do you need an essay to apply to jmu

James Madison University

Academic Programs

• Art & Design
• Communication
• Engineering
• Finance/Accounting
• Government/Political Science
• Health Science
• Liberal Arts
• Performing Arts
• Social Science
• Visual Arts

Student experience

• Disability Services
• Intramural/Club Sports
• Military/Veteran Services
• On-Campus Housing
• ROTC Program
• Study Abroad
• Undergraduate Research
• Veteran Fee Waiver

Application information

Find out about requirements, fees, and deadlines

Completing your application is easy! STEP 1: Submit your application ($70 fee). Step 2:  Submit an official high school transcript, including any dual-enrollment courses you may be taking. For transcripts to be considered official, they must be sent through the Common App, or another secure provider such as Naviance/Parchment, e-Scrip Safe, etc., or by mail from your school. If sending by mail, please use the following address: James Madison University Office of Admissions – MSC 0101 100 E Grace Street Harrisonburg, VA 22807 Please note, JMU will not accept recommendation letters that arrive via Parchment, postal mail, etc.

To apply for transfer admission, you should have completed at least 24 credit hours post high-school graduation before you would start classes at JMU. If you’ll have completed less than 24 credit hours, please contact your regional recruiter . Priority is given to applicants with associate degrees, or at least 48 college credits. Competitive transfer applicants have at least a 3.0 GPA and have completed college course work in English, mathematics, social science and lab science.  For more information, please see the Transfer Applicants section of our website.

Additional Information

JMU graduates are far more than merely educated. Members of a fellowship of doers, they know how to make things happen. They’ve honed their ability to think critically. They’ve learned the importance of a strong work ethic and have become committed to and skilled at collaborating with others. Diplomas in hand, they leave campus determined to live lives of meaning and pursue careers of purpose.

Admissions office

100 South Main Street , MSC 0101 Harrisonburg , VA 22807 , United States of America

Phone number

540-568-5681

For first-year students

Admissions website.

www.jmu.edu/admissions/undergrad/index.shtml

Financial aid website

www.jmu.edu/financialaid/

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• Requirements
• Decision Dates
• Acceptance Rate
• GPA Requirements
• Additional Transfer Info for James Madison University (JMU)
• Will you enjoy James Madison University (JMU) as a transfer student?
• Final Verdict: How to transfer into James Madison University (JMU)
• Chances Calculator

Real Videos

$2,000 Scholarship

Will you get accepted?

Predict now!

James Madison University (JMU) Transfers: 2024 Requirements, Dates, GPAs & More

This is the complete guide for transferring to JMU. We suggest you read until the end - you can also use the below calculator to estimate your likelihood of being able to transfer to JMU.

This free college chances tool calculates your acceptance chances at any other U.S. college

Please note all chances are estimates based on test score and GPA averages.

Watch the JMU CampusReel

At JMU, 15.0% of the entire student body are transfer students, so you won’t be alone.

To read about regular admission requirements for James Madison University (JMU), click here

Can you transfer into James Madison University (JMU)

What are the transfer requirements for JMU?

JMU requires a number of completed documents for consideration. The table below summarizes the most important pieces of information:

In addition to the above requirements, JMU also requires a minimum number of credits completed to apply to be a transfer student.

JMU requires a minimum of 24 credits.

What are James Madison University (JMU)’s Transfer Deadlines?

Many universities accept transfer applications during each semester. For this reason, we break down JMU transfer deadline by fall, winter, spring and summer.

Waiting until the last minute to finalize your application could result in a silly mistake.

We recommend you complete your application at least 1 week before the required deadline.

In fact, take a full 2 day break from looking at anything related to your application and then come back to look for errors. I bet you’ll find a few 😉

When are decision dates for James Madison University (JMU) transfer applicants?

If you applied to transfer to JMU on or before the reported deadlines then you should have your decision date by the notification dates in the below table.

Note this data is current as of 2019 and to the best of our knowledge this hasn’t changed.

What is James Madison University (JMU)’s transfer acceptance rate?

In 2019, JMU received 1741 transfer applicants.

The school accepted 1290 students. Therefore, the transfer acceptance rate for JMU is 74.1%.

This indicates how hard it is to transfer into JMU. You can use the free calculator below to predict your chances of getting accepted.

Additionally, of the 1290 accepted transfer students, 739 students enrolled - that means the yield was 57.29%.

JMU accepts 75 out of every 100 transfer applicants.

Watch a Student-led Virtual Tour of James Madison University (JMU)

What are the James Madison University (JMU) transfer GPA requirements?

JMU requires a minimum college GPA of 2.0 - this is on a 4.33 point scale.

In addition, JMU requires a minimum high school GPA of 2.0.

Additional Transfer Info for JMU

JMU has noted the additional policies: N/A.

Will you enjoy transferring to JMU?

There are a lot of reasons to transfer to JMU.

Maybe your plan has always been to attend community college, and then move to a four year college to save money while completing your degree.

Maybe you had a bad experience at your first school - don’t worry this is more common than you think.

Or perhaps you’re drawn to Harrisonburg...

Will you be able to find a place to find home and grow?

Regardless of your reason for transferring, you’re already enrolled at another college or university so you know that the most important element in your college experience is the people and community

Finding success at JMU is dependent on feeling comfortable - will you be able to find a place to find home and grow?

These are the questions that numbers and data cannot answer, but CampusReel can.

