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Case Western Admission Requirements

Cleveland, Ohio

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Your chances of getting into Case Western Reserve University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

27.4%
Admission Difficulty for Case Western Reserve University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Elite 
Applicant Competition High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Case Western is 27.4%.  Its admission rate is the 2nd lowest in Ohio and the 102nd lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

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

Case Western is a highly competitive school to get into. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, only 10,607 out of the 38,701 who applied were admitted.

Case Western Reserve University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.86. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 15% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Case Western?

27% 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 Case Western Reserve University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.86 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1480 on the SAT
  • Score 33 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

Case Western GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.86*

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Case Western Reserve University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into Case Western are to have around a 3.86 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 Case Western will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at Case Western is 3.86 on the 4.0 scale. 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 #2 in Ohio for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since Case Western 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 3.9 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 Case Western Reserve University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 16.77% Good
3.75 to 3.99 45.1% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 26.57% Reach
3.25 to 3.49 9.09% Reach
3.00 to 3.24 2.26% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 0.07% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 0.07% Reach
1.00 to 1.99 0.07% Reach
less than 1.00 0% Reach

 What do these chances mean?

*This school has not published high school GPA data for its incoming freshman class. In these cases, CollegeSimply uses an algorithm to predict GPA based on this school's test scores and a large sample of college GPA data. 3.86 is a prediction of the school's average incoming freshman GPA.

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Case Western SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Case Western Reserve University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 42% of students submitted SAT scores and 22% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1410-1540

Applicants Submitting SAT 

42%
SAT Scores for Case Western Reserve University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 680
Math 25th Percentile 730
Composite 25th Percentile 1410
SAT Scores for Case Western Reserve University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 750
Math 75th Percentile 790
Composite 75th Percentile 1540
Average SAT Score 1480

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Case Western Reserve University?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Case Western is 1480 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1410-1540. Students who get into Case Western Reserve University score in the top 4 percent of all SAT test takers..  Case Western ranks #1 in the state of Ohio and #45 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1480 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Case Western regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1410 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1410, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1340, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Case Western Reserve University 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 1480 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 1475, you have around a 27% chance of being admitted. A 1540 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 41% chance of getting in.

Case Western Reserve University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1540 and Above Good >41%
1475 to 1540 Avg + 27%-41%
1410 to 1475 Avg - 16%-27%
1345 to 1410 Reach 9%-16%
Less than 1345 Low <9%
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Case Western ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

32-35 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

22%
ACT Scores for Case Western Reserve University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 33
Math 25th Percentile 30
Composite 25th Percentile 32
ACT Scores for Case Western Reserve University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 35
Math 75th Percentile 35
Composite 75th Percentile 35
Average ACT Score 33

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Case Western?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Case Western is 33, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 32 and 35.  The school ranks #1 in Ohio and #49 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 33. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 32 and score in the score in the top 3 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 30.

22 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Case Western Reserve University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Case Western Reserve University 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 Case Western for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 33 score has around 27% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 47% with a 35 ACT score.

Case Western Reserve University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
35 and Above Good >47%
33 to 35 Avg + 27%-47%
32 to 33 Avg - 19%-27%
31 to 32 Reach 14%-19%
Less than 31 Low <14%
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High School Class Rank

62% of Case Western Reserve 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 Case Western Reserve University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 62%
Top 25% of class 94.5%
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.

Case Western Reserve University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 18,863 19,838 38,701
Accepted 5,250 5,357 10,607
Acceptance Rate 28% 27% 27%
Enrolled 735 818 1,553
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 14% 15% 15%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 15, 2025

Days left to Apply

55

Applicants have 55 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Jan 15, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Case Western Reserve University is $70.

Application Requirements

What are the requirements for admission to Case Western Reserve University and what student information is used for admission decisions?

Case Western Reserve University Application Requirements
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 Required to be considered for admission
Recommendations Required to be considered for admission
Demonstration of Competencies Not required for admission, but considered if submitted

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Case Western Reserve University
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit No
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Case Western is highly competitive, you have a moderate chance of acceptance depending on your GPA and test scores. If you earn at least a 3.86 GPA, you will have a fair shot at getting in. Additionally, you should score a 1480 on the SAT or 33 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 Case Western Reserve University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=201645 IPEDS survey data for Case Western Reserve University.

Last updated February 24, 2024