Admissions Cycles
November 1 2025
Financial Aid Deadline:
November 8 2025
Decision By:
December 19
January 13 2026
Financial Aid Deadline:
January 20 2026
Decision By:
March 5 2026
February 24 2026
Financial Aid Deadline:
March 3 2026
Decision By:
April 10 2026
Financial aid applications are due one week after your admissions cycle deadline, except for Extended Decision, which is due one week before. No exceptions or extensions.
To thrive at Minerva, you should possess the qualities that define our students:
A broad interest in many subjects.
Curiosity about the world and its people.
A continuous drive to excel.
A focus on community.
An inventive, entrepreneurial spirit.
The potential to lead.
The ability to collaborate.
Admissions Process
Minerva is dedicated to nurturing a vibrant, inclusive community that reflects the diversity of our global society.
Our admissions process is holistic — designed to understand who you are, how you think, and what you’ve done. Representing more than 100 nations, our student body brings together a wide range of backgrounds, ideas, and experiences.
We assess:
Intellectual potential and analytical reasoning.
Motivation and capacity to collaborate.
Creativity, leadership, and community impact.
If you seek an education that values innovation, diversity, and real-world application, you’ll find your place at Minerva.
Starting Your Application
You can start your application through the Common Application or directly on our website — we recommend beginning here for the most seamless experience.
Part 1 collects your biographical and academic information. Applicants under 18 will also provide a parent or guardian’s contact details.
Once submitted, you’ll move on to the Minerva Challenges — a unique, interactive set of online tasks that measure your reasoning, creativity, and communication skills.
Make sure you have a reliable desktop or laptop computer and stable internet connection. Completing your application in a calm, focused environment will help you perform your best.
How You Think
Instead of standardized test scores, Minerva uses online challenges to evaluate how you think.
You do not need to prepare for these challenges. Some include brief practice sessions to help you get comfortable with the format.
Math, Reasoning, Comprehension, & Thinking
Timed challenges in Math, Logical Reasoning, Reading Comprehension, and Divergent Thinking
(~8–20 minutes each)
Written & Verbal Communication Tasks
Written and verbal communication tasks that explore your perspectives and experiences.
(~20 minutes each)
What You’ve Done
We don’t define “achievement” for you — you get to show us what matters most.You’ll describe your achievements and provide supporting materials such as documents, links, or references.
Personal projects or creative work
Academic competitions or artistic pursuits
Leadership roles, community involvement, or work experience
Your Academic Background
Our admissions committee reviews your academic history to evaluate your readiness and ensure you are well prepared to succeed in Minerva’s active learning environment.
Your most recent three years of academic records, which may include transcripts from multiple institutions.
Verification from a school counselor or equivalent official.
Binding Enrollment
This option guarantees an expedited decision (within 4 weeks of completing your application) in exchange for your commitment to attend Minerva if admitted.
You are committed to attending Minerva University.
You can pay your enrollment deposit within 10 days of notification
You’ve informed your parent/guardian (if under 18).
You will apply for financial aid within 5 days of submitting your application.
Transfer Students
If your current university isn’t meeting your needs, Minerva might be the transformative experience you’re seeking.Nearly 20% of our students have transferred from other institutions — some even after completing prior degrees.
Key details:
The application process is identical for transfer and first-time applicants.
There are no introductory courses; all students complete the Foundation Year curriculum.
Transfer credits are reviewed by college deans and typically apply only to elective courses due to the unique nature of Minerva’s curriculum.
An Adventure Lies Before You
