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Completing Your Application in Two Steps
STEP 1: Submit Your Admissions Application
Complete and submit your JMU admissions application ($70 application fee). If you have questions about how to complete your application, review our application instructions.
Applying to the Honors College
To apply to the Honors College, first-year applicants must submit two short essays as part of their JMU admissions application. We recommend reviewing the Honors College essay prompts ahead of time and drafting your responses before starting your application.
Note: Application evaluation for admission to JMU is separate from the Honors College application evaluation process.
Applying to Fine and Performing Arts Areas
Most fine and performing arts areas require an additional application and may also include an audition or portfolio review. For details, visit Arts Admissions.
STEP 2: Submit Your Official High School Transcript
Send in an official high school transcript, including your senior-year schedule. Your transcript must include:
- All completed and in-progress courses
- Any Dual Enrollment coursework
- Any online coursework
- Second-semester senior year courses if they differ from the first-semester courses
Sending Official Transcripts
Official transcripts must be sent through a secure provider such as Naviance/Parchment, e-Scrip Safe or any other approved secure transcript services. Your school can send documents through the US Postal Service by using the following address:
James Madison University
Office of Admissions – MSC 0101
100 E Grace Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22807
Important: Any transcripts sent as an email attachment or fax are considered unofficial and will not be reviewed.
After You Apply
After applying, please check your email regularly. We'll send you additional information for creating your JMU e-ID which you will use to check your application status and your admission decision when it is posted.
Optional Application Information
The following items are not required for completion of the application:
- One letter of recommendation: The request will be submitted electronically using the name and email you provide on the application.
- Personal Essay: If there is something important we should know about you, this is the place to talk about it. You have up to 650 words to share anything you would like to tell us.
- Standardized Tests: JMU no longer requires applicants to submit SAT/ACT scores. If you choose to submit a score, official test results must be sent electronically from the testing agency and arrive by the application deadline.
- Honors College Application: Applying to the Honors College includes completing two short essay responses. We encourage you to lookover the Honors College essays prompts and begin drafting your responses prior to applying.
What We Are Looking For
Admission to JMU is competitive and strong applicants are selected based on the following criteria:
- Core Academic Courses: English, social science, foreign language, lab science and mathematics*
- Grades: Mostly A's and B's in core academic courses
- Rigor of Coursework: Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), Dual Enrollment and Cambridge International in addition to honors-level courses
Other things considered include involvement in extracurricular activities and additional information found in the letter of recommendation and in the personal essay.
Students can earn college credit for AP, IB, DE and CI courses taken in high school.
*Mathematics requirement: One full year beyond Algebra II in a course for which Algebra II is the prerequisite. Course recommendations may include Pre-Calculus, Calculus, Math Analysis, Finite Mathematics, Trigonometry and Probability/Statistics. Courses that do not meet this requirement include Algebra Functions and Data Analysis, Computer Science and Consumer Mathematics. For questions about a specific math course, please contact us. To see all mathematics requirements, see the mathematics requirements page.
First-Year Dates and Deadlines:
Early Action (non-binding)
- November 1 - Application deadline for all pieces (online application and transcripts)
- All Honors College requirements must be submitted as part of your JMU application by the application deadline
- Mid-Late January - Admission decisions posted online in the Applicant Center of MyMadison
- May 1 - Enrollment deposit deadline
Regular Decision
- January 15 - Application deadline for all pieces (online application and transcripts)
- All Honors College requirements must be submitted as part of your JMU application by the application deadline
- Mid-Late March - Admission decisions posted online in the Applicant Center of MyMadison
- May 1 - Enrollment deposit deadline
Fri: 8:00 a.m. - Noon
