Roanoke students do much more than excel academically — they also contribute to their community, are actively engaged in extracurriculars, and challenge themselves to push further for the betterment of themselves and others. Therefore, we read applications holistically and encourage you to highlight your strengths both inside and outside the classroom. 

Successful candidates will complete a minimum of 18 academic courses in high school, including four in English, two in social studies, two in lab sciences and at least two recommended foreign language courses. Additionally, there are three required courses in math, including Geometry and Algebra I and II.

What We Consider

Your high school transcript: We are looking not only at your GPA; we are also looking to see that you have enriched your curriculum with honors, AP or IB courses. Our average accepted student has received a 3.6 GPA in high school.

Your test scores (unless applying test-optional): We have no preference between the SAT or ACT. We will consider your highest single test date for the ACT and will consider your superscored SAT. Our average accepted student received an 1170 on the SAT and a 26 on the ACT. Have your SAT or ACT scores sent directly to the Admissions Office by the testing center or your high school. Our school code is 5571 for the SAT and 4392 for the ACT. You may also have SAT II, AP, CLEP and/or IB exam scores forwarded, when available. They may be used for placement, awarding of credit or granting course competency. Our school code is 5571 for SAT and AP scores.

If you believe that your test scores are an underrepresentation of your academic caliber, you may consider applying test-optional. Please discuss with your counselor before deciding to apply test-optional.

Disclaimer: International and homeschooled students still need to submit test scores with their application.

Your interest in Roanoke: Roanoke considers demonstrated interest as a factor in our decision-making process, and therefore we encourage students to express their interest in several of the following ways:

• Apply Early Decision: This binding application is the best way to express your interest.
• Visit Campus (virtually or in person): Take a private tour and meet with an admissions counselor, an information session and tour, or one of our major visit days. Visitors also receive our $1,000 per year Roanoke College Visit Grant.
• Meet us on the road or virtually:  Find your admissions counselor. We encourage you to meet us for:
  • A virtual meet-up conversation
  • A virtual visit to your high school
  • At a virtual college fair
• Chat with your counselor: If you are unable to visit or meet us on the road, we have phone appointments available.
• Filing your Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA): Families can start filing out the FAFSA on October 1. If you and/or your family are not planning to file, let us know at admissions@roanoke.edu so we can consider this interest.

Your resume: Roanoke students are highly engaged outside the classroom. We like to see that our applicants have a similar penchant for community service, extracurriculars and taking on leadership roles.

Your essay: Tell us about yourself. Highlight an experience, activity or character trait that lets us better know who you are and what makes you the person you have become. This is your opportunity to show a uniqueness and differentiate yourself from other applicants. We accept all Common Application topics or invite you to discuss a topic of your own choosing.

Your letters of recommendation: We generally encourage students to submit between one and three letters of recommendation. We prefer to see at least one recommendation that comes from a person who knows your academic abilities, such as a teacher or school counselor.

 Apply to Roanoke

Roanoke College believes that commitment to principles of fairness and respect for all is favorable to the free and open exchange of ideas, and the College seeks to reach out as widely as possible in order to attract the ablest individuals as students, faculty and staff. In applying this policy, the College is committed to nondiscrimination on the basis of personal beliefs or characteristics such as political views, religion, national or ethnic origin, race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, pregnancy, age, marital or domestic partnership status, veteran status, disability, genetic information and/or other characteristics protected by applicable law in any phase of its education or employment programs or activities. See College’s full EEO policy

In addition, pursuant to Title IX of the Education Amendments of 1972 and supporting regulations, Roanoke College does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education programs or activities that it operates; this extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its supporting regulations may be directed to the Assistant Secretary for Civil Rights, Office for Civil Rights, U.S. Department of Education or to the College’s Title IX Coordinator: Amy Perkins – perkins@roanoke.edu or 540-375-2597.