If you’re a first-year applicant who is applying to Holy Cross either Regular or Early Decision, this section will help you make sure your application is completed correctly and on time, as well as answer some commonly asked questions. If you have a question that we haven’t answered here, please feel free to contact us.
COVID-19 Considerations
The college search process can be frustrating — and current circumstances make it even more challenging. We understand that your educational opportunities have been disrupted by COVID-19. Please read on to find answers to some frequently asked questions. We hope this information provides some clarity during these unpredictable times. Read the frequently asked questions »
What Do I Include With My Application?
Required
- Common Application or Coalition Application for Access, Affordability and Success (choose one)
- High school transcript
- Two letters of recommendation, one from a guidance counselor and one from a teacher
- Application fee of $60
*The Common Application and Coalition application will be live August 1.
Optional
- A personal interview (not required but highly encouraged)
- Standardized test scores (SAT I, SAT II, ACT) – submission of these scores is entirely voluntary, and if you choose not to submit them, you will not be at any disadvantage. In addition, Holy Cross will accept self-reported ACT or SAT score results. Applicants may list ACT or SAT results in their Common Application or Coalition Application to be considered during application review.
- Supplementary materials that showcase your special talents or achievement, such as artwork, recorded performances, original writing, and additional recommendations.
Deadlines
Make sure you submit all of your application materials by the required deadline to ensure that we can consider you for admission to Holy Cross, and remember that Early and Regular Decision candidates have different deadlines and requirements.
Required
| Application Item | Early Decision I | Early Decision II | Regular Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
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Nov. 15
Applicants will be notified of their decision by the middle of December. |
Jan. 15 Once you have completed your application by submitting these items, you will receive a decision in 3-4 weeks.
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Jan. 15
Applicants will be notified of their decision by the middle of March.
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Senior Year Grades
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First marking period: As soon as they are available
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Mid-year grades: As soon as they are available
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Optional
| Application Item | Early Decision I | Early Decision II | Regular Decision |
|---|---|---|---|
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Interviews (highly recommended)
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An interview is strongly recommended and must be completed by Nov. 15. Please schedule your interview here.
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An interview is strongly recommended and must be completed by Dec. 11. Please schedule your interview here.
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Schedule an interview here, which must be completed by Dec. 11. Off-campus alumni interview requests must be submitted online by Dec. 11. |
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Nov. 15
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Jan. 15 |
Jan. 15
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Nov. 15
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Jan. 15 |
Jan. 15
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Financial Aid
| Application Item | Early Decision I & II | Regular Decision |
|---|---|---|
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Financial Aid: CSS Profile® (College Scholarship Service)
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Nov. 15
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Jan. 15
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Financial Aid: FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid)
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Nov. 15
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Jan. 15 |
For questions regarding financial aid, please call 508-793-2265 or email financialaid@holycross.edu
Early Decision
Application
To apply for admission to Holy Cross, candidates must submit either the Common Application or the Coalition Application for Access, Affordability and Success.
Make sure you have answered all questions thoroughly and precisely. Remember, you are your best advocate, so take some time when completing each section of the application. If the forms do not provide enough space, feel free to use additional sheets. The application form, along with your $60.00 application fee, must be sent electronically. In cases where our fee would cause undue hardship, Holy Cross honors the College Board fee waiver request initiated by your high school counselor.
Teacher Recommendation
One teacher recommendation is required. Additional letters of support are welcome.
Early Decision Agreement Form
Early Decision candidates should choose Early Decision as their Admission Plan on the Holy Cross Member Screen (Common Application), or the Holy Cross Application Question Section (Coalition Application). ED candidates will then be prompted to agree to the Early Decision commitment and submit an electronic signature.
Interview
Early Decision I
Interviews are strongly recommended and must be completed by Nov. 15. Interview appointments are offered on any day that the Admissions Office is open for business. Please schedule your interview here. Off-campus alumni interviews are not available for Early Decision applicants.
Early Decision II
Interviews are available from May 4-Dec. 11 by appointment on any day that the Admissions Office is open for business. Please schedule your interview here. Off-campus alumni interviews are not available for Early Decision applicants.
Regular Decision
Interviews are available from May 4-Dec. 11 by appointment on any day that the Admissions Office is open for business. Please schedule your interview here.
Alumni Interview
For those who are unable to travel to campus for an interview, we do offer the unique opportunity for you to interview in your area with a Holy Cross alumnus who has been trained as an admissions interviewer. After you have submitted your application please visit the alumni interview request form to request an alumni interview.
Standardized Testing
The submission of standardized test scores is optional. If you are submitting testing, self-reported scores listed on the Common Application or Coalition Application will be considered official. Though not required, students can also request scores to be sent to the College. The College Board code number is 3282. The American College Testing Program code is 1810. Holy Cross superscores both the SAT and ACT. Students who opt not to submit scores will not be at any disadvantage in Admissions decisions.
Supplementary Materials
Students with strong extracurricular interests are invited to submit samples of their talent. Our most common submissions are of a musical, theatrical or artistic nature. These materials may be in the form of images (jpg, png, gif), videos (mov, wmv, flv, mp4), PDF, or MP3, and should be submitted through the Member Screen (Slideroom) of the Common Application, or the student's locker on the Coalition Application.
CSS Profile
Early Decision
Early Decision candidates who wish to be considered for financial assistance should file a College Scholarship Service (CSS) Profile form — available beginning in October.
For questions regarding financial aid, please call 508-793-2265 or send an e-mail to financialaid@holycross.edu
CSS Profile Priority Deadline
Early Decision
Students who complete the CSS profile by Nov. 1 will generally receive their financial aid notification within one week of receiving their Admissions decision.
Regular Decision
In addition, copies of the “Non-Custodial Parent's Statement” and/or “Business/Farm Supplement” should be sent directly to the Financial Aid Office at this time. The Non-Custodial Parent Statement as well as the Business/Farm Supplement are forms that may have to be completed based on the information you provided on the Profile registration.
For questions regarding financial aid, please call 508-793-2265 or send an e-mail to financialaid@holycross.edu