Bryn Mawr College vs Macalester College

Bryn Mawr College is the more selective of the two at 29%, versus 29% at Macalester College. Here is how they compare on selectivity, test scores, and what they weigh, plus a free way to estimate your odds at each.

Bryn Mawr College
Selective
29%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1430
Private · Pennsylvania
Macalester College
Selective
29%
acceptance rate
SAT 75th pct: 1440
Private · Minnesota

Bryn Mawr College vs Macalester College: the differences that matter

How Bryn Mawr College and Macalester College stack up on selectivity, scores, and what they value.

Bryn Mawr College and Macalester College are almost equally selective (29% vs 29%), so neither is a clear safety relative to the other. Your odds at each come down to fit, not headline difficulty.

The two also read applications a little differently. Bryn Mawr College leans more on application essay, recommendations, extracurricular activities, while Macalester College puts more weight on a similar mix of factors. The same profile can land differently at each, which is why a per-school estimate matters more than a single GPA.

On test scores, Bryn Mawr College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1430 and Macalester College's is around 1440. Admitted students at Macalester College post somewhat higher scores. Run your own numbers below to see where you stand at each.

What each school weighs

Factors either school weighs heavily, side by side.

FactorBryn Mawr CollegeMacalester College
Rigor of secondary school recordvery importantvery important
Academic GPAvery importantvery important
Standardized test scoresimportantimportant
Application essayvery importantimportant
Recommendationsvery importantimportant
Extracurricular activitiesvery importantimportant
Talent / abilityvery importantimportant
Character / personal qualitiesvery importantimportant
Calculate your chances at both →

Frequently asked questions

Is Bryn Mawr College or Macalester College harder to get into?

Bryn Mawr College is harder to get into, with a 29% acceptance rate versus 29% at Macalester College.

What's the difference in SAT scores between Bryn Mawr College and Macalester College?

Bryn Mawr College's admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1430, and Macalester College's is around 1440.

What are my chances at Bryn Mawr College and Macalester College?

That depends on your full profile. CollegeCalcAI gives a free, personalized estimate for each school in a few minutes.