Undergraduate Admission

Mount Holyoke College is looking for intellectually curious, motivated students who understand the value of a liberal arts education. The College believes in the educational, social, and ethical value of diversity and actively recruits students who have different interests and talents and who come from a wide spectrum of ethnic, geographic, and economic backgrounds.

The Admission Process

Admission is determined by a student's overall record of achievement. Successful candidates demonstrate a strong academic foundation. The College seeks students who have consistently challenged themselves by taking courses of increasing rigor throughout their high school career. Our most competitive applicants have completed four years of coursework in the core subjects (English, mathematics, foreign language, laboratory science, history). Please note that while this profile is typical, variations are common and expected.

While the greatest weight is attributed to the high school transcript and academic evaluations, all other aspects of the student's entire portfolio, which includes special talents, particular goals, and unique experiences are considered. The College greatly values how students express themselves in writing, and the admission committee looks closely at all student essay submissions. Finally, the College seeks students whose interests and aspirations match the opportunities offered by Mount Holyoke.

Standardized Testing: Optional

Since fall 2001, Mount Holyoke has made the submission of standardized test results optional for admission purposes. Students are welcome to submit Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) and/or ACT scores.

Application Requirements

• Common Application or Coalition Application
• Mount Holyoke College Writing Supplement
• High school transcript
• Two teacher evaluations from core subjects
• College counselor evaluation
• Standardized tests: submission of SAT and ACT scores is optional; TOEFL or IELTS is required if English is neither the applicant's first language nor the primary language of instruction the applicant used throughout secondary school

Interviews

Mount Holyoke College strongly recommends personal interviews for all candidates. Interviews are one of the best ways for us to learn more about candidates' academic goals and personal experiences. For prospective first-year students, we suggest scheduling an interview during the spring of the junior year or the summer/fall of the senior year. To sign up for in-person or virtual interviews, please visit our website

Home Schooling

Mount Holyoke welcomes applications from students whose secondary education and curriculum have been primarily at home, online, and/or does not conform to the established curriculum in an accredited school district. In addition to completing the Mount Holyoke application forms, candidates must submit two letters of recommendation that speak to the candidate’s academic and personal qualifications. Although we are a test-optional institution, standardized test submission in the form of the SAT or ACT is required for home-schooled applicants who have pursued a self-study or online curriculum exclusively. The testing requirement can be waived (on an individual basis) when a student has completed Advanced Placement exams or college-level coursework. While not definitive in the review process, scores, like grades achieved in college level courses, may add information and context in the evaluation of a student's file for admission. To facilitate the application process, the College advises homeschooled candidates to contact the admission office early in the process.

Application Plans

• Early Decision I: deadline November 15; notification late December
• Early Decision II: deadline January 3; notification late January
• Regular Decision: deadline January 15; notification late March.

Every year, a number of regular decision applicants are admitted for entrance in the spring semester. The College also reviews applications from and admits a cohort of first-year and transfer students for the spring semester.

Early Decision

The Early Decision Plan is designed for students who have made Mount Holyoke their first choice. Students who choose to apply Early Decision may apply to other colleges, but not through another Early Decision program. If admitted, students are required to withdraw all other applications and notify those colleges of their intent to enroll at Mount Holyoke.

Transfer Applicants

We welcome transfer applications from those with strong academic records who have completed high school and earned 16 or more transferable credits at an accredited post-secondary institution. Transfer students are admitted in both the fall and spring. Interviews are strongly recommended. Please consult the Office of Admission website for interview and application deadlines. Transfer application requirements include:

• Transfer Common Application
• Mount Holyoke College Writing Supplement
• Transfer College Report
• Transfer Mid-Term Report (if currently enrolled)
• Two academic evaluations
• High school transcript(s)
• College transcript(s)
• TOEFL score (if applicable)

An interview is strongly recommended.  For more information regarding transfer credit policies, please refer to the Academic Regulations chapter of the catalog.

International Applicants

International students are welcome and vital members of the Mount Holyoke community, and the College actively recruits international applicants. International applicants may apply for the full four-year bachelor of arts degree program.

In addition to completing the Mount Holyoke application forms, international applicants are also required to submit the International School Supplement to the Secondary School Report.

