How to Apply

If we're your clear first choice, this plan's for you.

Apply by November 15 and receive acceptance notification January 1. Wondering if Early Decision is right for you? see the Planning an Early Decision section below.

Apply early and get your notification sooner.

Apply by December 1 and receive acceptance notification by mid-January. International applicants will receive their notification in mid-February.

Last deadline for the upcoming fall semester.

Apply by January 15 and receive acceptance notification by mid-March

Students who apply to Centre under Early Decision number in the hundreds instead of the thousands (as is the case with Early Action or Regular Decision). That means the admission staff has more time to really get to know you and to make certain that both you and Centre are right for each other. You will learn early in your college planning if you have been admitted to Centre College and how much it will cost you to attend.  
Due to the smaller size of the Early Decision applicant pool, you will be evaluated based upon your own merits rather than in competition with and in comparison to other applicants. 

Students who apply and are admitted Early Decision to the College will be awarded the Front & Centre Scholarship worth $20,000 ($5,000 per year). In addition, students receiving a general merit scholarship may stack this $5,000 annual award. Some restrictions apply regarding combining the Front & Centre Scholarship with premier and special talent scholarships.

Scholarships

1. Students who apply Early Decision can “slack off” in their academic work during the second semester of their senior year.
   Truth: Selective colleges can and do withdraw admission offers from a student if his or her academic performance declines significantly. 
2. Students diminish their chances of receiving academic scholarships on the theory that since they already are committed to a college, it will have less incentive to award them scholarships as an inducement to enroll.
   Truth: This is not true at Centre. A student who would have received an academic scholarship in the Early Action or Regular Decision processes will be awarded one in Early Decision. 
3. Students who require need-based financial aid should not consider applying for Early Decision. 
   Truth: At Centre, we are committed to providing students who apply Early Decision with the same amount of aid that they would receive if applying in Early Action or Regular Decision. 

• Do your homework and know why you are applying to a particular school, especially if you plan to apply ED. 
• Do not give in to pressure to apply ED to a school simply for the sake of applying ED. 
• Be honest with yourself: If you are not yet ready to commit, then do not apply ED to any school. 
• Do not apply ED as a strategy to “get in.” 
• If you are applying for need-based financial aid in ED or any application program, have a conversation about what your family can reasonably invest in your college education.