If you’re considering transferring to JMU then I highly recommend that you watch the school’s videos on CampusReel. These are real students with real stories.

Final Verdict: How to transfer into JMU

Let’s wrap up everything we’ve learned. If you still have questions about transferring, check out the JMU website for more info. JMU accepts 74.1% transfer applicants, which is competitive.

To have a shot at transferring into JMU, you should have a current GPA of at least 3.56 - ideally you’re GPA will be around 3.7. In addition, you will need to submit standardized test scores.

The below tables show the SAT and ACT breakdown of JMU students.

James Madison University (JMU)’s average SAT score is 1125. To be a competitive applicant for James Madison University (JMU) your SAT score should come close to the average - for the ACT you should be aiming for the equivalent.

What are the possible risks of transferring

Related Schools for Transfering

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JMU Requirements for Admission

What are JMU's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into JMU and build a strong application.

School location: Harrisonburg, VA

This school is also known as: James Madison University, JMU, Madison

Admissions Rate: 78.3%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at JMU is 78.3% . For every 100 applicants, 78 are admitted.

This means the school is lightly selective . The school will have their expected requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores. If you meet their requirements, you're almost certain to get an offer of admission. But if you don't meet JMU's requirements, you'll be one of the unlucky few people who gets rejected.

We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies . We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools , from state colleges to the Ivy League.

We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.

Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.

JMU GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.55

The average GPA at JMU is 3.55 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA. This school did not officially report its average GPA, but we've estimated it here using data from over 1,000 schools.)

With a GPA of 3.55, JMU requires you to be around average in your high school class. You'll need a mix of A's and B's, and very few C's. If you have a lower GPA, you can compensate with harder courses like AP or IB classes. This will help boost your weighted GPA and show your ability to take college classes.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.55, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

JMU hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to JMU will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

JMU SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1205

The average SAT score composite at JMU is a 1205 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes JMU Competitive for SAT test scores.

JMU SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1160, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1310. In other words, a 1160 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1310 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

JMU has the Score Choice policy of "Highest Section."

This is also known as "superscoring." This means that you can choose which SAT tests you want to send to the school. Of all the scores they receive, your application readers will consider your highest section scores across all SAT test dates you submit .

Click below to learn more about how superscoring critically affects your test strategy.

For example, say you submit the following 3 test scores:

Even though the highest total you scored on any one test date was 1000, JMU will take your highest section score from all your test dates, then combine them to form your Superscore. You can raise your composite score from 1000 to 1400 in this example.

This is important for your testing strategy. Because you can choose which tests to send in, and JMU forms your Superscore, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit only the tests that give you the highest Superscore. Your application readers will only see that one score.

Therefore, if your SAT superscore is currently below a 1160, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You have a very good chance of raising your score, which will significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Even better, because of the Superscore, you can focus all your energy on a single section at a time. If your Reading score is lower than your other sections, prep only for the Reading section, then take the SAT. Then focus on Math for the next test, and so on. This will give you the highest Superscore possible.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

JMU ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, JMU likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 26

The average ACT score at JMU is 26. This score makes JMU Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 23, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 29.

Even though JMU likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 23 or below, you'll have a harder time getting in, unless you have something else impressive in your application.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 23 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to JMU, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 23.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

JMU considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is lightly selective, you have a great shot at getting in, as long as you don't fall well below average . Aim for a 1160 SAT or a 23 ACT or higher, and you'll almost certainly get an offer of admission. As long as you meet the rest of the application requirements below, you'll be a shoo-in.

But if you score below our recommended target score, you may be one of the very few unlucky people to get rejected.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

At PrepScholar, we've created the leading online SAT/ACT prep program . We guarantee an improvement of 160 SAT points or 4 ACT points on your score, or your money back.

Here's a summary of why we're so much more effective than other prep programs:

• PrepScholar customizes your prep to your strengths and weaknesses . You don't waste time working on areas you already know, so you get more results in less time.
• We guide you through your program step-by-step so that you're never confused about what you should be studying. Focus all your time learning, not worrying about what to learn.
• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
• We've gotten tremendous results with thousands of students across the country. Read about our score results and reviews from our happy customers .

There's a lot more to PrepScholar that makes it the best SAT/ACT prep program. Click to learn more about our program , or sign up for our 5-day free trial to check out PrepScholar for yourself:

Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of JMU here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Not accepted
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement
• Letters of Recommendation
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $70
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office None

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 3
• Social Studies 2

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes January 15 None
• Yes November 1 None

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 800 Harrisonburg, VA 22807
• Phone: (540) 568-6211
• Fax: (540) 568-3332
• Email: [email protected]

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in JMU, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to JMU.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than JMU. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for JMU, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for JMU, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If JMU is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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Applying To JMU

JMU apparently does not accept the Coalition essay and only has one optional personal statement essay. Should I do it? The school has a 70 percent acceptance rate and I have a 4.3 GPA along with a 1200 SAT which is their average score. I just do not know what else to put because it says to use for information that you were not able to put into the rest of the application.

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James Madison University | JMU

• Cost & scholarships
• Essay prompt

Acceptance Rate

Average SAT

SAT 25th-75th

Students Submitting SAT

Average (25th - 75th)

Reading and Writing

Average ACT

ACT 25th-75th

Students Submitting ACT

Wondering your admission chance to this school? Calculate your chance now

Applications, how to apply, tests typically submitted, similar schools.