Moderately selectiveUpdated for the 2025-2026 cycle

Sewanee - University of the South acceptance rate and admissions profile

With an acceptance rate near 57%, Sewanee - University of the South is a moderately selective private college in Tennessee. Because it admits more applicants than it rejects, admission turns on the strength of your whole profile rather than any one number.

Use this page to see what Sewanee - University of the South weighs, where it ranks among Tennessee schools, and how a profile like yours is likely to land. Admitted students post a 75th-percentile SAT around 1230, a useful checkpoint for where your scores sit, though it is a reference range and not a cutoff.

Acceptance rate
57%
Moderately selective
Admitted SAT (75th pct)
1230
of admitted students
Type
Private
Tennessee
Selectivity in state
#7
of 33 in TN
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Will I get into Sewanee - University of the South?

Direct answers to what applicants ask about getting into Sewanee - University of the South, plus a free way to calculate your own odds.

What are my chances of getting into Sewanee - University of the South?

Sewanee - University of the South admits most qualified applicants (around 57%), but that overall rate is not your personal chance. Your real odds depend on how your GPA, course rigor, test scores, and activities compare to its admitted students. Run your profile through the free CollegeCalcAI calculator to get a personalized acceptance percentage for Sewanee - University of the South in about three minutes, with no account needed to start.

Is Sewanee - University of the South hard to get into?

Sewanee - University of the South is moderately selective: it admits more applicants than it rejects, with about a 57% acceptance rate. Meeting the academic basics gives most qualified applicants a realistic shot.

What GPA do you need to get into Sewanee - University of the South?

There is no hard GPA cutoff at Sewanee - University of the South, but admitted students often present roughly a 3.2 to 3.7 GPA. Sewanee - University of the South reads your GPA alongside the rigor of your courses, so a challenging schedule matters as much as the number itself.

What SAT score do you need for Sewanee - University of the South?

Sewanee - University of the South does not publish a required score, but the admitted-student 75th-percentile SAT is around 1230. A score at or above that range strengthens your application, while a lower score puts more weight on your rigor, activities, and essays. CollegeCalcAI shows how your exact score shifts your odds at Sewanee - University of the South.

Calculate your chances at Sewanee - University of the South

What Sewanee - University of the South looks for

What Sewanee - University of the South weighs most heavily in its admissions review, informed by its reported Common Data Set.

In its review, Sewanee - University of the South leans most on rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and application essay. Solid grades in a challenging schedule do most of the work here, with the rest of the application providing context. These ratings come from Sewanee - University of the South's reported Common Data Set, so the full chart below reflects what the school itself says it values, not a generic guess.

Rigor of secondary school record
Very important
Academic GPA
Very important
Class rank
Considered
Standardized test scores
Important
Application essay
Very important
Recommendations
Very important
Interview
Considered
Extracurricular activities
Important
Talent / ability
Important
Character / personal qualities
Very important
First-generation status
Considered
Alumni / legacy relation
Considered
Geographical residence
Considered
Religious affiliation / commitment
Considered
Volunteer work
Considered
Work experience
Considered
Level of applicant interest
Important

SAT score positioning at Sewanee - University of the South

How common SAT scores sit relative to the admitted middle. This is context, not a probability — your full profile determines the real estimate.

SATWhere it sits at Sewanee - University of the South
1600Above the admitted 75th percentile
1500Above the admitted 75th percentile
1400Above the admitted 75th percentile
1300Above the admitted 75th percentile
1200In the competitive admitted range
1100Well below the admitted range
Colleges for a 1250 SAT →Colleges for a 26 ACT →See colleges by GPA →

How Sewanee - University of the South compares in Tennessee

Sewanee - University of the South ranks #7 most selective of 33 schools in Tennessee in our database.

Among the 33 Tennessee schools we track, Sewanee - University of the South ranks #7 most selective by acceptance rate. Schools like Vanderbilt University (6%) and Fisk University (37%) sit nearby, which makes Tennessee a useful frame for calibrating a balanced list.

Vanderbilt University
6%acceptance · TN
Fisk University
37%acceptance · TN
University of Tennessee
42%acceptance · TN
Bryan College
48%acceptance · TN
Rhodes College
50%acceptance · TN
Lane College
55%acceptance · TN
Union University (TN)
60%acceptance · TN
Freed-Hardeman University
60%acceptance · TN
See all Tennessee schools →

Similar to Sewanee - University of the South

Schools with a similar selectivity profile, worth comparing as you build a balanced list.

Build around Sewanee - University of the South with peers at a comparable selectivity, such as Jacksonville University, Lindenwood University, and Marist University. Running the same profile against each one in the free calculator is the fastest way to see where you are a reach, a match, or a likely.

Jacksonville University
57%acceptance · FL
Lindenwood University
57%acceptance · MO
Marist University
57%acceptance · NY
Alma College
57%acceptance · MI
Averett University
57%acceptance · VA
DePauw University
57%acceptance · IN

Frequently asked questions

What does Sewanee - University of the South value most in applicants?

Based on its admissions profile, Sewanee - University of the South weighs rigor of secondary school record, academic GPA, and application essay most heavily. The full factor breakdown is on this page.

Does Sewanee - University of the South consider legacy or demonstrated interest?

Many private colleges weigh legacy relationships and demonstrated interest. Sewanee - University of the South's full factor profile is charted on this page, and CollegeCalcAI models a legacy effect scaled to a school's selectivity.

How can I improve my chances at Sewanee - University of the South?

Focus on the highest-leverage parts of your application: course rigor and GPA trajectory first, then test scores, then a focused leadership or activity spike. CollegeCalcAI's Power-Ups quantify how much each change would move your odds at Sewanee - University of the South specifically.

Is Sewanee - University of the South test-optional?

Test-optional policies change year to year, so confirm Sewanee - University of the South's current policy on its official admissions site. If you do submit scores, the admitted 75th-percentile SAT is around 1230; if you do not, more weight falls on your GPA, course rigor, and essays.

Acceptance rate and admitted test ranges reflect publicly reported data (U.S. Department of Education / NCES IPEDS / Common Data Sets). Estimates from CollegeCalcAI are a planning tool computed by a fixed, transparent model, not a guarantee of any admission decision.