Wake Forest Admission Requirements

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4 Year
Winston-Salem, NC
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#3 Best Colleges in North Carolina

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Wake Forest Admission Overview

Wake Forest admission requirements are very highly competitive, with one of the lowest admission rates in North Carolina. Last year Wake Forest admitted 21.7% of applicants. Enrolled freshmen who sent tests typically scored SAT 1410-1520 / ACT 32-34. Wake Forest 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

Wake Forest is test-optional for 2026-27. You choose whether to send SAT or ACT.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.wfu.edu/become-a-deacon/test-optional/

Wake Forest Acceptance Rate

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance rate

21.7%

Admission Standards

Exceptional

Applicant Competition

Very High

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The Wake Forest acceptance rate is 21.7%. Last year, only 4,058 of 18,727 applicants were admitted. That is the 4th lowest acceptance rate in North Carolina and the 79th lowest in the nation.

Admission Selectivity

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

Wake Forest is a very highly competitive school to get into, admitting fewer than one in four applicants. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet last year's profile.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 36% of those admitted chose to enroll.

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

Wake Forest GPA

Wake Forest considers GPA but does not publish an average for enrolled freshmen. Check the school's site for current practice.

Wake Forest Test Policy

Test Submission Requirements

Wake Forest University is test-optional for first-year applicants in the 2026-27 admissions cycle. SAT or ACT scores are not required, and you will not be penalized if you omit them. Scores are considered only if you indicate on the application that you want them reviewed. You may self-report scores; Wake Forest superscores multiple sittings, and enrolling students who asked to have scores considered must send official reports the summer before they arrive. English proficiency exams remain required for international students whose first language is not English.

Cycle: 2026-27. Source: https://admissions.wfu.edu/become-a-deacon/test-optional/

Wake Forest SAT Scores

SAT scores of enrolled freshmen

SAT Range

1410-1520

Freshmen who sent SAT

22%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 700
Math 710
Composite 1410

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 750
Math 770
Composite 1520

Average SAT

Enrolled testers at Wake Forest typically score around a 1470 SAT (middle 50% 1410–1520) out of 1600. That is last year's class, not a cutoff. The average SAT of enrolled testers is about the 98th percentile nationally. Wake Forest ranks #3 in the state of North Carolina and #61 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1410 to 1520

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

Matching last year's 1410–1520 range does not by itself determine admission.

SAT policy

Wake Forest 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 1470 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 Wake Forest University
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1520+	Above 75th	>35%
1470 to 1520	Avg +	23%-35%
1410 to 1470	Avg -	13%-23%
Below 1410	Below mid-50	<13%

What do these figures mean?

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

Wake Forest ACT Scores

ACT scores among enrolled freshmen

ACT Range

32-34

Freshmen reporting ACT

26%

25th Percentile Scores

English 34
Math 29
Composite 32

75th Percentile Scores

English 35
Math 34
Composite 34

Average ACT

Incoming testers at Wake Forest typically have around a 33 ACT (mid-50 32–34) 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. Wake Forest places #2 among colleges in North Carolina and #51 nationwide for highest average ACT composite.

ACT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 32 to 34

1 9 18 27 36

Landing in last year's 32–34 band does not, on its own, decide admission.

ACT policy

You may apply to Wake Forest 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 Wake Forest University
ACT Score (36 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
34+	Above 75th	>35%
33 to 34	Avg +	22%-35%
32 to 33	Avg -	13%-22%
Below 32	Below mid-50	<13%

How to read these figures

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

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

69% of Wake Forest University 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 Wake Forest University students
High School Class Rank	Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class	69%
Top 25% of class	91%
Top 50% of class	97%

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 Wake Forest chances calculator

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Wake Forest University admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	10,498	8,224	18,727
Accepted	2,137	1,919	4,058
Acceptance Rate	20%	23%	22%
Enrolled	793	671	1,464
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	37%	35%	36%

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

Application Requirements

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

Wake Forest University 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	Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations	Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies	Not considered for admission, even if submitted

Test scores: school admissions site, 2026-27. Other fields: IPEDS 2025 survey for academic year 2024/2025

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 1, 2027

Days left to Apply

123

Applicants have 123 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 1, 2027.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Wake Forest University is $85.

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

Credits Accepted

High school credits accepted at Wake Forest University
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

Wake Forest is test-optional for 2026-27. Last year it admitted 21.7% of applicants. Send SAT/ACT if you are at or above this campus mid-50 (1410-1520); otherwise withhold. Mid-50 scores, where shown, are enrolled testers, not cutoffs.

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