Apply to College of the Atlantic

College of the Atlantic

The right fit changes everything

College of the Atlantic welcomes imaginative, idealistic, and intellectually curious students who want to make a difference in the world. Our holistic admissions process is designed to understand who you are—not just your test scores or transcripts, but your passions, goals, and the unique perspective you’ll bring to our community.

We are still accepting applications for Fall 2026 on a rolling basis and welcome inquiries from interested students.

We’re here for you

Hampshire College Admitted students

We are deeply saddened by the news of Hampshire’s closure and we are here to help however we can. To help ease uncertainty during this difficult time and support a smooth transition for Hampshire students, we have simplified our admission process.

We are accepting applications for the fall via rolling admission.
We will match the net cost of your Hampshire financial aid offer. To receive a financial aid package, you will need to add COA to your FAFSA and send us your Hampshire financial aid offer.
Students who were planning to enroll at Hampshire this fall (as first years or transfers) should use the standard Common App.
Current Hampshire students can apply with an abbreviated/simplified application form. There is one essay question with the prompt: “Tell us why you believe COA will be a good place for you to finish your degree.”
- The only other material we need is your transcript—no recommendations are required.
- Hampshire students may transfer up to three years worth of college work to COA. Keep in mind, you do not have to transfer in all of your eligible credits if you would like to be at COA longer.

How to apply

Your step-by-step guide to a COA application

We accept Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision applications. Be sure to check dates on our deadlines page. You can apply at any time using the Common App. There is never a fee to apply to COA.

Each application is reviewed holistically by several members of our admission committee, which includes faculty, current students, and admission staff. We look for:

A strong academic foundation
Intellectual curiosity and a love of learning
Interest in interdisciplinary learning and community engagement
Willingness to take on academic and personal challenges
Independence and self-direction

Apply now

application TIPS

Completed application form
One teacher recommendation
Official transcripts from all high schools or colleges attended
School report and counselor recommendation (for first-year applicants only)
Additional guidance for transfer and UWC students

All applicants must submit:

Your personal essay (part of the CommonApp)
One short-answer response
(Optional) Submit a creative portfolio—art, writing, music, or other work—if it helps us better understand your interests and voice.

Essay prompts

Required short-answer question (1–2 paragraphs)

Why COA? What are you looking for in a college, and how does our self-designed, interdisciplinary curriculum align with your goals?

Portfolio submissions (optional)

Share art, writing, video, music, or other creative work if it adds depth to your application. Submit a single PDF or a shareable link (Google Drive, Dropbox, etc.) to [email protected].

We encourage interviews for high school seniors, transfer, and non-traditional students. It’s a chance for us to get to know you—and for you to ask questions about COA.

Schedule an interview online or call 800-528-0025

Double-check that all required materials are included.
Apply by your selected deadline (Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision).
No application fee

Standardized testing policy

We do not require or encourage the submission of SAT or ACT scores, but you may submit them if you feel they enhance your application.

COA’s CEEB code: 3305

Service member readmission

COA complies with federal regulations regarding the readmission of service members. Learn more.

Next steps & contact

Application

Start your application

Apply to College of the Atlantic through the Common App—there’s no application fee.

Apply via the Common App

Conversation

Schedule an interview

Meet with an admission counselor to talk through your interests, questions, and goals.

Schedule an online interview
Call 800-528-0025 or email [email protected]

Support

Ask a question

Our admission team is here to help with anything from deadlines to next steps.

Affordability

Learn about financial aid

More than 80% of COA students receive need-based or merit-based financial support.

Explore financial aid

Start Your Application

Nondiscrimination statement

College of the Atlantic admits students based on their qualifications to contribute to our educational objectives. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, disability, religion, ancestry, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, or veteran status. We operate under federal and state nondiscrimination laws.