Syracuse University Acceptance Requirements

Hi everyone, I'm a high school junior that's starting to plan for college. I'm really interested in applying to Syracuse University, but I'm kind of lost when it comes to understanding their acceptance requirements. Can anyone guide me on what's expected GPA-wise, and if there are any other important factors I should be aware of? Thanks a ton!

Hello! Syracuse University is a great school, and it's good to know you're planning ahead. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know regarding their acceptance requirements:

1. GPA: Syracuse doesn't have a minimum GPA requirement, but the average GPA of admitted students is usually around 3.7 on a 4.0 scale. Keep in mind that this is just an average, so applicants with lower GPAs could still be considered, while being above 3.7 doesn't guarantee acceptance. Syracuse reviews applications holistically, so your GPA is just one piece of the admission puzzle.

2. Test Scores: As of the 2024-2025 application cycle, Syracuse is test-optional, which means you don't have to submit SAT or ACT scores if you don't want to. If you choose to submit scores, the middle 50% ranges are around 1260-1410 for the SAT and 28-32 for the ACT. If your scores fall within or above these ranges, that can definitely help your application, but remember that test scores aren't everything. For detailed guidance on how to navigate test-optional policies, check out this blog post from CollegeVine: https://blog.collegevine.com/does-test-optional-mean-test-optional/

3. High School Coursework: Syracuse will be interested in the rigor of your high school curriculum, so taking challenging courses like AP, IB, or honors classes is a plus. They also recommend that you complete 4 years of English, 3-4 years of mathematics, 3-4 years of social studies, and 3-4 years of science in high school.

4. Extracurricular Activities: Showcase your leadership, community involvement, or any special talents you have in your application. Syracuse values well-rounded students with diverse interests and experiences.

5. Essays: You will be required to write a Personal Statement, and will typically also need to write at least one Syracuse-specific supplemental essays. Use your essays to express your personality, share unique aspects of your background, or elaborate on your passions to showcase sides of yourself that don't come across elsewhere in your application. CollegeVine's blog contains thorough overviews of how to tackle both the personal statement and Syracuse's school-specific supplement(s):

- Personal Statement: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-common-application-essays/

- Supplement(s): https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-syracuse-university-essays

6. Letters of Recommendation: Syracuse requires one letter of recommendation, typically from a high school counselor or teacher. Choose someone who knows you well and can speak to your strengths and achievements. If you have additional recommenders who can provide a unique perspective, you may also submit additional, optional letters of recommendation, but you want to be sure they won't be redundant with the information already contained in your first letter.

7. Application Types: You can apply Early Decision (binding) or Regular Decision (non-binding). Applying Early Decision can demonstrate your strong interest in the school and thus may increase your chances of getting accepted, but make sure you feel comfortable committing to Syracuse and not evaluating your other options before going down the Early Decision path.

Finally, do your research on Syracuse's website for any specific requirements in the program or major you're interested in. Don't hesitate to reach out to the admissions office directly with any questions you may have - they're there to help, after all!

Good luck with your application process - I hope this information helps!