Mount Holyoke College Acceptance Rate, GPA, and Admission Requirements

Mount Holyoke College is a well-known institution. It has a selective admission process. The acceptance rate of Mount Holyoke College (MHC) is 39.76%. This means that 40 out of every 100 applicants get admitted.

How Competitive are Mount Holyoke College Admissions?

  • Moderately Competitive: Applicants need good academics and extracurriculars.
  • GPA, SAT/ACT, and AP/IB courses significantly impact admission chances.
  • A holistic review considers essays, recommendations, and leadership roles.
Mount Holyoke College Admission Competitiveness

Since the acceptance rate is low, you need to perform exceptionally well in academics and other activities. However, since it is not below 20%, you still have a chance if your GPA isn't excellent. You can compensate for a lower GPA by scoring high on the SAT, and ACT, and taking IB or AP courses.

Additionally, a well-written letter of recommendation, your participation in co-curricular and extracurricular activities, and your interpersonal communication skills can enhance your admission chances.

Mount Holyoke College Admission Requirements

MHC GPA Requirement

The average GPA of the admitted students at MHC is 3.7. It means that MHC is very selective in terms of the GPA. (Please note that most schools report a weighted GPA, which is out of 4.0. However, some schools may use unweighted GPAs. For exact information, contact the school admission staff).

With an average GPA of 3.7, MHC requires you to be near the top of your class. You need to score mostly A's in all classes to have good chances of admission. A couple of B's will not hurt you much, but more B's will put you in the lower category of the students. Additionally, you must take AP or IB courses to demonstrate your academic ability. More specifically, your AP and IB courses must be related to the area of your selected course of study. For example, if you are planning a career in engineering or IT, courses related to mathematics, calculus, and physics will help you.

If your GPA is less than 3.7 and higher than 3.4 then you need higher SAT or ACT scores to compensate. You need a minimum of 3.3 GPA, to secure admission at MHC. Below this, the chances of admission will be very slim.

Can I Get Into MHC Without SAT Or ACT?: Mount Holyoke College considers admission test scores (SAT/ACT) during the application process but does not require them. Although it is not strictly a requirement, the test scores are considered for admission decisions. Hence, it is advisable to prepare well for the test and submit the best scores. Normally, students may appear in the test 4 to 5 times to improve their scores. Hence you are required to plan early and appear in upcoming SAT / ACT tests. Check the schedule of the test and plan accordingly. It is advisable to appear multiple times in the test unless you score well above the average SAT / ACT score of the admitted students, as given below.



Mount Holyoke College (MHC) SAT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for SAT and ACT testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them. The test score policy is already mentioned.

Mount Holyoke College Average SAT Score: 1432
The average SAT score of the admitted students at Mount Holyoke College is 1432 on the 1600 SAT scale.

Mount Holyoke College SAT Competitiveness

Competitiveness

This score makes it very Competitive for SAT test scores. You need to do very well to score 1432 on the SAT.

Key Insight:Aim for the 75th percentile (1540 SAT or 34 ACT) to stand out. If your scores are below average, consider retaking the test. Mount Holyoke College allows Score Choice for the SAT and Superscoring for the ACT, giving you flexibility to submit your best scores.

If your score is below 1350, you must retake the SAT to improve your chances of admission to MHC. It is not strange to appear multiple times for the SAT to improve scores. Colleges don’t mind if you have appeared multiple times, but not more than 5 times.

Mount Holyoke College SAT Scores Breakdown by Sections

SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
SAT Math 715660770
SAT Reading 730690770
SAT Composite 143213501540

It means that if you have scored less than 1350 then you are below most of the admitted students at MHC and your chances of admission are very few. But if you have scored 1540 or more, your chances of admission are higher. 25th percentile means that only 25% of the admitted students have fewer scores than this score. 75th percentile marks the score of the upper 25% of the students. View list of all colleges with average SAT score of 1450

Can I get into Mount Holyoke College (MHC) with a 1550 SAT?

