H
Private 4 Year

HSC- Hampden-Sydney Admission Requirements

Hampden-Sydney, Virginia

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Your chances of getting into Hampden Sydney College

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

39.8%
Admission Difficulty for Hampden Sydney College
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Challenging 
Applicant Competition High 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at HSC- Hampden-Sydney is 39.8%.  Its admission rate is the 7th lowest in Virginia and the 162nd lowest the nation.

Admission Selectivity

How hard is it to get into HSC- Hampden-Sydney and can you get accepted?

HSC- Hampden-Sydney is a highly competitive school to get into. You have a moderate chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 1,298 out of the 3,262 who applied were admitted.

Hampden Sydney College typically accepts and attracts "B+" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.53. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top half of their high school class. 21% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into HSC- Hampden-Sydney?

40% 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 Hampden Sydney College you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.53 or better
  • Earn B+ grades in high school
  • Score 1180 on the SAT
  • Score 26 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top half of your high school class

HSC- Hampden-Sydney GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.53

Typical High School Grades 

B+

What GPA do you need to get into Hampden Sydney College?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into HSC- Hampden-Sydney are to have around a 3.53 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

Even with a competitive GPA, admission to HSC- Hampden-Sydney will be challenging as the school denies more applicants than it admits.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at HSC- Hampden-Sydney is 3.53 on the 4.0 scale. To achieve the average GPA for admission, you need to earn B+ letter grades and regularly score around 87-89 percent on tests and assignments in high school.  The school ranks #24 in Virginia for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since HSC- Hampden-Sydney 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 3.5 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 Hampden Sydney College students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 19.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 15.84% Avg +
3.50 to 3.74 18.55% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 17.19% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 14.93% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 12.67% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 1.82% 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 

HSC- Hampden-Sydney SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Hampden Sydney College. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 22% of students submitted SAT scores and 7% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1040-1310

Applicants Submitting SAT 

22%
SAT Scores for Hampden Sydney College
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 530
Math 25th Percentile 510
Composite 25th Percentile 1040
SAT Scores for Hampden Sydney College
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 650
Math 75th Percentile 660
Composite 75th Percentile 1310
Average SAT Score 1180

SAT Scores you need to get in

What are the SAT requirements for you to be admitted to Hampden Sydney College?

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at HSC- Hampden-Sydney is 1180 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1040-1310. Students who get into Hampden Sydney College score in the top 53 percent of all SAT test takers..  HSC- Hampden-Sydney ranks #16 in the state of Virginia for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1180 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. HSC- Hampden-Sydney regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1040 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1040, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 900, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Hampden Sydney College 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 1180 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 1175, you have around a 40% chance of being admitted. A 1310 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 56% chance of getting in.

Hampden Sydney College admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1310 and Above Good >56%
1175 to 1310 Avg + 40%-56%
1040 to 1175 Avg - 26%-40%
905 to 1040 Reach 16%-26%
Less than 905 Low <16%
Calculate My Chances 

HSC- Hampden-Sydney ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

23-29 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

7%
ACT Scores for Hampden Sydney College
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 24
Math 25th Percentile 23
Composite 25th Percentile 23
ACT Scores for Hampden Sydney College
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 29
Math 75th Percentile 27
Composite 75th Percentile 29
Average ACT Score 26

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into HSC- Hampden-Sydney?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to HSC- Hampden-Sydney is 26, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 23 and 29.  The school ranks #12 in Virginia for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 26. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 23 and score in the score in the top 32 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 20.

7 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Hampden Sydney College.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Hampden Sydney College 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 HSC- Hampden-Sydney for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 26 score has around 40% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 56% with a 29 ACT score.

Hampden Sydney College admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
29 and Above Good >56%
26 to 29 Avg + 40%-56%
23 to 26 Avg - 26%-40%
20 to 23 Reach 16%-26%
Less than 20 Low <16%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

71% of Hampden Sydney College freshman are in the top half of their high school graduating class and 44% are in the top quarter.

High School Class Rank for admitted Hampden Sydney College students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 15%
Top 25% of class 44%
Top 50% of class 71%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Hampden Sydney College admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 5 3,257 3,262
Accepted 0 1,298 1,298
Acceptance Rate 0% 40% 40%
Enrolled 0 279 279
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) NaN 21% 21%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2024 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Feb 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

85

Applicants have 85 days left until the Fall 2024 term applications are due on Feb 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Hampden Sydney College is $0. The school is free to apply to.

Application Requirements

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

Hampden Sydney College 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 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

Credits Accepted

High School Credits Accepted at Hampden Sydney College
AP Credit Yes
Dual Credit Yes
Credit for Life Experiences No

Admission Requirements Summary

Because HSC- Hampden-Sydney is highly competitive, you have a moderate chance of acceptance depending on your GPA and test scores. If you earn at least a 3.53 GPA, you will have a fair shot at getting in. Additionally, you should score a 1180 on the SAT or 26 on the ACT to be competitive. If you can score a 1310 SAT you will be a very strong applicant.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Hampden Sydney College often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=232256 IPEDS survey data for Hampden Sydney College.

Last updated February 24, 2024