Belmont University Admissions: A Comprehensive Guide

Belmont University, a Christian institution in Nashville, Tennessee, attracts students from across the United States and internationally, offering over 130 academic programs. Known for its vibrant location in the "Music City," with strong ties to the health, design, and fashion industries, Belmont provides students with numerous opportunities for internships, study abroad, and community engagement through its 230+ organizations. Understanding the admission requirements is the first step towards joining this dynamic community.

Understanding Belmont's Acceptance Rate

The acceptance rate at Belmont University is 95.3%, indicating a nearly open admissions policy. This means the university accepts nearly all students who apply. While this may seem straightforward, understanding the nuances of Belmont's admission process is crucial for prospective students.

Academic Expectations: GPA and Class Rank

While Belmont has a high acceptance rate, it doesn't mean admission is guaranteed for everyone. Successful applicants typically demonstrate strong academic performance throughout high school.

GPA: Belmont University requires you to be near the top of your class and well above average. Successful applicants generally have transcripts showing mostly A's.
Class Rank: Students should rank in the top half of their graduating classes to be considered competitive for admission.

Belmont considers a rigorous course of college preparatory academic studies. Any college-level work is also expected to be at the above-average level.

Standardized Testing: SAT and ACT

Belmont University is test-optional, meaning students can decide whether or not to submit their SAT or ACT scores. However, it is essential to understand how standardized tests are considered in the admissions process.

Test-Flexible Policy: Belmont University hasn't explicitly named a policy on SAT/ACT requirements, but because it's published average SAT or ACT scores, 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.
To Submit or Not to Submit?: Despite this policy, the truth is that most students still take the SAT or ACT, and most applicants to Belmont 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.

SAT Scores

While Belmont may not have a strict SAT score cutoff, a hidden SAT requirement exists.

SAT Range: The 25th percentile SAT score is 1160, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 1350.
Test-Taking Strategy: Because you can choose which tests to send in, and Belmont University only considers your highest score on a single test date, you can take the SAT as many times as you want, then submit your strongest score. Therefore, if your SAT score is currently below a 1160, it is recommended that you consider prepping for the SAT and retaking it.

ACT Scores

Similar to the SAT, the ACT plays a role in Belmont's admissions process.

Average ACT Score: The average ACT score at Belmont University is 27.
ACT Score Range: The 25th percentile ACT score is 24, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 30.
ACT Submission Strategy: 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 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.
Superscoring: By and large, most colleges do not superscore the ACT. We weren't able to find the school's exact ACT policy, which most likely means that it does not Superscore.

SAT Essay/ACT Writing Section

Belmont University considers the SAT Essay/ACT Writing section optional and may not include it as part of their admissions consideration.

Holistic Review Process

Belmont University utilizes a holistic review process, considering various factors beyond academic achievements. An applicant is considered on the total picture the student’s credentials present.

Coursework Difficulty: Belmont considers the rigor of your high school coursework.
Extracurricular Activities: Your involvement in extracurriculars demonstrates your interests and commitment outside of academics.
Letters of Recommendation: Recommendations provide insights into your character and potential from teachers and counselors. Recommendations are considered important for admissions officials at Belmont University.
Personal Statements/Essays: The essay, list of activities, and recommendations are also strongly considered as positive indicators of success at Belmont.
Demonstrated Interest: Belmont University considers Demonstrated Interest as part of our holistic review process. We encourage you to visit our campus, connect with your admissions counselor when they are in your area, or attend a virtual event.

Application Requirements and Deadlines

Every school requires an application with the bare essentials - high school transcript and GPA, application form, and other core information.

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Application Options: There are two options: the Belmont application form on their platform “BU4U” or "Common App".
Application Fee: Submit the application and nonrefundable $50.00 application fee. Complete the entire degree seeking application for undergraduate admission, including the essay question.
Transcripts: Request that official transcripts be sent from the high school directly to the Office of Admissions. Also, request that official transcripts from all colleges and universities attended be sent directly to Belmont, including courses taken as dual enrollment.
School Counselor Recommendation: Provide the School Counselor Recommendation (or School Report Form if using the Common Application) to the appropriate person in your school counseling office and request that they send the completed recommendation directly to Belmont.

Application Deadlines

Belmont offers several application options with varying deadlines:

Early Action I: November 1
Early Action II: December 1
Regular Decision: March 1

Applications for admission to Belmont are for a particular term of enrollment. Requirements of materials may change from one term to another. Acceptance for one term does not necessarily indicate that admission will be granted for any other term.

Specific Program Requirements

Applicants to the School of Music, Department of Theatre & Dance, select Watkins College of Art programs, and the Songwriting major have additional application steps, including auditions and portfolio submissions.

Songwriting: Applicants are required to submit a portfolio in order to be considered for admission to the Songwriting major. The portfolio will consist of the applicant’s two original songs and corresponding lyrics via Acceptd, plus a written online application portion.
Music: Applicants to the School of Music who wish to major or minor in music are required to complete an audition. Once a student applies to the University as a music major, the student will be prompted register for either an in-person or video audition.
Theatre: Applicants for the B.F.A. degree in Theatre are required to either complete an audition or submit a portfolio depending upon their area of emphasis (applicants pursuing the B.A. in Theatre and Drama are exempt from this requirement).
Art: The Watkins College of Art requires all students applying for a Bachelor of Fine Arts (BFA) degree (Studio Art, Design Communications, Illustration, Experiential Design, Photography or Art Education) to submit a portfolio as a part of the admissions process.

Transfer Students

If you have completed or attempted coursework at a regionally accredited institution after graduating from high school, you should apply as a transfer. If your post-high school credits came from a non-nationally accredited college or the military, you should apply as a first-year student.

Rolling Admissions: Applications for admission to Belmont are considered on a rolling basis for transfer students, so early submission of an application is strongly encouraged.
Notification: Applicants will be notified of a decision within a few weeks of completing the application.

International Students

Non US Citizens include Permanent Resident, Undocumented, DACA, TPS, Refugee and Asylee students.

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Proof of English Proficiency: While Belmont is test optional, Non US Citizen applicants are required to submit Proof of English Proficiency in addition to the items listed above before an admissions decision can be made.
High Schools Outside of the US: A formal credential evaluation of your high school transcript is required for any student who has completed their education outside of the United States. Official evaluations must be course-by-course, contain a GPA (grade point average) and be sent directly from the evaluation company to Belmont. Only evaluations from an NACES accredited evaluation company will be accepted.
Sponsor Statement: After being offered admission to Belmont, the student must submit a notarized Sponsor Statement indicating the individual responsible for financing the student’s education. (Note: A bank statement is NOT sufficient.)

Additional Information

First-Generation College Students: We consider students first-generation if neither parent completed a bachelor’s degree.
Fee Waivers: Additional fee waiver opportunities may arise throughout the year. The Office of Admissions provides fee waiver codes for special events or select campus visit opportunities.
Transferology: Students are welcome to use Transferology to see how their courses may transfer to Belmont. Transferology is a free tool that will show students course equivalencies.
Honors Program: First-year applicants who wish to be considered for Belmont’s honors program must submit the application for admission by December 1.

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