How to Apply to Chemistry at Lafayette College: A.B. and B.S. Degrees, an ACS-Certifiable B.S. Plus a Biochemistry Major, Test-Optional, for Domestic, International (Including China) and Transfer Applicants

Lafayette College (Easton, Pennsylvania) is a private liberal arts college; chemistry is taught by the Department of Chemistry (in the Hugel Science Center). Students apply to the College and declare a major after entry. The guide below follows the College’s website and is organised for US domestic applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, with a section for transfer students at the end. Biology, mathematics, physics, engineering and other majors are not covered here; the chemistry department also offers a biochemistry major, which is included.

1. Degrees and programmes

• Four majors (department program page): the College offers the A.B. and B.S. degrees with majors in both chemistry and biochemistry. The page says the B.S. degrees are the most highly structured and rigorous and are often preferred by graduate schools and employers; the A.B. chemistry programme is the most flexible, allowing minimum work in chemistry and more in other fields, or a highly specialised selection; the A.B. biochemistry degree requires a core of chemistry and biology courses but keeps the A.B. flexibility. The department is approved by the American Chemical Society (ACS) for the professional training of chemists; the B.S. chemistry meets ACS certification standards, and the B.S. biochemistry can with the appropriate electives.
• B.S. chemistry (department page): CHEM 103 or 107, 108, 211, 221, 222, 231, 331, 342, 343, 351 or 352, 365 or 366, 392, 411 and two advanced chemistry electives (200-, 300- or 400-level, with some exclusions), including a minimum of 400 hours of chemistry laboratory beyond CHEM 103/107 and 108; PHYS 111/112 or 131/133 or 151/152; MATH 161/165, 162 and one further 200-level or higher MATH elective; plus the College-wide Common Course of Study. The suggested four-year schedule: first year CHEM 103/107 and 108 with Calculus I and II; second year Organic I and II, Quantitative Chemical Methods and Foundational Inorganic; third year Physical Chemistry I and II, biochemistry and a course-based research experience (365/366) or independent research; fourth year Instrumental Analysis, Independent Research 392 and Advanced Inorganic 411.
• A.B. chemistry: MATH 161/165 and 162 (or 186); PHYS 111/112 or 131/133 or 151/152; CHEM 103/107, 108, 211, 221, 222, 231, plus either 341 and two other advanced chemistry courses (not 342 or 343), or 342/343 and one other advanced elective (not 341), and 365 or 366; advanced electives are 200-level or above and only one may be a biochemistry course.
• B.S. biochemistry: MATH 161/165, 162 and either 186 or 263; the same physics options; CHEM 103/107, 108, 221, 222, 231, 331, 342, 343, 352, 353, 354, 365 or 366 and at least one other advanced chemistry course; BIOL 111 and 112 (or BIOL 101 and 102), BIOL 255, one more 200-level or higher biology course, and one further 300- or 400-level CHEM or BIO course.
• A.B. biochemistry: mathematics (MATH 141 and 186, or 161/165 and 162, or 161/165 and 186); the same physics options; CHEM 103 or 107, 108, 221, 222, 231, 341 (or 342 and 343), 352, 353, 354 and 365 or 366; BIOL 111 and 112 (or 101 and 102), BIOL 255 and at least one other 200-level or higher biology course.
• Chemistry minor: for students in other majors, CHEM 103/107 and 108, 221 and 341, plus two of 211, 222, 231, 201 (Environmental Chemistry) and 350 (Survey of Biochemistry); no more than three courses may also count toward the major.
• Research: the department page says every faculty member engages students in research; the research page lists six labs (marked “under construction”). The curriculum includes course-based research experiences (CHEM 365/366) and independent research (CHEM 392). The department’s honours programme is not described in the pages read; check the website.
• Inconsistency on the pages: the A.B. chemistry page says that by the end of sophomore year students should have completed “CHEM 103/107, 108, 221, 321”, but CHEM 321 is not in the same page’s requirement list (perhaps a typo for 221); confirm with the department.

2. How admission works: apply to the College, declare a major later

• At application: you apply to the College through the Common Application; the first-year materials list has no chemistry-specific requirement, and the pages read do not say whether admission is by major or whether chemistry has a cap on places; this is not published in the pages read, so ask admissions.
• Declaring a major: the College’s departments and programs page says there are over 50 areas of study and that students typically declare a major by the end of sophomore year; the A.B. requirements make it possible to pursue two majors or create a major across two departments. A grade threshold for chemistry and conditions for moving in from another major are not given in the pages read.
• A.B. or B.S.: the department lists the two sets of requirements separately but the pages read do not say whether the degree is chosen at application or after entry; ask admissions or the department.

