Western Carolina University is moderately difficult to get into. Around 85% of applicants get into Western Carolina University each year. Last year, 17,916 students applied to Western Carolina University and 15,203 were admitted.
If you are considering submitting an application to Western Carolina University, the deadline for Fall 2024 admissions is 3/1 and the application fee is $65.
Here's an overiew of some of Western Carolina University's admissions stats.
Western Carolina University 2023 | Admissions Statistics |
---|---|
Mean Unweighted GPA | 3.4 |
Admitted Students in Top 10% of Graduating Class | 17% |
Admissions Test Policy | Test Optional |
Applicants Who Submit SATs | 9% |
Applicants Who Submit ACTs | 28% |
Waitlist | No |
These are the application deadlines for Western Carolina University.
Application Type | Offered | Application Deadline | Notification Deadline |
---|---|---|---|
Early Decision I | No | – | – |
Early Decision II | – | – | – |
Early Action | Yes | November 15 | December 15 |
Regular Decision | Yes | 3 1 | – |
Western Carolina University does not offer early decision but does offer early action.
🗓️ The Early Action deadline is November 15. Western Carolina University will release EA admissions decisions no later than December 15.
Some students apply to college early because they believe it will help their chances of acceptance. When you apply early, your application is considered before all the regular decision applicants apply. Applying early may increase your chance of being admitted, since it demonstrates your interest in a school.
➡️ Find a list of some competetive colleges that admit significantly more applicants during early decision or early action than during regular admission.
It is moderately difficult to get into Western Carolina University. Western Carolina University evaluates applicants carefully based on multiple criteria to decide who to admit, and who to deny.
In 2022, Western Carolina University accepted 85% of students, around 15,203 from 17,916 applicants.
Schools that are moderately difficult to get into, like Western Carolina University, accept fewer than 85% of all applicants. At least 75% of all admitted students have GPAs in the top 50% of their high school class and scored over 1010 on the SAT or over 18 on the ACT.
For applicants who are non-residents, getting into Western Carolina University is moderately difficult.
Transfer student admissions is moderately difficult.
Western Carolina University has not reported data for waitlisted and admitted students.
Colleges consider a range of factors when deciding who to admit for their next incoming class. Each college decides which factors are given the most weight when choose which applicants to admit, and which to deny. When creating your list of schools to apply to, you may want to consider your strengths and any possible weaknesses in your application, and apply to colleges that put the most emphasis on the admissions factors where you shine.
What does Western Carolina University consider during the admissions process? Take a look at the list below to see which factors are most important during the admissions process.
Admissions Factor | Level |
---|---|
Class Rank | Very Important |
Standardized Test Scores | Very Important |
Academic GPA | Very Important |
Rigor of Secondary School Record | Very Important |
Character/Personal Qualities | Important |
Application Essay | Important |
Extracurricular Activities | Important |
Recommendation(s) | Important |
Talent/Ability | Important |
Work Experience | Important |
Level of Applicant's Interest | Important |
Geographical Residence | Considered |
Interview | Considered |
State Residency | Considered |
First Generation | Considered |
Make sure to check with Western Carolina University for more information on admission factors.
To apply to Western Carolina University, all applicants must submit the following items. Double check with Western Carolina University's admissions department to confirm all application materials and requirements.
Area | Required | Recommended | Required for Some | Details (If Any) |
---|---|---|---|---|
Transcript(S) of College Record | – | – | – | – |
Statement of Good Standing From Prior Institution(S) | – | – | – | – |
Transcript of High School Record | √ | – | – | – |
Students admitted to Western Carolina University have an average unweighted GPA of 3.4.
Out of all students that were admitted, 38% submitted a class rank. At Western Carolina University 17% of students ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class in high school, 41% were in the top 25% and 75% were in the top 50%.
At Western Carolina University, student GPAs fall in the following ranges.
GPA | Percent of Students |
---|---|
4.0 GPA | 7% |
3.75 and 3.99 | 22% |
3.50 and 3.74 | 19% |
3.25 and 3.49 | 16% |
3.00 and 3.24 | 17% |
2.50 and 2.9 | 19% |
2.00 and 2.49 | – |
This chart depicts the percentage of all enrolled, degree-seeking, first-time, first year (freshmen) students who had high school grade point average within the given ranges.
