Undergraduate Admissions: U.S. Early Decision

Frequently Asked Questions

Applying to Clark

Find answers to your admissions questions here. If you need more information, please contact the Admissions Office at 1(800) GO-CLARK or (800) 462-5275 or admissions@clarku.edu.

What is the deadline to be considered for Early Decision?
November 15.
What is the difference between Early Decision and Early Action/Early Notification?
At most colleges, Early Action and Early Notification mean that you find out the school's decision on your admission early, but you do not need to commit to the school until May 1. While Clark does not offer Early Action or Early Notification, we do offer Early Decision. Early Decision allows students to let their first choice school know that they will enroll if admitted.
What are the advantages of applying Early Decision?
Early Decision applicants know early in their senior year whether or not they have been accepted to their first choice. Successful Early Decision applicants will receive an estimated financial aid decision which may include a merit-based scholarship. Other applicants (not Early Decision) do not receive such information until April. Other benefits include:
  • You are guaranteed a place in one of the popular Clark Trek pre-orientation programs for enrolling students that have limited availability. (Interested students who are admitted as early decision applicants must still contact Jason Zelesky in the Dean of Students Office in a timely manner in order to reserve their place on a Trek trip, since space is limited).

  • You will be given first choice for your campus housing options.
  • Your preference for a First-Year Seminar will be considered before those of regular decision students.
  • You will receive access in February or March to an enrolling student Web site through which you can begin preliminary planning for your first year at Clark.
  • We may match you with members of the University community if you have questions about the direction you wish to pursue with your curriculum or co-curricular activities.
How do I apply Early Decision?
Simply check the Early Decision box on the application supplement and submit the application and supplement to Clark by November 15. The Admissions Committee will notify you of a decision by mid-December. This early response means that, if admitted, you do not have to spend additional money and time applying to other colleges and universities.
If I apply to Clark's Early Decision program, can I apply to other schools?
You may only apply to one school as an early decision candidate; however, you can, and should, apply to other colleges or universities as a regular decision applicant. Remember that applying early decision is a binding agreement between you and Clark. If you deposit at Clark as an early decision student you must withdraw all of your other applications.
How can I commit to enroll early at Clark if I'm a candidate for Financial Aid?
Students applying for Early Decision can receive early notification about financial aid by completing the PROFILE form. The PROFILE form is available in late October and should be submitted as early as possible and no later than December 1. Be sure to list Clark as a recipient of the form (code 3279). (The PROFILE can be found on the Web at www.collegeboard.com.)
If you are admitted as an Early Decision candidate, Clark's Office of Financial Assistance will provide you with an early estimate of the aid you should expect to receive. To finalize your financial aid award, you must also complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and submit it after January 1 and no later than February 1 (code 002139). (FAFSA's Web site is www.FAFSA.ed.gov.)
Am I eligible for merit-based scholarships if I apply Early Decision?
Yes. If your academic profile makes you eligible for a merit-based scholarship, you will be awarded the scholarship at the time of admission.
What if I am not admitted Early Decision?
Early Decision candidates who are not admitted in December may be deferred to the regular decision pool, which means they will receive a decision by April 1. Early Decision applicants who are deferred are encouraged to submit additional information to indicate academic improvement including senior grades, additional letters of recommendation or new test scores. Some early decision candidates may be denied during the Early Decision review.

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How do I apply to Clark?
Find information about how to apply and the components you need to submit.
How much is the application fee?
Clark’s application fee is $55.

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What is a merit-based scholarship and how do I apply?
Please keep in mind that merit-based scholarships are awarded based on your academic performance, SAT scores, and other factors included in your application, not on your family’s financial situation. Every student who applies to Clark for admission by the deadline is automatically considered for our merit-based scholarships. Applications must be completed and received by the Admissions Office by January 1. There are no separate applications for you to fill out. Read more about our merit-based scholarships. To apply for need-based financial aid, make sure to submit the FASFA and CSS Profile.
Is it better to submit my application online or through the mail?
We have no preference between applications submitted online or by regular mail. We have a system set up to make sure all of your application materials end up in the same place – the important thing is that you get your application to us on time!
How will I know when my application is complete?
Our office will send you an email when your application is complete (i.e. when we have received all of the materials you need to submit—things like your application, the supplement, transcripts, letters of recommendation, etc.). We will also send you an email to let you know if we are missing any parts of your application. However, if you are concerned, you can always call or email our office to double check. Our phone number is (508) 793-7431 ((800) GO CLARK) or email admissions@clarku.edu.

