First-Year Students | Westmont College
First-Year Students
Admissions & Aid
Begin Your Academic Journey with Purpose
Rooted in academic excellence and a deep love of God, a Westmont education forms thoughtful scholars, grateful servants, and faithful leaders prepared to engage the world with clarity and conviction. Regardless of whether college classes have been taken while in high school, a student coming to college straight after high school will be considered a first-year student.
Apply to Westmont
Plan Your Visit
Who You Are
You Are Ready for More
You are seeking more than a college, you are seeking a place to grow in knowledge, character, and purpose. At Westmont, your first year marks the beginning of a rigorous and transformative journey shaped by faith, intellectual curiosity, and meaningful relationships.
Fast Facts
Recognized for Excellence. Grounded in Purpose.
#1
Ranked among the
top liberal arts colleges
in the U.S.
95%
of graduates employed
or in graduate school
within six months
11:1
student-to-faculty ratio
80%
graduate in four years
95%
receive financial aid
Steps to Apply
Apply Online
Westmont uses both our personalized application and the Common App. There is no preference, and both are free of charge.
Apply with the Westmont App
Apply with the Common App
Send Transcripts
Request official transcripts of all high school and college (if dual-enrolled) work to be submitted directly from school officials. If filing the Common App, the request may be processed online through that application process.
Submit Official Test Scores
Applicants have the option of submitting test scores or withholding them. We accept either the SAT, ACT, or CLT. However you choose to proceed, we always conduct a holistic review of each application, including academic credentials, extra-curricular involvement, demonstrated leadership and more.
SAT II subject tests are not required.
Order ACT Scores
Order SAT Scores
Send Reference Letter(s)
Westmont requires one academic reference from a teacher in a major subject (i.e. English, Science, History, Math, etc.). In addition, an optional pastoral/character reference may be submitted. The reference forms may be accessed within either application.
Interview (Optional)
Interviews are optional for applicants but are a great way to allow your counselor to get to know you personally, beyond just your application itself. Set up a time to talk with your admissions counselor, and this time can count as your application interview!
Find Your Counselor
Schedule a Visit
Apply Online
Send Transcripts
Submit Official Test Scores
Send Reference Letter(s)
Interview (Optional)
When to Apply
Applications are live for 2026 applicants!
APPLICATION TYPE
APPLICATION DEADLINE
APPLY FOR
FINANCIAL AID
DECISION BY
CANDIDATE REPLY DATE
Fall First-Year
Early Action I
10/15
Beginning October
12/1
5/1
Fall First-Year
Early Action II
11/1
Beginning October
Christmas Break
5/1
Fall First-Year
Regular Decision
1/15
Beginning October
Rolling Beginning 1/1
5/1
Spring Priority Deadline
11/15
Beginning 8/1
Within 2-3 weeks after application is complete
Priority 12/1
Affording College
Students applying without test scores are eligible for all our academic scholarship tiers. Merit scholarships are awarded based on the academic criteria available to us. Admission decisions are always made on the basis of a holistic review, including academic credentials, an interview, extra-curricular involvement, demonstrated leadership and more.
What Westmont scholarship do you qualify for? On the chart below, find your GPA and your test scores (if applicable) and discover the size of your scholarship award. With some scholarships, higher test scores can compensate for a lower GPA—and vice versa. This amount doesn't include any need-based aid you may receive on the basis of your FAFSA or talent-based awards such as athletics and music scholarships.
Financial Aid
Scholarships
If you have taken either AP or IB exams or Dual Enrollment classes, try out our Transfer Credit Calculator, designed for prospective students! See how your credits will transfer to Westmont in just a few minutes!
Transfer Credit Calculator
DISCOVER SANTA BARBARA'S GEM
Visit Westmont
Located in Santa Barbara, the American Riviera, you’ll flourish in a culturally rich and vibrant setting.
You belong here. You’ll feel at home here. You just have to see it for yourself!
FAQs
When are the application deadlines for Westmont?
We strongly encourage students to apply Early Action, which is by November 1st! This allows you to get a decision back by Christmas, and is non-binding.
What high school classes are required?
First year applicants are required to have a minimum of 14 academic units of credit to include:
4 years
science
3 years (two years of laboratory science)
MATHEMATICS
3 years (including at least second-year algebra)
Foreign Language
2 years of one language (three years recommended)
Social science
2 years
Will my AP or IB classes transfer?
AP, IB and A-Level Credit
Westmont grants advanced placement credit to students who present scores of 4 or 5 on the Advanced Placement Tests of the College Entrance Examination Board and for scores of 5, 6, or 7 on Higher-Level subject examinations of the International Baccalaureate Program. Westmont also accepts A-Level exams, which will be evaluated on an as-needed basis. Contact your
admissions counselor
for more information.
The College limits credit to a maximum of 32 advanced placement/IB units. Up to three Westmont-approved advanced placement exams may be applied to the general education curriculum requirements and any remaining AP units may be applied as electives.
AP Exam Credit Information
IB Exam Credit Information
Should I send in test scores?
As a test-optional college, whether or not you send standardized test scores is up to you. Feel free to reference our two scholarship grids to see which may be more beneficial to you! We will only use your test scores if they benefit you, which should take off some of the pressure.
What scholarships and financial aid opportunities are available?
More than 95 percent of Westmont students receive academic scholarships, talent based scholarships, or both. Your bottom line will depend on your family’s financial need and your eligibility for merit and talent based scholarships. Check out the
scholarship opportunities
Westmont has to offer.
Academic scholarships
Talent scholarships
Other financial aid - FAFSA
How do I schedule a visit to campus?
Westmont offers in-person tours, virtual experiences and campus events for you to attend. Your visit, your way!
Schedule Your Visit
When are the application deadlines for Westmont?
What high school classes are required?
Will my AP or IB classes transfer?
Should I send in test scores?
What scholarships and financial aid opportunities are available?
How do I schedule a visit to campus?
HERE FOR YOU, BECAUSE WE WERE YOU
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