With a 1550 SAT Score, your chances of admission at Mount Holyoke College (MHC) are good but the admission staff at MHC tests your all-around personality and your academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission. You need to show better performance in all areas. An equally high GPA, taking IB or AP Courses and your role in leadership activities will increase your chances of admission. However, if you equally compete well in all other areas, your chances of admission are high.

Mount Holyoke College (MHC) ACT Requirements

The average ACT Score at MHC is 32.

Mount Holyoke College ACT Competitiveness

Competitiveness

This score makes Mount Holyoke College very Competitive for ACT scores. You need to do very well to score 32 on the ACT.

Mount Holyoke College ACT Scores Breakdown by Sections

SectionAverage25th Percentile75th Percentile
ACT Math 302732
ACT English 343335
ACT Composite 323034

Can I get into Mount Holyoke College with a 34 ACT?

With a 34 ACT Score, your chances of admission at Mount Holyoke College are good but the admission staff does not check your ACT Score only. The College Admission process tests your all-around personality and academics. Your GPA, Class performance, SAT/ACT/Test scores, and AP or IB Courses can help your application stand out. Co-curricular and extra-curricular activities and interpersonal communication skills are very important. Additionally, if you cannot perform well in one area, you have a chance to showcase your strengths and abilities in other areas, improving other areas will help you secure admission.

SAT Vs ACT: Which score to send

You can compare your scores in SAT and ACT to the average SAT and ACT Scores of the admitted students at Mount Holyoke College. More importantly, comparing your scores with the 25th and 75th percentiles of SAT and ACT scores will give you a better understanding of where you stand. If your score on the SAT is near the 75th percentile SAT score, then you must send your SAT score. If your ACT score is near the 75th percentile, then you must send your ACT Score.

But there is more, if both of your scores are in the same range, then it is better to send an ACT Score, as in the case of ACT, you can control which score to send as opposed to SAT.

Here is how: When sending the ACT Score, you can decide which score you want to send to the colleges. You could take 8 ACT tests, and only send your highest one. This is not the case with the SAT, where your score report mentions all of your attempts.

View a list of all colleges with an average ACT score of 32.

MHC Profile

Name: Mount Holyoke College (MHC)

City: South Hadley

URL: https://www.mtholyoke.edu/

State: Massachusetts

Type: Non-Profit Private

Zip: 01075-1489

Campus: Main

Accredited by: New England Commission on Higher Education (NECHE)


How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into Mount Holyoke College

Boost Your Test Scores: Retake the SAT/ACT if needed. Use resources to improve your score.

Focus on Academics: Maintain a high GPA and take challenging courses.

Extracurricular Activities: Mount Holyoke College values well-rounded students who make meaningful contributions to their communities. Here’s how to showcase your strengths:

  • Highlight long-term commitments, and unique accomplishments.
  • Leaderships: Demonstrate clear leadership experience. This is not only true for Mount Holyoke College but also other schools. If you cannot demonstrate strong leadership qualities, your chances of acceptance will be low. Work on your weak areas, and improve your communication and interpersonal skills. Also, include your work experiences where you were given leadership responsibilities, and write down your achievements and how you were able to contribute as a team leader and team member.
  • Community Service: Show how you have influenced change in the community and have a strong desire to do so in the future. Also, if you are planning to apply for Mount Holyoke College, participate in relevant activities. Work for social welfare and look for opportunities where you can make an impact. Start with your school or student council. Those having positions like president, secretary generals etc… in students councils have better chances. Network with notable people and develop your social media profile accordingly.
  • Passion Projects: Whether it’s starting a club, publishing research, or excelling in the arts, show what sets you apart. Example: If you’ve founded a nonprofit or won a national competition, make sure it’s prominently featured in your application.
  • Align your goals with Mount Holyoke College’s mission. Carefully read the objectives and mission of Mount Holyoke College on their official website and plan accordingly for each specific point. See how well your profile matches their objectives and goals, and work on the areas where you are lacking.
  • Secure Strong Recommendations: Get letters from professors or employers who know your abilities well. Share your achievements and goals with them for a stronger, more personalized recommendation. If personal statement and recommendations align, your chances of success will be higher.
  • Build a Strong Network: Engage with Mount Holyoke College Alumni and current students. Ask them how they planned their scholarship journey, what challenges they faced, and how they overcame them. Learn about the key factors behind their success and how they secured their selection.
  • Craft Strong Essays: Tell your story authentically and highlight what makes you unique. College Essay is a very important document. Unlike your transcripts, which just show your numbers or grades, the essay reflects your true personality as a human being. Take considerable time to refine and craft your statement of purpose. Here are the detailed guidelines for writing a winning College Essay form our experts.

