Clark University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

Clark University is a private research university with an acceptance rate of 53%. Located in Worcester, Massachusetts, Clark was originally founded in 1887 as a graduate school. Today, the university has a strong undergraduate focus in the liberal arts and sciences that has earned it a chapter of the Phi Beta Kappa Honor Society. Programs emphasize hands-on research and problem solving. The university boasts of a 10-to-1 student / faculty ratio and an average class size of 21. The Clark Cougars compete in NCAA Division III in the New England Women's and Men's Athletic Conference.

Considering applying to Clark University? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Clark University had an acceptance rate of 53%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 53 students were admitted, making Clark's admissions process competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

Clark University has a test-optional standardized testing policy. Applicants to Clark may submit SAT or ACT scores to the school, but they are not required. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 61% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that of those students who submitted scores during the 2018-19 admissions cycle, most of Clark's admitted students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of Clark's admitted students scored between 600 and 690, while 25% scored below 600 and 25% scored above 690. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 580 and 680, while 25% scored below 580 and 25% scored above 680. While the SAT is not required, this data tells us that a composite SAT score of 1370 or higher is competitive for Clark.

Requirements

Clark University does not require SAT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, note that Clark participates in the scorechoice program, meaning that the admissions office will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates. Clark does not require the essay section of the SAT or SAT Subject tests.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Clark University has a test-optional standardized testing policy. Applicants to Clark may submit SAT or ACT scores to the school, but they are not required. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 17% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us that of those who submitted scores during the 2018-19 admissions cycle, most of Clark's admitted students fall within the top 15% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Clark received a composite ACT score between 27 and 31, while 25% scored above 31 and 25% scored below 27.

Requirements

Note that Clark does not require ACT scores for admission. For students who choose to submit scores, Clark does not superscore ACT results; your highest composite ACT score will be considered. Clark does not require the optional ACT writing section.

GPA

In 2019, the average high school GPA of Clark University's incoming freshmen class was 3.65, and 47% of incoming students had average GPAs of 3.75 and above. These results suggest that most successful applicants to Clark University have primarily A grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Clark University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Clark University, which accepts just over half of applicants, has a competitive admissions pool. However, Clark also has a holistic admissions process and is test-optional, and admissions decisions are based on much more than numbers. A strong application essay and glowing letters of recommendation can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful extracurricular activities and a rigorous course schedule. The college is looking for students who will contribute to the campus community in meaningful ways, not just students who show promise in the classroom. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their grades and scores are outside of Clark's average range.

In the graph above, the green and blue dots represent accepted students. Strong grades are extremely important for Clark admissions, and most successful applicants had high school GPAs of a "B+" or better. Standardized test scores are not as important as grades since the university has test-optional admissions.

If You Like Clark University, You Might Also Be Interested in These Colleges

• Syracuse University
• Boston University
• Bates College
• Tufts University
• Boston College
• Suffolk University
• Emerson College
• Connecticut College
• University of Vermont
• New York University
• Amherst College

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Clark University Undergraduate Admissions Office.