Application process and criteria

Admissions criteria

Applicants must graduate from an accredited senior high school or the equivalent prior to matriculation. Course units from grades nine through twelve should include the following:

4 units in English
3 units in mathematics
3 units in natural science
3 units in social studies
2 units in foreign language (recommended)

The academic requirements for admission listed above is recommended. Students applying for admission to Messiah University are encouraged to enroll in as many academic and college preparatory courses as their high school schedule will allow. Most students who apply exceed the recommendations as listed.

Application process

Your application file is complete and ready for review when we have received your:

As you are preparing to complete Messiah’s online application, it would be helpful for you to have handy the email address for your high school counselor (if applicable).

Test Optional Policy

Messiah University's test-optional policy enables first-year students to receive admission, secure scholarships and compete for the Messiah University Honors Program without submitting standardized tests.

Learn more when you check out our Test Optional Policy FAQ.

Admission decisions and deadlines

The Admissions Committee seeks to admit those applicants who are most likely to benefit from and contribute to the Messiah community. Once all application documents are received, admission decisions are processed on a rolling or continuous basis. The applications have no deadline or due date.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have a question about the admissions process? Check out our admissions process FAQ.

Messiah University does not discriminate on the basis of gender, race, color, age, disability or national or ethnic origin in the administration of its educational policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic or other University-administered programs. Messiah University does reserve the right to revoke admission or readmission in the event of an applicant’s misrepresentations in any phase of the application process.

Messiah University's Campus Security Report and Safety and Security Information are posted on the Department of Safety web site here. Information includes statistics regarding the incidence of campus crime over the past three years, as well as details about our safety and security practices. Related material can be found on the U.S. Department of Education website at http://www.ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/.

If you would like additional information, clarification or a paper copy, please contact the Department of Safety at 717-766-2511, ext. 6005.

This serves as notification to current and prospective students that, pursuant to Section 486 of the Higher Education Act, Messiah University's six-year graduation rate and other retention/graduation data are available online. A hard copy will be provided upon request by contacting the Institutional Research Office. View the statistics online.