Freshman Applicants

As part of our holistic review process, we evaluate many different factors when considering a candidate for admission. These include your official high school transcripts, college essay, recommendations and standardized test scores. Please be sure to inform your college counselor of the requirements outlined and detailed here. We encourage you to contact us with any additional questions or concerns you may have. 

Application Deadlines

Options for Applying

Early Decision

This binding program is designed for academic achievers who consider Bentley to be their first choice. If you are admitted through the Early Decision program, you must withdraw all applications submitted to other colleges and universities.

Early Action

The Early Action program is for students who are seriously considering Bentley, but are not prepared to commit through the Early Decision program. Early Action provides you with an earlier admission decision, but allows you to wait until May 1 to make your final decision.

Regular Admission

For students who need the full fall semester to complete their college search and admission application, applying for regular admission is a popular option.

Application Requirements

The requirements for domestic freshman applicants include:

APPLICATION FORM WITH $50 FEE

We accept the Common Application with a Bentley Common Application supplement, which can be either mailed in or submitted online. It is advised to complete and submit both documents at the same time. Students with financial hardship may submit the College Board Fee Waiver, to be completed by your high school counselor.

If you are unable to access the Common Application site, you can still submit your application in a paper format with the Bentley Common Application supplement.

**Please note: If you are a home-schooled student, use the code 970000 for the secondary school block on the common application.

OFFICIAL HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPT

Please submit an official transcript for all high schools attended, including your most recent grades available at the time of application. It is imperative that we receive grades from your first marking period of your senior year, as soon as they become available. In addition, mid-year grades should be forwarded once released.

COLLEGE ESSAY

You may respond to one of the several essay topics listed in the application. 

RECOMMENDATIONS

We require two letters of recommendation, one from a counselor and one from a teacher, who can speak to your academic strengths and talents. Please mail letters to the following address:

Bentley University
Office of Undergraduate Admission
175 Forest Street
Waltham, MA 02452

STANDARDIZED TESTS

We require that you take the SAT or ACT with Writing test. Your results may be sent directly from the testing agency or indicated on your official high school transcript.

If English is not your primary language, you must also submit official results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing Systems exam (IELTS).

Important Bentley Codes

Use the following codes as needed in your application materials:

For more information, please see our Freshman Application Guidelines Brochure.