O
Private 4 Year

Olin College Admission Requirements

Needham, Massachusetts

 1 Reviews

Your chances of getting into Olin College of Engineering

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

19.1%
Admission Difficulty for Olin College of Engineering
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Elite 
Applicant Competition Very High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Olin College is 19.1%.  Its admission rate is the 10th lowest in Massachusetts and the 70th lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

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

Olin College is a very highly competitive school to get into. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet the admission criteria. It's important that you meet their GPA requirements to get through the first round of consideration. Last year, only 165 out of the 862 who applied were admitted.

Olin College of Engineering typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.9. 45% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Olin College?

19% 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 Olin College of Engineering you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.9 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1530 on the SAT
  • Score 35 on the ACT

Olin College GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.9

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Olin College of Engineering?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Olin College are to have around a 3.9 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Meeting these GPA requirements alone is not enough for you to gain admission as Olin College is a very selective school.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Olin College is 3.9 on the 4.0 scale. 44% 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 A- letter grades and regularly score around 90-92 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #10 in Massachusetts for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Olin 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 3.9 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 Olin College of Engineering students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 44.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 33.0% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 20.0% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 2.0% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

Olin College SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Olin College of Engineering. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 48% of students submitted SAT scores and 24% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1490-1560

Applicants Submitting SAT 

48%
SAT Scores for Olin College of Engineering
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 720
Math 25th Percentile 770
Composite 25th Percentile 1490
SAT Scores for Olin College of Engineering
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 770
Math 75th Percentile 790
Composite 75th Percentile 1560
Average SAT Score 1530

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Olin College of Engineering?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Olin College is 1530 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1490-1560. Students who get into Olin College of Engineering score in the top 1 percent of all SAT test takers..  Olin College ranks #4 in the state of Massachusetts and #20 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1530 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Olin College regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1490 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1490, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1450, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Olin College of Engineering 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 1530 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 1525, you have around a 19% chance of being admitted. A 1560 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 31% chance of getting in.

Olin College of Engineering admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1560 and Above Good >31%
1525 to 1560 Avg + 19%-31%
1490 to 1525 Avg - 11%-19%
1455 to 1490 Reach 6%-11%
Less than 1455 Low <6%
Calculate My Chances 

Olin College ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

35-35 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

24%
ACT Scores for Olin College of Engineering
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 35
Math 25th Percentile 34
Composite 25th Percentile 35
ACT Scores for Olin College of Engineering
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 36
Math 75th Percentile 36
Composite 75th Percentile 35
Average ACT Score 35

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

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

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Olin College is 35, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 35 and 35.  The school ranks #3 in Massachusetts and #7 in the U.S. for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 35. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 35 and score in the score in the top 1 percent nationally.

24 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Olin College of Engineering.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Olin College of Engineering 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 Olin College for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 35 score has around NaN chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about NaN with a 35 ACT score.

Olin College of Engineering admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
35 and Above Good >NaN
35 to 35 Avg + NaN-NaN
35 to 35 Avg - NaN-NaN
35 to 35 Reach NaN-NaN
Less than 35 Low <NaN
Calculate My Chances 

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Olin College of Engineering admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 216 646 862
Accepted 85 80 165
Acceptance Rate 39% 12% 19%
Enrolled 32 43 75
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 38% 54% 45%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

39

Applicants have 39 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Olin College of Engineering is $85.

Application Requirements

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

Olin College of Engineering 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 required for admission, but considered 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 Olin College of Engineering
AP Credit No
Dual Credit No
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Olin College is very highly competitive, you have a low likelihood of acceptance. It is important that you earn at least a 3.9 GPA to have a good shot at getting in. Additionally, you need to score a 1530 on the SAT and optimally 1560 to place yourself in a strong position. For ACT scores, you need a 35 to have a competitive chance of getting in.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Olin College of Engineering often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=441982 IPEDS survey data for Olin College of Engineering.

Last updated February 24, 2024