College of the Holy Cross

What is the accreditation of College of the Holy Cross?

College of the Holy Cross holds institutional accreditation from the New England Commission of Higher Education, or NECHE. This accreditation applies to the institution as a whole; it is different from accreditation or state approval that may apply to a particular professional preparation program.

Institutional accreditation is relevant to eligibility for federal student aid and provides an external review framework. It does not guarantee that another college will accept a particular course in transfer, or that a degree alone meets the requirements for a professional license. Students considering a licensure pathway, such as teacher preparation, should check the applicable program and state requirements separately.

What are the admission requirements at College of the Holy Cross?

Holy Cross uses selective first-year admission rather than open admission. Applicants generally submit an undergraduate application, a secondary school record, and recommendations; the application's essay gives them another opportunity to explain their interests and experiences.

The college has a test-optional approach to SAT and ACT scores. Applicants should distinguish that policy from the use of grades and coursework: a school transcript is required even when test scores are not submitted. The reported median composite score among enrolled students who submitted scores was 1330 on the SAT and 30 on the ACT. Because only a portion of entering students submitted each test, those figures do not describe the entire class or establish a required minimum.

In the reported admissions cycle, Holy Cross admitted 1,685 of 9,568 first-year applicants, an acceptance rate of about 18%. That rate describes a past applicant pool, not an individual's chance of admission. Applicants whose prior education was not conducted in English should review the college's English-language proficiency instructions, including when a TOEFL result or an exemption applies.

Holy Cross offers early-decision and regular-decision routes. Early decision carries a binding enrollment commitment if an applicant is admitted and the financial aid terms are workable, so families should examine that agreement before applying. Deadlines and application-document instructions can change between cycles; the relevant year's admissions checklist governs.

What are the application fees and waivers at College of the Holy Cross?

The reported undergraduate application fee is $65. This is a charge to submit an application, not a tuition payment or an enrollment deposit.

• Standard reported application fee: $65.

Applicants with financial need should check the fee-waiver choices in the application and Holy Cross's admissions instructions before submitting. Common application processes allow eligible students to request a waiver, often with supporting confirmation from a counselor or another authorized person. A waiver request should be resolved as part of the application process rather than assumed to be a refund after payment. Transfer applicants should follow the fee and waiver instructions for their own application route.

What types of ROTC programs are available at College of the Holy Cross?

Holy Cross students have access to Navy ROTC through a unit at the college. Army ROTC and Air Force ROTC participation is reported through cooperating host institutions, rather than through separate Holy Cross units on campus.

A student considering Army or Air Force ROTC should confirm the current cross-enrollment arrangement, travel expectations, course schedule, and branch-specific eligibility with the relevant unit. ROTC scholarships are competitive, and participation, scholarship acceptance, and commissioning can carry different military-service obligations. Applicants should obtain those terms from the ROTC branch before making a financial or enrollment decision.

What are the requirements for transfer students at College of the Holy Cross?

Holy Cross accepts transfer applications for fall and spring entry and generally considers credit earned at other accredited colleges. Admission as a transfer student and acceptance of individual courses toward a Holy Cross degree are separate decisions.

Transfer applicants should be prepared to provide college transcripts and the other academic records specified in the current transfer application instructions. The admissions office's eligibility rules, deadlines, and document checklist can differ from those for first-year applicants. An applicant should also ask how proposed coursework would satisfy major requirements, the common curriculum, and any minimum time or credit that must be completed at Holy Cross.

The college reported 42 incoming transfer students in the enrollment figures, substantially fewer than its incoming first-year students. That makes an early discussion of course sequencing especially useful for students entering a structured major. A formal transfer-credit evaluation, rather than an informal comparison of course titles, is the appropriate basis for planning a graduation date.

What types of study abroad programs are available at College of the Holy Cross?

Holy Cross offers study-abroad opportunities, including longer academic-year or semester study as well as shorter options. Available destinations and formats vary, so students should separate college-administered opportunities from approved partner or third-party programs when comparing choices.

Study abroad requires academic planning: a student needs approval for the program and must establish how its courses will count toward the degree. Language preparation, major sequencing, and the timing of required courses may affect which term is practical. Students receiving aid should request a program-specific cost and aid review before committing; the cost of travel, housing, insurance, and personal expenses can differ from a semester in Worcester.