Apply for Admission

The Admissions Committee emphasizes a holistic review process that examines the entirety of an applicant's academic aptitude, motivation, problem-solving skills, leadership potential and life experiences.

• Transcripts: Official high school transcripts are required. Official transcripts may be submitted electronically by your school counselor to enroll@jefferson.edu or sent by postal mail to the address below.
  
• Letter of Recommendation: Submit one letter of reference that provides insight into your academic competence. A reference from a teacher or counselor is encouraged. You will be prompted to provide recommender information when submitting your application for admission.
• Personal Essay: Submit a writing sample to share more information about yourself. Some programs require applicants to address a specific topic and submit a supplemental essay, so please carefully review the instructions and prompts when submitting your application.
  
• Portfolio (Optional): Students applying to a Jefferson design program are encouraged, but not required, to submit a portfolio of their creative works.
• Healthcare Experience (Optional): Students applying to an Accelerated Dual Degree program in Occupational Therapy, Physical Therapy or Physician Assistant Studies are encouraged, but not required, to submit a summary of any health-related activities, community service, shadowing or internship hours that you have achieved. Please review the instructions when prompted within the application.

Students who have taken coursework outside of the United States should submit a course-by-course academic credential evaluation from a National Association of Credential Evaluation Services (NACES) member credentialing organization. Applicants who do not have a NACES evaluation are required to submit official transcripts, along with an official English translation, to Jefferson for review. Thomas Jefferson University reserves the right to outsource student academic credentials to our NACES member partner for evaluation.

In addition to the required application materials listed above, all international applicants must provide one of the following marks of English proficiency:

• TOEFL Exam: minimum 80 IBT or IBT Home Edition (no sub-score below 20); exam must have been taken within last two years
• TOEFL Essentials Exam: minimum 8.5 (no sub-score below 8); exam must have been taken within last two years
• IELTS Exam: minimum 6.5 (no sub-score below 6); exam must have been taken within last two years
• Duolingo Exam: 115
• Pearson PTE Academic Exam: 53
• SAT: 500 Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW)
• ACT: 19 English minimum
  
• ELS 112 Certificate of Completion
• Completion of English Composition I & English Composition II at a college or university in the United States with a “C” or better
• Citizenship from a country [PDF] where English is an official language

After submitting your application, you will receive instructions on how to submit your supporting application materials through your MyJefferson portal account. If you prefer, you may also mail your materials to:

Thomas Jefferson University
Application Document Processing
4201 Henry Avenue
Philadelphia, PA 19144

You will receive a MyJefferson identification number via email once you submit your application for admission. Be sure to include your name and MyJefferson ID on all documents that you mail to Jefferson. 

You can check the status of your application at any time on the MyJefferson portal.

Thomas Jefferson University has eliminated the standardized test requirement for programs where it was previously required. Applicants may still submit a test score, but the absence of one will not disadvantage the applicant in the admission process. Jefferson is committed to a holistic review of an applicant’s file. Admission is based on evidence that the applicant can benefit from a Jefferson education and contribute to the campus community. The Admissions Committee will contact applicants directly if additional information is required to make an informed decision.

An admissions interview is required for the accelerated dual degree program options below. Qualified applicants will be contacted to schedule an interview after all supporting application materials are received and a preliminary review by the Admissions Committee has been conducted.

• Exercise Science, BS/Occupational Therapy, OTD (3+3)
• Health Sciences, BS/Occupational Therapy, OTD (3+3)
• Psychology, BS/Occupational Therapy, OTD (3+3)