Ready to take the next step? Apply to Samford University—Alabama’s top-ranked private university offering over 140 degree programs in a supportive, Christ-centered community.
Apply to Samford
We are honored by your interest in Samford and look forward to assisting you with your application!
Our admission team wants to provide you with the most helpful information and resources during this process. Samford University will give freshman applicants the option to be evaluated without a test score for the 2025-26 application cycle. Learn more about our application options for fall admission.
Successful freshman applicants to Samford University are encouraged to provide the following:
Application
Samford offers an online application and also accepts the Common Application. The application fee is $50. We do not have a preference on which application you choose. All applicants receive the same review process.
Essay
Your essay should be 250 words minimum (one to two pages preferred). Students who apply via the Common Application do not need to submit an additional essay.
High School Transcripts
Official high school transcripts should be sent directly from your school. We will accept transcripts electronically via Common App, Docufide, E-script and Scoir. Applicants are also encouraged to submit a high school profile with their transcript.
Academic Recommendation
An academic letter of recommendation should come from a school counselor or teacher from your high school.
Official Test Scores
Samford superscores both the ACT and SAT for admission consideration, but only superscores the SAT for scholarship eligibility. Please have your ACT and/or SAT scores sent directly to Samford through the testing agency.
Because we take a holistic approach to admission and scholarships, we don’t have set minimum test scores. For reference, our middle 50% ranges are 23–29 for the ACT and 1130–1350 for the SAT.
Samford University will accept scores from the enhanced ACT, which now offers a reduced number of questions and an optional science section. We remain committed to a holistic review process and will continue to evaluate applicants based on the full range of their academic achievements and potential.
Samford Codes: ACT – 0016 | SAT – 1302
Samford will also accept the Classic Learning Test (CLT). If you have taken the CLT and wish to submit your scores for review, please do so via the CLT website.
Students applying for Fall 2026 can choose whether or not to submit test scores by selecting the test optional path on the Samford application or Common Application. If you’d like to change your response later, you’ll need to submit an appeal before your admission decision is released—after that, changes are not allowed. If you apply test optional and have scores on file, they will not be considered in our review for admission or scholarships. Visit our apply options page for more information on our test optional criteria.
Transfer students generally receive favorable admission review when they present a minimum cumulative 2.50 grade point average on all college-level course work, provided they have attempted at least 24 semester credits, or 36 quarter credits, at institutionally accredited colleges or universities. If you have fewer than 24 semester credits, please see High School Information below. Please contact the transfer admission counselor with questions.
In addition to the application, essay, and letter of recommendation, Samford also requires the following for transfer students:
College Transcripts
Samford requires official college transcripts to be sent directly from your school. We will accept transcripts electronically via E-script and Docufide.
High School Information
Students who have completed less than 24 semester credits must also submit their official high school transcript and ACT or SAT test scores. Samford’s Code: ACT: 0016 SAT: 1302
Important Dates and Deadlines
We welcome transfer students at the beginning of any term. Although there is no formal admission deadline, applicants are encouraged to complete the process as soon as possible. Delays in the admission process could adversely affect other processes important to eventual enrollment, including advising, registration and financial aid. For application dates and deadlines, please see the transfer application timeline above.
Transfer students seeking to begin coursework in May, June or July should select "Summer" for their intended enrollment period.
For Students Entering Fall Term:
During the summer, Residence Life assigns housing—based on availability—on a first‑come, first‑served basis for traditional transfer students who have submitted an enrollment deposit and requested on‑campus housing.
The priority deadline for transfer student housing is May 1. Housing requests submitted after May 1 require a $300 non-refundable housing deposit (in addition to the $300 non-refundable enrollment deposit) to secure a spot.
The earlier your enrollment deposit is received, the higher your priority in the housing assignment process. Samford is committed to offering Samford-provided housing to all new traditional students, subject to availability.
For Students Entering Spring Term:
Housing assignments are made beginning in December as available on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier you pay your enrollment deposit, the higher on the list you will be. Samford is committed to finding on-campus housing for every student who requests it, if available, but at this time, we can not promise that all transfer students will receive it.
English proficiency tests required if your high school courses were not taught in English
Favorable admission will be offered to students with the following recommended scores TOEFL/TOEFL iBT: Samford’s test code for TOEFL is R1302.
iBT: 90 or above
Computer: 232 or above
Paper: 575 or above
IELTS: 6.5 or above
Duolingo: 120 or above
Undergraduate Applicant (Transfer)
Completed International Undergraduate Application
$50 application fee
Official government documentation (passport, visa)
Documentation for financial support (bank statement, minimum balance $50,260)
Transcripts
Students who intend to transfer 24 or more credit hours are not required to submit a high school transcript.
Students with less than 24 college level credit hours are required to submit a high school transcript. Should any high school study be done abroad, a translated and notarized high school transcript is required.
If your high school courses were not taught in English
Transient students are students who are regularly enrolled in other colleges and universities yet desire to take courses at Samford. A transient student must submit a transient application and have all coursework authorized by the student’s primary institution.
Audit- You wish to take courses for no academic credit or grade.
Non-Degree - You are taking courses for credit but are not currently pursuing a degree at this institution.
Transient - You are currently enrolled at another institution and plan to transfer these credits back to your home institution.
Readmit Students are students that have previously attended Samford at any point in time and wish to re-enroll. You must submit the following in order to be reviewed:
A readmission application along with official transcripts from each college attended since last attending Samford
A letter of intent addressing why you left Samford, why you are looking to return and what transpired in the interim
AP, CLEP, DSST, and IB credit is awarded with the minimum exam score reported from the College Board, Prometric, or International Baccalaureate. Please refer to the Credit by Examination Policies section in Samford University’s Catalog for more information.
