How to Get Into Baylor – General Information
Baylor University is a private university located in Waco, Texas. The world’s largest Baptist university, Baylor was founded in 1845 and has a total undergraduate enrollment of over 20,000 students. Baylor is ranked #75 in the U.S. News National Universities ranking and #205 on Forbes’ Top Colleges list.
What we’ll cover in this “How to Get Into Baylor” guide:
- The informal Baylor GPA requirements and Baylor SAT requirements
- Interpreting the Baylor acceptance rate
- The Baylor application requirements
- Baylor application deadline preparation
- How to write the Baylor essay
- Baylor enrollment statistics, and much more about Baylor admissions!
When thinking about how to get into Baylor, consider all parts of the Baylor application, including the Baylor application deadline. To boost your chances of making the Baylor enrollment despite the low Baylor acceptance rate, maintain a high GPA, explore your interests through extracurricular activities, and craft the strongest Baylor application possible. Do all of this well before the Baylor application deadline.
Figuring out how to get into Baylor takes strategy. We can help. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes graduates from some of the country’s top schools. Want to maximize your admission odds? Create your account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.
How can I get into Baylor?
Curious about how to get into Baylor? There are multiple things to consider as you begin your “how to get into Baylor” research. This “How to get into Baylor” guide will help you build the strongest Baylor application possible, well before the Baylor application deadline.
Firstly, keep in mind that Baylor is one of the more selective universities in Texas. So, if you want to build an effective “how to get into Baylor” plan, consider the Baylor acceptance rate during your Baylor application process.
To maximize your Baylor admissions odds, start preparing early. If you really want to make the Baylor enrollment, strive for grades that surpass the assumed Baylor GPA requirements. In addition, participate in meaningful extracurricular activities, and study to beat those informal Baylor SAT requirements well before the Baylor application deadline.
Later in this “How to get into Baylor” guide, we’ll discuss Baylor admissions statistics. These include Baylor enrollment data, informal Baylor GPA requirements, unofficial Baylor SAT requirements, and the Baylor acceptance rate. We will also review the Baylor application requirements, including the Baylor essay and the Baylor application deadline.
Want a brief overview of how to get into Baylor? Check out our Baylor admissions outline here.
How hard is it to get into Baylor?
As you think about how to get into Baylor, know that Baylor admissions is competitive. It’s especially hard to get in if you don’t research the Baylor application requirements. So, make sure you read this “How to get into Baylor” guide so you understand what Baylor admissions looks for.
Although there are no minimum Baylor GPA requirements or Baylor SAT requirements, Baylor students tend to have high grades. They also show demonstrated interest (DI) in joining the Baylor enrollment. We’ll talk more about DI later in this “How to get into Baylor” guide.
Baylor admissions doesn’t currently give Baylor SAT requirements, and test scores are an optional part of Baylor admissions. However, the middle 50% of SATs for the Baylor enrollment are 1200-1380. So, study as though the Baylor SAT requirements are about 1300.
Keep these statistics in mind as you explore how to get into Baylor. Because this year’s Baylor enrollment is the largest in recent years, the Baylor acceptance rate may go down in the next few years. Therefore, it’s important to make your Baylor application as strong as possible. Strategize well in advance of the Baylor application deadline.
What is the Baylor acceptance rate?
Beyond the informal Baylor GPA requirements and Baylor SAT requirements, you should also think about the Baylor acceptance rate. This will help you prepare your “how to get into Baylor” strategy. For the class of 2025, the Baylor acceptance rate was 45%.
The competitive Baylor acceptance rate impacts Baylor enrollment. The Baylor enrollment for the class of 2025 was 4,271. The typical Baylor enrollment for the freshman class is usually around 3,300-3,600 students—considerably lower. However, in the fall of 2021, the total Baylor enrollment topped 20,000 for the first time in the university’s history. More than 15,000 of these students were undergraduates.
Baylor acceptance rate and influential factors
The Baylor acceptance rate changes each year and is influenced by several factors. Firstly, it is influenced by the total number of applicants. It is also influenced by the number of students graduating and the space available on campus for incoming students, not counting the number of students studying abroad.
Given the low Baylor acceptance rate, we encourage you to strive for scores that surpass the estimated average Baylor SAT requirements. High test scores will help your Baylor application stand out to Baylor admissions.
