How to get into Sarah Lawrence College
How to get into Sarah Lawrence: the donning system, the no-major curriculum, and ED rounds
61.7%
Acceptance rate
$66,862
In-state cost
What makes Sarah Lawrence College admissions different
Sarah Lawrence College in Bronxville, NY (just outside NYC), is a small (around 1,500 students) liberal arts college with an unusual academic structure. Acceptance rate around 62%. No majors — students design their own course of study with a faculty don (a personal advisor). Most classes are seminar-style with weekly individual conferences with professors. The college is known for creative writing, performing arts, and dance — but the don system applies across all fields.
What an actually competitive application looks like
- 1.
Apply through the Common App by Early Decision I (November 1), Early Decision II (January 1), or Regular Decision (January 15).
- 2.
Submit the Sarah Lawrence supplement. The 'why Sarah Lawrence' essay reads better when engaging with the don system, conference work, or specific faculty/programs.
- 3.
Sarah Lawrence is test-optional. Submit SAT/ACT only if they strengthen your application.
- 4.
Apply for competitive merit (the Sarah Lawrence Scholar Program) — top awards offer substantial aid.
- 5.
Performing arts applicants: dance, theatre, and music have additional portfolio or audition components for talent scholarships.
- 6.
Connect with the admissions counselor for your region. Small colleges read demonstrated interest.
- 7.
File the FAFSA and CSS Profile by the priority date. Sarah Lawrence uses both for need-based institutional aid.
Common mistakes that hurt applicants here
- ✕
Treating Sarah Lawrence like a generic small liberal arts college. The don system and no-major curriculum are unusual — students who don't engage often struggle.
- ✕
Missing the binding ED1 round when SLC is your top choice. The ED bump at small liberal arts colleges is meaningful.
- ✕
Writing a generic essay. Sarah Lawrence reads for voice and intellectual independence — generic 'I love seminars' answers underperform.
- ✕
Skipping the CSS Profile.
The specifics for Sarah Lawrence College
Application deadlines
- Early Decision INovember 1, 2025Binding
- Early Decision IIJanuary 1, 2026Binding
- Regular DecisionJanuary 15, 2026
What makes this admissions process distinctive
The don system
Every student has a personal faculty advisor (don) who helps design their course of study. Most classes are seminar-style with weekly individual conferences with professors.
No majors
Sarah Lawrence does not have majors. Students design their own course of study with their don, completing concentrations across disciplines.
Notable scholarships at Sarah Lawrence College
Sarah Lawrence Scholar Program
Top competitive merit awards.
What graduates actually do
Sarah Lawrence is a small, distinctive liberal arts college in Bronxville, NY, known for its individualized, seminar-and-conference style of education with no traditional majors. Alumni are heavily concentrated in writing, theater, film, and the arts in New York City, with notable Pulitzer Prize winners, Oscar nominees, and bestselling authors. The college's creative writing and theater programs are particularly distinguished.
Notable alumni
- Yoko Ono — Artist/musician
- J.J. Abrams — Filmmaker
- Vera Wang — Fashion designer
- Carrie Fisher — Actor
- Alice Walker — Pulitzer Prize-winning author
- Rahm Emanuel — Former Chicago Mayor (attended briefly)
Transfer pathway
Sarah Lawrence accepts transfers for fall and spring through rolling admissions. Given the college's unusual curriculum (no majors, no GPA on transcripts), credit evaluation is course-by-course. Transfer applicants submit standard application materials plus a writing sample. There are no formal articulation agreements with community colleges, but transfers from other liberal arts colleges and selective community college honors programs are common. Up to 60 credits typically transfer.
Specifics verified 2026-05-18 from the school's own admissions page + Common App. Always confirm current-year details directly on the school site before applying.
If you're on the bubble
Sarah Lawrence is a target for self-directed applicants in the 3.4+ GPA range who want a small liberal arts college with extensive faculty access and no majors. ED1 is the highest-leverage move. The financial decision depends on institutional aid — Sarah Lawrence's published sticker price is high but most students receive substantial need-based aid.
Next steps
Last updated: November 2025. Acceptance rate and cost data refreshed nightly from college reporting.