Western Carolina University

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.

Western Carolina University Admissions Stats at a Glance

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

Western Carolina University Application Deadlines

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	–

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Considering Applying Early to Western Carolina University?

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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.

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More on Western Carolina University Admissions

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How To Get Into Western Carolina University

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.

Transferring to Western Carolina University

Transfer student admissions is moderately difficult.

For Students Waitlisted to Western Carolina University

Western Carolina University has not reported data for waitlisted and admitted students.

What Does Western Carolina University Look For in an Applicant?

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.

Admissions Factors at Western Carolina University

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.

Western Carolina University 2022-2023 Application Requirements

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	√	–	–	–

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GPA and Testing

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What GPA Do I Need To Get Into Western Carolina University?

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%.

GPAs of Admitted Students

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.

Standardized Test Scores

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.

What is a Good SAT Score for Western Carolina University?

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.

More Information on Transferring to Western Carolina University

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

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Western Carolina University Admissions FAQs

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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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