The Campus Bound team recently had the pleasure of speaking with two Stonehill College administrators: John W. Pepin, Dean of Undergraduate Admission, and Sarah Thomashower, Associate Dean of Admission. Our engaging conversation covered various helpful components of the admissions process as it pertains to Stonehill. We were also able to learn more about campus news, trends, and more!

Is the essay still considered a writing sample to evaluate students’ writing skills? Or is it more about showing who they are as a person?

The Stonehill team noted their deep appreciation for admission essays. “I hold the application as a marker of effort and commitment,” Sarah said. “Seeing that a student has rushed through it or isn’t taking the document or process seriously are not signs of college readiness. Students have one shot to submit the Common App, so if they aren’t taking their time with it, we can tell.” 

Sarah added that applicants should have one or more trusted proofreaders review their essays before they submit them. 

What kinds of essays have you seen that stand out in a positive or negative way?

Reflecting on the many essays that she has read throughout her career, Sarah recalled a particular one that has stood out for her since last year.

“A student talked about all the things she carries in her purse and how they reflected her personality,” she said. “Some of my favorite essays are written from the perspective of inanimate objects like a purse or a stuffed animal. Essays like this often depart from the rest of the application, where the information is more straightforward.” 

Sarah and John added that students should avoid unnecessarily dramatizing a topic or writing an essay to hit a certain word count. They also told us that students should strive to dig deeper in their conclusions than simply wrapping up their essays with a statement like “That’s the lesson I learned.”

Are “optional” supplemental essays really optional? 

Completing optional application materials can demonstrate to admission staff that a student is invested in being admitted to a particular school, Sarah shared. Therefore, students should put the same care and attention into preparing supplemental essays as they do other items. 

“If there’s an opportunity for the admissions officer to learn more about what makes you unique, you should provide that to them, but make sure to proofread,” the Stonehill staff member explained.

What is Stonehill’s current acceptance rate? 

John and Sarah mentioned that the institution receives between 7,500 and 8,000 applications annually, and that last year’s admit rate was around 71%. 

They also said that Stonehill’s recent transition to Division I athletics is making a major impact. Following this development, the student population has become more geographically diverse. More students are coming to Stonehill from outside the Northeast region. Between 75% and 80% of the student population is made up of people from New England, with another 10 to 15% of students hailing from New York, New Jersey and various mid-Atlantic states.

Are most students Catholic and/or religious?

In addition to geographic diversity, Stonehill is grateful that its community is comprised of students who celebrate many different religious traditions. 

Stonehill does not ask students to share their religious preference in the Common App. John noted that the school’s Catholic identity, which is rooted in the college’s mission to honor the inherent dignity of all people, fosters an accessible learning environment for students of all backgrounds. There are many opportunities for students to connect with their spirituality at Stonehill via the Office of Campus Ministry, as well as various interfaith groups, services and programs.

Sarah, who graduated from Stonehill in 2016, told us that she is Jewish. “The values I grew up with are aligned with the values of the Congregation of Holy Cross, which founded Stonehill. Those values simply originate from different places. An increasing number of Jewish students are applying to Stonehill, and we’re excited to welcome people from all backgrounds to campus.”

Are there any exciting new developments on campus?

One of the ways that Stonehill is making itself accessible to diverse populations is by enhancing a sense of belonging and purpose for all who join the community. This is one of the pillars of Stonehill 2030: Building Together. Unveiled in August 2025, this five-year strategic plan serves as a roadmap for the school’s future. 

Through Building Together, Stonehill has announced it is committed to establishing a nursing education program. As a demonstration of that commitment, the college recently hired Susan Taylor, Ph.D., R.N., as interim dean of nursing.

Stonehill’s plan to construct the Tom & Kathleen Bogan Arena is another key element of Building Together. This ice hockey and basketball arena is part of an overall goal to upgrade and enhance the college’s athletic facilities. 

The college also launched the Skyhawk Core Curriculum this year. This curriculum includes the Experiential Education Guarantee, which invites all students beginning with the Class of 2029 to complete at least one meaningful, experiential learning opportunity before they graduate. Students can fulfill this requirement through internships, research, study abroad opportunities, special projects or leadership experiences within a student organization.

What trends are you seeing with majors or areas of study?

Of the 100 majors, minors and concentrations that Stonehill offers, John noted that business is a popular program. He also explained that the number of finance students has skyrocketed, making it the college’s most pursued major over the last several years. 

Other thriving programs include psychology (the school’s second-largest program in terms of the number of students), criminology, health science and neuroscience. Now in its fifth year, Stonehill’s sport management major has proven popular, as has a new exercise science major that launched last year. Additionally, engineering continues to be an in-demand major among applicants.

What kind of student thrives at Stonehill? 

At Stonehill, community members believe that the mind should not be educated at the expense of the heart. As such, compassion for others is a key component of the Stonehill experience.

“Students come to Stonehill for a rigorous, exciting and challenging education,” John said. “As they pursue that, they continuously reach back and pull others up with them.”

Sarah further explained, “Kind is the first word that comes to mind when I think of Stonehill students. This is a great school for students who speak up for others. It’s also a wonderful place for the underdog to learn how they can rise to the occasion with the help of others. We have good, kindhearted people who care about community and support each other.” 

What can families expect in terms of financial aid?

Stonehill offers generous financial assistance, and financial need is not considered during the regular admission cycle. John and Sarah offered a few statistics to illustrate how Stonehill approaches the topic of college affordability:

• 99% of Stonehill students receive some form of aid. 
• The average institutional aid package last year was in the high $30,000s, or $45,000 including federal entitlements. 
• Merit scholarships typically range from $25,000 to $42,000. 
• Stonehill’s average net billed cost falls in the range of $30,000 to $35,000, roughly comparable to a major flagship university like UMass Amherst or UConn.

Any closing thoughts?

Sarah emphasized that admissions officers are always accessible to students.

“We’re happy when families reach out early with their questions,” she said. “We’re here to help and offer guidance.”

What’s clear is that Stonehill is on an impressive trajectory with superb faculty, a growing list of majors and significant campus enhancements. That’s why Campus Bound counselors continue to recommend Stonehill for bright students seeking small classes and a caring community in a lovely, suburban setting.