Willamette University

If you are applying to Willamette University, the deadline for Fall 2023 admissions is January 15 and there is no application fee, which means it is free to apply.

Students who apply to Willamette University for the fall semester should hear back from Willamette University by May 1.

Willamette University Admissions Stats at a Glance

Here's an overiew of some of Willamette University's admissions stats.

Willamette University 2022	Admissions Statistics
Mean Unweighted GPA	4.0
Admitted Students in Top 10% of Graduating Class	31%
Admissions Test Policy	Test Optional
Applicants Who Submit SATs	28%
Applicants Who Submit ACTs	19%
Waitlist	Yes

Willamette University Application Deadlines

These are the application deadlines for Willamette University.

Application Type	Offered	Application Deadline	Notification Deadline
Early Decision I	Yes	November 15	––
Early Decision II	––	––	––
Early Action	Yes	November 15	––
Regular Decision	Yes	January 1	May 1

---

Applying Early to Willamette University?

---

Willamette University offers early decision and also offers 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 I applications are due by November 15

🗓️ The Early Action deadline is November 15.

The early decision acceptance rate at Willamette University is 76%, compared to an overall acceptance rate of 79%.

Willamette University accepts approximately 87% of early action applicants and 79% all applicants for all deadlines. Last year, Willamette University admitted 13 of the 17 students who applied early decision. In 2021, Willamette University admitted 1,53 of the 1,735 who applied early action.

Some students apply to college early because they hope it will increase their chances of getting in. When you apply early, your application is considered before all the regular decision applicants apply. Applying early may increase your chance of admission, since it shows that you are very interested in a school.

➡️ Find a list of some selective colleges that accept significantly more applicants during early decision or early action than during regular admission.

---

More on Willamette University Admissions

---

Transferring to Willamette University

Transfer student admissions is very difficult.

For Students Waitlisted to Willamette University

Willamette University has not reported data for waitlisted and admitted students.

What Does Willamette University Look For in an Applicant?

Colleges consider a range of factors when determining who to admit for their next incoming class. Each college decides which factors are they consider most important 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 choose schools that put the most emphasis on the areas where you stand out.

Admissions Factors at Willamette University

What does Willamette 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
Academic GPA	Very Important
Class Rank	Very Important
Application Essay	Very Important
Rigor of Secondary School Record	Very Important
Interview	Important
Recommendation(s)	Important
Alumni/ae Relations	Considered
Character/Personal Qualities	Considered
Geographical Residence	Considered
Extracurricular Activities	Considered
First Generation	Considered
Racial/Ethnic Status	Considered
Talent/Ability	Considered
Standardized Test Scores	Considered

Make sure to check with Willamette University for more information on admission factors.

Willamette University Application Requirements

To apply to Willamette University, all applicants must submit the following items. Check with Willamette University's admissions department to confirm all application materials and requirements.

Area	Required	Recommended	Required for Some	Details (If Any)
Interview		√
Transcript(S) of College Record
Standardized Test Scores
Statement of Good Standing From Prior Institution(S)
Letter(s) of Recommendation	1
Minimum High School GPA (On 4.0 Scale)	2.0
Written Essay or Personal Statement	√
Transcript of High School Record	√

---

GPA and Testing

---

What GPA Do I Need To Get Into Willamette University?

Students admitted to Willamette University have an average unweighted GPA of 4.0.

Out of all students that were admitted, 38% submitted a class rank. At Willamette University 31% of students ranked in the top 10% of their graduating class in high school, 70% were in the top 25% and 95% were in the top 50%.

GPAs of Admitted Students

At Willamette University, student GPAs fall in the following ranges.

GPA	Percent of Students
4.0 GPA	76%
3.75 and 3.99	15%
3.50 and 3.74	8%
3.25 and 3.49	––
3.00 and 3.24	1%
2.50 and 2.9	––
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 Willamette University directly.

About GPAs

Your high school grade point average (GPA) is a number that highlights 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

Willamette University considers standardized tests scores during the admissions process.

Willamette 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 2022, 28% of Willamette University's first-year students submitted their SAT scores with their application. 19% of admitted applicants sent ACT scores.

What is a Good SAT Score for Willamette University?

To be competitive with other Willamette University applicants, you should aim to score between 1200 and 1400 (or higher!) on the SAT. At Willamette University 25% of admitted students scored higher than 1400 and 25% of scored lower than 1200, but the majority of students scored somewhere in between these two numbers.

On the SAT Math Section, 25% of Willamette University students scored 710 or higher and 75% of students scored 620 or higher. On the SAT Critical Reading section (formerly called the Verbal section), 25% of Willamette University students scored 700 or higher, and 75% scored a 620 or higher.

What is a Good ACT Score for Willamette University?

To be most competitive at Willamette University, you should strive to earn between 32 and 35 on the ACT.

An ACT score of 35 means you fall in the 75th percentile for Willamette University's admitted students. One out of every four students scored above a 35, and three out of four students scored lower than 35 on the ACT.

A 32 on the ACT is the 25th percentile for Willamette University students. Only one out of every four students scored below 32.

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

More Information on Transferring to Willamette University

For transfer students, it is very difficult to get admitted to Willamette University.

For transfer students wishing to start in the fall, the deadline to apply is February 1. Applicants should hear back by March 15.

Transfer students can enroll in Willamette University during the following terms:

• Fall Term

• Spring Term

---

Willamette University Admissions FAQs

---

Can I defer my acceptance to Willamette University?

✅ Yes, admitted students can defer their admission to Willamette University.

Does Willamette University accept transfer credits?

✅ Willamette University accepts eligible transfer credits from accredited institutions.

Does Willamette University accept Advanced Placement (AP) or International Baccalaureate (IB) credits?

✅ Willamette University accepts International Baccalaureate credits (IB) credits and Advanced Placement (AP) credits.

Do I have to submit test scores to Willamette University?

❌ No, Willamette 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 should strongly consider submitting them. If you scored lower than a school's average, you may want not want to include them in your application.

What is Willamette University's acceptance rate?

✅ The acceptance rate for Willamette University is 79%.

What is the early decision acceptance rate at Willamette University?

✅ Willamette University's early decision acceptance rate was 76% in 2021.

What is the early action acceptance rate at Willamette University?

✅ The early action acceptance rate at Willamette University was 87% in 2021.

Want To Learn More About Willamette University?

To learn more about Willamette University, choose from the options below:

Overview

Student Life

Academics

Tuition & Aid

Visit the College Confidential forums to join the conversation about Willamette University

Explore other colleges in Oregon or use the college admissions predictor to calculate your chances of getting into some of the top colleges and universities in the U.S.