What are Livingstone College'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 Livingstone College and build a strong application.
School location: Salisbury, NC
Admissions Rate: 37.2%
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 Livingstone College is 37.2%. For every 100 applicants, 37 are admitted.

This means the school isvery selective. If you meet Livingstone College's requirements for GPA, SAT/ACT scores, and other components of the application, you have a great shot at getting in. But if you fall short on GPA or your SAT/ACT scores, you'll have a very low chance of being admitted, even if you meet the other admissions requirements.
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We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.
Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.
Livingstone College 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: 2.32
The average GPA at Livingstone College is 2.32.

(Most schools use a weighted GPA out of 4.0, though some report an unweighted GPA.
With a GPA of 2.32, Livingstone Collegeaccepts students with below-average GPAs. You might have a mix of B's and C's in your high school record. It's best to avoid D's and F's, since application readers might question your commitment to studying and ability to succeed in college.
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 2.32, 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. Most schools require the SAT or ACT, and many also require SAT subject tests.
You must take either the SAT or ACT to submit an application to Livingstone College. More importantly, you need to do well to have a strong application.
Livingstone College 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: 820
The average SAT score composite at Livingstone College is a 820 on the 1600 SAT scale.
This score makes Livingstone College Lightly Competitive for SAT test scores.
Livingstone College SAT Score Analysis (New 1600 SAT)
The 25th percentile SAT score is 755, and the 75th percentile SAT score is 920. In other words, a 755 on the SAT places you below average, while a 920 will move you up to above average.
Here's the breakdown of SAT scores by section:
Section | Average | 25th Percentile | 75th Percentile |
Math | 420 | 375 | 460 |
Reading + Writing | 400 | 380 | 460 |
Composite | 820 | 755 | 920 |
SAT Score Choice Policy
The Score Choice policy at your school is an important part of your testing strategy.
Livingstone College ACT Requirements
Just like for the SAT, Livingstone College likely doesn't have a hard ACT cutoff, but if you score too low, your application will get tossed in the trash.
Average ACT: 15
The average ACT score at Livingstone College is 15. This score makes Livingstone College Competitive for ACT scores.
The 25th percentile ACT score is 13, and the 75th percentile ACT score is 16.
Even though Livingstone College likely says they have no minimum ACT requirement, if you apply with a 13 or below, you'll have a very hard time getting in, unless you have something else very impressive in your application. There are so many applicants scoring 15 and above that a 13 will look academically weak.
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 16 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 Livingstone College, so you should prep until you reach our recommended target ACT score of 16.
Studying for the ACT instead? Want to learn how to improve your ACT score by 4 points?
SAT/ACT Writing Section Requirements
Both the SAT and ACT have an optional essay section.
Livingstone College hasn't reported their stance on SAT Essay/ACT Writing, but most likely they consider it to be optional. Thus you don't need to worry too much about Writing for this school, but other schools you're applying to may require it.
SAT Subject Test Requirements
Schools vary in their SAT subject test requirements. Typically, selective schools tend to require them, while most schools in the country do not.
We did not find information that Livingstone College requires SAT subject tests, and so most likely it does not. At least 6 months before applying, you should still doublecheck just to make sure, so you have enough time to take the test.
Final Admissions Verdict

Because this school is very selective, strong academic scores are critical to improving your chances of admission. If you're able to score a 920 SAT or a 16 ACT or above, you'll have a very strong chance at getting in.
For a school as selective as Livingstone College, rounding out the rest of your application will also help. We'll cover those details next.
But if you apply with a score below a 920 SAT or a 16 ACT, you unfortunately have a low chance of getting in. There are just too many other applicants with high SAT/ACT scores and strong applications, and you need to compete against them.
Want to build the best possible college application?
We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League.
We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.
Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.
Admissions Calculator
What are your chances of admission at Livingstone College?
Chances of admission with these scores:
Here's our custom admissions calculator. Plug in your numbers to see what your chances of getting in are.
