How to Apply to Psychology at Colgate University: The Psychological Science Major and Its Gateway Courses, With Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At Colgate University, psychology is taught by the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences, which also hosts Colgate’s interdisciplinary Neuroscience Program. The major is Psychological Science. You do not apply to a major; you enter it after the introductory course. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on Colgate’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Psychological Science major requirements

• Entering the major: you must complete PSYC 150 Introduction to Psychological Science with a C- or higher; students who do not should consult the department chair.
• Required courses (2026-27 catalog):
  • PSYC 150 and PSYC 200 Research Methods, by the end of sophomore year;
  • PSYC 275 Biological Psychology, by the end of junior year;
  • PSYC 309 Quantitative Methods in Behavioral Research, ideally by the end of junior year;
  • PSYC 498 Senior Research, in fall or spring of senior year.
• Four additional courses from cognitive; developmental/social/personality/clinical; and neuroscience, with at least one at the 200 level and two at the 300 level, and at least one each in cognitive and developmental/social/personality/clinical. The major has at least nine courses.
• Grades: a GPA of at least 2.00 in courses counting toward the major.
• Senior research: in junior spring, students list research interests and are assigned to faculty supervisors and semesters.
• Honors: apply in junior year and do a two-semester independent project. Honors requires a 3.30 overall and 3.50 major GPA; high honors 3.50 and 3.70, plus an oral examination.
• A-Level and IB credit: incoming students whose international exam scores show competence equivalent to a course may request credit or placement from the department chair; it may count toward the major.
• When to declare: Colgate gives recommended completion times for the required courses but, on the pages reviewed, no formal deadline for declaring the major.

2. Deadlines and decisions

• Early Decision I (binding): 1 November, with financial aid materials due the same day; decisions mid-December.
• Early Decision II (binding): 15 January; decisions mid-February.
• Regular Decision: 15 January; decisions late March.
• Apply via the Common App, Coalition on Scoir or QuestBridge, with two teacher recommendations and a counselor recommendation; mid-year grades are due by 15 February.
• No application fee for non-U.S. citizens (not U.S. dual citizens or permanent residents).

3. Testing and English

• Test optional: there is no disadvantage to not submitting SAT or ACT; submitted scores can be self-reported and are superscored, with official scores required after admission.
• English: non-native speakers not at an English-medium secondary school must submit TOEFL iBT 4.5, IELTS 7 or Duolingo 130 at minimum, sent by the testing agency. Colgate does not waive the requirement based on SAT results.
• Interviews: non-native English speakers are encouraged to submit InitialView or Vericant interviews, by 1 November for ED I or 15 January otherwise.
• Chinese and Canadian curricula: seniors submit mid-year grades when available, or predicted final grades if their school has none; national or international exam results must come from the testing agency or a school official. Colgate publishes no Gaokao policy or Canada/BC grade requirements.

4. Costs and aid

• 2026-27 billed charges for first-years and sophomores on campus (US$): tuition 76,828, housing 9,348, food 10,008 and student activity fee 462, total 96,646; estimated non-billed costs (books 1,600, transportation 800+, personal 1,128 and more) are about 3,578.
• Aid for international students:
  • Colgate meets 100% of demonstrated need for every admitted student, including international students;
  • admission is need-aware, though Colgate says its most competitive applicants are admitted whether or not they apply for aid;
  • international aid applicants submit the CSS Profile by 1 November (ED I) or 22 January (ED II and RD).

5. Transfer students

• Deadlines: fall entry closes 15 March, with decisions in late April; spring entry closes 1 November, with decisions in early December.
• Materials: the Common App or Coalition on Scoir transfer application with essay; testing optional; TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo for non-native speakers who did not study at an English-medium secondary school or college.
• Credit: grades of C- or lower and pass/fail courses earn no credit; at most 16 course credits transfer; only traditional liberal arts and sciences courses count. Transferring 6–13 Colgate credits gives sophomore standing and 14–16 junior standing. A preliminary evaluation comes with the offer, and faculty complete the official one after admission.
• Psychology credit: transfers who completed PSYC 150, 200, 275 or 309 equivalents before matriculating may receive credit, subject to departmental review.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• ED I by 1 November; ED II or RD by 15 January; no application fee
• TOEFL 4.5, IELTS 7 or Duolingo 130 or higher; optional InitialView or Vericant interview
• For aid, submit the CSS Profile on time (1 November for ED I, otherwise 22 January)

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Same deadlines; students at English-medium schools do not need an English test
• Colgate publishes no Canada-specific grade requirements

Transfer students:

• Fall deadline 15 March; up to 16 course credits with grades above C-
• Take PSYC 150 early and earn at least a C-

Sources: Colgate University, First-year applicants; International applicants; Transfer applicants; Tuition and fees; Colgate Commitment; Psychological and Brain Sciences academic program; Psychological Science major; Pursuing honors in PBSC and Neuroscience. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 figures). Check Colgate for the latest details.