Note: Some schools choose not release this information. If you have any questions regarding missing numbers, be sure to reach out to Western Carolina University directly.
About GPAs
Your high school grade point average (GPA) is a number that reflects your high school academic performance. A weighted GPA or an unweighted GPA are the two possible GPA scores considered by colleges.
An unweighted GPA is an average of your scores from each class on a four-point scale. Unweighted GPAs range from 4.0 to under 1.0. A weighted GPA considers your average grade and the difficulty of your classes. A weighted GPA boosts your average by adding extra points for honors or Advanced Placement courses.
Western Carolina University is a test optional school. Test optional schools allow students to choose if they want to submit ACT or SAT scores with their applications or not.
In 2021, 9% of Western Carolina University's first-year students submitted their SAT scores with their application. 28% of admitted applicants sent ACT scores.
To be competitive with other Western Carolina University applicants, you should aim to score between 1050 and 1230 (or higher!) on the SAT. At Western Carolina University 25% of admitted students scored higher than 1230 and 25% of scored lower than 1050, but the majority of students scored somewhere in between these two numbers.
On the SAT Math Section, 25% of Western Carolina University students scored 600 or higher and 75% of students scored 520 or higher. On the SAT Critical Reading section (formerly called the Verbal section), 25% of Western Carolina University students scored 640 or higher, and 75% scored a 520 or higher.
To be most competitive at Western Carolina University, you should strive to earn between 19 and 26 on the ACT.
An ACT score of 26 means you fall in the 75th percentile for Western Carolina University's admitted students. One out of every four students scored above a 26, and three out of four students scored lower than 26 on the ACT.
A 19 on the ACT is the 25th percentile for Western Carolina University students. Only one out of every four students scored below 19.
For transfer students, it is moderately difficult to get admitted to Western Carolina University.
For transfer students wishing to start in the fall, the deadline to apply is June 1.
Transfer students can enroll in Western Carolina University during the following terms:
• Fall Term
• Winter Term
• Spring Term
• Winter Term
• Summer Term
Can I defer my acceptance to Western Carolina University?
❌ Students who are admitted to Western Carolina University must attend in the term they start. Deferring admissions is not encouraged. If you have a unusual circumstance, contact the admissions department.
Does Western Carolina University accept transfer credits?
✅ Western Carolina University accepts eligible transfer credits from accredited institutions. Western Carolina University accepts:
• CLEP subject tests • DSST/DANTES
Does Western Carolina University accept Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits?
✅ Western Carolina University accepts International Baccalaureate credits (IB) credits.
Do I have to submit test scores to Western Carolina University?
❌ No, Western Carolina University is test optional, so it's up to you if you want to submit test scores or not. If your scores are higher than the school's average, you may want to send them. If your scores are average or below average, you may want not want to include them in your application.
What is Western Carolina University's acceptance rate?
✅ The acceptance rate for Western Carolina University is 85%.
What is the early decision acceptance rate at Western Carolina University?
❌ Western Carolina University does not offer early decision.
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Admission Difficulty
How hard is it to get into Western Carolina University? Western Carolina University is a somewhat selective institution. The Western Carolina University acceptance rate is 85%. This means that the institution accepts 84 out of every 100 applicants.
First-Year Applications are Due
Transfer Applications are Due
The deadline for Fall first-year applications to Western Carolina University is Mar 1.
The deadline for Fall transfer applications to Western Carolina University is Jun 1.
Check the school website for more information about deadlines for specific programs or special admissions programs
Composite SAT Range
Math SAT Range
Reading SAT Range
Avg. High School GPA (non-weighted)
At Western Carolina University, the average unweighted high-school GPA for admitted students is 3.41. This is the average, which means that some applicants submit GPAs lower than this and some applicants submit GPAs above this level. If your GPA falls below the average, strong test scores or other qualifications may help you make you a more competitive applicant.
Data Source: IPEDs and Peterson's Databases © 2022 Peterson's LLC All rights reserved
Total Enrollment
Campus Setting
Acceptance Rate
Fall Freshmen
Application Deadline
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