Western Carolina University Acceptance Rate, SAT/ACT Scores, GPA

Western Carolina University is a public university with an acceptance rate of 40%. WCUs 600-acre campus is located in Cullowhee,  North Carolina, about an hour west of Asheville near the Blue Ridge and Great Smoky Mountains. Undergraduates can choose from about 120 programs, and Western Carolina has several well-regarded professional programs, including business, education, and criminal justice. WCU has a 17-to-1  student/faculty ratio  and an average class size of 19. One of the universitys most notable student groups is the Pride of the Mountains Marching Band which has nearly 500 members. On the athletic front, the Western Carolina Catamounts compete in the NCAA Division I  Southern Conference. Considering applying to Western Carolina University? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students. Acceptance Rate During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, Western Carolina University had an acceptance rate of 40%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 40 students were admitted, making WCUs admissions process competitive. Admissions Statistics (2017-18) Number of Applicants 19,344 Percent Admitted 40% Percent Admitted Who Enrolled (Yield) 29% SAT Scores and Requirements Western Carolina requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 50% of admitted students submitted SAT scores. SAT Range (Admitted Students) Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile ERW 520 610 Math 510 600 ERW=Evidence-Based Reading and Writing This admissions data tells us that most of Western Carolinas admitted students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to WCU scored between 520 and 610, while 25% scored below 520 and 25% scored above 610. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 510 and 600, while 25% scored below 510 and 25% scored above 600. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1210 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Western Carolina University. Requirements Western Carolina University requires the SAT writing section, but does not require SAT Subject tests. Note that WCU participates in the scorechoice program, which means that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates. ACT Scores and Requirements Western Carolina requires that all applicants submit either SAT or ACT scores. During the 2017-18 admissions cycle, 60% of admitted students submitted ACT scores. ACT Range (Admitted Students) Section 25th Percentile 75th Percentile English 20 25 Math 19 25 Composite 20 25 This admissions data tells us that most of Western Carolinas admitted students fall within the top 49% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to WCU received a composite ACT score between 20 and 25, while 25% scored above 25 and 25% scored below 20. Requirements Note that Western Carolina does not superscore ACT results; your highest composite ACT score will be considered. WCU requires the ACT writing section. GPA In 2018, the average unweighted GPA of Western Carolina Universitys incoming freshmen class was 3.39. This data suggests that most successful applicants to WCU have primarily B grades. Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph Western Carolina University Applicants Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph. Data courtesy of Cappex. The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Western Carolina University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in  with a free Cappex account. Admissions Chances Western Carolina University, which accepts less than half of all applicants, has a competitive admissions pool. The primary factors in admissions decisions at WCU are grades, test scores, core course requirements, and the rigor of your high school courses. While not required, applicants are strongly encouraged to visit and tour the campus. The campus visit demonstrates interest to the admissions committee. WCU does not require a personal essay or letters of recommendation but will consider these if submitted. Note that some programs at WCU have additional admission requirements such as a portfolio, audition, or minimum GPA. In the graph above, the blue and green dots represent students who were admitted. Most had SAT scores of 950 or higher, an ACT composite of 18 or higher, and a high school average in the B range or better. If You Like Western Carolina University, You May Also Like These Schools Appalachian State University:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT GraphNorth Carolina State University:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT GraphElon University:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT GraphUNC - Wilmington:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT GraphClemson University:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT GraphWake Forest University:  Profile  |  GPA-SAT-ACT Graph All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Western Carolina University Undergraduate Admissions Office.