Overview
Wake Forest University is a private research university located in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, USA. The university was founded in 1834 and has a rich history and tradition of academic excellence. Wake Forest is known for its strong undergraduate liberal arts program, as well as its graduate and professional programs in law, medicine, business, and divinity.
The undergraduate curriculum at Wake Forest is centered around the liberal arts, with a focus on critical thinking, writing, and problem-solving skills.
The university is divided into six schools: the College of Arts and Sciences, the School of Business, the School of Law, the School of Medicine, the Graduate School of Arts and Sciences, and the School of Divinity. Wake Forest is also home to several centers and institutes, including the Center for Entrepreneurship, the Center for Global Programs and Studies, and the Institute for Public Engagement.
In addition to its academic programs, Wake Forest is known for its strong commitment to research. The university is home to a number of research centers and institutes, including the Wake Forest Institute for Regenerative Medicine, the Wake Forest Center for Nanotechnology and Molecular Materials, and the Center for Energy, Environment, and Sustainability.
Wake Forest University emphasizes the importance of physical wellness for its students and provides a wide range of fitness facilities and programs. These include a fitness center, group exercise classes, personal training, and outdoor adventure programs.
Wake Forest University also has a rich tradition of athletic excellence and is a member of the Atlantic Coast Conference (ACC) in NCAA Division I. The university has 18 varsity sports teams, including football, basketball, baseball, soccer, and tennis. Wake Forest University has won multiple national championships in men’s soccer and field hockey. The university’s football team, known as the Demon Deacons, has produced several notable players who went on to play in the NFL, including Brian Piccolo, Norm Snead, and Chris Paul.
Location
Wake Forest University is located near the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. The university’s main campus spans over 340 acres of land. The campus is characterized by its Georgian architecture and its well-manicured lawns and gardens. The campus of Wake Forest University has a distinctly traditional feel, with buildings like Wait Chapel and Reynolda Hall contributing to the overall atmosphere of the campus. The campus also features state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Wake Downtown biomedical engineering and applied sciences campus in downtown Winston-Salem. Students have easy access to the city’s cultural and entertainment attractions, including a thriving arts scene, award-winning restaurants, and several museums.
Student Cohort Size
Wake Forest University has an undergraduate population of 5,472 and 3,478 are graduate students. The accepted students represent 47 states and 45 countries. The student population includes 9% international students.
Four-Year Completion Rate
The graduation rate is among the most important factors when selecting a college. Wake Forest University’s first-year retention rate is 94%. This means that 94% of first-year students continue their education for their sophomore year and beyond. The 4-year graduation rate is 89%. This implies that 89% of students were able to graduate after 4 years.
Student-to-Faculty Ratio
The student-to-faculty ratio at Wake Forest University is 11:1. 99% of classes have fewer than 50 students.
Admissions
Acceptance Rate
Wake Forest University has an acceptance rate of 29.4%. The university received 10,512 applications and accepted 3091 students.
Acceptance GPA
The average high school GPA for accepted students at Wake Forest University is more than 3.85. 75% of the accepted students ranked in the top 10% of their high school class.
Types of Admission
The students can apply through the Early Decision and Regular Decision cycle. Early Decision I and Early Decision II is an opportunity for students to show that Wake Forest University is their number one choice. Early Decision is a binding process and it implies that the students should attend Wake Forest University if accepted. The acceptance rate for Early Decision was 30.6%. In 2022, Wake Forest University admitted 626 of the 2047 students who applied early decision.
The students also have the option to apply through the Regular Decision process. Regular Decision may be right for you if you need more time to get your application ready. Many more students apply for Regular Decision than Early Decision.
Application Components
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Complete the online application
The students can complete the application using the Wake Forest Application, the Coalition, or the Common Application. -
Official High School Transcript including the Mid-Year School Report
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Teacher Recommendation Form
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Early Decision Agreement
This is applicable for students who are applying through the Early Decision cycle. -
Standardized Test Scores
The SAT/ACT scores are optional. The accepted students had an SAT score of more than 1300 and an ACT score of more than 30. -
Essays:
List five books you’ve read that have intrigued you. Explain how a text you’ve read – fiction, nonfiction, poetry, or literature of any kind – has helped you to understand the world’s complexity (limit: 150 words).
What piques your intellectual curiosity, and why (limit: 150 words)?
