Sarah Lawrence Admission Requirements

  • 8/10 Overall Rating
  • 4 Year
  • Bronxville, NY
  • 5.0 2 reviews
#14 Best Private Colleges in New York

Sarah Lawrence Admission Overview

Sarah Lawrence admission requirements are moderately competitive. Last year Sarah Lawrence admitted 61.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.75 GPA (A-) and SAT 1240-1430 / ACT 28-31. Sarah Lawrence 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

Sarah Lawrence Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

61.7%

Admission Standards

Very High

Applicant Competition

Low

Very Low
Low
Average
High
Very High
Extreme

Admission difficulty for Sarah Lawrence College

Acceptance Rate

The Sarah Lawrence acceptance rate is 61.7%. Last year, 2,850 of 4,617 applicants were admitted. That is the 49th lowest acceptance rate in New York.

Admission Selectivity

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

Sarah Lawrence is a moderately competitive school to get into, admitting a large majority of applicants. You have a strong chance of acceptance if you meet last year's profile. Getting an offer is relatively likely compared with more selective schools, but last year's class still posted a strong academic profile.

Sarah Lawrence College typically attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.75. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 15% of those admitted chose to enroll.

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

Sarah Lawrence GPA

GPA of enrolled freshmen

Avg. High School GPA

3.75

Typical High School Grades

A-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.75

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

Average GPA

Enrolled freshmen at Sarah Lawrence typically have around a 3.75 GPA (A-) on a 4.0 scale. That is last year's class average, not a cutoff. Enrolled students typically have exceptionally good grades. Sarah Lawrence is test-optional. If you withhold SAT or ACT, GPA carries more weight.

33% of enrolled freshmen had a 4.0. The school ranks #18 in New York for highest average GPA.

See additional colleges accepting applicants in the 3.8 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 Sarah Lawrence College freshmen
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness
4.0 33.25% Good
3.75 to 3.99 19.22% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 18.44% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 13.51% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 7.53% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 6.75% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.3% 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

Sarah Lawrence SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1240-1430

Freshmen who sent SAT

9%

25th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 650
  • Math 590
  • Composite 1240
SAT 25th percentile scores for Sarah Lawrence College

75th Percentile Scores

  • Reading 740
  • Math 690
  • Composite 1430
SAT 75th percentile scores for Sarah Lawrence College

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Sarah Lawrence typically score around a 1340 SAT (middle 50% 1240–1430) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 91st percentile nationally. Sarah Lawrence ranks #23 in the state of New York and #157 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1240 to 1430

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

SAT policy

Sarah Lawrence 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 1340 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 Sarah Lawrence College
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
1430+ Above 75th >76%
1340 to 1430 Avg + 63%-76%
1240 to 1340 Avg - 46%-63%
Below 1240 Below mid-50 <46%

What do these figures mean?

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

Sarah Lawrence ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

28-31

Freshmen reporting ACT

4%

25th Percentile Scores

  • English 28
  • Math 25
  • Composite 28
ACT 25th percentile scores for Sarah Lawrence College

75th Percentile Scores

  • English 34
  • Math 28
  • Composite 31
ACT 75th percentile scores for Sarah Lawrence College

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Sarah Lawrence typically have around a 29 ACT (mid-50 28–31) on the 36 scale. That reflects last year's enrolled testers, not a cutoff. That average sits near the 91st percentile of ACT takers nationwide. Sarah Lawrence places #26 among colleges in New York and #180 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 28 to 31

1 9 18 27 36

ACT policy

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

See colleges with similar ACT profiles in the 29.0 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 Sarah Lawrence College
ACT Score (36 scale) Competitiveness Admission Chances
31+ Above 75th >79%
29 to 31 Avg + 62%-79%
28 to 29 Avg - 52%-62%
Below 28 Below mid-50 <52%

How to read these figures

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

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

53% of Sarah Lawrence College freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 26% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Sarah Lawrence College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 26%
Top 25% of class 53%
Top 50% of class 92%

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 Sarah Lawrence chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Sarah Lawrence College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 3,727 872 4,617
Accepted 2,302 535 2,850
Acceptance Rate 62% 61% 62%
Enrolled 326 88 417
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 14% 16% 15%

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

Application Requirements

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

Sarah Lawrence College application requirements
Requirement Used for Admission
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 Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
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 Sarah Lawrence College is $0. The school is free to apply to.

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

Credits Accepted

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

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

Admission summary

Sarah Lawrence is test-optional for 2024-25. Last year it admitted 61.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen typically had about a 3.75 GPA (about an A- average). Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1240-1430); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

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

Other Colleges to Apply To

Students applying to Sarah Lawrence College often consider these colleges

Data source: NCES / IPEDS https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=195304.

GPA calculator: Sarah Lawrence College GPA calculator.

Last updated: August 2026