How To Apply

Visit www.soka.edu/apply to start your application. Students are able to use either the Common Application or Soka Online Application to apply.  All students apply to Soka University as a first-year student.

Note: Applications for Fall undergraduate admission are open from August 1 to January 15.

You may submit your application form to Soka University after filling out the application with your details. Once the Office of Admission has received your application, you will be able to manage your Soka University-specific checklist (view Steps 4 and 5 for details).

Frequently Asked: Do I have to complete my essays before submitting my application?

No, you may submit your essays after you submit your application. You have the option to upload your essays through your GoSoka! Account (see Step 3).

Applicants are able to access their specific required checklist materials with a GoSoka! Account.

• FOR SOKA ONLINE APPLICANTS
  • Students will need to create a GoSoka! Account in order to apply using the Soka Online Application. This can be done at admissions.soka.edu/apply.
• FOR STUDENTS USING THE COMMON APP
  • A GoSoka! Account is created for students who submit their Common App. Students will receive an email within 3 business days to set up their login/password for their account. Begin your steps at www.commonapp.org.

Applicants can access their GoSoka! Account at go.soka.edu.

The GoSoka! Account is a place for students to:

• meet and message their admission counselor
• upload select checklist materials
• schedule admission or financial aid appointments
• receive their admission decisions
• stay connected with Soka University

• It is the applicant’s responsibility to manage their checklist and ensure the Office of Admission has received their checklist items by the listed deadlines.
• Documents not in English will require English translations. Visit the “Important Information” section below for details.
• Please allow 3-5 business days for checklist items we have received to be processed.
• Soka does not accept faxed, emailed, or late documents.
• Application procedures and checklist requirements/information are subject to change without notice.

$30 for the Common Application or Soka Online Application.

The application fee can be paid through the Common Application or your GoSoka! Account. Application fees are non-refundable. Common Application, College Board and NACAC fee waivers are accepted.

Official transcripts must show all high school/secondary school coursework.

• All coursework completed within the U.S.
  • Official transcripts must be sent directly to Soka University of America. Transcripts sent by mail must be in an officially sealed envelope without indication of potential tampering.
  • Transcripts for all completed college/university coursework are also required. College coursework completed while in high school as a part of dual enrollment or a graded program can be transcribed on the high school transcript.  Unofficial college/university records such as student portal print-outs are only accepted for applying for admission and admission review. Unofficial college transcripts can be uploaded in your GoSoka! Account.

• All coursework completed outside of the U.S. (internationally)
  • Official transcripts of coursework completed outside of the United States must be sent directly to Soka University of America.
  • Transcripts sent by mail must be in an officially sealed envelope without indication of potential tampering.
  • The Office of Admission may request additional supporting documents in addition to the transcript such as examination scores, as needed.
  • Optional: Applicants who have a credential evaluation (or want to have one conducted) for their transcripts can have their documents sent from a NACES certified agency to Soka University of America.  
• General Equivalency Diploma (GED) or High School Equivalency (HSE)
  • Recipients must submit official score reports from the GED or HSE test along with a copy of their GED or HSE certificate.

Additional details, requirements, and how to submit can be found on our Transcript Requirements page.

Applicants for whom English is not their native language will need to demonstrate English proficiency by submitting TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) or Duolingo English Test results. It is preferred for applicants to pass the TOEFL iBT exam with a minimum score of 80 or pass the Duolingo English Test with a minimum score of 115 (160 scale).

The Office of Admission does not accept TOEFL iBT or Duolingo English Test scores older than two years of the testing date.

Official TOEFL iBT or Duolingo English Test scores must be sent directly to the Office of Admission. Student copies and self-reported scores are not accepted. The TOEFL® school code for Soka University of America is 4066. For Duolingo, please select “Soka University of America Undergraduate Admissions.”

We require two letters of recommendation. Academic recommendations (from a principal, headmaster, school counselor, or teacher) are preferred.

Electronic recommendation forms can be sent to your recommenders through the Soka Online Application or the Common Application.

The official recommender form is also available below under “Admission Links and Forms.”

Soka University will accept up to three letters of recommendation.

If applying by Common Application, your school counselor is able to submit an attached letter of recommendation to the School Report form. Soka University accepts the School Report, Counselor Recommendation, Teacher Evaluation, and Other Evaluation forms.

Each essay must be 500-750 words and double spaced.

Mandatory essays can be uploaded via the Soka University of America Writing Supplement section of the Common Application, via the Soka Online Application, or via your GoSoka! Account.

