Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
U. Rochester admits about 1 in 2 applicants (42%). That puts it in the "Very selective" tier, more selective than 88% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
$50 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Men and women
Men were admitted at 38%, women at 42%.
Where applicants live
New York applicants were admitted at 50%, applicants from other states at 59%, and international applicants at 18%.
All applicants in the same class: 42%
Of those admitted, 19% from New York enrolled, against 10% from other states and 17% from abroad.
Counted by where applicants lived when they applied, which can differ from who qualifies for in-state tuition. A group's rate reflects who applies from there as well as how the college chooses.
Yield
14% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
Wait list: 1,197 offered a place, 741 accepted, 262 admitted (35% of those who accepted)
Applying early
Early decision: 42% admitted
472 of 1,129 early applicants; 42% of all applicants
Apply by Nov 1
Second round: apply by Jan 5
Early decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll. Recruited athletes and other applicants with an edge often apply early, so the early rate overstates the gain for a typical applicant.
No early action plan.
Where you stand
How U. Rochester reads a record
and GPA are both very important; class rank and tests are both important. 56% of first-years who sent test scores had a 3.75 or higher, so and rarely sets an applicant apart; the courses behind it carry more of the weight. Scores are optional. 16% of first-years sent an SAT and 6% an ACT. Most first-years were admitted without scores. Of the 32% whose high school reported a rank, 85% were in the top tenth.
What they look at
Considers whether an applicant's parent attended (legacy status).
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Important | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Important | ||||
| Essay | Important | ||||
| Recommendations | Important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Important | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Very important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Very important | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Considered | ||||
| State residency | Not considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Important | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program required; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
38% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 42% of first-year applicants
809 applied · 306 admitted
Transfers may start in the fall and spring.
At least 8 credit completed to apply as a transfer.
Minimum college GPA: 3.0
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Spring entry: priority date October 15
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Required
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Recommended for some
- Standardized test scores
- Not required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by January 5 for fall 2026.
- Priority date: November 1. Applying by then can matter for scholarships, programs, or housing.
- Decisions are sent by April 1.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1.
- Housing deposit, due August 10, refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 2 years (AS&E).
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school GPA
Average GPA 3.73
High schools grade differently, and colleges recalculate or weight GPAs their own way, so compare this college only with itself.
First-years by high school GPA (4.0 scale)
- 4.024%
- 3.75–3.9932%
- 3.50–3.7425%
- 3.25–3.4912%
- 3.00–3.246%
- below 3.02%
The middle half had GPAs of 3.50–3.99.
All nine bands
| GPA | Sent test scores |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 24.3% |
| 3.75–3.99 | 31.6% |
| 3.50–3.74 | 25.2% |
| 3.25–3.49 | 11.7% |
| 3.00–3.24 | 5.6% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 1.6% |
| 2.0–2.49 | 0.0% |
| 1.0–1.99 | 0.0% |
| below 1.0 | 0.0% |
85% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 95% in the top quarter, of the 32% whose high school reported a rank.
Source:University of Rochester Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1455 on the SAT, 285 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
89% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
67% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
77% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
84% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
81% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
Shares of the 6% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 16% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
196 studentssubmitted ACT
80 studentsRead with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:University of Rochester Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;University of Rochester Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;University of Rochester Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;University of Rochester Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)