Admissions
Getting in, fall 2024
Wake Forest admits about 1 in 5 applicants (22%). That puts it in the "Highly selective" tier, more selective than 95% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
Men and women were admitted at similar rates (23% and 20%).
$85 to apply
Can be waived for applicants with financial need.
Grants credit for AP exams
Yield
36% of admitted students enroll, in the typical range nationally.
Uses a wait list; numbers not published
Applying early
Offers early decision. The college doesn't publish how many apply or are admitted early.
Apply by Nov 15
Second round: apply by Jan 1
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 15; decisions by Jan 15
Where you stand
How Wake Forest reads a record
, GPA, and class rank are all very important; tests are considered. Scores are optional. 24% of first-years sent an SAT and 22% an ACT. Most first-years were admitted without scores. Of the 17% whose high school reported a rank, 61% 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 | Very important | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Considered | ||||
| Essay | Very important | ||||
| Recommendations | Important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Important | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Very important | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Considered | ||||
| State residency | Considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program considered; English proficiency test required
Transferring in
37% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 22% of first-year applicants
464 applied · 173 admitted · 59 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall and spring.
Minimum college GPA: 2.0
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Required
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Not required
- 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 1 for fall 2026.
- Decisions are sent by April 1.
- Admitted students must reply by May 1.
- $1,500 housing deposit, due May 1.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 1 year.
Recent change: Stopped requiring class rank (still considered) in fall 2023; Stopped requiring high school GPA (still considered) in fall 2023.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school class rank
61% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 90% in the top quarter, of the 17% whose high school reported a rank.
This college doesn't publish first-years' .
Source:Wake Forest University 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
77% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 1400 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an ACT (96%) scored 30 or higher.
78% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
78% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an ACT (91%) scored 30 or higher.
72% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
Shares of the 24% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 22% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
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:IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Wake Forest University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;Wake Forest University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;Wake Forest University Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Wake Forest University Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)