Major: This is the major you are most interested in pursuing and is the program for which you will initially be considered for admission.
- Second-Choice Major: This is an alternate major you would like to be considered for if you are not academically admissible to your first-choice major but meet the academic requirements for admission to the University.
If you are unsure of your intended major, you may select Undecided as your first choice.
If you later decide that you would like to change your major, you should log in to your application portal to update your intended major.
I am interested in both the Queens and Manhattan campuses. How do I apply to both campuses?
When completing the undergraduate application for admission, students must select either the Queens campus or the Manhattan campus.
The Queens campus offers all undergraduate academic majors available at St. John’s University, while the Manhattan campus offers a select number of business majors.
If you decide after submitting your application that you would like to change your campus selection, please log in to your application portal to make the change.
Can I apply to the Pharmacy, Nursing, or Bio-Optometry programs for the spring semester?
No. The Pharmacy, Nursing, and Bio-Optometry programs only accept students for fall semester admission. Prospective students interested in these programs cannot apply for spring semester admission.
Where do I send my transcript and supporting application documentation?
Your high school counseling office can send transcripts and supporting application documents electronically through Naviance or Slate.org, or by email to [email protected].
Do I need to submit a recommendation letter or essay as part of my application?
If you are applying to the Pharmacy program, an essay and letters of recommendation are required. You must submit a 250-word essay describing why you are pursuing a career in Pharmacy and why you are applying to St. John’s University. You are also required to submit two letters of recommendation, one of which must be from a science or math teacher.
For all other undergraduate programs, an essay and letters of recommendation are not required, but students are highly encouraged to submit them as part of their application.
The Admission Committee reserves the right to request additional documentation or information as needed to complete the review of your application.
Do you accept AP, IB, or college credits taken in high school?
Yes. St. John’s University may award college credit for Advanced Placement (AP) exams, International Baccalaureate (IB) exams, and college-level courses completed while in high school. The amount and type of credit awarded may depend on your exam score or course grade, the subject, and your intended major.
AP Credit:
AP credit is awarded based on your AP exam score and intended major. If you receive a score of 3 or higher on an AP exam, you should have your official AP score report sent to St. John’s University for review. The amount and type of credit awarded will be determined based on your score and intended major.
IB Credit:
St. John’s University awards credit for individual IB Higher Level (HL) exams based on your exam score and intended major. Credit is not awarded for the full IB Diploma. Students seeking IB credit should have their official IB score report sent to St. John’s University for review.
College Courses Taken in High School:
College credit may be awarded based on the grade earned, subject of the course, and your intended major. Generally, college courses must be worth at least three credits, and students must earn a grade of C or better.
Students who completed a college course through St. John’s University while in high school do not need to submit an official transcript. Your St. John’s coursework is already part of your University record.
For college courses completed at another college or university, students must submit their final, official college transcript to St. John’s University.
Can I apply online?
Yes! St. John’s University accepts applications online through either the Common Application or the St. John’s University application.
The application is free for all students, regardless of which application you choose to use. A fee waiver code is not required.
Is an interview required?
No. An interview is not required for admission to St. John’s University and is not a factor in the admission decision.
Does St. John’s University admit students who are homeschooled or who have attended an online high school?
Prospective students who are homeschooled or who have attended an online high school may apply for undergraduate admission using their homeschool or online high school transcripts. However, before enrolling at St. John’s University, students must provide additional documentation verifying that they have completed the equivalent of a four-year high school education.
To verify completion of high school requirements, students must submit one of the following:
- A letter from the superintendent of the school district in which the student resides confirming that the student has completed a home instruction program that is substantially equivalent to a four-year high school course; or
- A passing score on the High School Equivalency Diploma (GED), along with the GED certificate when available.
New York State residents: If you have attended an online high school, an online high school diploma does not, by itself, satisfy the University's high school graduation requirement for enrollment. You must provide one of the two forms of documentation listed above.
Important: Students who do not submit the required documentation before the start of the semester in which they plan to enroll will not be eligible to enroll at St. John’s University.
If I complete most or all of my high school requirements as a junior, can I apply as a high school junior?
Yes. You may apply to St. John’s University as a high school junior if you will complete all high school graduation requirements and receive your high school diploma during that academic year.
How do I submit my art portfolio?
Applicants to the Fine Arts program must submit their portfolio online through SlideRoom. Students who wish to be considered for the Fine Arts Scholarship must submit their portfolio by January 15.
You can upload your portfolio through SlideRoom.
