Denison University

If you are thinking about applying to Big Red, the deadline for Fall 2022 admissions is January 15 and the application fee costs $0. Application fees can add up, but some schools do have free applications and students who are struggling to afford application fees may qualify for for fee waiver for their application.

Students who submit their applications for Fall should receive an admissions decision no later than April 1.

Applying Early to Big Red?

Denison University offers early decision but not early action Early decision is binding, meaning you must attend if you are admitted, while early action allows you to apply early without committing. Early Decision 2 applications are due 1/15.

The early decision acceptance rate at Big Red is 57%, compared to an overall acceptance rate of 28%. Last year,, Big Red admitted 338 of the 589 students who applied early decison.

Some students apply to college early because they believe it will help their chances. Early deadlines may increase the chance of being admitted, since applying early shows your are very interested in a school, and your application is being considered before all the regular decision applicants apply.

See a list of some selective colleges that admit significantly more applicants during early decision or early action than during regular admission.

How Hard Is It To Get Admitted to Big Red?

Getting into Big Red is very difficult. Big Red evaluates applicants carefully based on multiple criteria to decide who to admit, and who to deny or waitlist.

In 2021, Big Red **accepted 28% of students, around 2,558 of the 9,079 students who applied.

Schools that are very difficult to get into, like Big Red, accept fewer than 60% of all applicants. At least 50% of all admitted students have GPAs in the top 10% of their high school class and scored over 1230 on the SAT and over 26 on the ACT.

Transfer student admissions is moderately difficult. In 2021, Big Red waitlisted 2,140 students. Of those, 313 eventually received an admissions offer.

What Does Big Red Look For in an Applicant?

Colleges consider a range of factors when choosing who to admit for their next incoming class. Each college has a different way of determining which factors are they consider most important in the admissions process. When creating your list of schools to apply to, you may want to consider your strengthsand any possible weaknesses in your application, and apply to colleges that put the most emphasis the admissions factors where you shine.

Admissions Factors at Big Red

Big Red 2021-2022 Application Requirements

To apply, all applicants to Big Red must submit the following items. Double check with Big Red's admissions department to confirm all application materials and requirements.

What GPA Do I Need To Get Into Big Red?

Out of all students that were admitted, 37% submitted a class rank. At Big Red 71% of students ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class in high school, 85% were in the top 25% and 100% were in the top 50%.

Unweighted GPAs range from 4.0 to under 1.0.

Big Red has a test optional admissions policy. Test optional schools allow students to choose if they want to submit ACT or SAT scores with their applications or not.

In 2021, 42% of Big Red's first-year students submitted their SAT scores with their application. 35% of admitted applicants sent ACT scores.

What's a Good SAT Score for Big Red?

To be competitive with other Big Red applicants, you should strive to earn between 1250 and 1390 (or higher!) on the SAT. At Big Red 25% of admitted students scored higher than 1390 and 25% of scored lower than 1250, but the majority of students scored somewhere in between these two numbers.The mean composite SAT score for a Big Red student is 1304.

On the SAT Math Section, 25% of Big Red students scored 740 or higher and 75% of students scored 600 or higher. On the SAT Critical Reading section (formerly called the Verbal section), 25% of Big Red students scored 690 or higher, and 75% scored a 600 or higher.

Want to increase your SAT Score?

Preparing for the SAT can help raise your score, but it doesn't have to take up a lot of time.

Learn how to increase your SAT score 200 points or more in just 10 minutes a day.

What's a Good ACT Score for Big Red?

To be most competitive at Big Red, you should strive to earn between 28 and 32 on the ACT.

An ACT score of 32 means you fall in the 75th percentile for Big Red's admitted students. One out of every four students scored above a 32, and three out of four students scored lower than 32 on the ACT.

A 28 on the ACT is the 25th percentile for Big Red students. Only one out of every four students scored below 28.

Want To Bring Up Your ACT Score? Access ACT practice tests and study tips and see upcoming ACT test dates.

Transferring to Denison University

For transfer students, it is moderately difficult to get admitted to Big Red.

For transfer students wishing to start in the Fall, the deadline to apply is April 15. Applicants should hear back by May 15.

Transfer students can enroll in Big Red during the following terms: Fall Term Spring Term

Big Red Admissions FAQs

Can I defer my acceptance to Big Red?

Students who are admitted to Big Red must attend in the term they start. Deferring admissions is not encouraged. If you have a unusual circumstance, contact the admissions department..

Does Big Red accept transfer credits?

Big Red accepts eligible transfer credits from accredited institutions.

Does Big Red accept Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits?

Big Red does not accept International Baccalaureate credits but does accept Advanced Placement (AP) credits

Do I have to submit test scores to Big Red?

No, Big Red 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..

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