For example, for the class of 2025, the average Baylor SAT scores ranged from 1200-1380. The average ACT scores ranged from 26-32. So, if your test scores are well above 1200 on the SAT and 26 on the ACT, you should definitely submit them as part of your Baylor application.
To maximize your testing potential, you should plan to take your first standardized test during your junior year. This will give you the chance to retake the test before the Baylor application deadline if you need to. This will also help you match the informal Baylor SAT requirements.
Want to learn more about acceptance rates? Check out our expert guide.
What are the Baylor GPA requirements?
As your “how to get into Baylor” plan takes shape, you might wonder how your grades compare to the informal Baylor GPA requirements. While admissions doesn’t publish official Baylor GPA requirements, you should work as though the Baylor GPA requirements are about 3.7.
Because the unofficial Baylor GPA requirements can change each year based on the profile of that year’s Baylor enrollment, always strive for a high GPA. Given this year’s high Baylor enrollment, the informal Baylor GPA requirements will likely remain high.
Baylor will focus most on your junior year GPA. To give yourself the best chance of making the informal Baylor GPA requirements, keep your grades as high as possible.
Baylor admissions looks for students who are a great fit spiritually, academically, and financially. So, if your GPA is lower than the informal Baylor GPA requirements, don’t worry. Your Baylor essay and other parts of your Baylor application can help you beat the Baylor acceptance rate and make Baylor enrollment.
Want to know how to get into Baylor if you do not meet the Baylor GPA requirements? Check out this article. You’ll find tips to make your Baylor application stand out, even if you don’t meet the unofficial Baylor GPA requirements.
What does the Baylor application include?
Building a strong Baylor application before the Baylor application deadline is key to your “how to get into Baylor” plan. There are multiple parts to the Baylor application. We will review the requirements below.
There are two dates to remember for the Baylor application deadline. The Baylor application deadline for Early Decision I and Early Action is November 1st. The Baylor application deadline for Early Decision II and Regular Decision is February 1st.
Applicants must submit the following required materials:
- The goBaylor Application, Common Application, or ApplyTexas Application
- Baylor essay
- Official high school transcript
Optional (yet recommended) materials include:
- SAT or ACT scores
- Résumé
- Two letters of recommendation
- Short answer response (required for ED applicants)
If your academic profile is just below the informal Baylor GPA requirements or Baylor SAT requirements, the Baylor essay is your chance to stand out. We suggest drafting the short answer response and Baylor essay well before the Baylor application deadline.
If your SAT/ACT scores fall well below Baylor’s averages, you don’t need to submit them. However, if your scores do meet the informal Baylor SAT requirements, include them in your Baylor application.
Since the Baylor acceptance rate is low, we suggest you include the optional materials in your Baylor application so you stand out to Baylor admissions.
To learn more about Baylor admissions requirements and the Baylor application deadline, visit their website.
What extracurriculars do I need for Baylor?
Want to know how to get into Baylor? Start by identifying your passions and interests.
Apart from meeting the informal Baylor SAT requirements and Baylor GPA requirements, Baylor admissions wants to see that you’ve embraced opportunities outside the classroom. Since the Baylor acceptance rate is low, it is important to show your passions and interests through your extracurricular activities. As you select them, think about the quality of your involvements rather than the quantity.
Your extracurriculars will be part of your candidate profile – the 1-2 sentence description of who you are, what you do, and why colleges should admit you. If you want to make the Baylor enrollment, try to showcase your unique strong candidate profile in your Baylor application. This is a crucial part of your “how to get into Baylor” strategy.
Want to ace the extracurricular section of the Common App? Check out our guide here.
Are there any Baylor essays?
Yes, there is a Baylor essay. In addition to your Common App or ApplyTexas Personal Statement, the Baylor application includes a Baylor essay. If you apply Early Decision I or Early Decision II, the Baylor essay is required. For all other applicants, however, the Baylor essay is optional.
Although Baylor admissions does not require the Baylor essay, we suggest you complete it to set yourself apart from other applicants. It’s important to start writing your Baylor essay early—well before the Baylor application deadline.
