Skip to Undergraduate site navigationSkip to main content

Admission Requirements

Contact

Ramapo College Office of Admissions

McBride House
505 Ramapo Valley Road Mahwah, NJ 07430

p: (201) 684-7300
e: admissions@ramapo.edu
f: (201) 684-7964

Ramapo College considers several factors in reviewing an admissions application. Most important being the student’s academic performance in high school, particularly the student’s high school GPA and the rigor of the courses taken. Other factors include: strong letters of recommendation from teachers and/or counselors; a thoughtful admissions essay; and a record of extracurricular activities (for example: community service, leadership in student organizations and athletics, performance and artistic activities, and part-time employment). AP, IB, and Honors courses are also looked upon favorably.

Ramapo College is test-optional for all programs, except our Articulation Programs (Biology/Dental-LECOM, Biology/Optometry-SUNY Optometry, Biology/Osteopathy-LECOM, and Biology/Pharmacy-LECOM). If you choose to submit an SAT or ACT score, please indicate that on your application. If you choose not to submit, we will review your application holistically using other documents and submitted materials. Students not eligible for these biology related articulation programs will be evaluated for admissions to a generic Biology/Pre-Med major at Ramapo.

Each application for admission to Ramapo College is reviewed holistically. Each decision is made within the context of the whole applicant pool and the number of places available in our incoming class.


Criteria for General Admission

Freshmen applicants are expected to complete a GED or high school diploma prior to enrollment. 

Required Credentials

All supporting credentials should be sent by mail or via email to:
Office of Admissions
Ramapo College of New Jersey
505 Ramapo Valley Road
Mahwah, NJ 07430-1680
admissions@ramapo.edu

1. Application

You may apply to Ramapo using the Common Application, Coalition Application or our own Ramapo online application. (You must have a credit card available to pay the $65 application fee).

2. Transcripts

All applicants must submit an official high school transcript from your high school counselor.

3. SAT or ACT Scores for certain programs

Ramapo College is test-optional for all programs, except our Articulation Programs (Biology/Dental-LECOM, Biology/Optometry-SUNY Optometry, Biology/Osteopathy-LECOM, and Biology/Pharmacy-LECOM). If you choose to submit an SAT or ACT score, please indicate that on your application. If you choose not to submit, we will review your application holistically using other documents and submitted materials. Students not eligible for these biology related articulation programs will be evaluated for admissions to a generic Biology/Pre-Med major at Ramapo.
Ramapo College SAT code 2884    Ramapo College ACT code 2591

4. Letters of Recommendation

All applicants must submit one letter of recommendation from a school counselor, teacher or other individual who can attest to your abilities. There is no required standardized format for the letters.

Joint & Dual Enrollment Advanced Degree Programs

In addition to the Joint and Dual Degree programs listed below, Ramapo College offers multiple articulated programs in Biomedical Informatics, Physical Therapy, Chiropractic, Dentistry, Medicine, Optometry, Podiatric Medicine, Pharmacy, Medical, Dental, Clinical Lab Science, and Medical Imaging Science.


OPTOMETRY (B.S.-O.D.)

Ramapo College offers an accelerated, joint degree program for prospective freshmen students interested in pursuing a Doctorate of Optometry (O.D.) with SUNY College of Optometry. The Ramapo College-SUNY College of Optometry Program is a seven-year program. A student in this program will complete three years at Ramapo College as a Biology major, and their fourth through seventh years at SUNY College of Optometry. Upon completing their fourth year of schooling first year at SUNY College of Optometry, the student will be awarded a Bachelor of Science in Biology from Ramapo College.

The application deadline for high school seniors applying to the Ramapo College-SUNY College of Optometry Program is December 15. All supporting credentials (ie. test scores, high school transcript, recommendations) should be received no later than January 15.

All applicants must be interviewed when initially applying by a representative of the Office of Student Affairs of the SUNY College of Optometry.

