Applying to Bryn Athyn
At Bryn Athyn College of the New Church, we take a holistic approach to evaluating
applications. Of course, we take grades and test scores into account, but our Admissions
Committee also carefully considers essays, recommendations, and personal interviews
when determining whether an applicant will be a good fit for Bryn Athyn College of
the New Church.
Candidates for admission to Bryn Athyn College of the New Church should have solid
academic backgrounds and should also be interested in contributing positively to the
moral and spiritual life of the College. The Admissions Committee selects candidates
who demonstrate that they are well suited for personal and academic success at Bryn
Athyn College of the New Church.
Undergraduate
Deadlines:
Bryn Athyn College of the New Church operates on a trimester basis. Undergraduate
applicants may apply to start in the Fall, Winter, or Spring term. We admit students on a rolling basis, with priority consideration for students who
meet the following deadlines:
| Early Action (Fall 2026 Start) |
November 15, 2025 |
|
Early action is non-binding, but assures you first consideration for the fall term.
Students who file the FAFSA by November 1 and are admitted through Early Action will
also be the first to receive their financial aid awards.
|
| Regular Decision – Students applying by the following deadlines are promised full consideration for
admission, academic scholarships, and financial aid: |
Winter 2026/2027
|
November 1, 2025 |
Spring 2027
|
February 15, 2026 |
Fall 2027
|
May 1st, 2026 |
We will continue to review applications completed after these deadlines as space allows.
Required Documents for Admission
Required from all:
Test Optional
We are test optional for admission. When you complete either the Bryn Athyn application or the Common Application, you
will be asked if you are applying test optional.
- If you select that you would not like us to consider your test scores, we will review
your application for admission and scholarship awards based on your high school transcript, essay, recommendation, and other supporting documents without
consideration of your standardized (SAT/ACT) test scores.
- Students accepted through test-optional admission are strongly encouraged to send
their SAT or ACT scores (if available) after they have decided to enroll and deposited.
These scores will not have an effect on your admission or your scholarship, but will
assist us with your course placement.
- We will review SAT or ACT scores from students who believe that their scores are a
good measure of their academic ability. Simply answer “No” to the test-optional question
on the application, and we will consider your test scores when making a decision.
- If you do plan to send us test scores, please use our school code: 002338.
Whether you apply test optional or not, Bryn Athyn College of the New Church makes admission and scholarship decisions based
on a comprehensive review of all credentials submitted in support of the application,
with the greatest emphasis placed upon the high school academic record.
Transfer Students only
If you will have fewer than 30 credits completed prior to your anticipated enrollment
at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church, you should submit a secondary school/high
school transcript as well.
Bryn Athyn College of the New Church will evaluate and award credit for successfully
completed college coursework from postsecondary institutions holding accreditation
from any one of the six regional accrediting associations in the United States. Our
policy generally awards credit at the same level as credit was granted at the originating
institution (e.g., a first-year course will transfer in as 100-level, a second-year
course as 200-level); there may of course be some exceptions to this. The college
does not award credit for courses clearly intended to be a review of secondary school
material; such as “remedial,” “learning support,” or “developmental.” Included in
this category are selected orientation and study skills courses, speed reading and
note taking courses. For the same reasons, English as a Second Language courses are
not eligible for evaluation or the awarding of transfer credit. Vocational courses
are generally not eligible for evaluation.
The college will accept courses that are completed with a grade of “C-” (1.70) or
higher. The college will not award transfer credit for courses that have not been
completed (recorded as “I” or “In Progress”), nor for coursework from which the student
has withdrawn (“W”, “WP”, “WF” etc.). The college does not award transfer credit for
courses that were audited or given pass/fail grades (e.g. grades of “P”, “S”, “U”,
or “CR”).
There is no limit on the number of transfer credits but there are a minimum number
of Bryn Athyn College of the New Church credits that must be earned before a degree
is granted (62 for a Bachelor’s; 31 for an Associate’s). Courses accepted from institutions
operating on a quarter system are transferred at 2/3 (or .667) value.
All international transcripts must be evaluated, course by course, by an approved
third-party evaluation service. The student is responsible for paying any fees associated
with this service. Recommended: World Education Services.
Specific Equivalent Courses
The College will award specific equivalent credit when an acceptable course matches
one of the following Bryn Athyn College of the New Church courses or when consultation
with a department chair regarding specific cases suggests specific equivalence is
appropriate. Some courses also satisfy specific Core skill requirements. See the full list of specific equivalent courses.
