What Does It Take to Get Into Marquette University?

Marquette University, located at the heart of Milwaukee, is one of the largest Jesuit universities in the country, a total of 11 schools and colleges making up its main campus. Students hail from 50 states and 65 countries to make up a student body of over 8000 undergraduates.

In recent years, Marquette University has established global standing as a respected research institution. In fact, nearly all students on the Marquette campus participate in some form of research or service during their undergraduate experience.

Beyond academics, MU is a tight-knit community with a school spirit not to be trifled with. From the number of students adorned in MU merch to the Golden Eagle apparel on game day, students’ love for their school infuses every inch of campus.

Interested in joining the ranks of the Marquette Golden Eagles? Read on to learn how to give yourself the best chance of acceptance.

Applying to Marquette University: A Quick Review

Admissions to Marquette University is rolling, meaning there is a time period within which you are able to apply and the university will review applications as they come in. Generally, applicants hear back with a decision within two to three weeks.

Here is a comprehensive list of deadlines that will come in handy while applying to MU:

• August 1: Rolling admissions period opens
• December 1: Priority deadline (It is highly recommended that you apply by this deadline. After this point, admissions becomes a far more selective, space-available basis.)
• January 15: Scholarship deadline (Applications submitted after this point are not eligible for MU scholarships)

More information on deadlines can be found here.

Applicants can apply to Marquette via one of two platforms: the Common Application or the Marquette freshman application. If you are already applying to other schools via the Common App, we recommend simply using this platform for Marquette.

Here’s are the steps to follow for a complete application:

• Create an account on the MU Application or add MU to your Common Application
• Fill out all sections of the application, including the extracurricular activities list
• Optional, but highly recommended: Complete the personal statement component of the application
• Complete the Marquette supplemental essays (2)
• Submit your official high school transcript
• Send your ACT or SAT scores via the testing agency’s website
• Submit your letters of recommendation, including the required school counselor recommendation
• Submit the application

Marquette University Acceptance Rate: How Difficult Is It to Get In?

Marquette’s acceptance rate is a fair 74%, not overly selective in the world of admissions. However, this number can be a bit deceiving, as over a third of Marquette students were ranked in the top 10% of their high school class.

While you by no means have to be one of the top students in your class to have a chance at Marquette, it’s important to take the application seriously to give yourself the best chance of acceptance into the university. 

So, How Does One Get Into Marquette?

GPA & Course Load. The number one decider in the Marquette admissions process, as indicated by the website, is high school performance. Namely, they want to see evidence that a student has challenged himself to take a rigorous course load while maintaining strong grades.

On your part, this means finding a balance that works for you. Don’t take so many APs, IBs, or honors that your grades suffer, but push yourself beyond your academic comfort zone as you progress through your high school career.

Tip: Admissions officers love to see an upward trajectory in grades, meaning grades that overall improve year to year. This demonstrates that a student has fine-tuned their academic abilities and possesses a desire to grow and improve. It makes the college feel that by accepting you, they’re accepting the best version of you.

Standardized Testing. Though Marquette does not superscore the ACT or SAT exam, they will only consider the highest composite of either exam. Here’s how Marquette’s freshman performed on the exams:

• Middle 50% ACT: 24-30
• Middle 50% SAT: 1160-1320

Whether you choose to take the SAT or ACT—and Marquette indicates no preference between the two—aim to score as close to the upper end of the above range as possible. Particularly if you feel your transcript is on the weaker side, your standardized test score is a great opportunity to increase your application’s academic strength.

Tip: Because MU considers only your highest composite, it is to your benefit to take the exam several times—using effective test prep between sittings—to improve your score as much as possible. Each increase in your exam score has a very direct boost on your chance of admission.  

Supplemental Essays. Marquette provides two prompts for first-year applicants to respond to, with a word limit on each of about 300 words. As Marquette itself notes, there are no magic words or predetermined formulas for the supplemental essays that will ensure an acceptance. It is more important, therefore, that you simply be yourself.

Within the confines of the word limit and given prompt, you have an opportunity to show MU another side of yourself beyond the numbers on your application. Let your personality shine and show them why they should make you a part of the Marquette family.

Tip: Marquette’s motto is ‘Be the Difference.’ See if you can show the admissions officer—implicitly, of course—why you embody the mission of the university.

Check out these helpful tips provided by Marquette University.

What If You Get Rejected?

Unfortunately, there are no guarantee in college admissions and sometimes, rejection does happen. It’s never fun; in fact, it can downright hurt. But Marquette is one school in a country full of thousands! I have no doubt you will find the school for you.

Here’s a list of schools that are remarkably similar to Marquette University, and whether you’ve been rejected or not, they may be worth considering:

• University of Wisconsin—Madison
• Loyola University
• University of Wisconsin—Milwaukee
• Viterbo University
• Edgewood College

Curious about your chances of acceptance to your dream school? Our free chancing engine takes into account your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and other data to predict your odds of acceptance at over 500 colleges across the U.S. We’ll also let you know how you stack up against other applicants and how you can improve your profile. Sign up for your free CollegeVine account today to get started!