Early Decision

First-Year Applicants

At Champlain College, we're different by design. Our intentionally unconventional academic model will get you ready to tackle all parts of your life: your career, your wellbeing, your independence, and your future self. With career-focused majors and signature upside-down curriculum, the Core curriculum, and InSight program, you'll be ready to intern early and often. You'll gain confidence through experience, making you Champlain Ready.

If you're ready for that kind of education, consider applying Early Decision, and enjoy all of the benefits that come with it.

Why Apply Early Decision?

We've laid out the top benefits of applying Early Decision in detail, but here's your quick list of why this plan could work best for you:

  • Your chances of getting in are higher because you compete with a smaller application pool.
  • You won't get locked out of popular majors with enrollment caps.
  • You'll receive the same financial aid consideration as all other applicants.
  • You'll receive your admission decision and financial aid offer months before other applicants.
  • You'll enjoy priority housing preference of your Victorian-era mansion.

How Early Decision Works

It starts with choosing Early Decision on the Champlain College application or on the Common Application. You may still apply to as many other schools as you like through their early action or regular decision admission process; however, you agree to withdraw those applications if admitted to Champlain College.

If you're admitted Early Decision to Champlain College, you'll commit to enroll by submitting your enrollment deposit within three weeks of receiving your offer of admission. Our Early Decision applicants receive the same financial aid consideration as all other applicants. If you feel your financial aid offer is not in line with what your family can afford, you may contact the Office of Financial Aid and request to be released from the agreement. Know that we'll do everything possible to make your Champlain education a financial possibility.

We offer two different deadlines for Early Decision applicants:

  • Early Decision I: November 15
  • Early Decision II: December 15

A group of students work together at a table in a conference room

Is Champlain's Early Decision Plan Right for You?

There are significant advantages to applying Early Decision—including an increased chance of getting admitted and receiving your admission decision months ahead of Regular Decision applicants.

See all the benefits

Male student stands on one side of a professional video camera, speaking to another student

Frequently Asked Questions About Early Decision

Is it easier to get admitted through the Early Decision plan? (Yes!) Do Early Decision applicants receive their financial aid offer earlier? (Yes!) See answers to these and other common questions.

Read the FAQs

How to Apply to Champlain College as an Early Decision Applicant

1

Fill Out an Application (No Application Fee)

You can apply to Champlain College using the Common Application or the Champlain College Application. We do not charge an application fee. All Early Decision applications are considered equally, regardless of which option you choose to submit. Please do not submit more than one application for admission. View application deadlines.

Common Application Champlain College Application

2

Send Us Your Academic Records

Please follow the directions on your application to submit required documentation (listed below). If you prefer you may fax or mail documents directly: Fax to (802) 860-2767, Attn: Admissions Operations, 163 South Willard Street, Burlington, VT 05402

High School Transcripts
An official copy of your high school transcript is required. Your school counselor can submit the transcript via:

  • Common AppParchment, or Scoir
  • Mail to Attention: Admissions Operations, 163 South Willard Street, Burlington, VT 05401
  • Fax to (802) 860-2767 // Attention: Admission Operations

View our academic requirements

Letters of Recommendation
One recommendation should be from your school counselor and the other recommendation should be from someone who can best highlight your academic potential and/or work ethic.

Early Decision Agreement Form
Please submit the Early Decision Agreement Form to complete your Early Decision application.

Download here

Test Scores (optional)
Champlain College is a test-optional institution. Please indicate on your application whether you would like us to consider your test scores (SAT and/or ACT). Students who choose to submit tests scores will use code 3291 for the College Board SAT and code 4298 for the ACT.

Transfer Credits
If you have taken college courses and you would like those courses evaluated for transfer credit, please send official college transcripts.

Portfolio
If you are applying to the Creative Media, Filmmaking, Game Art, Game Design, or Graphic Design & Visual Communication majors, please send us your portfolio. View our portfolio requirements.

3

Apply for Financial Aid (optional but recommended)

Completing your 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) could be an important step in financing your Champlain education.

We have a number of merit- and need-based institutional grants and scholarships, but in order to be considered for one or more of these, we must have a submitted FAFSA. Champlain's FAFSA code is 003684View application deadlines.

For Early Decision, please submit the Champlain Student Aid Estimator Form (emailed to ED applicants) by these deadlines to be considered for need-based aid. If you do not receive an email from us, please email us at admissions@champlain.edu and we will send you the link. With this form, you will automatically be considered for Champlain's Merit Scholarships.

  • Early Decision I - Tuesday, January 16, 2024
  • Early Decision II - Tuesday, January 16, 2024

Start your FAFSA

We Are a Test-Optional School

Champlain is a test-optional school. What does that mean to you as an applicant? If you would like us to consider your standardized test scores, by all means, feel free to include them with your submitted application. If you would rather us consider your application without them, we are happy to do that as well.

Learn More

Admission counselor at Champlain College speaking with a student.

Personal Interviews Are Wonderful!

You can tell a lot about people by simply speaking with them. We encourage virtual Personal Interviews for high school seniors and transfer students interested in applying to Champlain. The conversation is casual—it's like two friends getting to know one another.

Learn more

Champlain Application Dashboard

Our Application Dashboard allows you to monitor the status of your application and determine if you have any outstanding requirements. If you do not already have an account for our Dashboard, please create one using the same email address you used when applying.

Create your account or sign in

Admissions Application Deadlines

Application DatesDecision Release Dates*
Early Decision I November 15 Mid December
Early Decision II December 15 Mid January
Regular Decision January 15
Mid-February/Early March
Extended Regular Decision February 15 Mid-to-late March
Transfer Priority Deadline: June 1 Rolling
Spring Enrollment**
Priority Deadline: October 1 Rolling

All deadlines are 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)

File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to ensure that your financial aid award includes all of the institutional and federal aid you are eligible to receive.

Champlain's FAFSA code is 003684

*Decision release dates are contingent on receiving all requisite application materials by the stated deadlines, including transcripts and portfolios, if required.
**Certain majors are not eligible for Spring enrollment.


Champlain was the only school I applied to. I liked knowing that my spot was secured in my first-choice school. I started getting to know the people I was going to school with earlier, which helped in the fall.

Derek Mann, Broadcast Media Production Major, Class of 2021