The application for Fall 2023 is now closed, decisions are out, and we are wrapping up the current admissions cycle. This means that the Fall 2024 application will open before we know it, likely on August 1st. Admission to Auburn is highly competitive, and our application numbers have significantly increased over the past 2 years. We received more than 48,000 applications for the Fall 2023 term, and 50% of applicants were accepted. The average GPA of admitted resident students is a 4.04 compared to a 4.2 for non-residents. For ACT, the average score for admitted resident students is a 26.2 compared to a 29.3 for non-resident applicants. You can find the SAT equivalencies here. We do not prefer one test over the other. We did have a test-optional pathway for Fall 2023. This pathway included a 3.6 minimum GPA requirement to be eligible to apply without test scores, and was a much more competitive applicant pool. About 12% of our admitted students were from the test-optional pathway for Fall 2023. We do not know yet if there will still be a test-optional pathway for Fall 2024.
We will know details for the Fall 2024 admissions process sometime this summer. Once that information is released, you will be able to find it here. If the process is similar to Fall 2023, these are our biggest tips to set yourself up for success in the application process:
- Test now. Take the ACT, SAT, or both, and take them multiple times if you can. It can take weeks to get your scores back, so if you are hoping to meet our first deadline (which was September 15th last year) you will need to test by no later than this summer to have scores. We did consider superscores (ACT and SAT) for admissions and scholarship purposes for Fall 2023, and anticipate that we will consider them again for Fall 2024.
- Finish out your junior year strong. GPA is one of the strong factors considered for admissions purposes. Your GPA from freshman through junior year is what will be reviewed. Auburn considers a weighted, cumulative GPA on a 4.0 scale and will recalculate your GPA to our scale if a weighted GPA on a 4.0 scale is not provided.
- Apply early. Be ready to apply in the first round. The rounds became increasingly competitive for Fall 2022 and Fall 2023, so we recommend applying earlier rather than later. Traditionally, we have multiple rounds of Early Action decisions with deadlines occurring during the fall semester. Students had to apply and be accepted in our Early Action rounds to be eligible for any Auburn scholarship as well as the Honors College. Acceptance timing also impacts on-campus housing, as living on campus is not a requirement for freshmen AND it is not guaranteed.
- Anticipate the cost. Current tuition costs can be viewed on our website along with the Cost Calculator. The Cost Calculator helps families see their expected cost of attendance based on the information they input. It’s important for families to get an idea of cost of attendance and potential scholarship opportunities early in the process. Students will be considered for Academic Merit-Based scholarships if admitted in an Early Action round. These scholarships are based primarily on test score and GPA. The different award amounts can be viewed on our scholarship website here. Students can also apply for general and departmental scholarships through the AUSOM scholarship application after being accepted in an Early Action round. Scholarships are not guaranteed, so students should keep this in mind when considering the cost as well. We also encourage students to pursue external scholarships.
- Set realistic expectations for yourself. Our academic profile of admitted students has increased over the past few years, and our acceptance rate has changed due to the increase in application numbers. We use our average GPAs and test scores for previous years as guidelines, but each year the applicant pool competes with itself. This can make it difficult to predict the likelihood of acceptance for any given year. Keep in mind that there are many pathways to Auburn, and an Auburn degree is still possible even if not admitted as a freshman. The transfer pathway is a great option for students to consider. Transfer requirements can be viewed on our website here.
- Reach out to your admissions advisor. Our admissions advisors are here to help you however we can throughout the process! You can find your advisor here. The last thing we want is for students to make assumptions and miss deadlines or other opportunities because they waited to ask or just never asked at all. We are just a phone call or email away, so please don’t think twice about reaching out to us!