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Holy Cross Admissions Information

College of the Holy Cross
Worcester, Massachusetts (map)

 

Holy Cross was founded in 1843 by the Society of Jesus (Jesuits) in Worcester, Massachusetts, making it the oldest Catholic college in New England. As one of the nation’s top liberal arts colleges, Holy Cross is dedicated to a strong core curriculum, personalized attention and diversity in education. Furthermore, the College is dedicated to exclusively serving undergraduates which grants students the opportunity to interact with faculty on a regular basis.

Located in a small city in central Massachusetts, Holy Cross’s campus epitomizes beauty and college life. The campus is a mix of historic and contemporary buildings, with state-of-the-art facilities. Students are actively engaged both on campus and in the community, through various organizations such as Habitat for Humanity and Spring Break Immersion Program.

 

 

Basic Info

Main Address: One College Street
Worcester, MA 01610-2395
 
Phone Number: (508) 793-2011  
Website: www.holycross.edu  

Characteristics

Type of school: Private, Liberal Arts  
Type of school: Roman Catholic (Jesuit), Coed  
Setting: Suburban setting, Small city; Residential campus  
Athletics: Division I, Intercollegiate, Club, Scholarship, Intramural  
Degrees offered: Bachelor's  
Size of undergraduate student body: 2,899  
Percent out-of-state: 62%  
Percent international: 1%  
Female to Male ratio: 52:48  

Academic Life

Student to Professor ratio: 11:1  
Most popular majors: Social Sciences
English
Psychology
Foreign Languages and Literature
History
Biology
Visual and Performing Arts
 
Special study programs: Accelerated Program
Cross-Registration
Double Major
Dual Enrollment of High School Students
Honors Program
Independent Study
Internships
Liberal Arts/Career Combination
ROTC, Air Force
ROTC, Army
ROTC, Navy
Semester At Sea
Student-Designed Major
Study Abroad
Teacher Certification
Visiting/Exchange Student Program
Washington Semester
 

Campus Life

Housing options:
Guaranteed On-Campus Housing For All Undergraduates
Apartments For Single Students
Wellness housing (alcohol/drug/smoke-free)
Coed Housing
Special Housing For Disabled Students
Activities:
Campus ministries
Concert band
Drama
Jazz band
Marching band
Musical theater
Radio station
Student newspaper

Black Student Union, Purple Key Society, Student Program for Urban Development, Women's Forum, Latin American Student Organization, Asian Student Society, Muslim Student Association, Appalachia Service Project, Habitat for Humanity, Association of Bisexuals/Gays/Lesbians
Choral groups
Dance
International students
Literary magazine
Music ensembles
Pep band
Student government
Yearbook
Other organizations include:

Fun Facts

  • The campus is a registered arboretum.
  • Ranked #11, Students Study the Most
  • Ranked #5, Most Beautiful Campus
 

Admissions Information

With an acceptance rate of 35%, the College of the Holy Cross is considered a selective institution. According to the school's admissions website, the academic committee responsible for acceptances prides itself on using a personalized selection process. Overall, admissions officials seek students who have excelled academically, taken advantage of available resources (such as AP and honors courses) and exhibited genuine interest in extracurricular involvement.

It is important to note that standardized test scores are completely optional in the Holy Cross admission process. There is no disadvantage to students who do not submit their scores. The focus is on long term achievement in the classroom and dedicated extracurricular involvement. Additionally, Early Decision is an option for students who are certain that Holy Cross is their first choice and plan to attend if accepted. Since fewer students use this option, there is a higher acceptance rate among those who choose to do so.

Admissions address: One College Street
Fenwick 105
Worcester, MA 01610-2395
 
Phone number: (800) 442-2421  
Fax number: (508) 793-3888  
Admissions Website: www.holycross.edu/admissions-aid  
Email: admissions@holycross.edu  
Contact Person: Ann McDermott, Director of Admissions  
Number of first-year applications received: 6,911  
Percent of applicants admitted: 35%  

Application Information

Regular application deadline: January 15  
Early decision/action deadline: December 15 (Early Decision)  
Accepts the Common Application? Yes  
Admission requirements: Essay
High school transcript
Two letters of recommendation, one from a guidance counselor and one from a teacher

Optional:
A personal interview – not required but highly encouraged
Standardized test scores (SAT I, SAT II, ACT).
 

Application Information

Standardized test scores required? Optional- Submission of these scores is entirely voluntary, and applicants who choose not to submit them will not be at any disadvantage.  
Policy regarding SAT score-use: Optional  
 
Middle 50% Scores

Low


Average


High
% Who Submitted Scores
SAT Critical Reading
590
640
680
49%
SAT Math
600
650
690
49%
SAT Writing
600
640
690
49%
ACT Composite
27
29
31
19%

 
College Board code: 3282  
ACT code: 1810  
Learn more about other Small New England schools:
Clark   Brandeis   Boston College  

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