Admissions Frequently Asked Questions

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Thank you for your interest in Spelman College. We hope this website is a useful resource for you as you navigate the college application process. Here, you will find answers to some of the questions that students frequently ask us. Please contact us if you have questions not answered here or elsewhere on our website.

Applying to Spelman

What are the admission requirements?

Our Board of Admission completes a holistic review that considers academic achievement, leadership development, community service, extracurricular activities, and a personal essay, among other factors. While we do not have a set grade point average and standardized test score requirements, we do have an academic profile that is set for each year.

Fall 2022 Admitted Student Profile

Average GPA: 3.9
Average SAT (CR+M):1217
Average ACT Composite: 26

Does Spelman accept Advanced Placement credit?

Students who take the AP exam and score a 3 or better may receive advanced placement credit in the following subject areas: art, biology, computer science, economics, French, German, government and politics, Latin, physics, and Spanish.

To receive credit in chemistry, history, mathematics (calculus AB exam) or music, a student needs a score of at least 4. The registrar of the college will determine how much credit you are eligible to receive based on your score.

View credit equivalency tables:
AP/IB credit equivalency

How do I submit an application?

Spelman College will be accepting admission applications exclusively through the Common Application. The Common Application is a standardized undergraduate college application form accepted at more than 500 accredited, independent colleges and universities nationwide.

You may access the application by going to the Common Application. The Common Application looks similar to most college applications, with all the usual fields for name, address, school and test data, and questions about your work experience and volunteer activities. For the personal essay, you may choose one of five.

What is Spelman's College Test Code?

Some important codes you may need to know as you complete the application and enrollment process are listed here:

ACT: 0794
SAT: 5628
FAFSA code (for financial aid): 0 0 1 5 9 4

What are the application deadlines?

For detailed information, please view our Application Timeline.

I am interested in applying as a first-year student. What is the difference between Early Decision, Early Action & Regular Decision?

Early Decision is a binding admission, where students agree to accept admission to Spelman College if they are admitted and offered an adequate financial aid package. Early Action is a non-binding admission. Students who are accepted are not required to enroll at Spelman.

Those who apply and are admitted under early action are notified early in their senior year (by December 31) of the admission decision. Those who apply regular decision are notified of the admission decision by April 1.

You may send in these items in support of your application. All items become the property of Spelman College and are not returned.

What score do I have to get on an International Baccalaureate (IB) exam to receive credit?

In order to receive college credit, you must receive a score of 5, 6, or 7 on the IB exam.

Academic Offerings

What are the core requirements?

The core curriculum is a schedule of classes that all Spelman College students must complete to graduate. It emphasizes critical, analytical and problem-solving skills, it is designed to prepare students for the challenges of living in a multicultural and highly technological society. The curriculum spans the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, fine arts, cultural and gender studies. Please refer to the Spelman College Bulletin for more information about specific requirements.

How many credits are needed to graduate?

A minimum of 120 credits is necessary for a student to receive a bachelor's degree.

Can I take classes at other colleges/universities in Atlanta?

Spelman students may cross-register at all of the undergraduate institutions in the Atlanta University Center and the ARCHE member institutions. In order to cross-register, you must first obtain permission from the department chair, then complete a registration form before the end of the drop/add deadline at the host institution.

What types of degrees are offered?

Spelman College awards Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.

Does Spelman offer a domestic exchange program?

Spelman College offers formal student exchange programs with many colleges across the country. See the domestic exchange area on our website for a complete listing of exchange programs.

What is a dual degree program?

The Dual Degree Engineering Program (DDEP) allows students to obtain both a liberal arts degree and an engineering degree by completing three years of undergraduate work at Spelman College and enrolling at an engineering institution for the last two years of study. For additional information, view the Dual Degree Engineering Requirements.

What is the grading like at Spelman?

