Information for First Year Applicants

The Common Application
Colby is one of more than 450 colleges and universities inviting applicants to use the Common Application. Your use of this form is governed by the License Agreement for Common Application Forms, a copy of which is displayed at www.commonapp.org. Please read this agreement carefully before using this form.

Early Decision
The Early Decision plan is available to those students who, after careful consideration, decide that Colby is their first choice. Students who have made this decision are encouraged to apply under one of the Early Decision options; this is the best means of indicating that Colby is one’s first choice. Admission under Early Decision allows a student to enjoy the advantage of resolving college plans well before the mailing date of regular decisions in the spring.

Learn more about Early Decision

Regular Decision
Application materials must be submitted by January 1. Decisions will be mailed by April 1, and admitted candidates will have until May 1, the Common Candidates Reply Date, to accept admission to Colby and to submit the $300 enrollment deposit.

Required Forms
  • The Colby Supplement contains several short-answer questions specific to Colby.
  • The Secondary School Report should be given to the college counselor, principal, or head of your secondary school.
  • The two Teacher Evaluation forms should be given to teachers who have recently instructed you in solid academic subjects.
  • Early Decision candidates are required to complete an Early Decision Agreement form.

Application Fee Waivers
Applicants to Colby qualify for a waiver of the $65 application fee in one of three ways:
  • by being a Maine resident or enrolled in a secondary school in Maine;
  • by submitting the application online (other sections, including 
    Teacher Recs, Mid Year Report, and transcripts, are not required to be submitted electronically);
  • or by indicating that the fee presents a financial hardship.
Fees
If you do not qualify for a fee waiver, send a non-refundable check or money order, payable to Colby College. This $65 application fee may be sent along with your completed application to our office. Please be sure to provide the name of the applicant on the check or money order.

Standardized Tests
As one part of the information concerning candidates, either the College Board SAT Reasoning Test, the American College Test (ACT), or three SAT Subject Tests of the student's choice is required by Colby. A foreign language SAT Subject Test is recommended if you seek to satisfy Colby’s foreign language requirement prior to matriculation. All required tests must be taken no later than January of the senior year (earlier if you are applying as an Early Decision candidate). You should request that the test results be sent to Colby directly from the appropriate testing agency.

Candidates whose first language is not English, or whose language of instruction in secondary school is not English, should arrange to submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the International English Language Testing System (IELTS), in addition to the other required test results.

Supplementary Materials
You are invited to submit materials to supplement your application, e.g., tapes or CD's of individual musical performances or writing samples. Please direct items to Barbara Sweney (bsweney@colby.edu) in the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid. Supplementary materials will be returned to you if you include return postage and insurance costs.

Reapplying to the College
Please note the following if you've previously applied to Colby:

  • Complete and submit the online reactivation form. Your name and address should be displayed prominently on all documents and correspondence.
  • It is not necessary to submit another Common Application as we already have your original forms on file.
  • No application fee is required.
  • Students who have matriculated in any degree-granting program worldwide should reapply as a transfer candidate. Those who have not matriculated in a degree-granting program should apply again as first-year students.
  • All students seeking financial aid must reapply for financial aid each year. Information and forms are available on-line.

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