Requirements
Traditional Admission
The greatest emphasis in the admission process is placed on an applicant’s four years of high school achievement, including whether the applicant chose to take Honors, Advanced Placement, and/or International Baccalaureate courses, if available. Because Guilford College is a writing intensive environment, an applicant’s preparation in this area is examined closely, as well.
For first-year applicants, we consider your coursework and grades (unweighted GPA), with the expectation that you will have at least four college-preparatory courses each year, although no specific number of courses is required, and with the hope that you have challenged yourself with advanced courses where available. To the extent that we can, we also consider the level of competition in your high school.
Guilford is a test-optional college, which means that applicants have the option to submit an academic portfolio of written work (2 additional writing samples, including a graded writing sample) in lieu of SAT or ACT scores. Along with transcripts and standardized test scores or an academic portfolio, we consider each applicant’s extracurricular activities, including service or volunteer work, personal essay, and letters of recommendation from teachers and counselors. Students applying test-optionally must check the “Test-Optional” box on the application for admission or contact the Admission Office and submit their academic portfolio of writing, along with the Test-Optional Form.
Personal interviews are not required for admission; however, we encourage all applicants to schedule a campus tour and participate in an individual meeting with an Admission Counselor while here. This helps us to get to know each applicant better. We also offer regional meetings with an Admission Counselor or Guilford alumnus, as well as by phone.
Application Requirements
To be considered for admission to Guilford College, first-year students must:
- Submit a completed online application (selecting the Guilford application or the Common Application). If you select the Common Application, you will also need to complete our Common Application Supplement Form. If you submit a paper Application Form, a $25 fee is required.
- Supply your official high school transcripts, college transcripts, GED scores, if applicable, and either your SAT I (Guilford SAT code: 5261) or ACT (Guilford ACT code: 3106) scores OR an Academic Portfolio of 2 additional writing samples.
- Submit a personal essay.
- Supply at least one academic letter of recommendation.
- Home schooled applicants must also submit a junior/senior year reading list.
Application Deadlines
A student’s application and all required supporting materials must be received by the Admission Office by the dates listed below to receive notification of the admission decision.
Early Action I for students planning to enter in Fall 2013: Nov. 15, 2012
Early Action II for students planning to enter in Fall 2013: Jan. 15, 2013
Regular Decision for students planning to enter in Fall 2013: Feb. 15, 2013
Regular Decision for students planning to enter in Spring 2013: Nov. 15, 2012
Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate and ACE Credit
Advanced standing may be earned through the Advanced Placement Program of the College Board or the College Level Examination Program (CLEP) for a total of 32 credits for those examinations that correspond to courses in the Guilford curriculum.
The required courses, First Year Experience 101, 102 and IDS 400 cannot be waived by examination. The appropriate department chairperson must approve placement and credit decisions in the student’s major.
Placement requires Advanced Placement scores of three or better, or CLEP scores of 50 or better; credit requires Advanced Placement scores of four or better, or general CLEP scores of 55 or better. Subject CLEP scores must be at least 50 for placement and at least 55 for credit. General examination scores may apply only to courses taken to satisfy the general college or distribution requirement. Students may obtain credit for other courses only by taking subject area examinations.
Guilford also recognizes the International Baccalaureate (IB) for admission purposes. IB credit will be awarded to students who have achieved scores of four through seven on the Higher Level tests.
The college will also award up to 16 credits for educational experiences during military service, according to the recommendations of the American Council on Education.
All foreign transcripts must be evaluated by World Education Services, Inc. (www.wes.org) before any transfer credits will be awarded.
Admission and Enrollment Forms
Admission Forms:
- Application Checklist
- Application for Admission
- Supplement to the Common Application
- Home Schooled Applicant Policy
- Secondary School Report
- Standardized Test Scores Optional Form (Academic Portfolio)
- Teacher Evaluation
Enrollment Forms:
- General Interest Form (required)
- Student Health Form and Immunization Form (required)
- Student Employment Registration Form (required for work-study students or those planning to secure a job through the college)
- Disabilities Disclosure Form (optional)



