Quick Facts About Wake Forest University
- Location: Winston-Salem, North Carolina
- Undergraduate Enrollment: approx. 5,490 students. 83% of students are out-of-state
- Campus Setting: Suburban / Midsize city campus.
- Student-to-Faculty Ratio: 10:1
- Over 50 Majors and 60 Minors offered
- Most Popular Majors: Business, Social Sciences, Life Sciences
- Mascot: Demon Deacons – Go Deacs!
Wake Forest’s motto, Pro Humanitate, For Humanity, underpins a culture of leadership, service, and community engagement. Wake Forest is looking for students with a passion for service. Character/personal qualities is marked ‘very important’ as an admissions factor in the university’s Common Data Set along with academic rigor, class rank, GPA, and your college essays.
With unique supplemental essays such as its Top 10 list and Maya Angelou quote, Wake Forest takes a truly holistic approach in its admissions process.
Wake Forest Admissions Statistics:
- Applications received: 18,735;
- How hard is it to get into Wake Forest? Acceptance Rate is 22%, or 4,066 students offered admission;
- Yield Rate: 36% or 1468 students enrolled
- How much does Wake Forest cost? Cost of Attendance: $94,600; merit aid is difficult to come by at Wake Forest although there are scholarship opportunities;
- Is Wake Forest test optional? Yes, Wake Forest has been test-optional since the late 2000s;
- What’s a good SAT score for Wake Forest? 25th – 75th SAT percentile range: 1420- 1500 with the average 1460. 22% of enrolled students submitted SAT scores;
- What’s a good ACT score for Wake Forest? 25th – 75th ACT percentile range: 32 – 34 with the average 33; 26% of enrolled students submitted ACT scores.
Watch Our Wake Forest Campus Visit
A Beautiful & Walkable Campus just outside downtown Winston-Salem: The Reynolda campus features wooded paths, and historic architecture. During our tour on a surprisingly busy campus for a Friday, we were impressed by the energy and community feel.
What Makes Wake Forest Unique?
- Rolling Early Decision : Unlike most selective universities, Wake Forest offers students the ability to hear back from admissions as soon as late September with its rolling ED plan;
- Liberal Arts + Professional Programs in One: While small enough for intimate classes and strong faculty engagement, Wake Forest also offers nationally ranked professional and research opportunities (business, health sciences, engineering, etc.). This hybrid model is a powerful draw.
- Strong Athletics and Campus Spirit: D1 Athletics for a mid-sized university and it is part of one of the big athletic conferences (ACC)
- STEM students may find themselves taking the bus to the Wake Downtown campus for some of their classes.
What Wake Forest Admissions Really Looks for: Beyond Good Grades
While Wake Forest values strong academics, it takes a holistic approach to admissions, meaning the admissions team looks closely at who you are as a person — not just your GPA or course rigor. Wake Forest seeks students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity, leadership, integrity, and a commitment to community engagement.
Tips for Standing Out in the Wake Forest Admissions Process
Show depth, not just activity: Wake Forest prefers students who are deeply engaged in a few meaningful extracurriculars rather than lightly involved in many. Leadership, sustained commitment, and initiative matter.
Connect your interests to impact: Whether through service, research, entrepreneurship, or creative work, admissions officers want to see how you contribute to your community and think beyond yourself.
Write reflective, authentic essays: Successful Wake Forest essays reveal self-awareness, intellectual curiosity, and personal growth. Avoid résumé-style writing and focus on insight, not just accomplishment.
- Demonstrate fit with Wake Forest’s culture: Highlight collaboration, ethical leadership, and curiosity — values that align with Wake Forest’s emphasis on character, community, and engaged learning.
What is Wake Forest’s Financial Aid Policy?
Wake Forest need-based aid policy
As laid out on Wake Forest financial aid site, the university meets 100% of demonstrated need. Families will need to fill out both the FAFSA and CSS Profile.
Wake Forest merit aid policy
Unfortunately, Wake Forest does not offer much in the way of merit-based scholarships. According to its website, Wake Forest only ‘offers merit scholarships to fewer than 3% of first-year applicants. Most scholarships (including the full-cost of attendance Signature Scholarships) do not require a scholarship application, but only a completed admission application by November 15. Finalists for scholarships that require comprehensive interviews or auditions are notified by April.’
As confirmed by our College Admissions Experts Facebook Group, only very high-performing students receive merit aid as noted by a mom of a sophomore at Wake Forest who received a scholarship: “We are very happy with my sophomore who is there. As far as $$, she has two scholarships- $16k as Presidential Scholar for the Arts, and $20k for Academic merit ($36 total). For context, she came in with 5.2 weighted GPA, 9 APs (all with 5s), and 1500+ SAT.”
Final Thoughts on Wake Forest Admissions: Is Wake Forest the Right Fit for You?
Wake Forest University is an excellent choice for students who want rigorous academics and a personal, engaged community. If you thrive in a setting where professors know your name, you can pursue meaningful research or real-world internships, and you appreciate both tradition and flexibility, Wake Forest could be a great fit.
That said, because admissions are highly competitive students should present a thoughtful, well-rounded application emphasizing both academic strength and personal character.
Do you need help putting together your college list?
If you’re considering applying to Wake Forest — or want help compiling a college list that includes a school like Wake Forest — our consulting team is ready to help you evaluate fit, craft your narrative, and navigate the process.
The Wake Forest admissions team takes a holistic approach so you need more than good grades and academic rigor. Your essays need to shine and your personal qualities need to jump off the page. Contact us to schedule a consultation.
Since 2007, the expert team of college admissions consultants at Great College Advice has provided comprehensive guidance to thousands of students from across the United States and over 45 countries across the world. Great College Advice has offices in Colorado, New Jersey, Chicago, North Carolina and Massachusetts.
In addition to our one-on-one counseling, Great College Advice extends its support through one of the most active and resource-rich Facebook Groups for college-bound students and their families: College Admissions Experts. With over 100,000 members—students, parents, and experienced counselors—this vibrant forum offers peer support and expert advice like no other.
