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#19 Best Private Colleges in California

Whittier College Admission Requirements

Whittier, California

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Your chances of getting into Whittier College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

75.4%
Admission Difficulty for Whittier College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Difficult 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Whittier College is 75.4%.  Its admission rate is the 57th lowest in California.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into Whittier College and can you get accepted?

Whittier College is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 2,274 out of the 3,014 who applied were admitted.

Whittier College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.61. 11% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Whittier College?

75% are accepted, can you get in? Use the admission calculator to see if you have the grades and test scores needed to get in. See your admission chances based on your extracurriculars, intended major, background, and more.

Calculate your admission chances
Calculate your admission chances

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Whittier College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.61 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1240 on the SAT
  • Score 27 on the ACT

Whittier College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.61

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Whittier College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Whittier College are to have around a 3.61 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.61 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as Whittier College accepts 75% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Whittier College is 3.61 on the 4.0 scale. 22% of students who get in have perfect 4.0 GPA's in high school. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #39 in California for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Whittier College is a test optional college, extra focus will be placed on your GPA when the school considers your application. As a result, it is very important that you meet the GPA requirements.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.6 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

The table below outlines the number of admitted freshmen by GPA range as well as how competitive your GPA will be as compared with other applicants.

High School GPA's for admitted Whittier College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 22.02% Good
3.75 to 3.99 21.66% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 18.41% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 14.8% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 13.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 9.39% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Whittier College SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Whittier College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 9% of students submitted SAT scores and 5% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1140-1340

Applicants Submitting SAT 

9%
SAT Scores for Whittier College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 550
Math 25th Percentile 590
Composite 25th Percentile 1140
SAT Scores for Whittier College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 650
Math 75th Percentile 690
Composite 75th Percentile 1340
Average SAT Score 1240

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Whittier College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Whittier College is 1240 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1140-1340. Students who get into Whittier College score in the top 34 percent of all SAT test takers..  Whittier College ranks #29 in the state of California for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1240 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Whittier College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1140 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1140, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1040, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Whittier College is a test optional school meaning do not have to submit SAT scores with your application. The position on SAT scores from the college is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1240 SAT score range.

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

The table below outlines your predicted admission chances based on SAT score alone. If you are an average applicant with a score of 1240, you have around a 75% chance of being admitted. A 1340 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 85% chance of getting in.

Whittier College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1340 and Above Good >85%
1240 to 1340 Avg + 75%-85%
1140 to 1240 Avg - 61%-75%
1040 to 1140 Reach 45%-61%
Less than 1040 Low <45%
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Whittier College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

24-30 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

5%
ACT Scores for Whittier College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 23
Math 25th Percentile 22
Composite 25th Percentile 24
ACT Scores for Whittier College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 33
Math 75th Percentile 29
Composite 75th Percentile 30
Average ACT Score 27

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Whittier College?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Whittier College is 27, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 24 and 30.  The school ranks #28 in California for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 27. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 24 and score in the score in the top 27 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 21.

5 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Whittier College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Whittier College is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not required for admission, but considered if submitted (test optional)".

Find other colleges with similar ACT score requirements

Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Whittier College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 27 score has around 75% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 85% with a 30 ACT score.

Whittier College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
30 and Above Good >85%
27 to 30 Avg + 75%-85%
24 to 27 Avg - 61%-75%
21 to 24 Reach 45%-61%
Less than 21 Low <45%
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Applying

Admission Statistics

Admission and enrollment rates by gender are detailed the the table below.

Whittier College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,385 1,566 3,014
Accepted 1,113 1,161 2,274
Acceptance Rate 80% 74% 75%
Enrolled 108 141 249
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 10% 12% 11%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Whittier College is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Whittier College and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Whittier College Application Requirements
Test Scores Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Whittier College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit No
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Whittier College is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.61 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1240 and ACT of 27 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Whittier College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=125763 IPEDS survey data for Whittier College.

Last updated February 24, 2024