International Students Only
In addition to the credentials described above, international applicants must submit
TOEFL or IELTS scores
Bryn Athyn College of the New Church values the diversity and richness of cultural
experience that international students bring to campus. Currently students from 15
countries attend Bryn Athyn.
Application requirements for international applicants:
- Completed Online Application (or PDF)
- High school diploma, certificate, or record of examinations
- Higher Education/Post-Secondary Transcript(s)
- If you studied at a higher education institution that was outside the United States,
we require that you submit a course-by-course evaluation of your credits by any credential
evaluation service that is a member of the National Association of Credential Evaluation
Services (NACES). For a list of these services, visit https://www.naces.org/members
- SAT and/or ACT
- Recommendation (PDF)
- TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo scores
- Proof of available funds: If you will be enrolling on a student (F-1) visa, you will
need to demonstrate the availability of adequate funding to cover the cost of tuition
and fees, room and board, and personal expenses for each year of enrollment. For the
2024-2025 academic year, required funding is $44,000 (US Dollars). Documentation
will include:
- A completed International Certification of Finance form
- A bank letter showing proof of available funds in US Dollars
- Interview may be required
It is recommended that you apply for admission six to eight months prior to your intended
start date, allowing ample time for visa processing in your country. International
students typically enter at the beginning of the academic year in the Fall term (late
August). Exceptions may be made for applicants who are native speakers or whose TOEFL
scores reflect they are near-native speakers of English.
English Proficiency Testing
If English is not your native language, you should take the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo
test at least one month prior to the application deadline. Have the test results sent
to Bryn Athyn College of the New Church. Our school code is 2002.
- Minimum TOEFL score: 520 (paper), 190 (computer-based), 70 (internet-based)
- Minimum IELTS score: 6
- Minimum Duolingo score: 105
TOFEL/IELTS/Duolingo can be waived for a student who has studied for four years in
an English-medium school where English is the primary language of instruction.
Home-Schooled Students
Bryn Athyn College of the New Church values home-schooled applicants. Their diverse
backgrounds and individualized approach to learning is a perfect fit for Bryn Athyn.
Application requirements for home-schooled applicants:
We encourage all of our applicants to visit campus. We may ask you to join us for
an interview after you complete your application.
Personal Interviews
A personal interview is not required, but it can be an excellent way for us—and you—to
determine if Bryn Athyn College of the New Church is a good fit for you and your goals.
Best of all, it’s a great way for you to get acquainted with your admissions counselor.
Interviews can be scheduled with a campus tour, either online or in person. To schedule
an interview separately, contact your admissions counselor or call 267-502-6000 or
email admissions@brynathyn.edu.
How do we review first-year applications?
Bryn Athyn College of the New Church seeks students who are inquisitive and engaged
learners. Students offered admission to Bryn Athyn College of the New Church will
have demonstrated preparedness through strong performance in a college preparatory
program. We consider the quality of academic course selection, trend in grade performance,
and senior course selection. We look for a minimum of 16 academic units in high school,
including the following:
- English: 4 years (including Composition and Literature)
- Mathematics: 3 years (including Algebra I & II and Geometry)
- History/Social Science: 3 years
- Natural Science: 3 years
- Foreign Language: 2 years (in one language)
GPA’s are recalculated to a standard 4.00 scale, with weighting of 0.5 point for each
honors course and one point for each AP course completed.
In addition to having strong academic preparation, applicants should also demonstrate
an interest in contributing to the life of the College and the betterment of the world.
We are a religious College based on strong spiritual principles, and students with
integrity, self-motivation, and strong personal values in addition to academic drive
make excellent candidates for admission.
Notification: Once we have received all required credentials, we typically are able to render an
admission and scholarship decision within one week.
Advanced Standing and Credit
Bryn Athyn College of the New Church awards advanced standing and academic credit
to students whose scores on Advanced Placement (AP) tests meet our criteria or who
have participated in the International Baccalaureate Diploma (IB) Program. | Test Credit Details
College Courses Taken in High School: Bryn Athyn College of the New Church will consider for credit courses completed at
an accredited college provided that an official transcript is sent to us directly
from the college originally awarding the credit. Courses most likely to transfer
are those that academic in nature.