Spelman students receive a letter grade for each class in which they are enrolled, ranging from A to F. Students must earn a grade of C or better to pass a major or cognate course. If an upperclass student elects to take a class pass/fail, she must earn a C- or better to pass the course.

Does Spelman offer graduate programs/degrees?

No. Spelman College is a four-year, undergraduate institution offering the Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science degrees.

Is there an ROTC program at Spelman?

Spelman does not have an ROTC program on campus; however, students who are interested in participating in ROTC courses may enroll at Clark Atlanta University. Credits from the courses are counted as electives.

What is the honors program?

The Ethel Waddell Githii Honors Program is designed for any student who has excelled academically in high school or during her first year at Spelman. It consists of seven courses and seminars, five of which are required courses and two of which are electives. As a senior, honors students complete the honors senior thesis, which allows them to pursue independent research in an area of interest.

Can I only be accepted into the honors program as a first-year student?

After the completion of the first year, any student who has completed a minimum of 32 credit hours and achieved a GPA of 3.5 or higher is also eligible for admission to the program.

How can I be considered to be part of the honors program?

Students with a strong academic record and demonstrated commitment to her own intellectual development will be invited to apply for the Honors Program. Any student that has achieved a high school GPA of at least a 3.7 will receive an invitation. Those who are invited will be required to submit an additional essay, provided in the invitation.

Careers & Internships

Does Spelman offer career advising, internship and employment information?

The Career Planning and Development Office specializes in career advising and job search and placement for Spelman students. The career development program promotes student contact with representatives from various career fields; helps students to locate part-time, full-time, and summer jobs; and places students in internships, externships, permanent jobs, and appropriate graduate programs and opportunities.

Financial Aid & Scholarships

Does Spelman offer financial aid?

Approximately 85% of Spelman College students receive financial aid through grants, loans and scholarships -- most usually have a combination of the three. A first-year Spelman student's average financial aid package adds up to $22,000.

Are there any scholarships available to students?

Spelman College offers a variety of scholarships to new, continuing and international students. The scholarships range in value from $50 to awards covering full tuition, fees, room and board. Find more detailed financial aid information here.

How do I receive financial aid?

To receive financial aid from Spelman College, you must first complete and submit the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) by April 1 of the year in which you plan to enroll at Spelman. Priority is given to those who apply by March 15.

Visiting Spelman

Does Spelman offer any summer programs?

Spelman offers the Prefreshman Summer Science Program to admitted students interested in a career in the health professions prior to their first year at Spelman. The six-week program is designed to strengthen study and performance in mathematics, library research, problem-solving, biology, computer science, chemistry, and quantitative analysis.

The Summer Science and Engineering Program is designed for first year students with an interest in majoring in engineering, mathematics, computer science, physics, or chemistry, and who intend to pursue a career in a scientific or technical field.

When are tours given? How can I schedule a campus tour?

The Spelman College Office of Admissions is currently hosting campus tours in a low-density capacity for the 2021-2022 academic year. Additionally, the Office of Admissions hosts various virtual information sessions and events throughout the year to connect with prospective students. To register for a campus tour or virtual information session, visit the Schedule a Visit page.

Does Spelman have summer school?

Spelman does not offer summer classes.

I am interested in visiting the campus. Does Spelman have an on-campus visitation program?

Yes, A Day in Your Life at Spelman is our open house program that is a great opportunity for you to visit our campus, meet faculty and staff and current Spelman students.

Campus Life

Can first-year students have cars?

On-campus, first-year students are not permitted to have cars anywhere on campus or in the parking deck. If a student lives off campus, she may use a car and park it during the day.

What is the average class size?

The average class size is approximately 30 students, but many upper-level courses within a student's major are much smaller. The student-professor ratio is 11:1.

Is there a curfew for students?

Spelman does not have a curfew.

How many students are enrolled at Spelman?

Over 2,000 students are enrolled at Spelman College.

What medical services are provided for students?

