Wake Forest Admission Requirements

Admission Rate & Difficulty

Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Wake Forest is 21.6%.  Its admission rate is the 4th lowest in North Carolina and the 81st lowest 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. You have a low chance of acceptance even if you meet the admission criteria. It's important that you meet their GPA requirements to get through the first round of consideration. Last year, only 3,768 out of the 17,479 who applied were admitted.

Most incoming freshmen graduate in the top ten percent of their high school class or better. 37% of those admitted chose to enroll in the school.

Can you get into Wake Forest?

22% 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.

Admission Requirements in Brief

To have the best chance of getting into to Wake Forest University you should:

• Score 1450 on the SAT
• Score 33 on the ACT
• Graduate in the top 10% of your high school class

GPA Requirements & Average GPA

Wake Forest University has not reported high school GPA data for its accepted students.

Testing Requirements

Submission of SAT or ACT scores is not required for admission to Wake Forest University. If you optionally submit test scores, they will be considered with your application, but they are not mandatory. 26% of students submitted SAT scores and 22% submitted ACT scores for admission for the most recent academic year..

SAT Requirements & Average SAT Score

SAT Scores you need to get in

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

Average Score & Range

The average SAT score at Wake Forest is 1450 out of 1600 and the range for the middle 50% of accepted students is 1390-1510. Students who get into Wake Forest University score in the top 5 percent of all SAT test takers..  Wake Forest ranks #3 in the state of North Carolina and #65 in the nation for highest average SAT composite score.

Score for Acceptance

You should target scoring 1450 or above to be most competitive with other applicants. Wake Forest regularly admits students with SAT scores down to 1390 on a 1600 scale. However, three quarter of admitted students score higher. If you score below a 1390, admission should be considered a reach. Some students may be accepted with minimum SAT's as low as 1330, but scores this low are outside the normal range.

Score Submission Requirements

Wake Forest 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 1450 SAT score range.

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 1450, you have around a 22% chance of being admitted. A 1510 places you well ahead of most other applicants and gives you about a 35% chance of getting in.

ACT Requirements & Average ACT Score

ACT Scores needed to get accepted

What are the ACT requirements for students to get into Wake Forest?

Score Range

The average ACT score for admitted students to Wake Forest is 33, while the middle 50% of students (25th to 75th percentile) score between a 32 and 34.  The school ranks #2 in North Carolina and #50 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.

22 percent of applicants submit ACT scores to Wake Forest University.

Score Submission Requirements

You do not have to to submit ACT scores with your application as Wake Forest 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

Chance of Acceptance by ACT Score

Here are your predicted chances of getting into Wake Forest for different ACT score ranges. A typical applicant with a 33 score has around 22% chance of getting in. Your odds increase to about 35% with a 34 ACT score.

High School Class Rank

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.

Admission Statistics

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

Fall 2025 Application Deadline

Application Fee

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

Application Requirements

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

Credits Accepted