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COMPLETING YOUR APPLICATION IS EASY!

Only Two Required Steps

STEP 1: Submit your online application ($70 application fee)

STEP 2: Send in an official high school transcript, including your senior year schedule

  • Your transcript must include:
    • Any Dual Enrollment or online classes you have taken or are taking 
    • Second semester senior year courses (if different from the first semester)
  • For transcripts to be considered official, they must be sent through a secure provider such as Naviance/Parchment, e-Scrip Safe, etc.* Your school can send documents through US Postal mail. If sending by mail, please use the following address:

James Madison University
Office of Admissions – MSC 0101
100 E Grace Street
Harrisonburg, VA 22807

*Any transcripts sent as an email attachment or fax are considered unofficial and will not be reviewed.

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.

Most fine and performing arts areas require an additional application and may also include an audition or portfolio review. For details, visit jmu.edu/arts/admissions 

Optional Application Information

The following items are not required for completion of the applicaiton:

  • 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.
Student-athletes who do not want test scores used during the admissions application review, do not need to submit them directly to the Office of Admissions. For NCAA Division I athletic eligibility purposes, JMU Intercollegiate Athletics will receive your test scores directly from the NCAA Clearinghouse.
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. More info: jmu.edu/admissions/earncredit

*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.

Freshman dates and deadlines:

Early Action (non-binding)

Regular Decision

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JMU Office of Admissions
Holland Yates Hall (formerly Madison Hall)
MSC 0101
100 East Grace Street
Harrisonburg, Virginia 22807
Email Us
(540) 568-5681
Fax: (540) 568-3332
Hours of Operation:
Mon - Fri: 8 a.m. - 5 p.m.