How to Get Into Wake Forest University

Happy student accepted into Wake Forest University
May 8, 2023
Contents

”Rohan

Reviewed by:

Rohan Jotwani

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 05/08/23

Wake Forest University consistently ranks as one of the best universities in the nation. Read on to learn more about this esteemed school.

With the motto Pro Humanitate, which translates to “For Humanity,” Wake Forest is dedicated to using its students and faculties’ knowledge, talents, and compassion to better the lives of others. It encourages all of its students to pursue their best selves and leave the world a better place than what they found it!

If this human-centred mission aligns with your own values, this guide will go into further detail about how to get into Wake Forest University, its important admission details and deadlines, and tips on how to maximize your chances of acceptance!

Wake Forest Acceptance Rate

The first admission detail to discuss is the Wake Forest acceptance rate, which can give you a more realistic understanding of how difficult it is to get into this accomplished university. With an acceptance rate of around 25%, it is moderately difficult to get into Wake Forest University.

Wake Forest Admission Requirements

To help you navigate the overwhelming process of applying to Wake Forest University, here are all of the application materials you’ll need to submit to be eligible for consideration:

High School Transcripts

In order to assess your academic potential, Wake Forest reviews your high school transcript to determine how challenging your high school courses were and your GPA. 

Wake Forest requires its prospective students to complete the following 16 high school credits:

  • Four units in English
  • Three units in mathematics
  • Two units in history and social sciences
  • Two units in one foreign language
  • One unit in the natural sciences

The majority of successful candidates pursue Advanced Placement (AP) curriculums or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. Previous admitted candidates also had GPAs of 3.6 and above, with the majority of students having a 3.8-4.0. Students should aim for GPAs within this higher range to increase their chances of acceptance.

So, if you were wondering “how hard is it to get into Wake Forest University?”, the answer is it’ll be difficult without a high GPA! Wake Forest places strong emphasis on academic excellence and aims to only accept the brightest students.

SAT/ACT Scores

Wake Forest University implemented a test-optional policy several years ago. Students are not required to write the ACT or SAT as part of the Wake Forest University admissions process, but can if they believe it will strengthen their application. 

If you write your test several times, your scores will be superscored, meaning only your highest scores in each section will be considered. 

If you decide to write one of these tests, you should aim for an SAT score in the range of 1350-1500 or an ACT score of 30-33 to fall within the competitive median of past admitted students.

Teacher Recommendation Form

To gain insight into the kind of student you are and the impression you leave on your mentors, Wake Forest requires you to submit a teacher recommendation form as part of your application.

Unlike regular letters of evaluation, this form will ask your teacher to judge certain traits of yours on a scale of weak to strong. You will be judged on traits such as your motivation, integrity, love of learning, reaction to setbacks, and more.

Your teacher will also be asked to include additional information about you on the form, which is where they can share any other skills or accomplishments they feel make you an excellent candidate for Wake Forest University.

Personal Statement and Supplemental Essays

Depending on the application you use to apply to Wake Forest, you’ll have to write a personal statement and at least one supplemental essay. Wake Forest also has specific essay prompts for students to respond to on their application.

Wake Forest Application Process and Deadlines

Students can apply to Wake Forest through the Common Application, Wake Forest’s online portal, or Coalition. Regardless of the application you use, here are the deadlines you should keep in mind:

Deadline What’s Due
August 1 Applications open
November 15 Early decision I applications due
December 1 Early I applicants receive decision notifications
January 1 Early decision II and regular decision applications due
February 15 Early II applicants receive decision notifications
April 1 Regular applicants receive decision notifications

Source:Wake Forest University

Wake Forest accepts students on a rolling basis, meaning you may receive notification of a decision past the estimated time period. To ensure you receive a decision as early as possible, apply by the suggested deadlines.

Wake Forest Essay Prompts

As we stated, Wake Forest has several essay prompts prospective students can respond to on their application. The first one is mandatory for all students to respond to:

Prompt 1:

Why have you decided to apply to Wake Forest? Share with us anything that has made you interested in our institution?

The next few essays are optional:

Prompt 2:

List five books you’ve read that intrigued you (title and author). Explain how a text you’ve read - fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or literature of any kind - has helped you to understand the world’s complexity.