3. Prerequisites and credit

• High school courses: the admissions and department pages read do not state minimum high school chemistry, mathematics or physics requirements; ask admissions.
• Starting point: the major begins with CHEM 103 or 107 (General Chemistry I) and 108 (General Chemistry II), alongside Calculus I (MATH 161/165); most chemistry courses have prerequisites, so students who want to graduate in four years should follow the department’s suggested schedule. The difference between CHEM 103 and 107 is not explained in the pages read.
• AP / IB credit (registrar’s 2026–27 table): AP Chemistry 4 or 5 earns 1 credit for CHEM 107; IB Higher Level Chemistry 5, 6 or 7 earns 1 credit for CHEM 107 (no credit for IB Standard Level). Mathematics: AP Calculus AB 4/5 for MATH 161; Calculus BC 3 for MATH 161 and 4/5 for MATH 161 plus 162; IB Mathematics (Analysis and Approaches or Applications and Interpretation) HL 5–7 for MATH 161; AP Statistics 4/5 for MATH 186. Physics: AP Physics 1 (4/5) for PHYS 111, Physics 2 for PHYS 112, Physics C: Mechanics for PHYS 131 and Physics C: E&M for PHYS 133 (a 4–5 on both Physics 1 and C: Mechanics earns credit only for PHYS 131; on both Physics 2 and C: E&M only for PHYS 133); IB Physics HL 5–7 for PHYS 111. The registrar says official scores can be received only after admission, that faculty set eligible exams, scores and equivalents each spring, that none of this can be petitioned or overridden, and that a student who wants to take a course for which exam credit was awarded must ask in writing to rescind the credit. A student who wants to start in a higher mathematics course without credit must first pass the mathematics department’s credit exam.
• Labs and graduation requirements: the B.S. chemistry needs at least 400 hours of lab beyond the first two courses; chemistry majors complete a research course (CHEM 392 for the B.S., CHEM 365 or 366 for the A.B.); all students meet the College-wide Common Course of Study, whose details were not read.
• Competitions: the website does not say how chemistry olympiads are viewed in admission.

4. Timeline and materials (first-year applicants)

• Rounds and deadlines: Early Decision I (ED I, binding) 15 November, decisions in mid-December, deposit 5 January; Regular Decision (RD) 15 January, decisions in late March, deposit 1 May; Early Decision II (ED II) 15 January, decisions in mid-February, deposit 1 March; a submitted RD application can be converted to ED II by 1 February. Applicants seeking need-based aid submit the FAFSA, CSS Profile and IDOC by the matching deadline; these are not needed for merit scholarship consideration alone. The pages show no year, so check that the dates apply to fall 2027 entry.
• How to apply and fee: apply through the Common Application; the application fee is $65, with a fee-waiver option in the Common Application for hardship.
• Materials: a recommendation from a guidance counsellor and at least one teacher (the College prefers a teacher of an academic subject from junior or senior year, and does not say it must be a science teacher); an official transcript and school report sent directly by the school; mid-year or first-trimester grades (ED applicants send first marking period grades); and an optional supplement essay, “Why Lafayette?” (20–200 words). The College focuses on the top six activities listed.
• What the College looks at (its wording): grades relative to others in the class and the quality of courses taken, an admissions interview, personal character (motivation, social awareness, leadership potential and so on), activities, employment and family or community responsibilities. Interviews are encouraged (the international page says they are not required but encouraged, and can be virtual).
• Testing: test-optional for applicants planning to enrol in fall 2027 and fall 2028. If submitted, self-reported and official scores are accepted and the College superscores the SAT and ACT; those who self-report must send official scores on enrolment.
• Chemistry competitions: the website does not say how subject competitions are viewed in admission.

5. US domestic applicants

• Costs (2026–27): the college costs page lists tuition of $70,486, a one-time matriculation fee of $750 (first semester of the first year), a student activity fee of $360, housing of $12,968 (room rate 1) and food of $7,928 (20 meals a week), for a printed total of $92,492. Non-billed estimates: books and supplies $1,000, transportation $250 (varies with state of residence) and miscellaneous $940. It is a private college and the page does not distinguish in-state from out-of-state.
• Merit scholarships: all applicants (ED and RD) are considered for the Marquis and Cur Non scholarships, with no extra application. The Marquis Fellowship is full tuition and the Marquis Scholarship half tuition, both requiring a 3.00 GPA; Cur Non Scholarships range from $17,500 to $31,500; they run for up to eight semesters and are announced with the admission decision. The page says offers typically go to students at the top of their class in the most demanding curriculum with test scores above the admitted-student mean, and advises applicants whose enrolment depends on a merit award to apply Regular Decision rather than ED.
• Need-based aid: submit the FAFSA, CSS Profile and IDOC, and reapply each year. The international page says the College guarantees to meet the full demonstrated financial need of all admitted students, domestic and international, but that this does not mean every expense is covered; summer and interim costs are typically the family’s responsibility.
• Other: the website also lists athletic scholarships (10 sports), Posse scholarships and Tuition Exchange; priority or guaranteed admission for Pennsylvania residents is not mentioned in the pages read.