Give us your Top Ten list. (The choice of theme is yours.) (limit: 100 characters per line)
Academics
Wake Forest University follows the liberal-arts curriculum. The students take courses in various areas, including numerous classes in literature and languages, math and the natural sciences, religion, history, philosophy, the social and behavioral sciences, and the fine arts.
Students can choose from a wide range of majors and minors across the arts and humanities, social sciences, natural sciences, and mathematics. Wake Forest also offers a number of interdisciplinary programs, including a popular program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology.
At the graduate level, Wake Forest offers a number of highly regarded programs, including the Wake Forest University School of Law, the Wake Forest School of Medicine, and the Wake Forest School of Business. The university also has a School of Divinity that offers a range of master’s and doctoral programs in theology and ministry.
Academic Focus Area
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Applied Science, Technology, & Engineering
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Business
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Education
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Humanities
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Interdisciplinary Studies
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Life & Health Sciences
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Mathematical & Physical Sciences
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Ministerial, Spiritual, & Theological Studies
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Social & Behavioral Sciences
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Visual & Performing Arts
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World Languages & Cultures
Most Popular Majors
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Political Science and Government
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Economics
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Communications
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Business
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Finance
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Psychology
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Biology
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Kinesiology and Exercise Science
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Sociology
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English
Special Academic Programs
Honors Study: Students can focus on special study courses in individual areas with honors in a particular discipline. Some students also choose to pursue interdisciplinary honors courses.
Open Curriculum: The Open Curriculum provides students the opportunity to design and plan their own set of courses within the framework of a liberal arts education with the help of an advisor.
Study at Salem College: Wake Forest and Salem College share a program of exchange credits for courses. The students can take courses at the other institution if they are not offered in their current curriculum.
Center for Global Programs and Studies: The Center for Global Programs & Studies (GPS) advances a global campus community and cultivates global mindsets through collaborative initiatives, programs, and services for the University. Program areas include study abroad/away, community-based global learning, cross-cultural engagement course series, campus programs with a global learning focus, and Contemporary Global Studies and Global Trade & Commerce minors. Through this program, Wake Forest University students explore the world and study abroad. The university operates other semester-length, center-based programs in Spain, England, Japan, Chile, and France.
Cost of Attendance
Living On or Off Campus
Tuition and Fees $64,756
Housing $11,210
Food $6,638
Personal Expenses $1,770
Transportation $1,550
Fed Direct Loan Avg Fee $66
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment $1,630
Total $87,620
Living With Parents
Tuition and Fees $64,912
Housing $1,540
Food $4,430
Books, Course Materials, Supplies, and Equipment $1,630
Personal Expenses $1,770
Transportation $1,110
Fed Direct Loan Avg Fee $66
Total $75,458
Student Life
Intramural and Club Sports: The students can remain active on campus by taking part in various sports. The students have the choice to join any of the 35 club sports teams or competitive leagues according to their level.
Student Organizations: The students at Wake Forest University have the opportunity to participate in more than 200 chartered student organizations and campus-wide initiatives. Some of the student organizations include service-oriented organizations, political groups, social organizations, and religiously affiliated groups.
Greek Life: Wake Fraternity and sorority life has been a longstanding tradition at Wake Forest since the late 1800s when Kappa Alpha Order was established. Fraternities serve as an outlet for social life and intellectual advancement. Wake Forest is now home to twelve social fraternities.
Fun Fact
Rolling the Quad: Wake Forest students, alumni and other fans celebrate game wins by “rolling the quad,” covering the center of the campus with streamers of white tissue. Initially, the students used to ring a bell at the old campus with a bell pull. When the university moved to the new campus there were bells but the students were not able to access the bells. Now the tradition is followed by students and alumni who turn the trees and lawn white to celebrate athletic victories on campus.
Lovefeast: The Lovefeast and candlelight service occurs on the first Sunday in December in Wait Chapel. It is sponsored by the University and celebrates one of the unique traditions of the Moravian community in Winston‑Salem. The Wake Forest Lovefeast has grown to be the largest Moravian-style lovefeast in North America, and one of the favorite features of Wake Forest tradition.
In conclusion, Wake Forest University is a prestigious and highly regarded private university known for its academic rigor, personalized attention, and a strong sense of community. Wake Forest University provides a well-rounded education that prepares students for success in all areas of life.
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