U of R Admission Requirements

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Your chances of getting into University of Rochester

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Percent Admitted

40.1%

Admission Standards

Exceptional

Applicant Competition

Average

Very Low

Low

Average

High

Very High

Extreme

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at U of R is 40.1%. Its admission rate is the 21st lowest in New York and the 163rd 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 more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria. Last year, 8,570 out of the 21,384 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. 15% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into University of Rochester you should:

Have a high school GPA of 3.75 or better
Earn A- grades in high school
Score 1480 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-

Average GPA (4.0 Scale) 3.75

0.0 1.0 2.0 3.0 4.0

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

The GPA requirements for getting into U of R are to have around a 3.75 high school GPA on a 4.0 scale. You are required to have exceptionally good grades and you should be graduating near the top of your class. With moderately competitive admissions, a GPA near the average gives you a reasonable chance if the rest of your application is solid.

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 2024

U of R SAT Scores

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Range

1410-1540

Applicants Submitting SAT

19%

25th Percentile Scores

Reading 680
Math 730
Composite 1410

75th Percentile Scores

Reading 750
Math 790
Composite 1540

SAT Scores You Need to Get In

The average SAT score at U of R is 1480 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1410-1540. Students who get into University of Rochester score in the top 4 percent of all SAT test takers. U of R ranks #10 in the state of New York and #54 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

SAT Range (25th-75th Percentile) 1410 to 1540

800 1000 1200 1400 1600

To be most competitive with other applicants, target scoring 1480 or above on the SAT. U of R regularly admits students with scores down to 1410; three quarters of admitted students score higher, and admission should be considered a reach if you score below 1410. Some students may be accepted with SAT scores as low as 1345, though scores that low are outside the normal range. With moderately competitive admissions, an SAT score near the average gives you a reasonable chance if the rest of your application is solid.

Submission Requirements

Submission of SAT scores is not required for admission to University of Rochester. If you optionally submit an SAT score, it will be considered with your application, but it is not mandatory. 19% of students submitted SAT scores for admission for the most recent academic year.

View other colleges which accept students in the 1480 SAT score range.

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

Chance of Acceptance by SAT Score

These estimated admission chances at U of R are based on SAT score and the school's acceptance rate, assuming an otherwise average GPA and application. With moderately competitive admissions, scores in the upper ranges improve your odds when the rest of your application is solid.

University of Rochester admission chances by SAT score
SAT Score (1600 scale)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
1540 and Above	Strong	>56%
1480 to 1540	Avg +	41%-56%
1410 to 1480	Avg -	26%-41%
1340 to 1410	Reach	15%-26%
Less than 1340	Low	<15%

What do these chances mean?

U of R ACT Scores

ACT Score Profile & Requirements

ACT Range

31-34

Applicants Submitting ACT

Lower Quartile Scores

English 33
Math 30
Overall 31

Upper Quartile Scores

English 35
Math 35
Overall 34

What ACT Score Do You Need?

Admitted students at U of R typically earn a score of 32 on the 36-point scale, with most falling between 31 and 34. Successful applicants tend to rank among the top 5% of ACT examinees nationwide. Among colleges in the state of New York, U of R ranks #10 for average ACT score and #77 nationally.

ACT Score Range (Middle 50% of Admits) 31 to 34

0 9 18 27 36

Applicants who post a score of 32 or higher on the ACT are usually among the strongest. U of R has admitted students scoring as low as 31, but most incoming students are above that mark. Scoring below the 25th percentile should be treated as a reach. In rare cases, scores near 30 have been enough, though that is well outside the usual band. With selective admissions, a median score makes U of R a realistic target.

ACT Submission Policy

You may apply to University of Rochester without sending ACT results. Any score you choose to include will still be reviewed, but it is not required. 6% of recent applicants did report ACT scores.

Browse colleges with similar ACT expectations in the 32 ACT score range.

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

Admission Chances by ACT Score

See where your ACT score lands at U of R, from reach to likely. Each estimate pairs your score with the acceptance rate and assumes a typical GPA. With selective admissions, an upper-half score makes U of R a realistic target.

University of Rochester admission chances by ACT score
ACT Score (36 max)	Competitiveness	Admission Chances
34 and Above	Strong	>61%
32 to 34	Avg +	40%-61%
31 to 32	Avg -	30%-40%
30 to 31	Reach	22%-30%
Less than 30	Low	<22%

What do these chances mean?

High School Class Rank

Class Rank of Admitted Students

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 in the table below.

University of Rochester admission statistics
	Women	Men	Total
Applied	10,806	10,565	21,384
Accepted	4,591	3,971	8,570
Acceptance Rate	42%	38%	40%
Enrolled	635	682	1,317
Percent of Admitted Who Enrolled (Admission Yield)	14%	17%	15%

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

Fall 2027 Application Deadline

Applications Due

Jan 5, 2027

Days left to Apply

132

Applicants have 132 days left until the Fall 2027 term applications are due on Jan 5, 2027.

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
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	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
Credit Type	Accepted
AP Credit	Yes
Dual Credit	No
Credit for Life Experiences	No

Admission Requirements Summary

U of R is a more competitive school to get into. You have a good chance of acceptance if you meet the admission criteria.

A 3.75 GPA gives you a solid shot at getting in. Graduating in the top 10% of your class will also help your chances. SAT scores around 1480 (or near 1540 for a stronger application) can help. ACT scores around 32 (or near 34) can help. Applications are due Jan 5, 2027 (132 days remaining).