Getting In

What We Look For in First-Time Freshman Applicants 

There is not a formula to determine your admissibility to St. Bonaventure University. The admission committee reviews each applicant's qualifications individually, considering a variety of characteristics that indicate academic preparation and potential for success.  

In order to make the best admission decision possible, St. Bonaventure University requires both an academic recommendation form and a 250-word minimum untimed writing sample of all full-time degree-seeking undergraduate applicants.

Normal course preparation for most incoming freshmen includes three years of math, three years of science, four years of history (social studies), two years of language and four years of English. Your admission is based on evidence of potential for successful study, given the following criteria: curriculum related to rigor of program and grades achieved in secondary school, standardized test scores, extracurricular activities and recommendations. Please refer to our academic profile for more information about the quality of our admitted students.

Since we assess each applicant on an individual basis, we encourage you to submit any additional information you think may be helpful to the Admission Committee, and to ensure that all information is available when the committee reads your application. For freshmen, this generally means…  

• The Application (Is it thoughtfully prepared and complete? Is it free of spelling errors? If submitted in paper format, is it legible?)  
• The Secondary School Report Form (What does your guidance counselor have to say about you? Which courses did you decide to take in your senior year? Did you receive a recommendation without reservation?)  
• The High School Transcript (How well did you do in your academic (English, Social Studies, Math, Science and Language) classes? Did you challenge yourself in the courses you chose to take? Are there patterns of improvement in subjects where you have needed additional effort?)
• Standardized Test Scores (Have you shown an interest in getting the best score possible by taking the test more than once, if appropriate, or by taking both the SAT and the ACT?)  
• Recommendations (Do your letters of recommendation speak to your potential for success as a college student? Do you have a letter from a teacher who has observed you in a high school classroom? Are any inconsistencies in your academic performance explained?)  
• Essay (Is it constructed well? Is your writing free of spelling and grammar errors? Did you present compelling reasons for why you wish to be admitted and explain how you will overcome any obstacles that you may face?)