6. International applicants

• Materials: Common Application and the $65 fee; counsellor and at least one teacher recommendation; an official transcript and school report sent directly by the school; mid-year or first-trimester grades; evidence of English proficiency (below); SAT/ACT optional. The College says it is “need aware” in admission decisions.
• English requirement: TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo is required. The College “typically looks for” a minimum of TOEFL 100 (5 on the new TOEFL), IELTS 7 or Duolingo 130. Applicants whose first language is English or who have had academic instruction in English for the past three years complete a waiver form (request it from admissions@lafayette.edu).
• Aid: international applicants seeking need-based aid submit the CSS Profile (the FAQ offers an alternative if the fee is a hardship); those seeking merit scholarships only need not submit it. Aid applicants see their financing plan on the portal when decisions are released. International applicants are also considered for merit scholarships (section 5).
• Credit: the page says national examinations such as GCE A-level, the French Baccalaureate and the German Abitur are considered for credit case by case, on certified copies of official results, and a syllabus may be requested; for IB see the registrar (below).
• Interview and deposit: interviews are not required but encouraged, including virtual interviews; accepting an offer needs the enrolment form and a $750 non-refundable deposit.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the website does not publish whether or how the Gaokao is considered; contact admissions (admissions@lafayette.edu).
• Transcripts and school-leaving materials: no China-specific requirements are published; the general requirements are in section 6 (official transcript and school report sent directly by the school).
• English: see section 6 for the TOEFL, IELTS and Duolingo levels; the website allows a waiver only for a first language of English or three years of English-medium instruction, and gives no list of waived countries.
• Preparing for chemistry: the website gives no note on how Chinese high school chemistry, mathematics or physics courses correspond to Lafayette’s; ask admissions and the chemistry department.

8. Costs, scholarships and outcomes

• Costs and scholarships: see sections 5 and 6. The pages read list no scholarship specific to chemistry.
• Outcomes: the department pages read print no graduate destinations or employment data; check the website.

8. Costs, scholarships and outcomes

• Costs and scholarships: see sections 5 and 6. The pages read list no scholarship specific to chemistry.
• Outcomes: the department pages read print no graduate destinations or employment data; check the website.

9. Transfer students

• Who counts: students who have graduated from high school (grade 12 in the US) and matriculated in a degree-seeking programme elsewhere are considered only as transfer students. There is no minimum number of courses or credits to be eligible.
• Deadlines: fall entry 1 May (review begins in March) and spring entry 1 November (review begins in October), both on a rolling basis. The pages show no year, so check.
• Materials: the Common Application and the $65 fee; an official high school transcript or GED; official transcripts from every college attended; the Common App College Report from the current college; the Common App Mid-Term Report (which the student may fill in); a personal statement on reasons for transferring and objectives; SAT/ACT optional; a professor recommendation optional; course descriptions and syllabi are submitted to the registrar on enrolment. International applicants submit TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo unless waived.
• Rules: transfer students enrol full time, must spend at least two years at Lafayette to graduate, and at least half the courses applied toward the major must be taken at Lafayette; only the A.B. or B.S. is awarded.
• Credit transfer: the College says credit evaluation is guaranteed only after acceptance and the enrolment deposit; every transfer student completes an evaluation and submits course descriptions and syllabi for each course; the registrar with faculty makes the final decision. Guidelines: Lafayette must offer an equivalent course, class time must be equal, prerequisites must have been met, and only a grade of C or better transfers; it is possible that no credits transfer. AP and IB credit earned by admitted transfer students can also be used. Special requirements for chemistry transfer students are not given in the pages read; confirm with the department.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• ED I 15 November; RD and ED II 15 January; $65 fee; Common Application, counsellor and teacher recommendations, transcript and school report, mid-year grades; testing optional; $750 deposit
• FAFSA, CSS Profile and IDOC for aid; plan CHEM 103/107–108 and calculus for the first year

International applicants (including China):

• TOEFL (typically 100), IELTS (7) or Duolingo (130), or a waiver; CSS Profile for need-based aid
• Whether the Gaokao is considered is not published

After entry:

• Typically declare by the end of sophomore year; the A.B. or B.S. chemistry course list; a research course; 400 lab hours for the B.S.

Transfer students:

• Fall 1 May, spring 1 November; at least two years at Lafayette; course descriptions and syllabi needed; only C or better transfers

Sources: Lafayette College, Chemistry: program; Chemistry: B.S. chemistry requirements; Chemistry: A.B. chemistry requirements; Chemistry: B.S. biochemistry requirements; Chemistry: A.B. biochemistry requirements; Chemistry: research; Academics: departments and programs; Registrar: AP and IB credit; Admissions: apply; Admissions: first-year applicants; Admissions: what we look for; Admissions: international students; Admissions: first-year international aid; Admissions: college costs; Admissions: scholarships; Admissions: transfer students. Where the admissions pages show no year, check that the dates apply to fall 2027 entry and see the College’s website for the latest.