St. John Fisher University

Rochester, NY · Private · 2,565 undergrads

Admit rate: 66.4% (4,600 applicants)
SAT middle 50%: 1120–1300 (ACT 23–28)
Undergraduates: 2,565 (0.2% international)
Average net price: $28,945 (per year after aid)
Graduation rate: 74% (within 6 years)

Deadlines

Early Decision: Dec. 1, 2026
Priority: Jan. 15 (merit scholarships, nursing priority, FAFSA)
Rolling: Rolling; most applications arrive before Feb. 15

Essays

First-Generation Scholarship essay (500)

Please explain why you would like to be a First-Generation Scholar at Fisher, specifically by answering the following prompts: What are you excited to experience and learn as a student in this First-Generation Scholarship Program? If you are chosen for the First-Generation Scholarship Program, what unique things will you bring to the community that will help you grow as a leader? The First-Generation Scholarship Program is also focused on engaging with our Rochester community through structured and weekly community engagement/volunteerism. How do you think participating in this way during your college experience will help you learn and develop your leadership skills?

Service Scholars Program essay (500)

Please explain why you would like to be a Service Scholar at Fisher, specifically by answering the following prompts: What are you excited to experience and learn as a student in the Service Scholar Program? If you are selected for the Service Scholar Program, what will you contribute that is unique to you and how would it add value to our Scholar community? Of all of your community service and volunteer activities, which one was most meaningful to you and why? Can you share a time when you took on a leadership role during a service project? What did you learn about being a leader from that experience?

Editor's notes

Finish your application by Jan. 15 at the latest. Merit consideration, nursing priority and the big scholarship programs all use that date.
Choose your recommender carefully. The CDS rates recommendations very important, on par with your GPA and course rigor.