Prompt 3:

Tell us more about the topic that most engages your intellectual curiosity.

While you aren't required to answer the optional questions, you’re strongly encouraged to so that the admissions committee can learn more about you and your writing skills.

Wake Forest University Interview

Prospective students are also given the option to complete a virtual interview with the admissions committee or submit a video interview. The virtual interview will take 25 minutes to complete and will be used to assess your academics and intellectual curiosity.

The committee suggests you brainstorm aspects of your life you want them to know about before the interview. Think about what you’re most proud of, what interests you the most, and what you’re looking forward to in the future. 

Alternatively, students may submit video interviews answering one of the following prompts:

  • If you could solve one problem happening in the world, what would it be, and why?
  • Pro Humanitate is our university motto. What does this motto mean to you, and how would you put it into action as a student at Wake Forest?
  • Share something important to you or about you that isn’t already part of your application.

Your response should be around two to three minutes long and must be sent in within five days of your application submission. The committee urges you not to memorize your answer to your chosen prompt but to instead pretend you’re sharing ideas with your class. Your answer should come naturally and should not sound like a speech.

Wake Forest Tuition and Fees

A crucial aspect to consider when discussing how to get into Wake Forest University is its costs.

Students can expect to pay $62,128 a year for tuition and fees. With other expenses, such as books, board, and transportation, the total estimated cost of attending Wake Forest University is $83,324 a year. Wake Forest offers several grants and scholarships to students to help pay for these high costs.

Tips for Getting Into Wake Forest University

To ensure you wows the admissions committee, implement the following suggestions into your application:

Complete the Optional Application Materials

You aren’t required to interview with Wake Forest or answer all of the supplemental essays, however you should so you can demonstrate your interest in the school and help the committee get to know you better.

If regular interviews make you nervous, consider submitting a video interview! You already know the prompts you’ll be expected to answer, so you can prepare beforehand and eliminate the stress of having an admissions member on the other side of the screen.

Keep the Wake Forest Motto in Mind

Wake Forest prides itself on its mission to contribute to the world and make it a better place. Do your research on the various projects Wake Forest has undertaken, their accomplishments, and hopes for the future. Incorporate your findings into your essays and interviews to prove your dedication to Wake Forest.

Focus on Gaining Significant Volunteer Experience 

One way to prove your commitment to service is to gain significant volunteer experience throughout high school. You don’t have to participate in a new activity each year, but should dedicate your time to at least one volunteer organization for a few months or years.

Choose an organization you feel passionate about and share more about it during your interview. Show your enthusiasm for service and talk about the major contributions you made to the organization. Mention how you plan on continuing your service work at Wake Forest as well!

FAQs: Getting Into Wake Forest University

Below, you’ll find the answers to common questions about how to get into Wake Forest University.

1. How Hard Is It to Get Into Wake Forest University?

While Wake Forest University is only moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of 25%, students must still maintain high GPAs to meet the committee’s expectations. They’re also encouraged to pursue the most challenging courses their school offers to prove their academic merit.

2. How Do I Increase My Chances of Getting Into Wake Forest?

To increase your chances of admission to Wake Forest you should give the committee as much information about you as possible! Ensure they have a comprehensive picture of who you are, what you value, and what you hope to contribute to their school. 

To do this, you should participate in any optional application materials, like essays or interviews. You should also prove you’re as committed to the motto Pro Humanitate as Wake Forest is!

3. What GPA Do You Need to Get Into Wake Forest?

Students should maintain GPAs as close to 4.0 as possible to maximize their chances of getting into Wake Forest.

4. What Is Wake Forest Looking for in a Student?

Wake Forest looks for students that demonstrate intellectual curiosity, academic excellence, strong writing skills, and a commitment to others.

5. How Much Does Wake Forest Tuition Cost?

Wake Forest’s tuition and fees cost around $62,000 a year. 

6. Where Is Wake Forest University Located?

Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Final Thoughts

“Dear old Wake Forest, Thine is a noble name; Thine is a glorious fame, Constant and true.” So begins this university's 1892 Alma Mater that proves its long history of nobility, success, and integrity that has only grown over time!

To be part of this esteemed university’s promising future, ensure you submit a stellar application following the tips shared in this guide!