To be considered when applying to undergraduate school directly from high school:

  1. Must be accepted into one of the 24 undergraduate colleges/universities, with which we have this program affiliation, as a freshman
  2. Must have total SATs of at least 1360 with the math score of at least 700, or 29 on the ACT
  3. Must have a high school grade average of at least 93 out of a 100
  4. Should be in the upper 10% of their high school class (depending on the reputation of the high school)
  5. Must have a definite interest in the profession of optometry and have explored it
  6. Must show evidence of community involvement
  7. Must have reasonable communication and interpersonal skills
  8. Must submit to an interview

To be considered once attending a college or university:

  1. Must complete at least 24-30 undergraduate credits and apply no later than the fall of Sophomore year
  2. Must have an overall GPA of at least 3.3
  3. Same as numbers 5-8 above

If admitted into the 3/4 programthe following are required while attending the undergraduate college/university:

  1. Maintain a minimum overall GPA of 3.3;
  2. Maintain a minimum GPA of 3.3 in the science and math prerequisite courses of the SUNY College of Optometry, with no grade below a C;
  3. Take and pass the Optometry Admission Test with all section scores of at least 330;
  4. Have the Pre-professional Committee at your undergraduate institution submit a positive recommendation;
  5. Become well-acquainted with the practice of optometry by shadowing at least two different optometrists;
  6. Meet with the Admissions Committee at the SUNY College of Optometry during your last undergraduate year and demonstrate that you have satisfied all other regular admission requirements of the SUNY College of Optometry, including transcripts, an OptomCAS application and a final interview during which good interpersonal and communication skills are evident;
  7. Meet at least once a year with a representative of the SUNY College of Optometry and make available undergraduate transcripts.

LECOM ARTICULATION AGREEMENTS

Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM) has developed special Early Acceptance Programs (EAP) that grant qualified students a provisional early acceptance to LECOM’s School of Pharmacy, School of Dental Medicine, and College of Osteopathic Medicine. Application to the EAP is separate from the application to Ramapo College.  A student may apply for EAP consideration as a high school senior. Students apply to enroll in the EAP on the LECOM Application Portal, the application is open from July 15th to April 1st.

LECOM will review the application.  If the student meets the requirements, LECOM will offer the student a list of EAP interview dates to self-schedule an interview. Following a successful interview, LECOM will notify the student that they qualify for a provisional letter of acceptance from LECOM and they will be enrolled for participation in the EAP upon approval by the affiliated institution of their choice and submission of their school email address to LECOM.  The student and the affiliated school will then be sent the provisional letter of acceptance. Additional requirements, including a final application to LECOM, must be met for final acceptance to LECOM, but another interview is not required.

MEDICAL EARLY ACCEPTANCE PROGRAM (4+4)
Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM)
This program is offered jointly by Ramapo College and Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM). The program includes four years (full time) undergraduate education at Ramapo College followed by four years (full time) of Osteopathic Medical Education. The LECOM phase of this program may be completed in Erie, PA, Greensburg, PA, Elmira, NY or in Bradenton, FL. Students enrolled in the EAP may be exempt from taking the MCAT. An AACOMAS application will not be required. The student must have a provisional letter of acceptance in the EAP before starting their third year at the undergraduate institution. Upon completing four years of undergraduate study and meeting certain GPA and other requirements, they enter LECOM the following July. LECOM graduates receive a Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine (D.O.) degree.

Students who are not admitted into the early acceptance program who are interested in pursuing the Doctor of Doctor of Osteopathic Medicine degree at LECOM may apply at the end of their senior year for entry into the Doctoral program.

Applications are accepted prior to entering Ramapo College and students should complete the LECOM online EAP application by April 1. The admissions requirements for Phase I of the Medical Early Acceptance Program are:

  • 1340 SAT or 28 ACT single exam score to apply
  • 3.5 unweighted GPA or higher

The admissions requirements for Phase II of the Medical Early Acceptance Program are:

  • Overall GPA of 3.4 or higher
  • 3.3 GPA in Science classes

Students must be accepted into the guaranteed admissions program by the Ramapo College Office of Admissions.

DENTAL MEDICINE EARLY ACCEPTANCE PROGRAM (4+4)
Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM)
This program is offered jointly by Ramapo College and Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM). The program includes four years (full time) undergraduate education at Ramapo College followed by four years (full time) of dental education. This program is only available in Bradenton, FL. The student must have a provisional letter of acceptance in the EAP before starting their third year at the undergraduate institution. Upon submitting an AADSAS application, completing four years of undergraduate study, taking the DAT and successfully meeting certain GPA and other requirements, the student enters LECOM’s School of Dental Medicine the following July. LECOM graduates receive a Doctor of Dental Medicine (D.M.D.) degree.

Students can be accepted early admission to the Doctor of Dental Medicine program only upon admission to Ramapo and must maintain the standards required for early admission into the program as outlined by the agreement. Other students who are interested in pursuing the Doctor of Dental Medicine Degree at LECOM can apply at the end of their senior year for entry into the Doctoral program.

