Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
Sarah Lawrence admits about 7 in 10 applicants (66%). That puts it in the "Selective" tier, more selective than 69% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (61% and 62%).
No application fee
Grants credit for AP exams
Where applicants live
New York applicants were admitted at 61%, applicants from other states at 75%, and international applicants at 36%.
All applicants in the same class: 66%
Of those admitted, 13% from New York enrolled, against 13% from other states and 13% 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
13% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
Wait list: 890 offered a place, 450 accepted, 169 admitted (38% of those who accepted)
Applying early
Early decision: 50% admitted
58 of 117 early applicants; 66% of all applicants
Apply by Nov 1; decisions by Dec 15
Second round: apply by Jan 15; decisions by Mar 15
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.
Early action (not binding): apply by Nov 1; decisions by Dec 15
Where you stand
How Sarah Lawrence reads a record
is very important; GPA is important; class rank and tests are both considered. 54% of first-years 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. 9% of first-years sent an SAT and 4% an ACT. Most first-years were admitted without scores. Of the 21% whose high school reported a rank, 18% were in the top tenth. Recommends 4 years of math and science (2 of each required). See the years by subject
What they look at
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Considered | ||||
| Academic GPA | Important | ||||
| Test scores | Considered | ||||
| Essay | Very important | ||||
| Recommendations | Very important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Very important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Very important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Very important | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Not considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Considered | ||||
| State residency | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program considered; demonstration of competencies considered; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
58% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 66% of first-year applicants
210 applied · 121 admitted
Transfers may start in the spring.
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
Dates
- Fall entry: apply by March 1, decisions by June 1, reply by June 15
- Spring entry: apply by November 1, decisions by December 15, reply by January 1
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Required
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Recommended
- 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 15 for fall 2026.
- Decisions are released: Mid-March.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1, or within 2 weeks if admitted later.
- $500 housing deposit, due May 1, non-refundable.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 2 years.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Recommends a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| English | 2 | 4 |
| Math | 2 | 4 |
| Science | 2 | 4 |
| Foreign language | 2 | 4 |
| Social studies | 2 | 4 |
| History | 2 | 4 |
| Total | 12* | 24* |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science. *Added up from the subjects listed; the college didn't give a total.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school GPA
Average GPA 3.73
From the 85% of first-years who reported a GPA.
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)
- 4.034%
- 3.75–3.9920%
- 3.50–3.7422%
- 3.25–3.4910%
- 3.00–3.249%
- below 3.05%
The middle half had GPAs of 3.50–4.0.
All nine bands
| GPA | All |
|---|---|
| 4.0 | 34.0% |
| 3.75–3.99 | 20.0% |
| 3.50–3.74 | 22.0% |
| 3.25–3.49 | 10.0% |
| 3.00–3.24 | 9.0% |
| 2.50–2.99 | 4.0% |
| 2.0–2.49 | 1.0% |
| 1.0–1.99 | 0.0% |
| below 1.0 | 0.0% |
18% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 32% in the top quarter, of the 21% whose high school reported a rank.
Source:Sarah Lawrence College 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 1335 on the SAT, 165 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
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
submitted ACT
Read with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:Sarah Lawrence College 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;Sarah Lawrence College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;Sarah Lawrence College Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Sarah Lawrence College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)