First-Year Applicants
Take your place in our women-centered college
When applying to Simmons as a first-year student, you become part of a community that values your voice and supports your growth. Located in Boston, Simmons gives you the knowledge, skills, confidence, and connections that leads to thriving careers.
Applying is free and simple. If you have questions, your Admission Counselor is available to help.
Apply with the Common Application
If you are an international student, please visit the International Applicant page for more details.
Application requirements for first-year students
To apply, please submit the following to the Common Application:
- High school transcript
- Teacher recommendation
- Counselor recommendation
- College essay
You can also choose to submit your SAT or ACT scores.
If English is not your first language, review our English Proficiency Requirements.
What we look for
The Simmons admission committee reviews every first-year application holistically. We want to know not only what you have achieved, but who you are and what drives you. We value curiosity, initiative, and a resolve to make a difference through leadership and activities outside the classroom.
We highly recommend interviewing with our admission team.
Recommended high school preparation
Successful first-year applicants typically complete a rigorous college preparatory curriculum, including:
- 4 years of English
- 4 years of Math (at least one year beyond Algebra 2)
- 3 years of Social Science
- 3 years of Foreign Language
- 3 years of Science (4 years for those interested in nursing, nutrition, and physical therapy)
AP and IB credit
Simmons accepts AP and IB credits, allowing you to build on the work you have already done and move forward with momentum.
A variety of merit scholarships are offered as part of the admission process. Most of them do not require a separate application.
- Merit Scholarship
First-year Merit Scholarships
First year students, including international students, are automatically considered for several first-year merit-based scholarships when they apply to Simmons. They do not require a separate application and are part of the admission process. These scholarships range from $16,000 to $30,000 per year, renewable for four years.
- Merit Scholarship
Simmons Distinguished Scholar Award
This scholarship requires a separate application. The Distinguished Scholar Award is a prestigious and competitive Simmons scholarship offered to students with exceptional academic achievements, a strong commitment to their community, and a passion for creating positive change in society. This scholarship covers full tuition, mandatory fees (except health insurance), room & board for four years, and supersedes any previous merit scholarship.
- Merit Scholarship
Boston Scholarship
This scholarship requires a separate application. The Simmons University Boston Scholarship is a competitive merit award that recognizes students from Boston public high schools and charter schools who have attained academic excellence.
- Simmons Alumnae/i Scholarship
Alumnae/i Scholarship
Children, grandchildren, and siblings of Simmons graduates automatically qualify to receive an Alumnae Scholarship of $2,000 per year, renewable for four years. No separate application is required.
- External
Outside Scholarships for Undergraduates
Looking for outside scholarships to help reduce cost? We encourage you to reach out to your high school guidance office to first learn about any local scholarships you might be eligible for. We have compiled a list of free outside scholarship searches that may help you find additional resources to apply to your cost of attendance.
Chat with Your Admission Counselor
Our Admission Counselors are happy to answer any questions you have about Simmons or the admission process.
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