How to Get Into Connecticut College: Admission Stats + Tips

What’s Covered:

• How Hard Is It to Get Into Connecticut College?
• Average Academic Profile of Accepted CT College Students 
• What is CT College Looking for?
• How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into CT College

“Study what interests you. Discover what compels you. Try to solve what mystifies you. Instead of pursuing credits, you’ll be pursuing answers.”

This is how one Connecticut College (CC) professor describes the essence of the college’s new approach to a liberal arts education—called Connections—designed to prepare students to be creative, adaptive thinkers ready to tackle complex issues.

Connections combines classroom and experiential learning, encouraging students to integrate their interests into a meaningful pathway through college towards a fulfilling career and life. This integrated approach to learning includes:

• a selection of courses from multiple disciplines and an “animating question” that enhance a selected major 
• engaging in experiential learning—though a relevant college-funded internship, fellowship, research, or job
• team advising – faculty, staff, student, and career
• sharing learnings with the community through the All-College Symposium 

Founded in 1911, this ~1800-student NESCAC League college has long been known not only for its interdisciplinary approach and strong career services, but also for its values-oriented culture exemplified by the approximately 100-year-old honor code and commitment to shared governance. 

This community-oriented college is located on a beautiful campus with views of Long Island Sound and nestled in 750 acres of arboretum—all within an easy train ride to Providence, Boston, and New York City–and a quick drive to the beach.

How Hard Is It to Get Into Connecticut College?

For the Class of 2025, 7,682 students applied to CC and 41% were admitted. Note that the Early Decision (ED) admitted percentage rose to just under 50% of ED applicants.

To better understand your chances of acceptance into CC, use CollegeVIne’s free admissions calculator. You’ll also receive tips for improving your profile.

Average Academic Profile of Accepted CT College Students 

GPA

For the 90.1% of the Class of 2024 submitting their GPA:

• The average GPA is 3.7 (on an unweighted 4.0 scale)
• 21% had a 4.0
• 23% had between 3.75 and 3.99
• 25% had between 3.5 and 3.74

SAT/ACT

CC is a test-optional school. 42% of the Class of 2024 submitted scores.  

Class Rank

For the 23% of the Class of 2024 reporting class rank:

• 54% were in the top 10% of their high school graduating class
• 78% in the top 25% 

What is CT College Looking for?

The college states that it values smart, interesting students with diverse perspectives and the ability to excel academically. It also emphasizes that it values personal qualities such as integrity, empathy, and intellectual curiosity. The college looks for students who will enrich the community and are driven to make a difference in the world. 

How CT College Evaluates Applications

The first entry in the Admission FAQ section of CC’s website clarifies how the school evaluates candidates: 

“The rigor of your high school program is what carries the most weight in the admission process. Have you pushed yourself academically and intellectually even in the subjects you don’t like? Or did you opt for the easy “A” in a college prep curriculum when you knew you would have been challenged more in the honors/AP track?

The level of courses you take says two things to us. One, it gives us a better sense of your preparation for the demands of college work. The higher level your courses, the better you will be prepared. Two, it says something to us about your intellectual motivation and curiosity. You are not satisfied to just get by with good grades. You are driven by the quest to stretch yourself conceptually and be challenged by your teachers and your classmates.

Other parts of your application that are important to us are your essay, recommendations (two from academic teachers and one from your counselor), extracurricular activities, and interview. We also value demonstrated interest in the application review process. Students can demonstrate their interest in the College by visiting campus, interviewing (on or off campus), and visiting with admission counselors during their fall travel. We are actively looking for students who would most benefit from a Connecticut College education and see the College as one of their primary choices for post-secondary education.” 

According to the college’s 2020-2021 Common Data Set, CC considers the following factors “very important”:

• Rigor of secondary school record
• Class rank
• Academic GPA
• Character/personal qualities

These factors are “important”:

• Application Essay
•  Recommendations
•  Interview
• Extracurricular activities
• Talent/ability
• Racial/ethnic status
• Volunteer work
• Work experience

These are “considered”:

• Standardized test scores
• First generation
• Alumni/ae relations
•  Geographical residence
• State residency
• Religious affiliation/commitment
• Level of applicant’s interest

How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into CT College

CT College states: “We take a holistic approach to admission. We will read closely your essay, recommendations, and additional materials.” 