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How many letters of recommendation does Clark require?
Clark requires two letters of recommendation: one from your guidance counselor and one from an academic teacher. If your guidance counselor does not write letters of recommendation, please contact our office so that we can discuss with you how to handle this. Also, remember that your teacher recommendation should come from someone who has taught you in an academic subject. Letters from music, art, or business teachers, or letters from coaches, do not fulfill this requirement.
Should I submit additional letters of recommendation if I have them?
You should feel free to submit other letters of recommendation if you think they add some significant information to your application. We will accept as many letters as you care to provide, but it is important to remember that this is one category where quality is much more important than quantity.
I am an artist/musician/filmmaker. Should I include supplemental materials (like artwork, CDs, or DVDs) with my application?
While Clark does not require such materials from students as part of their application, we will review them if you choose to submit them. It is important to remember that Clark is a liberal arts college—we do not require musical or artistic talent for admission and you are not required to submit a portfolio or have an audition; however we will certainly consider these talents as part of your overall profile as an applicant.
I am unable to get to campus for an on-campus interview. Are regional interviews available? Can I have an interview with a Clark alumnus/a?
Yes, we do offer regional interviews, conducted by a Clark alumnus or alumna, for students who have submitted their application and have not completed an on-campus interview. To be eligible for a regional interview you need to submit your application by January 1. We will contact you once we have matched you with an interviewer. While we make every effort to match all students who request alumni interviews, sometimes demand does not match the availability of our alumni in your area. If you have questions or concerns, please contact our Assistant Coordinator of the Alumni and Parent Admissions Program (APAP) at apap@clarku.edu.
I have been matched with an alumni interviewer but have never been contacted, whom should I talk to about this?
You can contact our Assistant Coordinator of the Alumni and Parent Admission Program either by e-mailing the apap@clarku.edu or calling (800) GO-CLARK or (800) 462-5275, and we will look into it for you.
How can I tell when a representative from Clark will be in my area?
You can see when we are coming to your area either by checking on the college-fair database or our list of Clark on the Road events. We attend college fairs mostly in the spring and fall, and Clark on the Road events take place during the fall only.
Does your office have to receive my entire application by the deadline? Will you still review my application if some components are late?
We strongly encourage applicants to submit all required materials by the deadline; however we recognize that in some cases this may not be possible. It is most important that we receive your personal part of the application (Common Application or Universal Application, $55 application fee and essay) by the deadline. Your other credentials may arrive after the deadline. We will notify you by email when your application is complete.
If your application remains incomplete it will be withdrawn, but only after we have attempted to notify you both by email and letter regarding the missing materials. Remember, it is your responsibility to insure that your application is complete, and you should contact the Admissions Office by phone or email if you wish to check on its completeness.

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I’m going to mail my application just a day or two before the deadline – should I send it overnight mail?
No, you do not have to worry about sending your application overnight. We only require that applications be postmarked by the deadline, not that they arrive in our office on the deadline.
Do I have to have an admissions interview to apply to Clark?
Clark does not require admissions interviews, but we do strongly encourage students to complete one if they can. Our interviews are informational, not evaluative. Admissions interviews are usually conducted by Clark seniors, so they are a great way for students to provide more information about themselves, and at the same time, have the opportunity to ask questions of a current Clark student. If you cannot get to campus, or if you are unable to complete an interview during a visit, we do offer regional interviews with Clark alumni to students who submit their application by January 1.
When will I find out a decision on my application?
Admissions decisions for first-year applicants for the fall semester are mailed out in late March. You should receive a letter in your mailbox by April 1. If you are a first-year applicant for the spring semester, you should expect to receive a decision by early to mid-December.
Can I call your office to find out if I am admitted? Would you e-mail me the decision?
We will not, under any circumstances, release a decision over the phone or via e-mail to domestic students. We mail decisions to the applicant’s primary mailing address as indicated on the application, and this is the only way we release decisions.

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