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Temple University Requirements for Admission

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What are Temple University's admission requirements? While there are a lot of pieces that go into a college application, you should focus on only a few critical things:

• GPA requirements
• Testing requirements, including SAT and ACT requirements
• Application requirements

In this guide we'll cover what you need to get into Temple University and build a strong application.

School location: Philadelphia, PA

Admissions Rate: 79.7%

If you want to get in, the first thing to look at is the acceptance rate. This tells you how competitive the school is and how serious their requirements are.

The acceptance rate at Temple University is 79.7% . For every 100 applicants, 80 are admitted.

This means the school is lightly selective . The school will have their expected requirements for GPA and SAT/ACT scores. If you meet their requirements, you're almost certain to get an offer of admission. But if you don't meet Temple University's requirements, you'll be one of the unlucky few people who gets rejected.

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Temple University GPA Requirements

Many schools specify a minimum GPA requirement, but this is often just the bare minimum to submit an application without immediately getting rejected.

The GPA requirement that really matters is the GPA you need for a real chance of getting in. For this, we look at the school's average GPA for its current students.

Average GPA: 3.42

The average GPA at Temple University is 3.42 .

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.

With a GPA of 3.42, Temple University requires you to be around average in your high school class. You'll need a mix of A's and B's, and very few C's. If you have a lower GPA, you can compensate with harder courses like AP or IB classes. This will help boost your weighted GPA and show your ability to take college classes.

If you're currently a junior or senior, your GPA is hard to change in time for college applications. If your GPA is at or below the school average of 3.42, you'll need a higher SAT or ACT score to compensate . This will help you compete effectively against other applicants who have higher GPAs than you.

SAT and ACT Requirements

Each school has different requirements for standardized testing. Only a few schools require the SAT or ACT, but many consider your scores if you choose to submit them.

Temple University hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores (we'll cover this next), it's likely test flexible. Typically, these schools say, "if you feel your SAT or ACT score represents you well as a student, submit them. Otherwise, don't."

Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Temple University will submit their scores. If you don't submit scores, you'll have one fewer dimension to show that you're worthy of being admitted, compared to other students. We therefore recommend that you consider taking the SAT or ACT, and doing well.

Temple University SAT Requirements

Many schools say they have no SAT score cutoff, but the truth is that there is a hidden SAT requirement. This is based on the school's average score.

Average SAT: 1241

The average SAT score composite at Temple University is a 1241 on the 1600 SAT scale.

This score makes Temple University Competitive for SAT test scores.

Temple University SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)

The 25th percentile SAT score is 1130, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1360. In other words, a 1130 on the SAT places you below average, while a 1360 will move you up to above average .

Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:

SAT Score Choice Policy

The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.

Temple University has the Score Choice policy of "All Scores."

This means that Temple University requires you to send all SAT scores you've ever taken to their office.

This sounds daunting, but most schools don't actually consider all your scores equally. For example, if you scored an 1300 on one test and a 1500 on another, they won't actually average the two tests.

More commonly, the school will take your highest score on a single test date. Even better, some schools form a Superscore - that is, they take your highest section score across all your test dates and combine them.

Some students are still worried about submitting too many test scores. They're afraid that Temple University will look down on too many attempts to raise your score. But how many is too many?

From our research and talking to admissions officers, we've learned that 4-6 tests is a safe number to submit . The college understands that you want to have the best chance of admission, and retaking the test is a good way to do this. Within a reasonable number of tests, they honestly don't care how many times you've taken it. They'll just focus on your score.

If you take it more than 6 times, colleges start wondering why you're not improving with each test. They'll question your study skills and ability to improve.

But below 6 tests, we strongly encourage retaking the test to maximize your chances. If your SAT score is currently below a 1130, we strongly recommend that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it . You don't have much to lose, and you can potentially raise your score and significantly boost your chances of getting in.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

Temple University ACT Requirements

Just like for the SAT, Temple University likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.

Average ACT: 28

The average ACT score at Temple University is 28. This score makes Temple University Moderately Competitive for ACT scores.

The 25th percentile ACT score is 24, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 31.

Even though Temple University likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 24 or below, you'll have a harder time getting in, unless you have something else impressive in your application.

ACT Score Sending Policy

If you're taking the ACT as opposed to the SAT, you have a huge advantage in how you send scores, and this dramatically affects your testing strategy.