Applications are accepted prior to entering Ramapo College and students should complete the LECOM online EAP application by April 1. The admissions requirements for Phase I of the Dental Early Acceptance Program are:

  • 1240 SAT or 26 ACT single exam score to apply
  • 3.0 unweighted GPA or higher

The admissions requirements for Phase II of the Dental Early Acceptance Program are:

  • Overall GPA of 3.4 or higher
  • 3.3 GPA in Science classes

Students must be accepted into the guaranteed admissions program by the Ramapo College Admissions Office.

PHARMACY EARLY ACCEPTANCE PROGRAM (3+4)
Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM)
This program is offered jointly by Ramapo College and Lake Erie College of Medicine (LECOM). The program includes three years (full time) undergraduate education at Ramapo College followed by four years (full time) of Pharmaceutical education. At the end of the senior year of the undergraduate curriculum, which will also serve as the first year of the graduate curriculum, students will receive a B.S. degree (in Biology) conferred by Ramapo College. The program terminates at the end of the third post-baccalaureate year in a Doctor of Pharmacy degree conferred by LECOM.

The student must have a provisional letter of acceptance in the EAP before starting their second year at the undergraduate institution. Upon submitting a PharmCas application, completing three years of undergraduate study and meeting certain GPA and other requirements, they enter LECOM the following August. LECOM graduates receive a Doctor of Pharmacy (Pharm. D.) degree. The undergraduate school may award the student a bachelor degree by utilizing credits from the courses taken while at LECOM. Students who are not admitted into the early acceptance program and who are interested in pursuing the Doctor of Pharmacy degree at LECOM may apply at the end of their senior year for entry into the Doctoral program.

The LECOM phase of these programs is four years in Bradenton, FL, three years in Erie, PA but is not available at Seton Hill or Elmira. A distance education (DE) pathway is also available but with some restrictions. EAP students are encouraged to take the PCAT but it is not required for admission.

Applications are accepted prior to entering Ramapo College and students should complete the LECOM online EAP application by April 1. The admissions requirements for Phase I of the Pharmacy Early Acceptance Program are:

  • 1340 SAT or 28 ACT single exam score to apply
  • 3.5 unweighted GPA or higher

The admissions requirements for Phase II of the Pharmacy Early Acceptance Program are:

  • Overall GPA of 3.2 or higher
  • 3.0 GPA in Science classes

Students must be accepted into the guaranteed admissions program by the Ramapo College Office of Admissions.

ART THERAPY (B.A.-M.A.)

Ramapo College applicants wishing to study Art Therapy should consider our joint program with Caldwell University. Students in this program complete their Bachelor of Arts in Visual Arts (Drawing and Painting/Art Therapy or Sculpture/Art Therapy concentration) at Ramapo College and then matriculate on to Caldwell University for their Master of Arts in Counseling with Mental Health Counseling/Art Therapy Specialization.

Students are provided provisional admission to the Master’s program upon their acceptance to Ramapo College during their senior year of high school and are granted full admission to the program upon meeting the following criteria during the senior year at Ramapo College :

  •  Maintenance of a 3.3 cumulative GPA as a Visual Arts major with either the Drawing and Painting/Art Therapy concentration or Sculpture/Art Therapy concentration, with all ARTS courses receiving no less than a “B” grade
  •  Completion of a personal or group interview with Caldwell University during the Fall of the senior year
  •  Completion of a Portfolio Review
  •  Completion of 18 credits of Studio Art courses (advisement is provided by Ramapo College to ensure students following the Art Therapy track take the necessary courses)
  •  Completion of a minimum of 15 credits of Psychology courses with a minimum “B” grade in each course, including Introduction to Psychology, Developmental Psychology, Abnormal Psychology, Data Analysis, and Research Methods

Students in the Art Therapy track of Visual Arts receive special advisement during their time at Ramapo to ensure they are fulfilling the necessary requirements to be considered for full admission to Caldwell University for the Master’s degree.

Admission Decisions

When to Apply | Admissions & Financial Aid Deadlines

Admissions Application Deadline Financial Aid: File FAFSA Notification of Admission Decision Enrollment Deadline
Early Decision November 1 March 15 December 5 February 1
Early Action December 15 March 15 February 1 May 1
Regular Decision February 1 March 15 March 1 May 1

All applications are reviewed thoroughly by the Committee on Admission. Some applications will be reviewed several times as part of our evaluation process. You may check the status of your application any time by logging in to our system. You will be notified by email of any significant updates to your application status. You may use this link to log in to your application and check your status.