The school-specific Baylor essay is their version of the “Why Us” essay question. The Baylor essay response is short – about 250-450 words in length. The Baylor essay asks you to address three things: what you are looking for in a university, why you want to attend Baylor, and how you will enrich the Baylor community.
Not sure where to start? Make a list of what excites you most about Baylor. Be specific – is there a particular course or student organization that you want to join? Mention it by name! The more detailed information you can include in your Baylor essay, the better. Remember, you must answer all three sub-questions (what, why, how) in your Baylor essay.
If you don’t quite meet the Baylor SAT requirements or Baylor GPA requirements, the Baylor essay is your chance to strengthen your Baylor application. We suggest writing the Baylor essay well in advance of the Baylor application deadline.
How does Baylor admissions review applications?
Now that we have explored the informal Baylor SAT requirements, Baylor GPA requirements, Baylor enrollment, Baylor acceptance rate, Baylor admissions criteria, and Baylor application deadline, it is time to examine the next step of your “how to get into Baylor” plan.
After the Baylor application deadline has passed, Baylor admissions officers will begin the holistic review process.
As part of this process, Baylor admissions considers your demonstrated interest (DI). They want to see that you have engaged with university-sponsored events, information sessions, or activities. This shows that you are genuinely interested in joining the Baylor enrollment.
Aside from DI, Baylor admissions will also review the following items along with your Baylor application:
- Academic history
- Test scores (if included)
- GPA
- Recommendation letters
- Baylor essay
- Résumé
Want to explore more information about how to get into Baylor? Check out their website.
Will Baylor consider my social media accounts?
As you work out how to get into Baylor, you might wonder if your social media presence could affect your Baylor application. Don’t worry—Baylor will not look at your social media profiles.
However, this doesn’t mean that you can or should post offensive content on your social media accounts. While these kinds of posts might not directly affect your Baylor admissions odds, they could have a major impact in other areas of your life.
Above all, we recommend using social media responsibly. Although it isn’t likely that Baylor will check your Facebook or Instagram accounts, there’s always a chance.
Is Baylor a good school for me?
As you reflect on how to get into Baylor, it is important to ask yourself whether Baylor is the right school for you.
Yes, the Baylor acceptance rate is low, and the Baylor enrollment benefits from a 16:1 student-to-faculty ratio. However, this doesn’t mean that Baylor is the right place for everyone.
The two most important values of the Baylor community are religion and service. At Baylor, students are required to take Christianity and Chapel courses. Each year, Baylor students, faculty, and staff volunteer more than 150,000 hours of community service locally. So, if faith and service matter to you, Baylor could be a great fit.
Baylor has over 350 student clubs and organizations, so there are plenty of ways to get involved. Baylor is also big on traditions, like their Dr. Pepper Hour, where students gather to socialize and enjoy the Waco-born beverage.
However, the Baylor community has its complexities. Baylor is one of the more economically segregated colleges in the U.S. Roughly 57% of Baylor students come from the top 20% of earners, and the median family income of a Baylor student is $127,500.
If you decide that you would like to make the Baylor enrollment, be sure to submit all required and recommended materials well before the Baylor application deadline.
Additional tips to get into Baylor
Build your candidate profile
As you craft your “how to get into Baylor” approach, keep in mind that Baylor is looking for applicants that are ready to challenge themselves academically and want to join a community that values faith and personal calling. Pursue your academic interests and seek out experiences that will strengthen your candidate profile.
Write a compelling response to the Baylor essay
Be sure to write a genuine, thoughtful response to the Baylor essay. Use the Baylor essay to share additional information about how your passions, background, or interests align and would make you an excellent Baylor Bear.
Submit recommended materials
Because the Baylor enrollment continues to increase and the Baylor acceptance rate is low, we encourage you to submit all optional parts of the Baylor application. That includes a résumé, two letters of recommendation, and the Baylor essay.
Don’t let the Baylor GPA requirements, Baylor SAT requirements, Baylor acceptance rate, or Baylor enrollment statistics stop you from applying! Although there is no guarantee that you will beat the acceptance rate and make the Baylor enrollment, following this “How to get into Baylor” guide will help you prepare the strongest application possible. Good luck!
This guide was written by Claire Babbs, UT Austin ’12. If you want to know how to get into Baylor, we’ve got you covered. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes graduates from some of the country’s top schools. Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.
