Applying for Anna Maria Early Action helps you stand out from other applicants, gets you a decision sooner, and helps you begin to complete your college plan.

How does Early Action work?
As long as we receive your application by November 15, you’re considered for Early Action; no additional forms are required. Most applicants will have an admission decision before December 15 and if you are applying for financial aid and submit the financial aid application (FAFSA) in the fall, you will have a financial aid award in January. Early Action provides more time to carefully consider your college decision.

Gap years provide motivated students an opportunity to postpone their enrollment for one year to pursue a non-academic pursuit for personal enrichment. The decision to take a year break in one’s academic journey is significant and should be made only after much thought and deliberation about how the year will help the student grow and develop from this experience.

New students (graduate and undergraduate) must email the Office of Admission to make a formal request to postpone enrollment by August 1st for the fall semester and by December 1st for the spring semester.

Students admitted through Fall Freshman admission are permitted to postpone their enrollment for one year. An exception will be made for students who must complete two years of mandatory national military service; in these cases, a two-year postponement will be permitted. Students admitted through January Freshman admission are permitted to postpone enrollment for one semester.

If your postponement request is approved, it will be your responsibility to keep your contact information up-to-date during the postponement period. In the month of January preceding your new enrollment term, we will ask you to reconfirm your intent to enroll by paying an additional non-refundable $300 commuter/$500 Resident Enrollment deposit fee. There will be a $100 Enrollment fee for Graduate students. This will provide us of your continued intention to enroll.

International Students

Requests are approved only to pursue non-academic experiences; therefore, no academic coursework may be taken during the postponement period. A student may only postpone enrollment up to three semesters. There is no initial deposit to defer the first time. Any subsequent deferrals will require a non-refundable $500 Deferral Fee. Please use the attached form here.

Students with the following Advanced Placement scores are eligible for transfer credit at Anna Maria College. The Registrar’s Office requires that official score assurance reports from the College Board. More information about requesting score reports is available on the College Board’s website. The table of credit that is awarded for each test can be found here.

Anna Maria College recognizes the rigor of the International Baccalaureate (IB) Program. Students who complete IB Diploma Program ​may apply for Anna Maria College credit and may be eligible to receive up to 32 credits.  Official IB score reports should be sent directly from International Baccalaureate to the Anna Maria College Registrar’s Office. The College will evaluate and notify the student of accepted credit once scores are received.  Students who complete the IB Diploma Program are eligible to receive up to 30 credits at Anna Maria College, which is equivalent to one full year of study, or sophomore status. Please note that under this policy, qualified students still must satisfy all requirements of their declared program of study as stated in the Anna Maria College catalog.  In cases where accepted IB coursework does not meet the standards their declared program of study, the course(s) must be taken and passed with sufficient minimum grade or higher.

International Baccalaureate students who do not complete the Diploma Program are also eligible to receive credit for specific courses, which may be awarded for Higher Level or Standard Level courses with grades of 4, 5, 6, or 7. A maximum of 32 credits will be awarded.  Credit may be applied to a major or minor only on the favorable written recommendation of the appropriate program director. IB course credit may not duplicate other credit granted, for example AP, CLEP, or transfer credit. To receive college credit students should have their International Baccalaureate Diploma or International Baccalaureate Higher Level examination scores sent to the Office of the Registrar.

The following tables provide general guidelines for use in evaluating International Baccalaureate course transcripts.

IB General Credit Guidelines

IB Course Equivalency Table

Anna Maria is pleased to admit students who have the necessary preparation and background to be successful in and outside of the classroom. We look to educate and graduate students prepared to work in successful careers that are also active citizens. No student shall be denied admission on the basis of race, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, age or sex. 

The College uses a holistic admissions approach to identify applicants who they believe will contribute to the Anna Maria community. The Admissions staff selects first-year and transfer students based upon a combination of the following criteria: Official secondary school record, college transcript, personal essay, references – when made available and testing from the ACT, SAT or TEAS testing results and other evidence of the candidates readiness to complete undergraduate classwork. Official documents demonstrating proof of high school graduation, or the GED, are required prior to enrollment. Documents are considered official when they are sent directly from the school, school official, or agency issuing the document. Student issued documents are not considered official. Students applying to the Nursing program have separate and distinct admission criteria. 