Here it is: when you send ACT scores to colleges, you have absolute control over which tests you send. You could take 10 tests, and only send your highest one. This is unlike the SAT, where many schools require you to send all your tests ever taken.

This means that you have more chances than you think to improve your ACT score. To try to aim for the school's ACT requirement of 24 and above, you should try to take the ACT as many times as you can. When you have the final score that you're happy with, you can then send only that score to all your schools.

ACT Superscore Policy

By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. (Superscore means that the school takes your best section scores from all the test dates you submit, and then combines them into the best possible composite score). Thus, most schools will just take your highest ACT score from a single sitting.

We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore. Regardless, you can choose your single best ACT score to send in to Temple University, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 24.

Download our free guide on the top 5 strategies you must be using to improve your score. This guide was written by Harvard graduates and ACT perfect scorers. If you apply the strategies in this guide, you'll study smarter and make huge score improvements.

SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements

Currently, only the ACT has an optional essay section that all students can take. The SAT used to also have an optional Essay section, but since June 2021, this has been discontinued unless you are taking the test as part of school-day testing in a few states. Because of this, no school requires the SAT Essay or ACT Writing section, but some schools do recommend certain students submit their results if they have them.

Temple University considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration. You don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.

Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is lightly selective, you have a great shot at getting in, as long as you don't fall well below average . Aim for a 1130 SAT or a 24 ACT or higher, and you'll almost certainly get an offer of admission. As long as you meet the rest of the application requirements below, you'll be a shoo-in.

But if you score below our recommended target score, you may be one of the very few unlucky people to get rejected.

Admissions Calculator

Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are. Pick your test: SAT ACT

• 80-100%: Safety school: Strong chance of getting in
• 50-80%: More likely than not getting in
• 20-50%: Lower but still good chance of getting in
• 5-20%: Reach school: Unlikely to get in, but still have a shot
• 0-5%: Hard reach school: Very difficult to get in

How would your chances improve with a better score?

Take your current SAT score and add 160 points (or take your ACT score and add 4 points) to the calculator above. See how much your chances improve?

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• Our team is made of national SAT/ACT experts . PrepScholar's founders are Harvard graduates and SAT perfect scorers . You'll be studying using the strategies that actually worked for them.
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Application Requirements

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information. Many schools, as explained above, also require SAT and ACT scores, as well as letters of recommendation, application essays, and interviews. We'll cover the exact requirements of Temple University here.

Application Requirements Overview

• Common Application Accepted
• Electronic Application Available
• Essay or Personal Statement Required for all freshmen
• Letters of Recommendation 1
• Interview Not required
• Application Fee $55
• Fee Waiver Available? Available
• Other Notes

Testing Requirements

• SAT or ACT Considered if submitted
• SAT Essay or ACT Writing Optional
• SAT Subject Tests
• Scores Due in Office March 1

Coursework Requirements

• Subject Required Years
• Foreign Language 2
• Social Studies 2
• Electives 1

Deadlines and Early Admissions

• Offered? Deadline Notification
• Yes February 1 Rolling
• Yes November 1 January 10

Admissions Office Information

• Address: 1801 Philadelphia, PA 19122-6096
• Phone: (215) 204-7000 x7000
• Fax: (215) 204-5694
• Email: [email protected]

Other Schools For You

If you're interested in Temple University, you'll probably be interested in these schools as well. We've divided them into 3 categories depending on how hard they are to get into, relative to Temple University.

Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into

These schools are have higher average SAT scores than Temple University. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.

Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into

If you're competitive for Temple University, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.

Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into

If you're currently competitive for Temple University, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If Temple University is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.

Data on this page is sourced from Peterson's Databases © 2023 (Peterson's LLC. All rights reserved.) as well as additional publicly available sources.

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Temple University: Acceptance Rate and Admissions Statistics

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Temple University is a public research university with an acceptance rate of 60%. Located in North Philadelphia, Temple has more than 150 undergraduate majors with programs in business and communications among the most popular. Academics at Temple are supported by a 13-to-1 student/faculty ratio . The university has a diverse student body and over 300 student clubs and organizations. Students can participate in clubs and activities ranging from performing arts groups to academic honor societies, to community service, and recreational sports. The university also has an active Greek system. In athletics, the Temple Owls compete in the NCAA Division I  American Athletic Conference .