Credit earned with the minimum score required will be applied with a grade of “P” for Pass; no letter grade is applied. Credit hours are earned, but no grade or quality points will be included in the GPA calculation.
Once students have been notified of admission to Samford, a $250 nonrefundable enrollment/housing deposit must be submitted before May 1 to the Office of Admission. This can be done by either calling their admission counselor or logging into their Application Status Page.
In accordance with applicable federal and state laws, such as Titles VI and VII of the Civil Rights Act of 1964, Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972, the Age Discrimination in Employment Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act and ADA Amendments, the University does not unlawfully discriminate on the basis of sex, gender, race, color, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, religion, or any other protected status under federal, state or local law applicable to the University, in its education policies, programs, and activities, in its admissions policies, in employment policies and practices, and all other areas of the University. As a faith-based institution, the University is exempted from certain laws and regulations concerning discrimination.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Samford accept the Common Application (Common App)?
Yes. Samford accepts the Common Application, as well as Samford’s online application. We do not have a preference on which application you choose. All applicants receive the same review process.
What is Samford’s minimum test score to be admitted?
Because we take a holistic approach to admission and scholarships, we don’t have set minimum test scores. For reference, our middle 50% ranges are 23–29 for the ACT and 1130–1350 for the SAT.
What are Samford’s ACT and SAT codes?
Samford’s ACT code is 0016; Samford’s SAT code is 1302.
Does Samford accept the Classic Learning Test (CLT)?
Yes, Samford accepts the Classic Learning Test (CLT). If you have taken the CLT and wish to submit your scores for review, please do so via the CLT website.
Can I apply to Samford test optional?
Yes, students can choose whether or not to submit test scores by selecting the test optional path on the Samford application or Common Application. If you’d like to change your response later, you’ll need to submit an appeal before your admission decision is released—after that, changes are not allowed. If you apply test optional and have scores on file, they will not be considered in our review for admission or scholarships. Visit our apply options page for more information on our test optional criteria.
What’s the difference between Early Action and Regular Decision?
Students who apply by the November 1 Early Action application deadline will receive an admission decision before Thanksgiving, allowing them time to plan with confidence. Early Action applicants are also considered for merit-based scholarships and still have until May 1 to make their final college decision. This option gives students the benefit of being among the first to hear back from Samford while keeping their choices open.
Is Early Action binding?
No, Early Action is non-binding. You’re not committing to attend Samford—you’re simply applying early and getting your decision sooner.
What grade point average does a transfer student need to be admitted to Samford?
Transfer students generally receive favorable admission review when they present a minimum cumulative 2.50 grade point average on all college-level course work, provided they have attempted at least 24 semester credits, or 36 quarter credits, at institutionally accredited colleges or universities. Students who have completed less than 24 semester credits must also submit their official high school transcript and ACT or SAT test scores. Samford’s Code: ACT: 0016 SAT: 1302
When can I transfer into Samford?
Samford welcomes transfer students at the beginning of any term.
Can I live on campus as a Samford transfer student?
Yes. For fall entry term, the priority deadline for transfer student housing is May 1. Housing requests submitted after May 1 require a $300 non-refundable housing deposit (in addition to the $300 non-refundable enrollment deposit) to secure a spot. For spring entry term, housing assignments are made beginning in December as available on a first-come, first-served basis. The earlier you pay your enrollment deposit, the higher on the list you will be. Samford is committed to finding on-campus housing for every student who requests it, if available, but at this time, we can not promise that all transfer students will receive it.
Can I check how my credits will transfer into Samford?
Transfer work from institutionally accredited (formerly regionally accredited) colleges and universities will be accepted if the student has earned a grade of C- or higher (D grades will not transfer into Samford).
Coursework will be considered for transfer credit from postsecondary institutions that offer the baccalaureate degree or associate degree leading to the baccalaureate degree and are fully accredited by one of the six accrediting agencies below.
Higher Learning Commission (HLC)
Middle States Commission on Higher Education (MSCHE)
New England Commission of Higher Education (NECHE)
Northwest Commission on Colleges and Universities (NWCCU)
Southern Association of Colleges and Schools, Commission on Colleges (SACSCOC)
Western Association of Schools and Colleges; Senior College and University Commission (WSCUC), Accrediting Commission for Community and Junior Colleges (ACCJC)
Are transfer students eligible for scholarships?
Yes, transfer scholarships are awarded after admission.
What are the entry points for Samford Online?
Samford Online has fall entry points in August and October, spring entry points in January and March, and summer entry points in June and July. For more information, visit www.samford.edu/programs/online.
What courses will not transfer to Samford online programs?
Samford does not accept non-academic courses, remedial courses, highly technical courses, vocational courses, duplicate credit or pass/fail courses (unless the awarding institution provides documentation that a grade of P is equivalent to a C- or better).
Will credits for participation in sports and music ensembles transfer to Samford?
Yes. Up to eight total credits for courses in music ensembles, drama participation, and physical education (maximum of two credits) may apply toward the minimum of 120 credits required for graduation.
Can I take a class if I’m not pursuing a degree at Samford?
Yes, Samford allows non-degree seeking students to take classes at Samford.
Audit - You wish to take courses for no academic credit or grade.
Non-Degree - You are taking courses for credit but are not currently pursuing a degree at this institution.
Transient - You are currently enrolled at another institution and plan to transfer these credits back to your home institution.
I was a previous student at Samford but withdrew before graduation. Can I come back?
Yes, returning students may apply as either readmit applicants (students who have not enrolled anywhere since leaving Samford) or returning transfer applicants (students who have enrolled elsewhere since last attending Samford).
