All applicants must be active, practicing students of the Christian Science religion, demonstrated through:

Students are expected to want to grow in Christian Science as a way of life, rely on Christian Science in time of need, uphold Principia’s community goals, standards, and pledge, show concern for the welfare of others, and be able to take part freely – physically, mentally, socially – in an active college program.

Principia College welcomes qualified applicants from all countries.  To insure that all incoming students are prepared for college-level academic work, the following requirements must be met:

International students must be 18 years or older prior to enrolling at Principia, and are expected to be sufficiently mature to study abroad. They must be willing to adjust to a new environment and new people and share the traditions, ideals, and perspectives of their native country.

Principia exists to serve the Cause of Christian Science, and all students are required to be active adherents of the Christian Science religion. Students are expected to have relied on Christian Science for physical healing, as well as other needs, and to have practiced Christian Science for at least one year prior to applying. In addition, students should be regularly attending a Christian Science church and/or Sunday School.

Students must have completed secondary school and have earned a diploma or certificate of completion which makes them eligible for admission to a university in their home country.

All applicants must be able to read English with ease and to understand conversational and formal English as spoken in lectures and group discussions. The quantity and quality of academic work at Principia cannot be accomplished without sufficient mastery of the English language.

The Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) is a world-wide tool for assessing mastery of English. Most applicants to Principia College are required to take it. The minimum TOEFL score requirement for the internet-based test (TOEFL iBT) is 79-80, and for the paper-based test is 550. Principia's institutional code for the TOEFL is 1630. Applicants from the UK, non-French-speaking Canada, New Zealand, and Australia are exempt. Applicants from anglophone African countries MAY be exempt. Please ask.

Students seeking admission to either program are required to take the SAT Reasoning Test, whether or not they are taking the TOEFL. The SAT is a three-hour general comprehension examination designed to measure the student's preparedness in reading, math, and writing. Principia's institutional code for the SAT is 1630.

Some students take the ACT exam rather than the SAT exam, which also meets Principia's requirements. This exam is similar to the SAT, but also includes questions about scientific skills. Principia's institutional code for the ACT exam is 1118.

Students with a Bachelor's degree from an accredited university are not required to submit SAT or ACT test scores. Students who hold Advanced-level or Advanced Subsidiary level grades of an A or B in both English language and mathematics are also exempt.