To gauge your strength as a candidate, look at the Admission data for the Class of 2024.

1. Achieve at least a 3.7 (average GPA) while taking the most challenging classes available and rank in at least the top 25% of your high school class

While CC cares about academic performance and potential, they also care about how each student will contribute to their values-oriented community. 

If your GPA is lower than 3.7 and you’re earlier on in your high school career, check out CollegeVine’s tips for increasing your GPA. 

2. Cultivate at least one or two Tier 1-2 extracurriculars (find your “spike”)

While CC lists extracurricular activities as important, not very important, in the admission process, how you spend your time and energy outside of school brings to life your passions and character—attributes  that are in CC’s top tier of admission criteria.   

It is smart to showcase highly-developed interests that CollegeVine calls “spikes,” rather than a list of unrelated interests. Consult our framework for how to cultivate and communicate your extracurricular activities: Four Tiers of Extracurriculars.

Here’s a quick overview:

• Tier 1 activities are the most compelling; they demonstrate outstanding achievement and are unusual.  Think first place awards you’ve earned, such as in the National German Exam or the US Figure Skating National High School Sectional Final Competition.
• Tier 2 extracurriculars showcase leadership and achievement but are more common than Tier 1 activities. Tier 2 activities include qualifying for an all-state chorus or being elected captain of your high school sports team.
• Tier 3 extracurricular activities showcase smaller leadership roles and achievements, like being secretary of your high school club.
• Tier 4 extracurriculars are participatory, such as volunteering at  a local senior center or learning a new instrument.

3. Write engaging essays that demonstrate your character and personal qualities

“Tell us what gets you excited, where you find ideas, how you plan to change the world… Show us who you really are.”  This is advice CC gives to applicants. 

As you compose your essays, remember that the college values resilience, audacity, intrepidness, creativity, insightfulness, and kindness. They also seek students who will take full advantage of a multidisciplinary and experiential education. 

Read essay tips from Andrew K. Strickler, CC’s Dean of Admission and Financial Aid.  

CollegeVine also offers extensive advice on composing your Common App essays.

4. Apply Early Decision

CT College enrolls just under 50% of each class ED. ED is a good strategy if and only if you are certain CC is your top choice as you may only apply to one school ED, and ED I and II acceptances are binding.

5. Nurture strong recommendations

Be sure to select two academic teachers who can speak not only to your academic strengths, but also to you as a person since CC lists character/personal qualities as one of the four top admission criteria. 

CC states in its Admission FAQ: “Ask teachers who know you the best, not necessarily the teachers in whose class you earned the highest grade. For example, you may not be a particularly gifted math student, but you went after class for weeks to get help and finished with a well-earned but lower grade than you are used to. Does your math teacher know the kind of student you are better than the AP English teacher in whose class you received an A? That is for you to decide.”

CollegeVine offers comprehensive strategies for soliciting recommendations.

6. Schedule an Interview!

Because CC is a small community, the school values meeting candidates, whether you can meet on campus or closer to home. In the Admission FAQ, CC states: “You should also try to have an interview, if possible, with an admission officer or an alumni representative either on campus or in your home state.”

CollegeVine can help you prepare for the interview. Read tips for answering 15 common questions as well for interviewing remotely.

How to Apply to CT College

Deadlines

Application Requirements

Required:

• Common Application (for ED I & II applicants, the Common Application Early Decision Agreement form)
• School report
• Two academic teacher recommendations, preferable from junior or senior year
•  If English is not the applicant’s native language, the TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo or PTE is required.
• Non-US citizens must submit a Certification of Finances 2021-22

As part of CC’s commitment to provide access to all qualified students, the college has waived the application fee.

Optional:

• Standardized Test Scores — CC advises you to submit your scores if you feel they are representative of your achievement and will enhance your application. However, if you feel your standardized test scores do not reflect your full potential and elect not to submit them, you will not be at a disadvantage in the admission process. The middle 50% ranges for test scores submitted by admitted students for the Class of 2024 are: SAT Evidence Based Reading and Writing 670-740; SAT Mathematics 660-750; ACT 30-33; SAT subject scores range from the high 600s to low 700s.
•  Art portfolio
•  Non-academic recommendation, such as from a peer 

Learn More about CT College

What Does it Cost to Attend Connecticut College