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#10 Best Private Colleges in New York

U of R Admission Requirements

Rochester, New York

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Your chances of getting into University of Rochester

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

38.9%
Admission Difficulty for University of Rochester
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Elite 
Applicant Competition High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at U of R is 38.9%.  Its admission rate is the 20th lowest in New York and the 153rd lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into U of R and can you get accepted?

U of R is a highly competitive school to get into. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 7,768 out of the 19,966 who applied were admitted.

University of Rochester typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.75. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 21% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into U of R?

39% 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 University of Rochester you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.75 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1470 on the SAT
  • Score 32 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

U of R GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.75

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into University of Rochester?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into U of R are to have around a 3.75 high school GPA. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to U of R will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at U of R is 3.75 on the 4.0 scale. 23% 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 #17 in New York for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since U of R 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 3.8 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 University of Rochester students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 23.47% Good
3.75 to 3.99 36.84% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 24.8% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 10.64% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 3.52% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0.66% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.07% 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 

U of R SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to University of Rochester. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 28% of students submitted SAT scores and 11% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1390-1540

Applicants Submitting SAT 

28%
SAT Scores for University of Rochester
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 680
Math 25th Percentile 710
Composite 25th Percentile 1390
SAT Scores for University of Rochester
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 750
Math 75th Percentile 790
Composite 75th Percentile 1540
Average SAT Score 1470

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to University of Rochester?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at U of R is 1470 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1390-1540. Students who get into University of Rochester score in the top 5 percent of all SAT test takers..  U of R ranks #9 in the state of New York and #50 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1470 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. U of R regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1390 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1390, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1310, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

University of Rochester 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 1470 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 1465, you have around a 39% chance of being admitted. A 1540 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 55% chance of getting in.

University of Rochester admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1540 and Above Good >55%
1465 to 1540 Avg + 39%-55%
1390 to 1465 Avg - 25%-39%
1315 to 1390 Reach 15%-25%
Less than 1315 Low <15%
Calculate My Chances 

U of R ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

31-34 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

11%
ACT Scores for University of Rochester
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 32
Math 25th Percentile 29
Composite 25th Percentile 31
ACT Scores for University of Rochester
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 35
Math 75th Percentile 35
Composite 75th Percentile 34
Average ACT Score 32

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into U of R?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to U of R is 32, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 31 and 34.  The school ranks #12 in New York and #74 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 32. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 31 and score in the score in the top 5 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 30.

11 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to University of Rochester.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as University of Rochester 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 U of R for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 32 score has around 39% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 60% with a 34 ACT score.

University of Rochester admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
34 and Above Good >60%
32 to 34 Avg + 39%-60%
31 to 32 Avg - 29%-39%
30 to 31 Reach 21%-29%
Less than 30 Low <21%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

71% of University of Rochester 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 University of Rochester students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 71.4%
Top 25% of class 93%
Top 50% of class 100%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

University of Rochester admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 10,155 9,805 19,966
Accepted 4,480 3,282 7,768
Acceptance Rate 44% 33% 39%
Enrolled 863 756 1,625
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 19% 23% 21%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 5, 2025

Days left to Apply

11

Applicants have 11 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Jan 5, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to University of Rochester is $50.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to University of Rochester and what student information is used for admission decisions?

University of Rochester Application Requirements
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 considered for admission, even if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at University of Rochester
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit No
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because U of R is highly competitive, you have a moderate chance of acceptance depending on your GPA and test scores. If you earn at least a 3.75 GPA, you will have a fair shot at getting in. Additionally, you should score a 1470 on the SAT or 32 on the ACT to be competitive. If you can score a 1540 SAT you will be a very strong applicant.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to University of Rochester often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=195030 IPEDS survey data for University of Rochester.

Last updated February 24, 2024