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. Its students are intellectually inspired, morally grounded, and globally minded. The university 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 walk you through everything you need to know about applying to Villanova University like the important dates to keep in mind and how to ensure you submit a winning application!
The Villanova acceptance rate is 20.5%. This means that for every 100 students who apply, about 21 get accepted. It shows that Villanova University is somewhat selective in its admissions process, and competition for spots can be quite competitive.
It’s also helpful to know the acceptance rates for the past few years at Villanova University. This info can help you understand how hard it is to get admitted and whether it's a realistic choice for your education.
TThese figures highlight a trend of decreasing acceptance rates over this period, suggesting a growing selectivity in Villanova's admissions process.
According to U.S. News, Villanova University has an Early Decision acceptance rate of 23.2%. This is quite comparable to their Regular Decision rate, meaning that the number of students accepted through ED and RD is roughly the same. However, throughout the past few years, Villanova’s ED acceptance rate has been closer to 50-60%.
Here’s some more info on Villanova’s ED acceptance trends from the past few years:
It is difficult to get into Villanova, as admissions can be competitive. Your acceptance depends on various factors like your academic qualifications, test scores, and extracurricular activities, along with the overall applicant pool.
Recent acceptance rates have shown a trend of decreasing competitiveness. To improve your chances, make sure to submit a strong application and consider seeking guidance from Villanova's admissions office or a counselor.
Take our interactive quiz below to find out how likely you are to get into Villanova.
To help you prepare the strongest application possible, take a look at these statistics from Villanova’s most recent class profile.
The Villanova average GPA range is 3.92-4.20 on an unweighted scale. This makes their average unweighted GPA 4.06. On a weighted scale, students had an average GPA range of 4.20-4.58.
This academic benchmark highlights Villanova University's emphasis on academic excellence. The average GPA for Villanova means that prospective students should aim for strong academic records to be competitive during the admissions process.
The Villanova average SAT range is between 1450-1520, making the average score 1485. So, it’s clear that past admitted students had impressive SAT scores.
At Villanova, SAT scores are not required. Until 2028, Villanova has adopted a test-optional policy. This means you can focus solely on maintaining a high GPA, and you won’t be disadvantaged if you don’t submit a SAT test score!
The most recent admitted class at Villanova submitted an average ACT score of 34 or a middle 50% range of 33-35. So, it’s clear that Villanova also values ACT scores.
Villanova does not have ACT test requirements. It’s up to you whether to submit your scores. If you're thinking of submitting a Villanova ACT score, it’s helpful to have a target score in mind. Aim for a 34 or higher!
Villanova considers many factors when reviewing applications, including academic performance in high school, the rigor of your curriculum, SAT/ACT scores, and supplemental materials like extracurricular activities, essays, and recommendations.
For more information on how Villanova evaluates applications, here’s the basis for selection taken from their most recent Common Data Set:
Getting into Villanova University requires strong academic scores. Scoring a 1520 on the SAT or a 35 on the ACT will maximize your chances of acceptance. Additionally, you should maintain a GPA of 3.92 or higher and take high-level AP or IB courses to be considered a competitive applicant.
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.
However, your numbers are just one part of the puzzle. Villanova considers the complete picture when they review college 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:
Villanova offers a few different types of applications. To ensure you meet the deadlines and stick to your application timeline, keep these dates marked on your calendar:
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.
If you’re applying through Regular Decision to Villanova, you’ll need to submit your application by January 15. You’ll then receive a notification of your admissions decision by April 1.
Early Action and Early Decision I applicants to Villanova need to submit their applications by November 1. However, Early Decision II applicants don’t need to submit until January 15.
Consider these tips to ensure your Villanova application stands out amongst the crowd!
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!
Considering 84% of past admitted Villanova students had community service, you should have significant volunteer experience on your application.
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!
Since Villanova University doesn’t offer college interviews, your only chance to let them hear your voice and personality is through your essays. You’ll need to spend lots of time on them!
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:
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!
You’ll also need to submit two writing supplements that are specific to Villanova. Students are given the option to write one of the following four essay prompts:
Your answer should be about 250 words for your first essay. For the second essay, all students must respond to the following prompt:
Your answer for this essay should be approximately 150 words.
At Villanova University, admission interviews aren't part of the process. However if applicants have completed interviews through services like InitialView or Vericant, they can submit them with their application. These interviews provide more insight into applicants' skills and personality, helping the university make fair assessments."
For any lingering questions about Villanova’s application process and criteria, you can find your answers below!
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 3.92-4.20.
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!
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 who 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.
As the only Augustinian Catholic University in the country, Villanova is known for its emphasis on developing morally responsible individuals who 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.
Although the level of an applicant’s interest is considered in Villanova’s basis for selection, they do not specifically track demonstrated interest.
While it’s a good idea to demonstrate interest in your application, you should spend the bulk of your effort on your academics and written submissions.
Now that you know all about how to get into Villanova, 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!
