How to Get Into Villanova: Acceptance Rate + Requirements

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Updated:
August 28, 2023
6 min read
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”Mary

Reviewed by:

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 5/4/22

The best education is highly personalized—which is exactly what Villanova University offers: a personalized experience where teachers and students are partners in learning and scholarly inquiry. To learn more about how to get into Villanova, read on!

Villanova University is the only Augustinian Catholic University in the nation. All of its students are intellectually inspired, morally grounded, and globally minded. It offers a close community of renowned faculty, rich resources, and a supportive learning environment. 

Regardless of your specific interests or passions, Villanova offers a wide range of academic opportunities, research, interdisciplinary collaboration, and experiential learning to help you explore them! Offering over 150 programs, Villanova promises its students countless paths to success.

If you’re interested in starting your academic journey towards a rigorous and life-changing learning experience, this guide will tell you how to get into Villanova, the important dates to keep in mind, and how to ensure you submit a winning application!

Villanova campus
Source: Villanova

Villanova Acceptance Rate

Let’s begin with the most frequently asked question about applying to this school: “how hard is it to get into Villanova?”

According to the Villanova acceptance rate of 20.5%, getting into this school will be relatively challenging. This school aims to accept only the most accomplished and impressive students! But don’t worry! We’ll go over how you can ensure you meet, and exceed, the admissions committee’s standards!

Villanova Admissions Stats

When it comes to college admissions, it’s no secret that numbers play a significant role in the decision process. Your GPA reflects your academic performance, while standardized test scores like the SAT or ACT provide a snapshot of your abilities. 

To ensure you present a strong academic record, we’ll go over the median GPA and standardized test scores of previously admitted students.

GPA

Considering Villanova is a competitive school, it’s crucial you maintain a high GPA to prove you have excelled academically and are committed to your studies. The median unweighted range of past students is 3.92-4.0

SAT/ACT Scores

Similarly, past admitted students had impressive SAT and ACT scores, with the median SAT scores being 1450-1520 and the median ACT scores being 33-35. If the thought of maintaining a high GPA and scoring high on one of these tests has you feeling overwhelmed, there’s good news!

Until 2028, Villanova has adopted a test-optional policy. This means you can focus solely on maintaining a high GPA, and you will not be disadvantaged if you do not submit a standardized test score!

student studying

Villanova University Requirements

Your numbers are just one part of the puzzle. Villanova considers the complete picture when they review applications—including your academic performance, pursuits outside of the classroom, impact on others, writing skills, and life experiences. 

Here’s a complete list of the application materials you’ll be required to submit for Villanova to assess all of these factors:

High School Transcripts

Of course, to assess your academic performance and the rigor of your courses, you’ll be required to submit your high school transcripts and a secondary school report. While Villanova does not have a set list of prerequisites its students must have, it does recommend students take specific courses based on the school they’re applying to:

  • Villanova School of Business: successful applicants typically have at least one year of high school Calculus beyond pre-Calculus (students are advised to take Calculus instead of Statistics if possible)
  • College of Engineering: a Physics course is required, and Calculus beyond pre-Calculus is strongly recommended
  • Fitzpatrick College of Nursing: at least one year of Biology and Chemistry is required, and advanced levels are highly recommended

Regardless of the program you intend to apply to, you’re encouraged to pursue advanced courses, such as AP or IB classes, to demonstrate your readiness for college-level coursework.

Letter of Recommendation

All Villanova applicants are required to submit one letter of recommendation from a teacher. This teacher should know you well and be able to speak in detail about your contributions to the classroom, academic potential, and preparedness for college.

You have the option to also submit a letter from a school counselor or advisor.

A Personal Statement

Villanova only accepts applications through the Common Application. As part of this application, you will be required to submit a 250-650 word personal statement on one of the following topics:

  1. ​​Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
  2. The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
  3. Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
  4. Reflect on something that someone has done for you that has made you happy or thankful in a surprising way. How has this gratitude affected or motivated you?
  5. Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
  6. Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
  7. Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you've already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Choose whichever essay topic speaks to you; they are all considered equally! If none do, prompt seven allows you to write an essay based on a topic of your choosing

Writing Supplements

As a university that prides itself on its comprehensive curriculums, Villanova expects all its students to be strong writers. Aside from the personal statement, they use writing supplements to assess their students' communication skills.

Villanova University Essays

Students are given the option to write one of the following five Villanova-specific essay prompts:

Prompt One:

"St. Augustine states that well-being is 'not concerned with myself alone, but with my neighbor’s good as well.' How have you advocated for equity and justice in your communities?"

Prompt Two:

"What is the truest thing that you know?"