The Health Services department is open to all Spelman students from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday. A physician and nurse practitioner are available to see patients during office hours and nurses can be paged after hours. Should you require emergency medical attention, several hospitals in the area have established relationships with Spelman College. All full-time students are required to participate in a health insurance program, which assists with the cost if a student requires medical attention that the Health Services department is unable to provide.

Does Spelman have campus security officers?

The Department of Public Safety is comprised of competent, committed, and concerned professionals trained to deliver public safety services to the school. Over 90 percent of the officers are trained and certified in the state of Georgia, and all are well-versed in the needs of an urban women's institution.

Revised Admissions and Enrollment Policy

What is the Revised Admissions and Enrollment Policy?

Please see Spelman Admissions and Enrollment Policy Update for information on the revised policy.

Is Spelman still a women’s college?

Yes. Spelman is committed to its founding mission of educating women of African descent.

Will Spelman continue to uphold the values of sisterhood?

Yes. All Spelman students are a part of the Spelman Sisterhood, and our core belief in the bonds of sisterhood remains.

Who is eligible for admission to Spelman?

Spelman will consider for admission women students, including students who consistently live and self-identify as women, regardless of their gender assignment at birth, who are prepared to participate in a women’s college that is academically and intellectually rigorous. Spelman affirms its core mission of educating and developing high-achieving Black women.

How will Spelman know if an applicant is transgender?

The Common Application will direct applicants to identify their legal sex, regardless of their gender identity. If you identify as a woman and encounter any challenge in submitting your application to Spelman based on your answer to this question, please contact the Office of Admission for assistance. The admissions staff will be able to assist you with your application.

What does it mean to consistently live and identify as a woman?

A candidate must self-identify as a woman on the application and supporting application materials should verify this self-identification.

What if a student has discrepancies in their application materials?

A student’s eligibility for admission in regard to gender will be determined by the self-identification indicated on the application. If the applicant is concerned about discrepancies in her application materials, she can speak with an admissions counselor or address any concerns in the essay or personal statement.

Are trans men eligible for admission to Spelman?

No. Spelman does not admit male students, including students who self-identify and live consistently as men, regardless of gender assignment at birth.

Will transgender applicants be reviewed or handled differently?

All applicants to Spelman College will be reviewed based on their complete applications – including their academic profiles, essays, letters of recommendation, leadership experiences, and extracurricular and co-curricular activities. The College will continue to uphold a standard of equity and fairness while reviewing applications for admission. The Admissions Committee will admit a cohort of students who demonstrate strong promise and in a competitive admissions environment.

What about Spelman students who transition to male before they complete their degree?

Once admitted, any student who fulfills the College’s graduation requirements — regardless of gender identity, gender expression or sexual orientation — will be awarded a Spelman degree.

What resources and support will the College offer for transgender students?

Upon adoption of the policy, Spelman will begin a thoughtful implementation process. All Spelman students receive the full support and guidance of College faculty, staff, and administrators through graduation.

How will Spelman handle housing accommodations?

Housing accommodations will be handled on a case-by-case basis. The College believes all residential students are entitled to a safe and comfortable living environment. Every effort will be made to ensure that each individual student’s needs are met and that the College remains in compliance with all relevant policies and laws.

How will Spelman address other aspects of campus life?

Over the course of the upcoming academic year, a committee appointed by the president will develop a plan for implementation that will go into effect for applicants applying for admission for entry in the fall 2018 semester.

Student Engagement & Campus Programs

Does Spelman have a marching band?

Spelman does not have a marching band; however, students interested in playing in a marching band may audition with the band at Morehouse College. Information about auditioning for the marching band will be available at the beginning of the academic school year.

Does Spelman have a community service program?

Spelman College has established the Office of Community Service and Student Development to provide information about community service opportunities for Spelman students and integrate service into a Spelman education.

Are there opportunities for Spelman students to study abroad?

Spelman offers students the opportunity to study at various institutions worldwide, including locations in Ghana, England, Scotland, and the Czech Republic.

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