Considering applying to Temple University? Here are the admissions statistics you should know, including average SAT/ACT scores and GPAs of admitted students.

Acceptance Rate

During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, Temple University had an acceptance rate of 60%. This means that for every 100 students who applied, 60 students were admitted, making Temple's admissions process competitive.

SAT Scores and Requirements

Temple is test-optional. Applicants may submit SAT or ACT scores or they can choose the Temple Option and provide responses to a few short-answer questions. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 76% of admitted students submitted SAT scores.

This admissions data tells us that most of Temple's admitted students fall within the top 35% nationally on the SAT. For the evidence-based reading and writing section, 50% of students admitted to Temple scored between 570 and 660, while 25% scored below 570 and 25% scored above 660. On the math section, 50% of admitted students scored between 550 and 660, while 25% scored below 550 and 25% scored above 660. Applicants with a composite SAT score of 1320 or higher will have particularly competitive chances at Temple.

Requirements

Temple University does not require the optional SAT essay section. Note that Temple will consider your highest score from each individual section across all SAT test dates. Temple offers the "Temple Option" for students who believe that responses to short-answer essays will add more to their application than standardized test scores. Most students admitted under the Temple Option have average GPAs of 3.5 or above. Home-schooled applicants, recruited athletes, and international applicants must submit test scores and may not use the Temple Option.

ACT Scores and Requirements

Temple University is test-optional. Applicants may submit SAT or ACT scores or they can choose the Temple Option and provide responses to a few short-answer questions. During the 2018-19 admissions cycle, 17% of admitted students submitted ACT scores.

This admissions data tells us the most of Temple's admitted students fall within the top 26% nationally on the ACT. The middle 50% of students admitted to Temple received a composite ACT score between 24 and 30, while 25% scored above 30 and 25% scored below 24.

Note that Temple does not superscore ACT results; your highest composite ACT score will be considered. Temple does not require the optional ACT writing section. Temple offers the "Temple Option" for students who believe that responses to short-answer essays will add more to their application than standardized test scores. Note that most students admitted under the Temple Option have average GPAs of 3.5 or above. Home-schooled applicants, recruited athletes, and international applicants must submit test scores and may not use the Temple Option.

In 2019, the average high school GPA for incoming Temple University freshman was 3.54, and over 60% of incoming students had average GPAs of 3.5 and above. These results suggest that most successful applicants to Temple have primarily A and high B grades.

Self-Reported GPA/SAT/ACT Graph

The admissions data in the graph is self-reported by applicants to Temple University. GPAs are unweighted. Find out how you compare to accepted students, see the real-time graph, and calculate your chances of getting in with a free Cappex account.

Admissions Chances

Temple University, which accepts just over half of applicants, has a somewhat competitive admissions process. If your GPA and SAT/ACT scores fall within the school's average ranges, you have a strong chance of being accepted. However, Temple also has a  holistic admissions  process and is test-optional, and admissions decisions are based on more than numbers. A strong  application essay  and  glowing letters of recommendation  can strengthen your application, as can participation in meaningful  extracurricular activities  and a  rigorous course schedule .

The university is looking for students with at least a B average in high school classes and a 3.0 in college-prep coursework including four years of English and math, three years of science and history/social studies, two years of a single foreign language, one year of the arts, and three years of academic electives. Temple also wants students who will contribute to the campus community in meaningful ways, not just students who show promise in the classroom. Students with particularly compelling stories or achievements can still receive serious consideration even if their grades and scores are outside of Temple's average range.

In the graph above, you'll notice some red dots (rejected students) and yellow dots (waitlisted students) hidden behind the green and blue (accepted students) in the middle of the graph. Some students who had grades and test scores that were on target for Temple were not admitted. Note also that some students were accepted with test scores and grades a bit below the norm. This is because Temple has a holistic admissions process and is test-optional.

All admissions data has been sourced from the National Center for Education Statistics and Temple University Undergraduate Admissions Office .

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Temple University

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Acceptance Rate

Average SAT

SAT 25th-75th

Students Submitting SAT

Average (25th - 75th)

Reading and Writing

Average ACT

ACT 25th-75th

Students Submitting ACT

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