Renewal of Attendance
If you have attempted credits at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church previously as
a degree-seeking student and wish to resume pursuit of your undergraduate degree with
us, please complete the Renewal of Attendance form. Bryn Athyn offers a unique opportunity to delve into a liberal arts education while
placing strong value on spiritual inquiry. We’re glad you’re thinking of renewing
your attendance here.
Please note:
- If you have received credits from another institution since you attended Bryn Athyn
College of the New Church, you will need to provide an official transcript from each
college you’ve attended.
- You need only complete the Renewal of Attendance form. Please do not complete the regular undergraduate application if you’ve previously been enrolled at Bryn Athyn College of the New Church.
- If you’ve only completed Bryn Athyn courses through an Early College or Dual Enrollment
programs while in high school, please complete the regular undergraduate application.
Graduate Application
Bryn Athyn College of the New Church offers certifications and Masters graduate programs in the fields of special education and religious studies. Application requirements are specific to each program.
Graduate Requirements
- Official sealed transcript(s) of undergraduate/graduate coursework
- BA or BS degree in Education or related field, from an accredited college or university
- Personal Statement:
- Highlighting their professional endeavors, motivations for pursuing their graduate
degree in special education, and how they will utilize their degree to enhance their
teaching practice upon program completion.
- GPA 3.0
- Three Letters of Recommendation:
- One must be from the candidate’s building administrator demonstrating support for
graduate student or if not currently employed in a school district, a school administrator
from their previous field placement.
- One must be from a faculty member from the candidate’s undergraduate program.
- Resume
- Additional Documents:
- Required Pennsylvania Clearances
- Optional: GRE Scores & Current teaching certifications if applicable
View more information about the Master of Science in Special Education, Literacy Concentration Program
If your first or native language is not English, you must submit scores from either
TOEFL or the IELTS. Moreover, in response to the temporary closing of testing centers
in countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bryn Athyn College of the New Church
will accept Duolingo English Test examination results for the 2022-23 application
cycle as an alternative to TOEFL and IELTS scores. Only Duolingo English Test scores
with subscores will be accepted. The following are the minimum scores accepted:
- TOEFL score(s): 550 (paper), 80 (internet-based)
- IELTS score: 6.5
- Duolingo English Test: 105
How to submit: An official copy of your score report must be sent. Our institution
code is 2002 for TOEFL (ETS). IELTS can be delivered to Bryn Athyn College of the
New Church Admissions Office.
- Official sealed transcript(s) of undergraduate/graduate coursework
- BA or BS degree in Education or related field, from an accredited college or university
- Personal Statement
- GPA 3.0
- Two Letters of Recommendation
- Resume
- Additional Documents:
- Optional GRE scores & Current Teaching Certifications if applicable
View more information about the Graduate Certificate in Language-Based Learning Disability & Interventions Studies
(LBLD&IS)
If your first or native language is not English, you must submit scores from either
TOEFL or the IELTS. Moreover, in response to the temporary closing of testing centers
in countries affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, Bryn Athyn College of the New Church
will accept Duolingo English Test examination results for the 2022-23 application
cycle as an alternative to TOEFL and IELTS scores. Only Duolingo English Test scores
with subscores will be accepted. The following are the minimum scores accepted:
- TOEFL score(s): 550 (paper), 80 (internet-based)
- IELTS score: 6.5
- Duolingo English Test: 105
How to submit: An official copy of your score report must be sent. Our institution
code is 2002 for TOEFL (ETS). IELTS can be delivered to Bryn Athyn College of the
New Church Admissions Office.
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or the equivalent
- Transcript of all courses and grades from each college or university attended
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 on a scale of 4. If the GPA is below 2.5, a Graduate
Record Exam score may be accepted instead.
- Three letters of recommendation. Recommendations should not be from close family members.
- Statement of intent and purpose
- Optional but recommended: Interview with program head
View more information about the Master of Arts in Religious Studies
- Bachelor’s degree from an accredited institution or the equivalent
- Transcript of all courses and grades from each college or university attended
- Undergraduate GPA of at least 2.5 on a scale of 4. If the GPA is below 2.5, a Graduate
Record Exam score may be accepted instead.
- A letter of recommendation. Recommendations should not be from close family members.
- Statement of intent and purpose
- Optional but recommended: Interview with program head
View more information about the Graduate Certificate in Spiritual Growth Studies and the Graduate Certificate in Biblical Interpretation
