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Will I Get In?

Our admissions process is like the education we offer: highly individualized. We review your application, academic grades and courses, class rank and standardized test scores. But, we may also look at extracurricular activities, recommendations and other personal contacts beyond the paper application.

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.

Native English Speakers:

Students applying as freshmen will need to submit their standardized test scores from at least one of the following examinations:

1. SAT administered by the College Board (code: 5571)*
2. ACT administered by ACT, Inc. (code: 4392)*
3. National Examinations (Official results must be sent from the country's examining body.)

Official score reports for the SAT, ACT or National Examinations should be sent to the College directly from the administrator of the test.

*There may be an opportunity for students ranking in the top 20% of their graduating high school class to make the SAT or ACT optional. For more information, contact the Office of Admissions.


Non-Native English Speakers:

One of the following examinations is required of all students, both freshmen and transfers whose native language is not English:

1. TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) administered by the Educational Testing Service
2. IELTS (International English Language Test) jointly managed by the British Council, IDP: IELTS Australia and the University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations
3. SAT administered by the College Board
4. Duolingo English Test

Official score reports for the TOEFL, IELTS, SAT, or Duolingo should be sent to the College directly from the administrator of the test or sent from a secondary school administrator, such as a school counselor or registrar.

Academic Averages at Roanoke:

Average GPA: Middle 50%* is a 2.8 – 3.7 on a 4.0 scale. (Equivalent to a low B to high A average.)

Average SAT: Middle 50%* is a 1140 – 1270. (new SAT format)

Average ACT: Middle 50%* is a 22 – 28. (We do not require the writing section on the ACT.)

*This means that 25% of the students accepted to Roanoke are above the middle 50%, and 25% of our students are below the middle 50%.


The recommended TOEFL score is 80 IBT. The minimum IELTS score required for admission is a 6.0.  The minimum Duolingo score is 100. For more information regarding expected performance on National Examinations or other English assessment exams, please contact the admissions office.