Apply: U.S. Early Action

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 Action?
November 1.
What is the difference between Early Decision and Early Action/Early Notification?
Early Action, otherwise known as Early Notification, means that you will find out the school’s decision on your admission early, but you do not need to commit to the school until May 1. Early Decision is a binding agreement that allows students to apply early to their first choice school knowing that if they are admitted they will enroll. Clark no longer offers Early Decision.
What are the advantages of applying Early Action?
As an Early Action applicant you will benefit by knowing early in your senior year whether or not you have been accepted into one of your top choice schools without having to make a serious commitment to Clark. If your application is complete on November 1 you will receive your admission decision in December, as opposed to regular decision applicants who receive their decision in March. This additional time will give you an opportunity to really familiarize yourself with Clark, knowing that you are admitted and can attend if you choose. Additionally, you will be invited to attend our early admissions events, such as open houses, to give you the best opportunities to determine if Clark is the right fit for you.
How do I apply Early Action?
Simply check the Early Action box on the application supplement. As long as you submit your entire application (Common Application, supplement, essay, high school transcript, two letters of recommendation and application fee) to Clark by November 1, the Admissions Committee will notify you of a decision by mid-December. Students who submit their application and supplement to Clark by November 1 but do not have all necessary documents in by the deadline will be reviewed for early admission on a rolling basis.
If I apply to Clark's Early Action program, can I apply to other schools?
Yes, you can apply to other colleges or universities. Students who apply Early Action have until May 1 to enroll at Clark University. Unlike Early Decision, the Early Action program allows prospective students the freedom to explore their educational opportunities fully, prior to enrolling in the school that is the right fit.
If I apply to Clark's Early Action program, how do I find out about need-based financial aid?
Students who apply Early Action and who are interested in being considered for need-based financial aid will need to fill out the FASFA and the CSS Profile by the priority deadline of February 1.  The financial aid office will process your application and send you a financial aid award letter by April 1. Early Action students will still have until May 1 to make their final decision about attending Clark. 
Am I eligible for merit-based scholarships if I apply Early Action?
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 Action?
Early Action candidates will be considered using the same criteria used to decide admission for regular decision candidates, so some students will not be admitted during early application review.  In a small amount of cases, applicants may be deferred to the regular admission pool if the Admissions Committee expects that their application will improve given the extra time. We welcome any additional information such as senior grades, additional standardized test scores or recommendations in these cases.

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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. 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?
While we are happy to accept physical applications in the mail, due to our current processing proceedures we encourage applicants to apply online whenever possible. Doing so allows us to receive and process your materials faster, which in turn allows us to notify you about the status of your application (if it is complete or if we need additional information) that much sooner.
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.
Does Clark offer alumni interviews? Can I speak 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 or who specfically request an interview and have not completed an on-campus conversation. You can read more about this opportunity here.
I have been matched with a Clark alumnus/a for a conversation 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 listing, or by contacting your counselor directly. We attend college fairs and travel mostly in the spring (April) and fall (September and October).
Do I have to have an admissions interview to apply to Clark?
Clark does not require admissions interviews.  However, we do encourage students to take part in a Clark Conversation if they are interested.  This informal conversation matches you with an undergraduate student who will answer your questions and give you their perspective about Clark. You can schedule a conversation as part of your regular visit to campus. Additionally, we offer off-campus interviews either during the fall when we are traveling or during the winter, the latter being conducted by a Clark alumni in your area.

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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, supplement, $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. You can always monitor the status of your application online through our applicant portal. You will be given credentials to sign in to this portal via email when we first receive your application materials.
Students who are applying for the Early Action deadline must submit their entire application by November 1 in order to ensure that they receive their decision by mid-December. Students who submit components of their application after November 1 will still be considered for Early Action, but we cannot guarantee when they will receive their decision.
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.
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.
When will I find out a decision on my application?
Admissions decisions for first-year early-action applications are released in the beginning of December. Admissions decisions for first-year regular-decision applicants for the fall semester are released in March. 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?
We do not release admission decisions over the phone.

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