Admission Policies and Procedures

Fairfield Bellarmine admits without discrimination students of any sex, race, color, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, national or ethnic origin, or handicap to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students of the University.

First Year Admission

Successful candidates for admission should have received a high school diploma or GED from a recognized high school or preparatory school and should have acquired no less than 15 units in college-preparatory studies. The unit is commonly understood as a measure of credit assigned for the successful completion of a high school course that meets regularly throughout the year; college-preparatory units are those usually found in the high school curriculum that explicitly prepare students for college. Most vocational, commercial, or industrial units are considered to be preparatory to the work of the liberal arts university. Candidates for admission must take units chosen from the areas listed below.

Basic Requirements

Basic Requirements

Requirement	Units
English	4
Mathematics	3 to 4
may include:
Algebra 1
Algebra 2
Geometry
Pre-calculus
Calculus
Laboratory Science	3 to 4
may include:
Earth Science
Biology
Chemistry
Physics
History/Social Science	3 to 4

Candidates interested in mathematics, engineering, business, and the sciences are urged to pursue a fourth unit of lab science and mathematics, preferably pre-calculus or calculus. Candidates for nursing must have one laboratory course in chemistry.

In addition to the basic requirements, applicants must present evidence to indicate interest in and competence for college studies. To that end, they must submit a complete record of high school studies, together with other supporting materials as described in the admission application form.

The admission process at Fairfield Bellarmine is test blind. Students may choose whether or not to submit the results of the SAT or ACT but they will not factor into the application review process.

The deadline for applicants to have all application materials (application, high school transcript, and guidance counselor recommendation) is rolling. However, Fairfield Bellarmine requests that students submit all completed applications by the March 1 priority deadline to ensure placement in the major program of choice. The University also strongly recommends an (optional) personal interview and campus visit.

Students who speak English as a second language should take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), International English Language Testing System (IELTS) or Duolingo English Test if they have resided in the United States for fewer than three years at the time of high school graduation. The University may, at its discretion, admit students who do not meet the regular published entrance requirements.

Scholarships & Financial Aid

All students who apply for admission are automatically considered for scholarship. Successful, eligible candidates will be granted aid based on the family’s demonstrated need, as indicated by submission of the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA).

Wait List

First year applicants to Fairfield Bellarmine will receive one of three decisions: admit, deny, or a waitlist offer. Waitlist students who are serious in their intent to remain on the waitlist are asked to confirm their place on the waitlist via the waitlist confirmation option on their online portal. Upon assessment of space availability, waitlist students will be considered for admission.

Alumni Relatives

One of the strongest endorsements an educational institution can receive is to have alumni send their children to their alma mater. At Fairfield, we believe that such candidates can contribute significantly to enhancing the tradition and the spirit that are an important part of a Fairfield education. In light of this, it is our practice to consider a student's legacy connections to Fairfield when reviewing a candidate's application for admission for any of our campus locations.

Deferred Admission

Occasionally, a student who has been admitted to the University will seek permission to defer their admission for a variety of reasons. Students may defer for one year. In order to defer, students must submit their request in writing to the Fairfield Bellarmine Office of Admission and receive permission to defer.