UNIVERSITY · CDS 2024-2025
Wake Forest University
Winston-Salem, NC 5,699 undergrad Updated 2026-04-22
Top 30Test-Optional Pioneer
Accept
21.5%
Yield
38.9%
Test
Optional
Academic Profile · CDS C9 / C11
The numbers a parent will ask about first.
SAT Total (mid 50%, computed)
1420–1550
SAT EBRW (mid 50%)
700–760
SAT Math (mid 50%)
720–790
ACT Composite (mid 50%)
32–34
GPA
Not reported
GPA NOTEAverage GPA 3.9
METHODTotal SAT range is computed by summing the reported EBRW and Math mid-50% ranges from the school’s CDS (Section C9). Use as an approximation — a student’s actual total places them within, not at, the summed endpoints.
Decision Plans · CDS C1 / C21
When and how the school reads applicants.
| Plan | Deadline | Accept rate | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plan details not yet recorded. | |||
Cost & Aid · CDS H Series
What it costs and what families actually pay.
Tuition
$69,130
Total COA
$94,600
Avg need-based aid
$54,098
Avg merit award
$17,088
Net price after avg need aid
$40,502
Wake Forest meets 1% of demonstrated need on average.
Named merit programs
Guy T. Carswell Scholarship
Joseph G. Gordon Scholarship
Graylyn Scholarship
Leadership and Character Scholarship
Nancy Susan Reynolds Scholarship
Stamps Scholarship
AP Impact Calculator
What the student's APs are actually worth here.
Wake Forest's AP Policy
Wake Forest awards credit for AP exams with scores of 3, 4, or 5, depending on the subject. Credit is awarded on a course-by-course basis as determined by each academic department. AP credit counts toward the 120 hours required for graduation but cannot be used to satisfy divisional requirements.
Min score
3
Credit cap
32 credits
Mode
Credit + placement
Per-score grid
Exam-level
Add the student's APs
No APs selected. Click Add AP exam to start, or use the sample profile to see what a strong student might recover.
What They Value · CDS C7
Every CDS factor, weighted exactly as the admissions office files it.
- Rigor of secondary school recordVery Important
- Class rankConsidered
- Academic GPAVery Important
- Standardized test scoresConsidered
- Application EssayVery Important
- Recommendation(s)Very Important
Mission & Narrative
What this school says it is — in their own words.
Wake Forest is a university dedicated to the pursuit of excellence in the liberal arts and in graduate and professional education. Its distinctiveness in its pursuit of its mission derives from its private, coeducational, and residential character; its size and location; and its Baptist heritage.
Distilled Themes
Lifelong learning communityCommunity of inquiryCommunity of partnershipsPro Humanitate
The Coach's Read
What 'what they value' actually means at the table.
- 01Wake Forest values students who demonstrate intellectual curiosity and a commitment to the university's motto, Pro Humanitate (For Humanity).
- 02They are looking for students who are not just academically strong, but also possess strong character and a desire to make a positive impact on the world.
- 03A genuine interest in Wake Forest and a clear understanding of how you will contribute to the campus community are crucial.
Application Targets
What a strong application here should signal.
- 01Demonstrate a commitment to service and community engagement through your extracurricular activities and essays.
- 02Articulate a clear vision for how you will leverage Wake Forest's resources to achieve your academic and personal goals.
- 03Showcase your intellectual curiosity and passion for learning through a rigorous academic record and thoughtful application essays.
Quiet Disqualifiers
Things that hurt applicants here, even when they look fine on paper.
- A lack of demonstrated interest in Wake Forest can be a significant disadvantage
- Submitting a generic application that does not reflect a genuine understanding of the university's unique culture and values
- Failing to articulate a compelling reason for wanting to attend Wake Forest beyond its academic reputation
Signature Programs
Where this school is genuinely best-in-class.
Finance; BusinessManagementMarketing; Social Sciences; Biological and Biomedical Sciences; Communication and Media Studies; Psychology
Application calendar
Every date the family needs to know.
Deadlines & Decision Dates · 2025-2026
Family deadline matrix
Plan
Deadline
Decision release
Early Decision I
Binding
Nov 15, 2025
→ rolling
Early Decision II
Binding
Jan 1, 2026
→ Feb 15, 2026
Early Action
Non-binding
For first-generation college students
Nov 15, 2025
→ Jan 15, 2026
Regular Decision
Non-binding
Jan 1, 2026
→ Apr 1, 2026
Restrictive Early Action
Not offered
—
Rolling Admission
Not offered
—
See every school side-by-side on the Deadline Tracker →
CDS C7 · Level of applicant's interest
Does effort toward this school move the needle?
Demonstrated Interest·CDS C7 (2024-2025)
TrackedWeight: Considered
Wake Forest considers applicant interest, with interviews being an important part of the application.
What they watch
- Optional interview
Coach action
Schedule an optional interview to demonstrate your interest in Wake Forest.
Provenance