Apply To Suffolk University

Freshman applicants are currently in high school or have graduated from high school, but are not enrolled in a regular session at a college or university. If you've completed college courses during high school including, but not limited to Dual Enrollment, AP credits or IB credits, you're still considered a freshman applicant.

You can apply to Suffolk via the Common Application, apply through Suffolk's portal, or download the Common Application [PDF]. Other items needed to complete your application include:

• Essay/Personal Statement
• Official high school transcript or GED/HiSET results
• Letter of recommendation
• Application fee or fee waiver (application fee waived if you come for a virtual or campus visit)
• SAT or ACT scores
  • Domestic applicants may choose to apply test-optional. For those who want to submit test scores with their application, find out more about our flexible score submission policies.
  • Non-native English speakers must apply using our test-flexible policy. See the International Undergraduate Applicants section for more application information.

Deadlines

Fall

Undergraduate Freshmen Early Action: November 15
Undergraduate Freshmen Regular Decision: February 15.

Spring

Undergraduate Freshmen: December 1
Madrid Campus Applicants: November 1

We continue to accept applications on a rolling basis after these dates. 

For more information, view All Deadlines & Admission Standards.

You are a transfer applicant if you have been enrolled in college or university courses after completing your secondary education. In reviewing transfer applications, we consider your academic profile as well as your personal statement and extracurricular involvement. Admitted transfer students are automatically considered for the Honors Program and merit scholarships.

Transfer applicants can apply to Suffolk via the Common Application, apply through Suffolk's portal, or download the Common Application [PDF]. You'll also need to have your: 

• Official college/university transcript(s) from all schools attended
• Application fee (waived when you visit in person or virtually).
• Essay/Personal statement
  To be considered official, these documents must be sent directly from the institution. We will accept these if they are delivered in any of the following ways:
  •  Secured electronic delivery via Clearinghouse, EScript, or Parchment directly from the institution’s Record’s Office or Registrar sent to [email protected]
  • School-sealed envelope sent via postal mail from the institution to:
    Suffolk University
    c/o Undergraduate Admission
    8 Ashburton Place
    Boston, MA 02108
  • If delivered in person to the Undergraduate Admission Office (73 Tremont Street, Boston, MA) must be in an unopened, school-sealed envelope.

For those with less than 12 earned transferrable credits, a final high school transcript and standardized test scores are also required. For more information, view All Deadlines & Requirements.

Transfer Deadlines

Students who are transferring must do so with an adherence to the specific deadlines laid out below.

*Applications will continue to be accepted on a space available basis.

Transfer On-the-Spot Decisions

Students who want to transfer in an expedited manner can come to Suffolk University and receive an on-the-spot decision. Learn more about how to transfer on-the-spot.

More Information for Transfer Students.

To apply to Suffolk, international students must submit/complete the following:

• Common Application or Suffolk Application and a $50 application fee
• Essay/personal statement
• Official high school transcript* or GED/HiSET results
• Letter of recommendation
• Official College/University Transcripts (in English or with official translation) from all institutions attended.
• Proof of English Proficiency utilizing our test-flexible policy.  

Additional documents are required for each of the following: 

• International Undergraduate Students
• International Graduate Students
• International Exchange Students
• International Non-Degree Students
• International JD Students

*Applicants may be required to have their credentials evaluated by a professional evaluation service. Suggested agencies include: Center for Educational Documentation, Josef Silny & Associates, World Education Services, and Span Tran.

Every year, a distinguished group of students is selected to begin their studies at Suffolk's campus in Madrid, Spain. Through our Freshman Year Abroad Program, you will discover a whole new country and culture, exciting classes, and friendly classmates. The academic and cultural insights you gain in Madrid will help define who you are and what you want to be. There really aren’t enough words in English (or español) to capture just how amazing this opportunity is.

If you are currently enrolled in high school (secondary school), you can apply to the Suffolk University Madrid Campus as an incoming freshman and begin your university studies in Spain. And if you choose to pursue your studies here in Boston you can always study abroad in Madrid. Learn more about our campus in Madrid!

Applying With Portfolio

Applicants for studio art, graphic design, or interior design are required to submit a portfolio as part of the admission process.

Your portfolio should contain only your best–and most recent–work and should demonstrate versatility, showing that you are prepared for the diverse and rigorous first-year foundation program. You may include pieces produced in your high school art classes or on your own through courses at art schools, museums, and adult ed programs.

• Your portfolio should consist of 12-15 examples of recent, original, finished work:
• Pieces showing skill in observational drawing/painting (still life studies, self-portraits, figure studies)
• You may also include abstract and design-based pieces in drawing, paint or collage
• Work that demonstrates a range of media and techniques
• Do not include anime, manga-based work, or pieces copied directly from photographs
• Limit the number of computer-generated pieces

Submit your portfolio in ONE of the following ways:

• Upload to your applicant portal account after submitting your application
• Email us
• Mail to the Office of Undergraduate Admission; 8 Ashburton Place, Boston, MA, 02108

Applying Without Portfolio

If you are an applicant who does not have a portfolio, you can begin your studies at the University as "Undecided" within our College of Arts and Sciences. Students who meet the stated conditions in their first semester will be considered for full entry into art & design.

Not finding what you need? There's more admission information for Art & Design students at Suffolk University.

Previous Applicants

If you previously applied to or attended Suffolk, you may be better served by completing a different application.

Associate's Degree Applicants

Suffolk University offers 2-year associate degree options in:

• Associate of Arts, AA
• Associate of Science, AS
• Associate of Science in Paralegal Studies, ASPS

Associate degree applicants should submit the Application for Associate Degree Programs instead of the Common Application or Suffolk Online Application.

For those interested in a 4-year bachelor’s degree, please refer to the sections for Freshman Applicants, International Undergraduate Applicants, or Transfer Applicants.

Certificate Programs 

Undergraduate Certificate Programs are available in the following areas:

• Financial Planning
• Graphic Design
• Paralegal Studies

For more information, look at our Certificate Programs page.

Non-Degree Applicants

If you're interested in enrolling in classes as a non-degree-seeking student, please complete the Continuing and Professional Studies registration form. 

High-achieving applicants will be invited to join the Suffolk University Honors Program at the time of admission. Freshman and transfer applicants are automatically considered for the Honors Program when applications are submitted for the fall semester.