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#8 Best Private Colleges in Virginia

SU Admission Requirements

Winchester, Virginia

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Your chances of getting into Shenandoah University

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted 

80.4%
Admission Difficulty for Shenandoah University
Measure Difficulty
Admission Standards Moderate 
Applicant Competition Very Low 

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at SU is 80.4%.  Its admission rate is the 23rd lowest in Virginia.

Admission Selectivity

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

Shenandoah University is an easy school to get into and you have a very good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 1,845 out of the 2,296 who applied were admitted.

Shenandoah University typically accepts and attracts "A-" average high school students with an average GPA around 3.7. Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top quarter of their high school class. 26% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into SU?

80% 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 Shenandoah University you should:

  • Have a high school GPA of 3.7 or better
  • Earn A- grades in high school
  • Score 1120 on the SAT
  • Score 22 on the ACT
  • Graduate in the top 25% of your high school class

SU GPA

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Avg. High School GPA 

3.7

Typical High School Grades 

A-

What GPA do you need to get into Shenandoah University?

GPA Requirements

The GPA requirements for getting into SU are to have around a 3.7 high school GPA. You are required to have very good grades in high school.

If your high school grades are above the average 3.7 GPA, you have a very good chance of being admitted as SU accepts 80% of applicants.

Average GPA

The average unweighted GPA at SU is 3.7 on the 4.0 scale. 35% 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 #13 in Virginia for highest average GPA.

Importance of GPA

Since SU 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 3.7 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 Shenandoah University students
High School GPA Freshmen Within Range Competitiveness 
4.0 35.0% Good
3.75 to 3.99 17.0% Avg
3.50 to 3.74 16.0% Avg -
3.25 to 3.49 12.0% Avg -
3.00 to 3.24 9.0% Reach
2.50 to 2.99 9.0% Reach
2.00 to 2.49 2.0% Low
1.00 to 1.99 0% Low
less than 1.00 0% Low

 What do these chances mean?

GPA Data Source, Peterson's Data 2022

Calculate My Chances 

SU SAT Scores

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required by Shenandoah University. The school has a test blind policy.

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range 

1010-1230

Applicants Submitting SAT 

87%
SAT Scores for Shenandoah University
SAT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 510
Math 25th Percentile 500
Composite 25th Percentile 1010
SAT Scores for Shenandoah University
SAT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 630
Math 75th Percentile 600
Composite 75th Percentile 1230
Average SAT Score 1120

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at SU is 1120 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1010-1230. Students who get into Shenandoah University score in the top 59 percent of all SAT test takers..  SU ranks #24 in the state of Virginia for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1120 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. SU regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1010 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1010, 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

Shenandoah 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 considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

View other colleges which accept students in the 1120 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 1120, you have around a 80% chance of being admitted. A 1230 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 88% chance of getting in.

Shenandoah University admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale) Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
1230 and Above Good >88%
1120 to 1230 Avg + 80%-88%
1010 to 1120 Avg - 68%-80%
900 to 1010 Reach 53%-68%
Less than 900 Low <53%
Calculate My Chances 

SU ACT Scores

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Range 

19-26 

Applicants Submitting ACT 

23%
ACT Scores for Shenandoah University
ACT Test 25th Percentile Score
Reading 25th Percentile 18
Math 25th Percentile 17
Composite 25th Percentile 19
ACT Scores for Shenandoah University
ACT Test 75th Percentile Score
Reading 75th Percentile 26
Math 75th Percentile 26
Composite 75th Percentile 26
Average ACT Score 22

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into SU?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to SU is 22, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 19 and 26.  The school ranks #29 in Virginia for highest average ACT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

For the best chance of admission, you should have an ACT of 22. This will place you in solid competition against other applicants. At a minimum, you should aim for a 19 and score in the score in the top 56 percent nationally. The lowest ACT score likely to be admitted is a 16.

23 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Shenandoah University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Shenandoah University is test optional. The policy from the school on ACT scores is "not considered for admission, even if submitted (test blind)".

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 SU for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 22 score has around 80% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 89% with a 26 ACT score.

Shenandoah University admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score Competitiveness  Admission Chances 
26 and Above Good >89%
22 to 26 Avg + 80%-89%
19 to 22 Avg - 70%-80%
16 to 19 Reach 57%-70%
Less than 16 Low <57%
Calculate My Chances 

High School Class Rank

65% of Shenandoah University freshman are in the top twenty five percent of their high school graduating class and 32% are in the top ten percent.

High School Class Rank for admitted Shenandoah University students
High School Class Rank Freshmen Within Range
Top 10% of class 32%
Top 25% of class 65%
Top 50% of class 93%
Data Source, Peterson's Data

Applying

Admission Statistics

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

Shenandoah University admission statistics
Women Men Total
Applied 1,296 1,000 2,296
Accepted 962 883 1,845
Acceptance Rate 74% 88% 80%
Enrolled 245 230 475
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield) 25% 26% 26%
Data Sources, IPEDS for Fall 2022 starting class

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Aug 1, 2025

Days left to Apply

219

Applicants have 219 days left until the Fall 2025 term applications are due on Aug 1, 2025.

Application Fee

The cost for prospective students to apply to Shenandoah University is $30.

Application Requirements

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

Shenandoah University Application Requirements
Test Scores Not considered for admission, even if submitted (Test Blind)
High School GPA Required to be considered for admission
High School Class Rank Not considered for admission, even if submitted
Completion of College Preparatory Program Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Recommendations Not required for admission, but considered if submitted
Demonstration of Competencies Required to be considered for admission

Credits Accepted

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

Admission Requirements Summary

Because Shenandoah University is lightly competitive to get into, you have a very good chance of acceptance with the right GPA and test scores. If you have a 3.7 GPA, you are almost certain to getting in. Combining this with an SAT score of 1120 and ACT of 22 will almost guarantee your admission.

Other Colleges to Apply To 

Students applying to Shenandoah University often consider these colleges

Primary data source, U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov/collegenavigator/?id=233541 IPEDS survey data for Shenandoah University.

Last updated February 24, 2024