Pick your test:SATACT
SAT Score
Your GPA
Note: Your admission decision relies not only on your GPA and SAT/ACT scores, but also on your coursework difficulty, extracurriculars, letters of recommendation, and personal statements. This tool provides only a simplistic estimate of your chances of admission. Instead of treating this tool as a crystal ball, we recommend you consider the big picture of what your chance means:
We recommend you apply to schools across a range of chances. Applying to some safety schools will guarantee you have a college to go to, while applying to some reach schools will give you a shot at getting into the school at the top of your range.
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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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 Livingstone College here.
Application Requirements Overview
- Common ApplicationNot accepted
- Universal ApplicationNot accepted
- Electronic ApplicationNot available
- Essay or Personal Statement
- Letters of Recommendation
- InterviewNot required
- Application Fee$25
- Fee Waiver Available?Available
- Other Notes
Testing Requirements
- SAT or ACTRequired
- SAT Essay or ACT WritingNone
- SAT Subject Tests
- Scores Due in OfficeNone
Coursework Requirements
- SubjectRequired Years
- English4
- Math3
- Science2
- Foreign Language
- Social Studies2
- History
- Electives
Deadlines and Early Admissions
- Offered?DeadlineNotification
- Regular Admission
- YesRollingRolling
- Early Action
- No
- Early Decision
- No
Admissions Office Information
- Address:701
Salisbury,NC 28144-5298 - Phone:(704) 216-6001
- Fax:(704) 216-6217
- Email:[emailprotected]
Other Schools For You
If you're interested in Livingstone College, 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 Livingstone College.
Reach Schools: Harder to Get Into
These schools are have higher average SAT scores than Livingstone College. If you improve your SAT score, you'll be competitive for these schools.
School Name | Location | SAT Avg | ACT Avg |
---|---|---|---|
Medaille College | Buffalo, NY | 970 | 20 |
Mount Ida College | Newton, MA | 950 | 17 |
Albertus Magnus College | New Haven, CT | 940 | 24 |
Texas Southern University | Houston, TX | 910 | 17 |
Same Level: Equally Hard to Get Into
If you're competitive for Livingstone College, these schools will offer you a similar chance of admission.
School Name | Location | SAT Avg | ACT Avg |
---|---|---|---|
California State University Dominguez Hills | Carson, CA | 900 | 18 |
Cheyney University of Pennsylvania | Cheyney, PA | 890 | 18 |
Pine Manor College | Chestnut Hill, MA | 870 | 15 |
Paul Quinn College | Dallas, TX | 840 | 16 |
Wiley College | Marshall, TX | 830 | 16 |
Albany State University | Albany, GA | 830 | 16 |
Paine College | Augusta, GA | 830 | 16 |
Safety Schools: Easier to Get Into
If you're currently competitive for Livingstone College, you should have no problem getting into these schools. If Livingstone College is currently out of your reach, you might already be competitive for these schools.
School Name | Location | SAT Avg | ACT Avg |
---|---|---|---|
Medgar Evers College (City University of New York) | Brooklyn, NY | 820 | 14 |
Central State University | Wilberforce, OH | 800 | 15 |
Bethune-Cookman University | Daytona Beach, FL | 800 | 16 |
Lane College | Jackson, TN | 780 | 15 |
Want to build the best possible college application?
We can help. PrepScholar Admissions is the world's best admissions consulting service. We combine world-class admissions counselors with our data-driven, proprietary admissions strategies. We've overseen thousands of students get into their top choice schools, from state colleges to the Ivy League.
We know what kinds of students colleges want to admit. We want to get you admitted to your dream schools.
Learn more about PrepScholar Admissions to maximize your chance of getting in.
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FAQs
What 2 factors are very important for admission? ›
- Grades in college prep courses. ...
- Strength of curriculum. ...
- Admission test scores. ...
- Grades in all courses. ...
- Extracurricular commitment. ...
- Letters of recommendation. ...
- Essay or writing sample. ...
- Demonstrated interest.
For most college applications, candidates need to provide high school transcripts, recommendation letters, and ACT or SAT scores. They may also need to write personal statements or answer essay questions.
What is the most important thing for college admissions? ›Courses and Grades
A student's grades in college-preparatory classes remain the most significant factor in college admission decisions.
Admissions Summary
Students that get into Livingstone College have an SAT score between 830–987 or an ACT score of 14–21.
