First-Year Admission

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Contact the Office of Admissions by email: admissions@hws.edu or text: (315) 350-3291 for assistance with your application.

Applying to HWS

HWS is highly selective in the admissions process. Successful applicants will have:

  • Challenged themselves with a rigorous high school curriculum
  • Applied their talents to the betterment of their school and community
  • Met with an HWS admissions staff member for an interview
  • Demonstrated a propensity to be curious, resourceful, persistent and conscientious

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Early Action

Sail into the spring of your senior year confident in your future. Apply to HWS by Nov. 15 and receive a decision by Jan. 17.

Early action (EA) is a non-binding process, giving applicants the opportunity to review admission and financial aid offers from other schools. Students receive their admissions decision on Jan. 17 and have until May 1 to respond to their offer of admission. Acceptance rate is similar to that of Regular Decision.

Early Decision

Early Decision applicants do well academically, become leaders on campus, build school spirit, study abroad in high numbers, and participate in internships and research opportunities. And as a result, Early Decision applicants at HWS are admitted at a higher rate than Early Action and Regular Decision candidates.  We know that inside and outside the classroom, Early Decision applicants make HWS a dynamic and vibrant place.

If you make HWS your first and only college choice, we will honor your commitment by committing to you.

Benefits of Applying Early Decision:

  • Decision notification by Dec. 15 and, if admitted, a financial aid award that is the same or better than if you applied Regular Decision.
  • A personalized financial aid package before you commit.
  • Priority registration for first-semester classes and first-year housing.
  • Enrollment deposit is waived.
  • Early access to our Lake Effect series, a pre-collegiate program that facilitates group and one-on-one conversations with HWS faculty and staff, allowing you to get a head start on adjusting to college.

Regular Decision

Regular Decision (RD) is the most popular of HWS' application plans. Students have until February 1 to gather their materials and perfect their application. Similar to Early Action, RD is non-binding and accepted students have until May 1 to make their final decision.

Application Requirements

To be considered for admission, please submit the following:

Dates and Deadlines

August 1

October 1

November 15

  • Common Application and all supplemental application materials due for EA and ED I candidates
  • Arts portfolio due for EA and ED I applicants interested in merit-based arts scholarships
  • FAFSA due for EA and ED I applicants interested in need-based aid

December 15

  • Admission decision available online for ED I candidates
  • Financial aid award available online for ED I students

January 1

  • Enrollment deposit deadline for ED I

January 15

  • Common Application and all supplemental application materials due for ED II candidates
  • Arts portfolio due for ED II applicants interested in merit-based arts scholarships
  • FAFSA due for ED II applicants interested in need-based aid

January 17

  • Admission decision available online for EA candidates
  • Financial aid award available online for EA students

February 1

  • Common Application and all supplemental application materials due for RD candidates
  • Arts portfolio due for RD applicants interested in merit-based arts scholarships
  • FAFSA due for RD applicants interested in need-based aid

February 15

  • Admission decision available online for ED II candidates
  • Financial aid award available online for admitted ED II students

March 1

  • Enrollment deposit deadline for ED II

April 1

  • Admission decision available online for RD candidates
  • Financial aid award available online for admitted RD students

May 1

  • Enrollment deposit deadline for EA and RD