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MHC Admission Requirements

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4 Year
South Hadley, MA
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#11 Best Private Colleges in Massachusetts

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MHC Admission Overview

MHC admission requirements are highly competitive. Last year MHC admitted 36% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.87 GPA (A) and SAT 1380-1530 / ACT 32-35. MHC is test-optional, so you choose whether to send SAT or ACT. Those figures describe last year's class, not a score you must hit.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

MHC is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Source: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

MHC Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

36%

Admission Standards

Elite

Applicant Competition

High

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The MHC acceptance rate is 36%. Last year, 1,883 of 5,226 applicants were admitted. That is the 14th lowest acceptance rate in Massachusetts and the 132nd lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

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

MHC is a highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than half of applicants. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile.

Mount Holyoke College typically attracts "A" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.87. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 27% of those admitted chose to enroll.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

MHC GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.87

Typical High School Grades

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.87

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at MHC typically have around a 3.87 GPA (A) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. MHC is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

33% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #11 in Massachusetts for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.9 GPA range.

Competitiveness by GPA Ranges

Share of last year's freshmen in each GPA range, compared with the rest of the class.

High school GPA ranges for enrolled Mount Holyoke College freshmen
High School GPA	Freshmen Within Range	Competitiveness
4.0	33.4%	Good
3.75 to 3.99	32.19%	Avg
3.50 to 3.74	22.27%	Reach
3.25 to 3.49	6.88%	Reach
3.00 to 3.24	4.66%	Reach
2.50 to 2.99	0.61%	Low
2.00 to 2.49	0%	Low
1.00 to 1.99	0%	Low
less than 1.00	0%	Low

What do these figures mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2024

MHC SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1380-1530

Freshmen who sent SAT

14%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 710
Math 670
Composite 1380

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 760
Math 770
Composite 1530

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at MHC typically score around a 1460 SAT (middle 50% 1380–1530) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 98th percentile nationally. MHC ranks #14 in the state of Massachusetts and #69 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1380 to 1530

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

MHC is test-optional. You choose whether to send SAT. If you send a score, it is considered.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1460 SAT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How SAT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares SAT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. It is not a personal chance of admission. If you withhold SAT, skip this table.

SAT ranges vs last year's enrolled testers at Mount Holyoke College
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1530+	Above 75th	>52%
1460 to 1530	Avg +	37%-52%
1380 to 1460	Avg -	23%-37%
Below 1380	Below mid-50	<23%

What do these figures mean?

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

MHC ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

32-35

Freshmen reporting ACT

25th Percentile Scores

English 34
Math 26
Composite 32

75th Percentile Scores

English 36
Math 34
Composite 35

Average ACT

Incoming testers at MHC typically have around a 33 ACT (mid-50 32–35) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 98th percentile of ACT takers nationwide. MHC places #10 among colleges in Massachusetts and #45 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 32 to 35

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

You may apply to MHC without ACT. A score you do send is still reviewed.

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 33.0 ACT score range.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

How ACT scores compare with last year's enrolled testers

This table compares ACT ranges with last year's enrolled testers and the school's acceptance rate. They are not your individual odds. If you leave ACT off your application, you can skip this table.

ACT bands compared with last year's enrolled testers at Mount Holyoke College
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
35+	Above 75th	>57%
33 to 35	Avg +	36%-57%
32 to 33	Avg -	27%-36%
Below 32	Below mid-50	<27%

How to read these figures

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

50% of Mount Holyoke College freshman are in the top ten percent of their high school graduating class. For your application to be competitive, you need to graduate at the top of your class.

High School Class Rank for admitted Mount Holyoke College students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	50.24%
Top 25% of class	78.47%
Top 50% of class	96%

Data Source, Peterson's Data

Estimate How You Compare

See how your GPA and scores compare with last year's enrolled testers. You can mark that you will withhold scores.

Open the MHC chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Mount Holyoke College admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	5,226	0	5,226
Accepted	1,883	0	1,883
Acceptance Rate	36%	NaN	36%
Enrolled	512	0	512
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	27%	NaN	27%

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Application Requirements

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

Mount Holyoke College application requirements
Requirement	Used for Admission
Test Scores	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted (Test Optional)
High School GPA	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
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 required for admission, but considered if submitted

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2027

Days left to Apply

137

Applicants have 137 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Mount Holyoke College is $60.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Mount Holyoke College
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	Yes
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Admission summary

MHC is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 36% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.87 GPA (about an A average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1380-1530); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

Data Source, IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025