Does a degree from MHC Worth It?

Getting into MHC can be a great opportunity for many students. It is a prestigious institution known for its strong programs. However, whether it is worth it depends on your personal and academic goals, as well as your financial situation. MHC offers a rigorous academic environment and access to cutting-edge research, but it may not be the best fit for everyone. It's important to consider factors such as cost, location, and specific academic programs when making this decision. Please note that the average household income of the admitted students at MHC is USD: 79267.64 and unemployment rate is 2.99%.

How much does a degree from MHC Cost?

The average annual cost of the degree at Mount Holyoke College is USD: 75051. As most of the students receive Pell Grants and Federal Grants the average annual net price a student has to pay at Mount Holyoke College is much less than this.

How can I get a scholarship?

20.68% of the students are receiving Pell Grant and 44.55 percent are receiving Federal Grants. So it is a better choice to go to MHC and apply for PELL or federal loan grants.

At Mount Holyoke College, you will have no problem receiving any scholarship from the federal government. Fill in the FAFSA application form at the earliest and enlist MHC as your choice in the form.

How much a MHC Graduate make?

The average annual salary of the MHC graduate after 4-6 years of graduation is USD 58418. An average MHC graduate makes this much after 10 years of enrollment (4-6 years after graduation).

The average annual income of a graduate in the United States is USD: 40595



More Competitive

Less Competitive Schools

These schools have lower average SAT or ACT scores than Mount Holyoke College. If your SAT or ACT score is slightly lower than the requirements of Mount Holyoke College, you'll be competitive for these schools.


SchoolLocationSATACT
Pepperdine University Pepperdine University, CA139930
Colorado College Colorado College, CO140231
Colorado School of Mines Colorado School of Mines, CO140332
United States Air Force Academy United States Air Force Academy, CO140131
Trinity College Trinity College, CT138731
American University American University, DC138631
George Washington University George Washington University, DC142033
University of Florida University of Florida, FL139731
University of Miami University of Miami, FL140932
Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology Rose-Hulman Institute of Technology, IN139830


Same Competitive

Equally Competitive Schools

These schools have the same range of average SAT or ACT scores as Mount Holyoke College. If your SAT or ACT score are competitive for Mount Holyoke College, you'll be competitive for these schools also.


SchoolLocationSATACT
Occidental College Occidental College, CA143433
Connecticut College Connecticut College, CT142732
Wesleyan University Wesleyan University, CT142633
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, IL144032
Babson College Babson College, MA143432
More Competitive

More Competitive Schools

These schools have higher average SAT or ACT scores than Mount Holyoke College. If you improve your SAT or ACT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.


SchoolLocationSATACT
Scripps College Scripps College, CA146733
Georgetown University Georgetown University, DC150734
Emory University Emory University, GA149333
Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus Georgia Institute of Technology-Main Campus, GA148033
Grinnell College Grinnell College, IA148033

Degree Programs


Bachelor Degree Programs


Full list of All degree programs offered by Mount Holyoke College.

Data on this page is sourced from IPEDS, College Scorecard's latest data as provided in 2024, US Department of Education's latest 2024 statistics, Institute's official websites and printed material as well as additional publicly available sources.

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