Soka University also accepts an optional essay in addition to the mandatory essays. The optional essay should not be more than one paragraph.

• Mandatory Essay Prompts for the Fall 2024 Application:
  1. In the view of global human progress, which path seems more promising to you: revolution or evolution? What role do you see for dialogue being a catalyst for progress? Please elaborate.
  2. In today’s world, what is your purpose in seeking a liberal arts education? How would you use your SUA education as a tool to shape your future living a contributive life?
• Optional Essay Prompt for the Fall 2024 Application:
  1. Do you have any special circumstances that you would like Soka University to take into consideration when reviewing your application? Please be concise.

A list of extracurricular activities or talents demonstrating outside interests and leadership experience or potential. Completing the Activities section of the Soka Online Application or Common Application fulfills this requirement. A custom list may be uploaded to your GoSoka! Account.

Test scores are not required for admission consideration. For those who would like to send their test scores, Soka’s SAT code is 4066 and Soka’s ACT code is 0467.

Test scores are considered official when the examination scores of the SAT or ACT are sent directly to Soka University by the testing agency.

The name used for your SAT and/or ACT examinations must be your legal name used on your admission application.

The Office of Admission does not accept SAT or ACT scores dated more than five years from the testing date.

• Applicants who submit their application can manage their requirements by accessing their GoSoka! Account at go.soka.edu.
• Students are responsible for managing their checklist and ensuring the Office of Admission receives their required documents by the deadline for the round they applied to (Early Action or Regular Admission).
  • Applications, documentation, and application fees are due by November 1 for Early Action and January 15 for Regular Admission.

• Applications will be evaluated only when all required materials have been received.
• Once all application materials have been received the file is considered complete. Applicants have until the application deadline to provide additional materials.
• It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all of the required documents that you have requested of your school(s) are submitted by your school(s) on time.
• Soka University does not accept faxes, emails, or copies of official documents.
• All documents submitted to Soka University and/or contained in the application file belong to Soka University of America and cannot be returned.

• Documents not in English will require English translations. Applicants must provide the English translation as well as the original document. All translations must be complete and literal with no attempts to interpret or evaluate the document, prepared in the same format as the original document and signed by a translator attesting to the familiarity with the foreign language.
• Translations may not be provided by the student or members of their family.

• Soka University conducts both Early Action and Regular Admission rounds.
• The application and document deadline for Early Action is November 1 and January 15 for Regular Admission.
• All required documents must be received by the Office of Admission by the deadline for the round the student has applied to be considered for admission.  
• Domestic applicants require a minimum completion of 11th grade (or equivalent). First-semester senior grades are preferred if you apply directly to Regular Admission. You can complete this with a mid-year or updated transcript that shows your grades and courses for the first half of the academic year.
• Soka University of America provides an Early Action process by which students can receive early notification of acceptance.
• Early Action is non-binding at Soka University of America. Most applicants choosing the Early Action option have high academic qualifications.
• Early Action decision letters are usually released on or before December 8. Applicants who are not admitted in the Early Action round may be rolled over to the Regular Admission process for the term in which they applied. At the discretion of the Admission Committee, applicants may be re-assessed with the applicant pool for Regular Admission.
• Students who are denied admission for Early Action may not re-apply for Regular Admission for the same term.
• Should an applicant require more time to complete their application process, it is recommended that they apply for Regular Admission. Regular Admission decision letters are usually released within or before March 1 - March 15.

Soka University students are students of intelligence and commitment who will provide leadership in the promotion of peace and human rights. The university serves highly motivated students of all backgrounds and beliefs who have excelled in a range of academic courses.

Soka uses admission processes similar to those at other institutions and acts through its Admission Committee to review student applications and make selections for each entering class. Admission to Soka is competitive and selective as the Admission Committee evaluates an applicant’s ability to excel in the classroom and to develop as a thoughtful scholar. Although all successful applicants may have strong academic records, good grades and test scores are not enough by themselves for an applicant to be accepted.

In addition to academic excellence, Soka values students’ commitment, service, active leadership, and the ability to interact well with others. The committee reviews an applicant’s extracurricular interests, activities, and talents. There is no ideal extracurricular profile for a Soka applicant. However, the committee strongly considers the variety of extracurricular activities in which the applicant has been recognized and, especially, has demonstrated leadership.

• NACAC Fee Waiver
• CollegeBoard Fee Waiver
• Teacher/Instructor Recommendation Form (PDF)
• Counselor/Principal Recommendation Form (PDF)
• Extracurricular Activities Form (PDF)
• IERF Website