The Frances Perkins Program

The Frances Perkins Program – so named for renowned 1902 alumna and former Secretary of Labor Frances Perkins – is open to women over 25 years of age who have experienced an interruption in their undergraduate study and wish to complete their first bachelor of arts degree. Younger students who have dependents or are veterans may also apply to the Frances Perkins Program.

A full-time program for Frances Perkins scholars is defined as either 16 credits (four courses) per semester for residential students or 12 credits (three courses) per semester for non-resident, commuting students. Frances Perkins scholars who live on-campus must carry a full-time program while non-resident Frances Perkins scholars have the option to carry a part-time program of 8 credits (two courses) per semester.

As students, Frances Perkins scholars are held to the same degree requirements as our traditional-age students and have full access to the resources and facilities of the College. 

Applying to the Frances Perkins Program

Admission to the Frances Perkins program is highly competitive, and enrollment is limited. Applicants are reviewed in a manner similar to traditional-age students, with appropriate allowance for the special circumstances of the nontraditional student. To be considered for admission, candidates must present a minimum of 40 transferable college credits, preferably in a broad-based, liberal arts program of study. Please consult the Office of Admission website for application deadlines. An interview, either in person, via Zoom, or by phone, is a requirement for all Frances Perkins candidates.

For more information about pursuing undergraduate study through the Frances Perkins program, please complete the inquiry form on the Admission website, or contact the Frances Perkins Program, Mount Holyoke College, 50 College Street, South Hadley, Massachusetts 01075, 413-538-2077.

Graduate Admission

Master of Arts in Teaching

Those interested in applying to the Master of Arts in Teaching (MAT) program should submit a completed application and have an undergraduate major (or demonstrate equivalent subject area knowledge) in their desired teaching discipline.

Those seeking licensure should be prepared to submit a passing score on the appropriate Massachusetts Test for Educator Licensure (MTEL). Applicants who have not yet taken the MTEL are still able to apply. Our initial licensure program leads to teacher licensure in the state of Massachusetts. Out-of-state applicants seeking licensure will need to submit a statement of intent indicating that they want to get licensure and work in the state of Massachusetts after graduation in order to be considered for the licensure program. Out-of-state applicants may complete the MAT as a non-licensure program.

For details and procedures, see the online application or the Master of Arts in Teaching information in the catalog. Applications received after the preferred date will be reviewed on a case-by-case basis through May.

Master of Arts in Teaching, Mathematics

Those interested in applying to the Master of Arts in Teaching, Mathematics (MATM) program should submit a completed application and must have at least a bachelor's degree. GRE scores are not required. Interested applicants should consult the program’s website for details and to access the online application. 

Master of Arts in Teaching, Teacher Leadership

Those interested in applying to the Master of Arts in Teaching, Teacher Leadership (MATL) must have a bachelor's degree, a history of effective classroom practice, and strong passion for student learning. GRE scores are not required. Interested applicants should consult the program’s website for details and to access the online application.

Independent Schools Program

Those interested in applying to the Independent Schools program should submit an application through the Master of Arts in Teaching, Teacher Leadership (MATL) program, and select the option for the Independent Schools program specialization. Applicants must have a bachelor's degree, be working in (or intend to work in) an independent school setting, and have a strong passion for student learning. GRE scores are not required. Interested applicants should consult the program’s website for details and to access the online application.

Non-degree Study at the Graduate Level

Professional and Graduate Education offers courses, institutes, and workshops open to enrollment by qualified community members, and professionals equipped to undertake work at the graduate level. More information about these programs is available in the Professional and Graduate Education chapter and its Institutes' admission page.

Five College Cooperative Ph.D.

A cooperative doctoral program is offered by Amherst, Hampshire, Mount Holyoke, and Smith Colleges and the University of Massachusetts Amherst in astronomy, biological sciences, chemistry, geology, and physics. The degree is awarded by the University of Massachusetts but in exceptional cases much of the work leading to the degree may be taken at one of the participating institutions. Information about specific areas of research can be obtained from the chair of the appropriate department at Mount Holyoke College. General information and application materials are available from the graduate school at the University of Massachusetts. All applications must be made directly to the University of Massachusetts.

Other Undergraduate Degree and Certificate Programs

See Other Degree and Certificate Programs for information about the following: the second Bachelor’s degree, dual-degree programs in engineering and Latin American studies, teacher licensure programs, and the Certificate for International Students.