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Wake Forest Acceptance RateWake Forest Admissions RequirementsWake Forest Application Process and DeadlinesWake Forest Essay PromptsWake Forest University InterviewWake Forest Tuition and FeesTips for Getting Into Wake Forest UniversityFAQs: Getting Into Wake Forest University

”Rohan

Reviewed by:

Rohan Jotwani

Former Admissions Committee Member, Columbia University

Reviewed: 05/08/23

Wake Forest University consistently ranks as one of the best universities in the nation. Read on to learn more about this esteemed school.

With the motto Pro Humanitate, which translates to “For Humanity,” Wake Forest is dedicated to using its students and faculties’ knowledge, talents, and compassion to better the lives of others. It encourages all of its students to pursue their best selves and leave the world a better place than what they found it!

If this human-centred mission aligns with your own values, this guide will go into further detail about how to get into Wake Forest University, its important admission details and deadlines, and tips on how to maximize your chances of acceptance!

Book a Free 30 min Call

Wake Forest Acceptance Rate

The first admission detail to discuss is the Wake Forest acceptance rate, which can give you a more realistic understanding of how difficult it is to get into this accomplished university. With an acceptance rate of around 25%, it is moderately difficult to get into Wake Forest University.

Wake Forest Admission Requirements

To help you navigate the overwhelming process of applying to Wake Forest University, here are all of the application materials you’ll need to submit to be eligible for consideration:

High School Transcripts

In order to assess your academic potential, Wake Forest reviews your high school transcript to determine how challenging your high school courses were and your GPA. 

Wake Forest requires its prospective students to complete the following 16 high school credits:

The majority of successful candidates pursue Advanced Placement (AP) curriculums or International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. Previous admitted candidates also had GPAs of 3.6 and above, with the majority of students having a 3.8-4.0. Students should aim for GPAs within this higher range to increase their chances of acceptance.

So, if you were wondering “how hard is it to get into Wake Forest University?”, the answer is it’ll be difficult without a high GPA! Wake Forest places strong emphasis on academic excellence and aims to only accept the brightest students.

SAT/ACT Scores

Wake Forest University implemented a test-optional policy several years ago. Students are not required to write the ACT or SAT as part of the Wake Forest University admissions process, but can if they believe it will strengthen their application. 

If you write your test several times, your scores will be superscored, meaning only your highest scores in each section will be considered. 

If you decide to write one of these tests, you should aim for an SAT score in the range of 1350-1500 or an ACT score of 30-33 to fall within the competitive median of past admitted students.

Teacher Recommendation Form

To gain insight into the kind of student you are and the impression you leave on your mentors, Wake Forest requires you to submit a teacher recommendation form as part of your application.

Unlike regular letters of evaluation, this form will ask your teacher to judge certain traits of yours on a scale of weak to strong. You will be judged on traits such as your motivation, integrity, love of learning, reaction to setbacks, and more.

Your teacher will also be asked to include additional information about you on the form, which is where they can share any other skills or accomplishments they feel make you an excellent candidate for Wake Forest University.

Personal Statement and Supplemental Essays

Depending on the application you use to apply to Wake Forest, you’ll have to write a personal statement and at least one supplemental essay. Wake Forest also has specific essay prompts for students to respond to on their application.

Wake Forest Application Process and Deadlines

Students can apply to Wake Forest through the Common Application, Wake Forest’s online portal, or Coalition. Regardless of the application you use, here are the deadlines you should keep in mind:

Deadline What’s Due
August 1 Applications open
November 15 Early decision I applications due
December 1 Early I applicants receive decision notifications
January 1 Early decision II and regular decision applications due
February 15 Early II applicants receive decision notifications
April 1 Regular applicants receive decision notifications

Source:Wake Forest University

Wake Forest accepts students on a rolling basis, meaning you may receive notification of a decision past the estimated time period. To ensure you receive a decision as early as possible, apply by the suggested deadlines.

Wake Forest Essay Prompts

As we stated, Wake Forest has several essay prompts prospective students can respond to on their application. The first one is mandatory for all students to respond to:

Prompt 1:

Why have you decided to apply to Wake Forest? Share with us anything that has made you interested in our institution?

