Your Admissions Questions Answered
Students, parents, and others listen to a Chatham student worker during an admission open house in 2023. (Liam Lyons)
Students and their families can have a lot of questions when applying the college. Here, Pulse wants to help answer some of students’ frequently asked questions that come up during the admissions process.
Read on to learn about how you can apply to Chatham, visit campus, pay an enrollment bill, and more.
How can I apply to Chatham University?
First-year students applying to Chatham can use the Chatham Application or the Common App.
Transfer applicants can follow this link to use the Common App for transfers.
Learn more about applying to Chatham at chatham.edu.
What are Chatham’s admission requirements?
Chatham University is Test Optional. That means students don’t need SAT or ACT test scores to receive full admission review.
First-year student applicants must submit a completed application for admission and an official high school transcript.
An essay or writing sample, as well as one or more letters of recommendation from guidance counselor or teachers, are also recommended for application.
The Office of Admission reviews each application in its entirety using a holistic review process to determine whether a student will thrive at Chatham. Since not all students showcase their abilities in the same way, each application is given careful consideration before an admission decision is reached.
How can I submit my high school transcript?
Work with your high school guidance counselor to find out how your school handles transcripts.
Official transcripts can be sent to admissions@chatham.edu. Transcripts sent by students are not considered official.
When will I get my admission decision
Chatham will give students a decision on admission 10 business days after students submit both their application and official transcripts.
How can I schedule a tour or visit campus?
Incoming undergraduate students can visit campus during an event such as a Welcome Day, Discovery Day, or Transfer Visit Day. Students can schedule a visit during a weekday or weekend.
Learn more about campus visits at chatham.edu.
What should I do in Pittsburgh during my visit?
Once you’re done exploring Chatham’s Shadyside Campus arboretum and Eden Hall Farm, Pittsburgh offers a wealth of culture, sports, and green spaces to dive into.
Neighborhoods near Chatham’s campus, such as Shadyside and Squirrel Hill, feature some of the city’s best restaurants, retail stores, and public parks.
See Chatham Pulse’s guide to get ideas for what to do near campus or elsewhere in the city of Pittsburgh.
What is Chatham’s process for students when accepting or declining loans?
Students declining their federal loans can email the Chatham University Financial Aid Office at FAO@chatham.edu and indicate which loans they wish to decline.
How should I handle Change in Circumstance forms?
Email FAO@chatham.edu.
Please fill out the form and provide all necessary documentation as requested and send these materials back to FAO@chatham.edu.
How do I pay my enrollment bill?
Your enrollment bill is paid through the Student Accounts Office. Students will have access to their bill via the student portal.
Parents/Guardians paying a student’s bill should ensure that the necessary FERPA documentation has been completed to access their student’s bill.
How can I contact the Student Accounts Office for billing questions?
You can email SAO@chatham.edu or call 412-365-2719 to reach the Office of Student Accounts.
The office helps with:
Tuition, room, board, and fee billing
Student account statements and balances
Payment plans and due dates
Refund processing and direct deposit setup
Authorized user (parent/guardian) access
E-bill and 1098-T tax form questions
International and third-party payments
Account holds related to student billing
I have external scholarships. Who do I send these to? How does it impact my financial aid award letter at Chatham?
Chatham University encourages students to have their external scholarship given to them to pay directly to their student account.
If external scholarships are applied to a student’s financial aid award letter, Chatham will reduce the institutional scholarship amount and replace with external scholarship amount.