Admitted students are expected to conduct themselves in a college-ready manner consistent with Anna Maria College’s policies and expectations for its students, including those set forth in the Student Handbook. Prior to matriculation, admitted students must report to the Anna Maria College Office of Admission any disciplinary violations or other behavior that is inconsistent with the Code of Conduct. If any of these conditions are not met, the College may withdraw its offer of acceptance and deny admission to the College. An admitted student must also report to the Anna Maria College Office of Admissions if he or she becomes subject to any discipline process by a school or if his or her status at any school changes for any reason, or if information that was provided to the College in application materials is no longer accurate.  The College may take action to withdraw its offer of acceptance and deny admission to (or continued enrollment at) the College, based upon this information (or failure to report these changes as required).

Anna Maria College, in compliance with Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act, accepts students with documented disabilities who can successfully pursue the College’s academic program. Anna Maria recognizes its responsibility to provide individuals with documented disabilities equal access while maintaining the standards that are essential to the academic program. Learn more about academic and accommodations policy and procedures in the student handbook.

CLEP examinations are offered in over 34 subject areas and cover material generally taught in introductory college level courses. Students take CLEP examinations to bypass classes that they have prior knowledge of. CLEP credit varies at each Institution.  CLEP exams are computer based, and consist mainly of multiple choice questions. Scores are generated and printed at the completion of exams except for those with essays. CLEP credit is awarded.  For additional information on the classes and CLEP requirements please see the information at this link.  

CLEP exams are administered in a number of different locations. To locate a test center please see the information at this link.

What does it mean to be a “test-optional” institution?
The test-optional policy at Anna Maria College allows applicants the option to either submit or not submit their SAT or ACT scores for the purpose of the admission process. We believe students should present the fullest picture of their academic and intellectual accomplishments when applying for admission to Anna Maria College. If a student believes his/her standardized test scores will be valuable supporting information during the review process then the results might be submitted. Students who feel their high school record alone is a better indicator of their academic achievement and ability may choose to exclude their test scores from their application without penalty. Typically, about 60% of applicants still choose to submit their test scores to test-optional institutions.

Why choose to go test-optional?
For several years, Anna Maria College considered eliminating the submission of SAT or ACT scores as part of the admission application process. During this time, the College carefully monitored changes in testing policies in the marketplace as well as research related to the best predictors of student success. Research has confirmed that the combination of the strength of a student’s high school curriculum and grades are the strongest predictors of academic success in college. Our test-optional policy has reinforced the College’s commitment to understanding a student’s overall academic experience as demonstrated through the high school transcript, as opposed to performance on a single test or combination of tests. The test-optional policy encourages all students who have achieved success in high school to strongly consider Anna Maria College, regardless of their standardized test scores.

If I choose not to submit test scores, how is my candidacy for admission evaluated?
The evaluation of prospective students considers a range of factors that reflect an individual’s academic record. Carefully examined are the strength of the high school, the rigor of the curriculum, grades, teacher and counselor recommendations and extracurricular activities. Additionally, you have the opportunity to present your academic and personal achievements through written short answer and essay questions found in the application of through in admissions interview with a member of the admissions staff.

Does Anna Maria require anything in lieu of test scores?
There is no supplemental component in lieu of test scores. Your academic and co-curricular achievements are highlighted and examined during the application process. You are free to submit any additional information that reflects positively on your candidacy.

Am I eligible for scholarships without submitting standardized test scores?
Yes, all applicants are considered for all merit scholarships whether or not test scores are submitted.

How do I know whether or not to submit test scores?
The application process is designed for students to show our admissions staff why enrollment at Anna Maria College would make a great academic and personal fit. If you feel confident that your test scores accurately display your abilities and work ethic in the classroom, the scores could strengthen your application. However, if your test scores are not a good indicator of your academic achievement throughout high school, they are not required to be submitted.

How do I indicate whether or not I want my test scores to be considered for admission?
You can indicate your intentions on the Anna Maria College member page of the Common Application.