Undergraduate Admission

Admission Process

Drawing on a Jesuit Catholic educational model 400 years in the making, our faculty members engage each student as an individual. The result is a challenging education that rewards you for the rest of your life. Everyone takes the same first step – by applying. Here's some information to help you get started. More information for High School Counselors is also available.

Application Steps

Click on each step for more information

Apply using either the Xavier application or the Common Application.

Regardless of application method, students have the option to apply Early Action or Regular Decision.

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Option 1 - Test Optional

Xavier University offers test-optional admission. It is your choice to include ACT or SAT scores as part of your application. Indicate your choice within your application for admission. If you are considering this option, visit our Test Optional Admission FAQ and contact your admission counselor with questions. You may apply test-optional for both Early Action and Regular Decision.

Option 2 - Submit Test Scores

If you choose to submit your test scores, this requirement can be fulfilled in several ways:

Official - Send SAT or ACT scores directly to Xavier from the testing service. Xavier's SAT code is 1965 and ACT code is 3366.
Official – Send scores, with subscores, printed on official transcript.
Official – Send scores sent to Xavier directly from your high school counselor.

By mail to:
Xavier University
Office of Admission
3800 Victory Parkway
Cincinnati, OH 45207-5131

By email (directly from your high school) to: xuadmit@xavier.edu .

Recommended Curricular Requirements

Four years of English
Three years of mathematics
Three years of science
Three years of social sciences
Two years of language study other than English

Applicants must have earned a high school diploma or its equivalent at the time of enrollment and submit final, official transcripts affirming diploma and graduation date.

Request that your high school counselor submit the Common Application School Report, along with a recommendation. Recommendations can be written by a school counselor, teacher, coach, or another professional. One recommendation is required. Additional recommendations can be submitted, but we suggest no more than two.

If you have earned college credit while in high school, request the college, International Baccalaureate or Advanced Placement service which granted you credit to forward your official record to Xavier. These records are not required for initial admission consideration, but will be needed before enrollment in order to assign appropriate credit. Learn more about how Xavier awards college credit for IB and AP exams.

Submit applications for Honors Programs and Competitive Scholarships

Students applying for Honors Programs are encouraged to apply Early Application for priority consideration.

The FAFSA, or Free Application for Federal Student Aid, is a form that is used by the U.S. Department of Education and the university to determine aid like scholarships, grants and loans, and work study eligibility. Be prepared to file the 2025-26 FAFSA when it becomes available. We encourage you to file as soon as possible.

Learn more about the FAFSA.

Deadlines

Admission Deadlines
Application Type	Deadline	Notification by
Early Action	November 1	Mid-December
Regular Decision	February 1	Early March
Rolling Admission	Rolling	Monthly notifications after March

Selective Admission Programs

Some academic programs have additional requirements. Examples include Music, which has an audition requirement, and Nursing, which has more strict admission requirements. If you plan to apply for one of these programs, you should apply Early Action for priority consideration. Visit our Selective Admission Programs page for a complete list.

Additional Considerations

Some applicants have an admission process that requires additional steps.

Xavier University Notice of Non-Discrimination

Title IX is the federal civil rights law that prohibits discrimination based on sex in all federally funded education programs and activities. In compliance with Title IX, Xavier University does not discriminate based on sex in any education or activity, including admission and employment. Sex discrimination includes sexual harassment, sexual assault, dating violence, domestic violence, stalking, harassment or discrimination based on pregnancy, parenting, sexual orientation and/or gender identity. Xavier University does not tolerate sex discrimination. If a student or employee believes they have experienced sex discrimination or has questions about Title IX, please contact Xavier’s Title IX Office Kate Lawson at 332B Gallagher Student Center, 3800 Victory Parkway, Cincinnati, OH 45207, 513-745-3046, lawsonk1@xavier.edu or the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights at U.S. Dept. of Education, Office for Civil Rights, 400 Maryland Ave., SW, Washington, DC 20202, 800-421-3481, OCR@ed.gov. For free, confidential advocacy and support, contact Xavier’s Advocacy & Prevention Coordinator at 513-904-9013.