Undergraduate Admissions

Future Students

It all starts here

At Johnson & Wales University, we want you to imagine everything your future can be. And then we’ll help you work toward it — because when you work, so does your education. With campuses in Providence and Charlotte, each with distinct offerings, your options are as open as your potential.

JWU Stories

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Selecting a Major

Whether you know exactly what you are looking for, or want to explore different areas of interest, the JWU academic search tool will help you do both. With more than 60 undergraduate program options universitywide, there are infinite outcomes.

Majors & Degrees

Affording JWU

We work to ensure that your education is not just a valuable investment — it’s a financially attainable goal. Our financial aid team helps families invest in an experience that guides students towards success.

Paying for College

Submitting your Application

Building a life you’ll love starts here. Begin your path towards a lifetime of success by completing your application now. JWU offers both early action and rolling admissions options. Whether submitting online or in print, the process takes less than 30 minutes to complete. Get started!

Apply to JWU

	Early Action Timeline	Regular Timeline
Application Deadline*	November 1	July 31
Admissions Notification Date	Mid-November	Beginning Mid-December

Admissions Requirements / Undergraduate: U.S. Citizens/Permanent Residents

Johnson & Wales University holistically reviews all elements of a student’s application to identify those students most likely to succeed at the university.

For students applying as a first-year student, a completed application and high school transcript(s) are required, except in circumstances where a student is homeschooled or where the traditional high school transcript is, for various reasons, not available. For students applying as a transfer student, a completed application, high school and/or college transcript(s) is required for admissions review.

Successful candidates for first year admission have taken a high school, college preparatory academic program including English, mathematics, science, social science and foreign language. Admissions decisions may also consider individual experiences and particular circumstances unique to each student. Other considerations are made based upon recommendations, writing ability and extracurricular activities.

Visiting campus, both in‐person or virtually, and interacting with admissions staff are all valuable ways of assuring that JWU is the right university for you.

For the most recent undergraduate admissions requirements, visit the JWU catalog.

Admissions Requirements/Undergraduate: Foreign Nationals

Application

Johnson & Wales University holistically reviews all elements of a student’s application to identify those students most likely to succeed at the university. Visiting campus, both in‐person or digitally, and interacting with admissions staff are all valuable ways of assuring that JWU is the right university for you.

An accurate, complete and legible application must be submitted, apply via JWU’s online application or the CommonApp. All schools attended must be listed with dates of attendance.

Transcripts

Official secondary school transcript showing subjects and marks received with graduation date. Diplomas and any external examination results should be submitted, if applicable. Students who have not yet graduated from secondary school must submit a transcript showing all completed work, and expected results and graduation date may be submitted for review.
Certified word-for-word translations must be submitted with all non-English documents.
Applicants who have attended any college or university must submit transcripts, marks sheets, diplomas or certificates from all post-secondary institutions attended, along with course descriptions and credit values for transfer review.

In addition to the undergraduate admissions requirements above, you must also provide:

Proof of English proficiency, if applicable.
Completed and signed International Student Financial Declaration Form (PDF).
Certified bank statement or government sponsorship letter verifying financial support for one academic year.
Copy of biographical section of your valid passport.
Non-U.S. students transferring to JWU from another U.S. post-secondary institution must submit a Transfer Verification Form.

Johnson & Wales is test-optional but encourages submission of all test scores. Essays and portfolios are optional but may be submitted to supplement the JWU application.

FAQs / Undergraduate

How much is the application fee?

There is no fee to apply to JWU.

What is the difference between Early Action and Regular Admission?

Early Action has a November 1 deadline for application submission and is only available for the fall entrance semester. It is a non-binding program.

Regular Admission has a deadline of July 31 for the Fall semester and 30 days in advance of a semester start date for Spring semesters.

How and when will I find out if I am accepted?

Early Action Fall Semester decisions are released beginning mid-November. Regular Admission decisions are released beginning mid-December in the JWU applicant portal. For the January start, we begin releasing decisions in early summer.

What are the admission criteria?

Johnson & Wales University holistically reviews all elements of a student’s application to identify those students most likely to succeed at the university. Visiting campus, both in‐person or digitally, and interacting with admissions staff are all valuable ways of assuring that JWU is the right university for you.

Do I need to write an essay?

Students may wish to submit additional information beyond the required items if they would like to enhance their Johnson & Wales University application. Examples of these optional items include an essay or digital portfolio of their work. Once JWU receives and enters your application into our system, you will receive an invite to the JWU applicant portal and then you may upload your essay and/or portfolio.

May I submit a portfolio of my work related to my program of choice?

In order to provide a more complete understanding of your capabilities, applicants may wish to submit an optional digital portfolio to supplement the JWU application. Some examples include: articles or opinion pieces written for student publications; creative works; or photos or video’s from clubs, activities or competitions. Once JWU receives and enters your application into our system, you will receive an invite to the JWU applicant portal and then you may upload your portfolio.

Does JWU require SAT/ACT scores or SAT Essay/ACT Writing?

Johnson & Wales is test optional and encourages submission of all test scores.

What are the requirements for the Honors Program?

Students with a 3.5 GPA and in the top 20% of their class will be invited to apply for the Honors program. The applications will be reviewed for admission into the program and students will be notified of their status.

What is required of Home Schooled students?

We require home schooled students to submit a home school transcript and complete an interview with an admissions officer. Test scores are also accepted, but not required.

I previously attended JWU, how do I re-enroll?

If you were previously enrolled at JWU, you do not need to reapply. Simply fill out the readmittance form to our on-campus programs or online programs.

Are there special requirements for the Early Enrollment Program (EEP)?

Yes, please refer to our Early Enrollment page.

When will I receive my financial aid offer?

If you have already filed the FAFSA as part of the admissions process, financial aid offers may be available with your acceptance. If your FAFSA is completed after your acceptance, your offer will appear in your student portal approximately two weeks after we receive your completed FAFSA.