Please note: After submitting your portfolio through SlideRoom, the status may appear as “Awaiting” in your applicant portal checklist until the portfolio has been reviewed and scored. If your portfolio continues to show as “Awaiting” for more than two weeks, please contact the Office of Undergraduate Admission at 718-990-1802 to inquire about the status of your submission.
Complete portfolio submission requirements and details can be found on the Art and Design page.
How do I check my application status?
You can check the status of your application by logging into your St. John’s University Application Portal. Your portal will allow you to view your application status, review any outstanding requirements, and receive important updates regarding your application.
How do I log in to my application portal?
Students who apply using the St. John’s University Application will have immediate access to their application portal after submitting their application.
Students who apply using the Common Application will receive an email with their application portal login credentials within 24 hours of submitting their application.
The subject line of the email will be:
“[Student’s First Name], we received your application. Here is your Portal login.”
Can I make changes to my application after submitting it?
Yes. After submitting your application, you may request changes to your intended major, housing preference, or email address.
To request a change, log in to your St. John’s University Application Portal and select the section titled “Update My Information.”
How will I receive my admission decision?
Once an admission decision has been made, you will receive an email notification letting you know that your application status has been updated. You should then log in to your St. John’s University Application Portal to view your admission decision.
You will also receive an official admission decision letter by mail.
How long will it take to receive my admission decision?
Once your application is complete and all required documents have been received, your application will be reviewed for admission. You should typically receive an admission decision within 2–3 weeks.
During peak application review periods, particularly from November through January, the review process may take longer.
What happens if I am waitlisted?
If you receive notification that you have been placed on the waitlist, we encourage you to submit updated senior-year midyear grades for the Admission Committee to re-review your application. If your admission decision changes, you will be notified by email and mail.
Am I automatically considered for merit scholarships?
Yes. Students who apply to St. John’s University and have a complete application for admission will automatically be considered for merit scholarships.
There is no separate application required to be considered for merit scholarships.
What scholarships are available to first-year students besides merit scholarships?
St. John’s University offers a variety of scholarships and awards for new first-year students in addition to merit scholarships. Eligibility and requirements vary by scholarship.
To learn more about available scholarships for first-year students, please visit our First-Year Scholarships page.
Can I take a college course before starting my first year at St. John’s?
If you have been admitted to St. John’s University and have submitted your enrollment deposit for the upcoming academic semester, you should not enroll in or take college courses after graduating from high school and before beginning your studies at St. John’s.
Students who enroll in college courses after high school graduation may be required to apply and enroll as a transfer student. This could affect your admission status and may change your eligibility for the first-year scholarships and financial aid originally offered to you. St. John’s awards first-year and transfer scholarships under different eligibility criteria.
When is the enrollment and housing deposit due, and how much is it?
All deposits are non-refundable.
The enrollment deposit is $300 and is due no later than May 1 to reserve your spot in the upcoming class.
If you plan to live on campus, an additional $400 housing deposit is required.
If you plan to live on campus, we encourage you to submit both the $300 enrollment deposit and the $400 housing deposit at the same time, no later than May 1.
Please note that if your housing deposit is submitted after May 1, we cannot guarantee that housing will be available.
What are the hours for the library and computer labs?
Both the library and Sullivan Computer Lab are open 24 hours.
What exercise facilities are available on campus?
The state-of-the-art fitness center is located in Carnesecca Arena. In addition to having stairmasters, treadmills, dumbbells, ellipticals, life fitness pin loaded machines, and plate loaded free weights, the fitness center also offers a wide variety of free fitness classes. Students also have access to an indoor and outdoor basketball court, tennis courts, soccer field, and outdoor track.
Do you have a student center on campus?
The St. John’s University D’Angelo Center (DAC), our 127,000 square foot serves as a luxury student life center. Boasting fourteen smart classrooms, state-of-the-art computer labs, a food court, our “campus living room,” and the cheapest Starbucks in New York City, this student center will be enjoyed by students for generations to come. The Campus Center at Staten Island features offices of Campus Ministry and Student Life along with a cafeteria, game room, student organization offices and a gymnasium. The strikingly modern Manhattan campus contains plenty of meeting and classroom space along with fitness and computer lab facilities, state-of-the art classrooms and an extensive library. Just across the street from the Manhattan campus is Battery Park featuring waterfront promenades.
Can I bring a car to campus?
Plenty of on-campus parking is available for commuting students, faculty, staff and visitors. Commuting students must purchase a commuter parking pass. Upper-class resident students may also purchase a parking pass on a space available basis. Freshmen resident students are asked not to bring their cars to campus.
