Admission

Admission Criteria

Southwestern selects students who present the most competitive applications and whom we consider most likely to be successful, contributing members of the Southwestern community and to graduate. To reach admission decisions, Southwestern evaluates all candidates in a comprehensive way using these criteria.

Academic Record

Academic Record is the most important element used in making admission decisions. A minimum recommended college preparatory course sequence includes 18 academic units. The number of courses identified as advanced, honors, Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, Dual Credit, or accelerated is also considered, along with overall preparation and performance. Southwestern recommends students take, at a minimum, the following high school coursework:

  • four years of English
  • four years of mathematics
  • three years of science
  • four years of social science and/or history
  • two years of the same language other than English
  • at least one year of an academic elective

SAT or ACT (optional)

Upon application, students must choose whether they wish SAT/ACT scores to be considered in their admission and scholarship process. If a student selects to pursue the test-optional admission path, a special evaluative interview will be required in lieu of test scores. International and home-schooled applicants must submit test scores, as well as those wishing to be considered for the Brown or Garey Scholarship programs. Our full policy regarding standardized test scores can be found here.

  • The middle 50% of the Class of 2021 first-year students scored between 1150 and 1320 (EBRW+M) on the SAT and between 25 and 31 on the ACT.
  • Southwestern will superscore the SAT and ACT.
  • Southwestern uses the highest superscore submitted for the student (SAT or ACT) in decision making and in this statistical profile.

The Essay

The Essay is required of a candidate who completes the Application for Admission and Merit Scholarships. The essay provides a sample of original written work and further insight into the candidate.

Extracurricular Activities

Extracurricular activities are reviewed to assess what a candidate has accomplished outside of the classroom, noting leadership positions held, breadth of experience, and sustained interest in individual activities.

Recommendations

A recommendation is required from either your high school counselor or a teacher in a core academic subject (English, mathematics, science, social science, or language other than English). Additional recommendations (other teachers, parents, employers, mentors, religious leaders, coaches, etc.) are optional.

Interview

A personal interview allows a candidate to discuss elements of their application file with a member of the admission staff. While not required for admission review, (unless pursuing the test-optional path) an official campus visit and interview are highly encouraged and may be considered as a factor in the overall evaluation process.

Admission Committee

Applications are reviewed holistically by the Admission Committee, which is comprised of the members of the Southwestern Admission staff. No one person makes a decision, and the Committee considers all elements of a student’s application when reaching decisions. While academics comprise the bulk of the decision-making process, a student’s co-curricular involvements, personal qualities, and demonstrated interest constitute an extremely important element of the Committee’s decision process.

While the Committee attempts to reach all decisions in a timely manner, there may be additional materials required to reach a decision, such as seventh semester (mid-term Senior year) grades and/or a personal interview.