The next few essays are optional:

Prompt 2:

List five books you’ve read that intrigued you (title and author). Explain how a text you’ve read - fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or literature of any kind - has helped you to understand the world’s complexity.

Prompt 3:

Tell us more about the topic that most engages your intellectual curiosity.

While you aren't required to answer the optional questions, you’re strongly encouraged to so that the admissions committee can learn more about you and your writing skills.

Wake Forest University Interview

Prospective students are also given the option to complete a virtual interview with the admissions committee or submit a video interview. The virtual interview will take 25 minutes to complete and will be used to assess your academics and intellectual curiosity.

The committee suggests you brainstorm aspects of your life you want them to know about before the interview. Think about what you’re most proud of, what interests you the most, and what you’re looking forward to in the future. 

Alternatively, students may submit video interviews answering one of the following prompts:

Your response should be around two to three minutes long and must be sent in within five days of your application submission. The committee urges you not to memorize your answer to your chosen prompt but to instead pretend you’re sharing ideas with your class. Your answer should come naturally and should not sound like a speech.

Wake Forest Tuition and Fees

A crucial aspect to consider when discussing how to get into Wake Forest University is its costs.

Students can expect to pay $62,128 a year for tuition and fees. With other expenses, such as books, board, and transportation, the total estimated cost of attending Wake Forest University is $83,324 a year. Wake Forest offers several grants and scholarships to students to help pay for these high costs.

Tips for Getting Into Wake Forest University

To ensure you wows the admissions committee, implement the following suggestions into your application:

Complete the Optional Application Materials

You aren’t required to interview with Wake Forest or answer all of the supplemental essays, however you should so you can demonstrate your interest in the school and help the committee get to know you better.

If regular interviews make you nervous, consider submitting a video interview! You already know the prompts you’ll be expected to answer, so you can prepare beforehand and eliminate the stress of having an admissions member on the other side of the screen.

Keep the Wake Forest Motto in Mind

Wake Forest prides itself on its mission to contribute to the world and make it a better place. Do your research on the various projects Wake Forest has undertaken, their accomplishments, and hopes for the future. Incorporate your findings into your essays and interviews to prove your dedication to Wake Forest.

Focus on Gaining Significant Volunteer Experience 

One way to prove your commitment to service is to gain significant volunteer experience throughout high school. You don’t have to participate in a new activity each year, but should dedicate your time to at least one volunteer organization for a few months or years.

Choose an organization you feel passionate about and share more about it during your interview. Show your enthusiasm for service and talk about the major contributions you made to the organization. Mention how you plan on continuing your service work at Wake Forest as well!

FAQs: Getting Into Wake Forest University

Below, you’ll find the answers to common questions about how to get into Wake Forest University.

1. How Hard Is It to Get Into Wake Forest University?

While Wake Forest University is only moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of 25%, students must still maintain high GPAs to meet the committee’s expectations. They’re also encouraged to pursue the most challenging courses their school offers to prove their academic merit.

2. How Do I Increase My Chances of Getting Into Wake Forest?

To increase your chances of admission to Wake Forest you should give the committee as much information about you as possible! Ensure they have a comprehensive picture of who you are, what you value, and what you hope to contribute to their school. 

To do this, you should participate in any optional application materials, like essays or interviews. You should also prove you’re as committed to the motto Pro Humanitate as Wake Forest is!

3. What GPA Do You Need to Get Into Wake Forest?

Students should maintain GPAs as close to 4.0 as possible to maximize their chances of getting into Wake Forest.

4. What Is Wake Forest Looking for in a Student?

Wake Forest looks for students that demonstrate intellectual curiosity, academic excellence, strong writing skills, and a commitment to others.

5. How Much Does Wake Forest Tuition Cost?

Wake Forest’s tuition and fees cost around $62,000 a year. 

6. Where Is Wake Forest University Located?

Wake Forest University is located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Final Thoughts

“Dear old Wake Forest, Thine is a noble name; Thine is a glorious fame, Constant and true.” So begins this university's 1892 Alma Mater that proves its long history of nobility, success, and integrity that has only grown over time!

To be part of this esteemed university’s promising future, ensure you submit a stellar application following the tips shared in this guide!

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