Is there a specific Pharmacy application?
No, you may apply via The Common Application or via our online application. You can find out application by clicking here.
Do I have to submit an essay and recommendations with my application?
You are required to submit an essay of 250 words on the topic that is described in the undergraduate application (why you are choosing a career in Pharmacy and why you are applying to St. John's University) and are required to submit two letters of recommendation; one of these must be from either a science or math teacher and the second letter can be from anyone else such as a counselor, teacher, coach, etc. You are also required to submit an extracurricular activity sheet describing what activities you have been involved in as well as sign the Pharmacy Technical Standards portion of the admission application.
What are the requirements to get into the program?
Acceptance into the program is based on the strength of the application pool. Your decision will be based on a combination of your academic credentials, your essay, letters of recommendation, and what activities you have been involved in. You must also review and agree to the program’s Technical Standards which are listed in the application.
You also have to have taken one year of Chemistry, at least four years of English, at least three years of Math, at least two years of a foreign language, and at least one year of History during high school.
Do you accept AP credits/college level courses?
The only AP classes that are acceptable for Pharmacy are Math (Calculus and/or Statistics) and English (English Literature and/or English Composition). For the math classes we look for a 5 and for English at least a 4 on the AP exam. Equivalent college level courses taken during high school for dual credit will be evaluated by the Dean’s office and/or the offering Department chair upon enrollment at St. John’s University to determine if credit will be awarded.
Do you have to take the PCAT’s?
No, since we are a 0-6 program and students are admitted directly from high school, you do not have to complete the PCAT’S to be accepted into the Doctor of Pharmacy program at St. John’s University.
Are transfer students accepted into the Doctor of Pharmacy Program?
Yes. Transfer students may apply to the Doctor of Pharmacy Program.
What are the residence halls like?
At our Queens campus, our residence halls were recently built and all have in-suite bathrooms. At our Staten Island campus, resident students live in garden-style apartments adjacent to campus. Residence hall rooms are included in our campus tours which are offered daily. To visit St. John's, please contact us at 1-888-9STJOHNS or [email protected].
How are residence hall and roommate assignments made?
New freshmen are placed in housing based on the information submitted in the Housing Application and Roommate Questionnaire. Returning students participate in housing selection each spring.
When do admitted students receive their housing assignments?
Students will receive their housing assignments about one month prior to move-in if they have paid both their enrollment and housing deposits before the housing deadline.
Is campus housing available for transfer students?
Housing is available for transfer students.
Does the University guarantee housing?
University housing is available for freshman and sophomore years. Freshmen must submit their $300 enrollment deposit and $400 housing deposit by May 1 for fall semester enrollment or by January 15 for spring semester enrollment. Returning students must meet eligibility requirements to enter housing selection each year. Returning students should contact the Office of Residential Life for more information.
Is smoking allowed in University housing facilities?
All buildings on campus, including residence halls, are smoke-free facilities.
What is the dining hall food like?
St. John's University Campus Dining Services offers students the convenience of various locations and healthy dining choices on our Queens, Staten Island and Manhattan Campuses. Cafeterias, buffet-style dining, café and late-night dining, food courts and Starbucks are available and vary by campus.
Are there co-ed dorm arrangements?
Though each floor and suite in our residence halls are single-sex, the buildings themselves are co-ed.
Are pets allowed in the resident halls?
Pets are not allowed in any residence hall at the University.
Can I visit campus? Do I need an appointment?
Yes! We encourage all visitors to make an appointment for a tour by visiting www.stjohns.edu/visit. Campus visits provide prospective students and their families with an opportunity to explore all aspects of St. John’s University - from the residential village, to the various academic areas to campus life. Please see our Visit page for schedules and hours.
Can I stay in a residence hall when I visit campus?
No, we do not offer any overnight accommodations for visitors on campus.
Can I talk with current students during my visit?
Yes. We encourage all of our visitors to speak with current students. Your campus tour will be conducted by a current St. John’s student and is just one of the many opportunities you will have to speak with current students.
Can I meet with someone regarding my specific academic area of interest?
Open House and Accepted Student Day are offered in the fall and spring respectively. During those events all faculty are present to discuss specific academic areas. If you wish to speak with faculty outside of those designated events, please contact the Office of Admission at 1-718-990-2000 or [email protected].
When is the best time to visit campus?
Campus is beautiful during all seasons, but we recommend visiting during the school year so that you can get a real feel for St. John’s in action. There is limited access to the resident village when classes are not in session.