Prompt Three:

"One of the themes in St. Augustine's book, Confessions, is the idea of redemption. Tell us your story of being given a second chance."

Prompt Four:

"In the Villanova community, we believe that we all learn from one another. What is a lesson in life that you have learned that you would want to share with others?"

Prompt Five:

"Augustine's 'Miracles are not contrary to nature but only contrary to what we know about nature.' Tell us about a societal issue that you believe the wonder of technology is well-poised to help solve."

Your answer should be about 250 words for your first essay. For the second essay, all students must respond to the following prompt:

"Why do you want to call Villanova your new home, and how will you become part of our community?"

Your answer for this essay should be approximately 150 words.

Villanova University Class Profile

As you learn about how to get into Villanova University, you’ll notice there isn’t one perfect applicant. However, two of the most important factors Villanova considers in the decision process are diversity and academic excellence, which is evident through their 2027 class profile:

Application Category Statistics
Total Applicants 23,721
Class Size 1,700
Countries Represented 56
Median Unweighted GPA 3.92-4.0
Students in the Top 10% of High School Class 88%
Median SAT Score 1450-1520
Median ACT Score 33-35
Admitted With Test 50%
Involved in Community Service 84%
Held Paying Jobs 65%
Involved in the Arts 37%
Played Sports 82%

Source: Villanova University

As you can see, Villanova admits students that exhibit well-rounded excellence. Not only are they academically accomplished, but they are also involved in their communities and participate in demanding extracurriculars.

Villanova University Application Process & Deadlines

Villanova offers a few different types of applications. To ensure you meet the deadlines for your intended application type, keep these dates marked on your calendar:

Application Type Application Deadline Financial Assistance Deadline Notification Date
Early Action November 1 December 1 By January 20
Early Decision I November 1 November 15 By December 15
Early Decision II January 15 January 15 By February 15
Regular Decision January 15 January 15 By April 1

Source: Villanova University

In case you’re confused about the difference between early action and early decision (ED), ED is binding, whereas early action is not. 

Once you’ve decided which application is right for you, you must submit your entire application through the Common App. You will be able to submit your writing supplements and additional details through your personal Villanova application portal.

Tips for Getting Into Villanova

Consider these tips to ensure your Villanova application stands out amongst the crowd:

Ask Yourself If You Are a Villanovan

Before applying to this university, ask if you’d fit in. Villanova encourages students who are changemakers, chance-takers, and difference-makers to apply to their school. They are interested in igniting positive change around the world and search for applicants with similar values.

If you feel you’d fit in as a Villanovan, prove how in your application! 

Get Involved In Your Community

Considering 84% of past admitted Villanova students had community service, you should have significant volunteer experience on your application. 

Get a Job

A large portion of Villanova admits also hold paid jobs during high school. Having this type of activity on your application proves you have excellent time management skills and can collaborate well with others. Aim to acquire a part-time or summer position during high school to prove you can handle multiple obligations at once!

Student job

FAQs: How to Get Into Villanova

For any lingering questions about how to get into Villanova, you can find your answers below!

1. What GPA Do You Need to Get Into Villanova?

Students should aim for a GPA as close to 4.0 as possible to be considered competitive applicants. Past admitted students had GPAs in the range of 3.92-4.0.

2. How Hard Is It to Get Into Villanova?

Based on its competitive acceptance rate, getting into Villanova is challenging. Students are required to demonstrate a strong academic record, excellent writing skills, a commitment to community service, and an interest in extracurriculars.

Students will have to go beyond just the minimum expectations to stand a chance of acceptance at Villanova!

3. How Do You Increase Your Chances of Getting Into Villanova?

First and foremost, you must maintain a high GPA. Take challenging courses to prove your academic merit and ensure you take any recommended courses for your major. Additionally, you should prove your values align with Villanova’s throughout your application. 

Villanova values students that are ready and dedicated to making a positive change in the world, so explain how you plan on doing so through your writing supplements and personal statement.

Past admitted students also had significant community service experience, were involved in diverse extracurriculars, and held paying jobs.

4. What Is Villanova Known For?

As the only Augustinian Catholic University in the country, Villanova is known for its emphasis on developing morally responsible individuals that contribute greatness to society. As an Augustinian Catholic school, it also focuses on values such as ethics, service, and community.

Program-wise, Villanova is best known for its business and engineering schools, which have earned national recognition and provide highly specialized curriculums.

Final Thoughts

So, are you ready to become a Villanovan? Do you have what it takes to get into this prestigious and competitive school? If you submit a unique application highlighting your academic and personal excellence, you’ll have access to unparalleled academic resources that will help you realize all of your ambitions!

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