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MCLA Admission Requirements

North Adams, Massachusetts

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Your chances of getting into Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

92.4%
Admission Difficulty for Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Extremely Easy 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at MCLA is 92.4%.  Its admission rate is the 65th lowest in Massachusetts.

Admission Selectivity

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

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 1,346 out of the 1,456 who applied were admitted.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts typically accepts and attracts "B" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.2. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 13% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into MCLA?

92% 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 Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.2 or better
  • Earn B grades in high school
  • Score 1070 on the SAT
  • Score 19 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

MCLA GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.2

Typical High School Grades 

B

What GPA do you need to get into Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into MCLA are to have around a 3.2 high school GPA. You need about average high school grades.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.2 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as MCLA accepts 92% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at MCLA is 3.2 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B letter grades and regularly score around 83-86 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #50 in Massachusetts for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since MCLA 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 3.2 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 Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 14.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 12.0% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 10.0% Avg +
3.25 to 3.49 12.0% Avg +
3.00 to 3.24 15.0% Avg -
2.50 to 2.99 25.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 12.0% 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 

MCLA SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts. The school has a test blind policy.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

960-1180

Applicants Submitting SAT 

91%
SAT Scores for Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 480
Math 25th Percentile 480
Composite 25th Percentile 960
SAT Scores for Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 580
Math 75th Percentile 600
Composite 75th Percentile 1180
Average SAT Score 1070

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at MCLA is 1070 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 960-1180. Students who get into Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts score in the top 68 percent of all SAT test takers..  MCLA ranks #46 in the state of Massachusetts for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1070 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. MCLA regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 960 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 960, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 850, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 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 considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1070 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 1070, you have around a 92% chance of being admitted. A 1180 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 96% chance of getting in.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1180 and Above Good >96%
1070 to 1180 Avg + 92%-96%
960 to 1070 Avg - 86%-92%
850 to 960 Reach 76%-86%
Less than 850 Low <76%
Calculate My Chances 

MCLA ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

17-21 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

8%
ACT Scores for Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile N/A
Math 25th Percentile N/A
Composite 25th Percentile 17
ACT Scores for Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile N/A
Math 75th Percentile N/A
Composite 75th Percentile 21
Average ACT Score 19

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into MCLA?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to MCLA is 19, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 17 and 21.  The school ranks #40 in Massachusetts for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 19. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 17 and score in the score in the top 69 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 15.

8 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

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 MCLA for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 19 score has around 92% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 96% with a 21 ACT score.

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
21 and Above Good >96%
19 to 21 Avg + 92%-96%
17 to 19 Avg - 86%-92%
15 to 17 Reach 76%-86%
Less than 15 Low <76%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

65% of Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 45% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 18%
Top 25% of class 45%
Top 50% of class 65%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 962 490 1,456
Accepted 906 437 1,346
Acceptance Rate 94% 89% 92%
Enrolled 96 81 177
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 11% 19% 13%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts Application Requirements
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
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 Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences Yes

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts 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 3.2 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1070 and ACT of 19 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=167288 IPEDS survey data for Massachusetts College of Liberal Arts.

Last updated February 24, 2024