How hard is Macalester College to get into?
This page provides the latest information on Macalester College (Macalester)'s admission process, acceptance rate, and student profile. Macalester's acceptance rate is 28.52% for 2024-2025 admission. A total of 8,968 students applied and 2,558 were admitted to the school. Its acceptance rate is relatively low, making it somewhat difficult to get into Macalester.
To apply to Macalester, recommendations is required to submit and personal statement (or essay) is not required but considered. The SAT and ACT score is not required, but considered for admission. In addition, english proficiency test score is also considered (required).
Admission Statistics
For the academic year 2024-25, Macalester's acceptance rate is 28.52% and the yield (also known as enrollment rate) is 21.89%. 4,097 men and 4,855 women applied to Macalester and 1,033 men and 1,521 women students were accepted.
Among them, 247 men and 310 women were enrolled in Macalester. You can explore the Macalester's admission rates and SAT score trends over the past decade, including year-by-year data and analysis, by visiting Admission Trends page.
Median SAT and ACT Score
For the academic year 2025, 162 students (29% of enrolled students) submitted SAT scores and 128 students (23% of enrolled students) submitted ACT scores as part of the admission process at Macalester.
The median SAT score for admitted students is 1,440, including 720 in SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing (EBRW) and 720 in SAT Math. The 75th percentile SAT EBRW score is 750 and the 25th percentile is 680. For SAT Math, the 75th percentile score is 760 and the 25th percentile is 670.
The median ACT composite score is 32, with a 75th percentile score of 34 and a 25th percentile score of 30 at Macalester. The median ACT Math score is 29 and the median ACT English score is 34.
How competitive is Macalester's score?
The SAT and ACT scores at Macalester College are relatively high compared to similar colleges (SAT: 1,295, ACT: 29 - private (not-for-profit) baccalaureate college - arts & sciences).
Application Requirements
It requires to submit High School Record (or Transcript), Recommendations, and English Proficiency Test to its applicants.
The SAT and ACT test score is not required, but considered in admission process at Macalester. The english proficiency test is required .
The next table summarizes the application requirements to apply Macalester College.
For more admission information such as minimum GPA and deadlines, see its online application page .
General Admissions Information
The following provides general admission information for applying to Macalester:
Macalester Admission Frequently Asked Questions
Macalester is moderately competitive, with an acceptance rate of 28.52%.
Macalester recommends submitting SAT or ACT scores, but they are not strictly required for admission. The average SAT score required for admission to Macalester is 1,440, and the average ACT score is 32. Meeting or exceeding these scores will improve your chances of admission.
Macalester recommends submitting a personal essay or statement, but it is not strictly required.
Yes, Macalester requires applicants to submit a recommendation letter as part of the application.
Macalester does not require an application fee for undergraduate or graduate admission.
Yes, Macalester requires applicants to submit high school record or transcript as part of the admission process.
Yes, Macalester requires international applicants to submit an English proficiency test (like TOEFL or IELTS) as part of the application.
The institutional SAT code for Macalester is 6390 and 4-digit ACT code is 2122.