Good grades, a challenging high school curriculum, standardized test scores, extracurriculars, and a strong essay are a few key factors admissions officers assess. Each university may emphasize different elements of the application process.
Is GPA the most important factor in college admissions? ›While there are many factors considered in a college application, your academic performance, including your GPA is by far the most important. All else pales if you are unable to perform at the academic level the college requires.
What not to put on college applications? ›- Never rehash your academic and extracurricular accomplishments.
- Never write about a "topic"
- Never start with a preamble.
- Never end with a “happily ever after” conclusion.
- Never pontificate.
- Never retreat into your thoughts.
- Inappropriate Topics.
- A Rehash of Your Activities List and Transcripts.
- Relationships, Romance, and Breakups.
- Writing About Your Hero.
- The Sports Story.
- Tragedies.
- Highly Personal Topics.
- Controversial Topics: Politics, Religion, and More.
- Choose Your High School Classes Appropriately.
- Earn Good Grades. ...
- Use Your Personal Statement to Tell Your Story. ...
- Participate in Extracurricular Activities. ...
- Volunteer. ...
- Keep Accurate Records. ...
- Manage Your Social Media Presence. ...
- Learn as Much About Your School as You Can.
Admissions officers look at “hard factors” (GPA, grades, and test scores) and “soft factors” (essays, extracurricular activities, recommendations, and demonstrated interest) to gain a full picture of applicants.
What is the required GPA to get into GCU? ›
What GPA do you need to get into Grand Canyon University? GCU has different GPA criteria for each of its degree levels. For high school students, an unweighted 3.0 GPA is required. High school students with an unweighted GPA of 2.5 or higher may qualify if they also meet specific ACT and SAT exam scores.
What is the GPA requirement for Livingstone? ›With a GPA of 2.32, Livingstone College accepts students with below-average GPAs. You might have a mix of B's and C's in your high school record. It's best to avoid D's and F's, since application readers might question your commitment to studying and ability to succeed in college.
What is Livingstone College known for? ›Livingstone College is a private historically black Christian college in Salisbury, North Carolina. It is affiliated with the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church. Livingstone College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools to award bachelor's degrees.
What grades do colleges look at the most? ›Your first year and sophomore year affect your cumulative GPA, which is important to most colleges. However, a solid academic record in your junior year is likely to carry more importance with an admissions committee.
Do colleges look at GPA or grades? ›As they evaluate your academic performance throughout high school, colleges will look at both your overall GPA and the individual grades you received in your courses. Different high schools have different ways of calculating GPAs, including various weighting systems.
What grade does GPA matter the most? ›Your junior year grades are essential: it's the grade a college will look at most, along with your senior year. Your grades predetermine your academic performance for your final year. Your GPA and the “sturdiness” of it matters.
What is the minimum GPA to get into Harvard? ›The GPA requirements for Harvard University are between 3.9 to 4.1. You will need an incredibly high GPA and will likely be graduating at the top of their class in order to get into Harvard University.
What GPA is most common? ›The average high school GPA in the US is 3.0, which also accounts for roughly 35% of students who don't end up applying for college. However, for college applicants, the average GPA is more likely between 3.5 and 4.0.
What can colleges reject you for? ›- Failure to meet high GPA or test score standards.
- Insufficient academic rigor.
- Lack of demonstrated interest.
- Application essay errors.
- Poor fit.
- Academic integrity concerns.
- Competition.
The best college admission advice you can get is to remain honest. Lying can result in the complete revocation of your application. Even if you get accepted, there's a risk that if you've already been accepted, your acceptance can be rescinded. It's not worth the risk.
Do colleges check everything on your application? ›
The answer is a resounding no. In fact, with some exceptions, such as the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, which has historically fact-checked random batches of applications, admissions officers at elite universities rarely fact-check much of anything.
Do colleges look at senior year? ›The important thing to know is that colleges do look at your senior year grades. So, a weaker performance in senior year than in previous grades can impact your application and college admissions decisions.
What happens if you get accepted to college but don't go? ›Most college acceptances have a kind of “expiration date” to them. For example, if you do not formally commit to attending the school by submitting a deposit, then your acceptance will be canceled for the year in which you applied. Schools will also rescind any financial aid packages they offered you.
What do colleges look for in essays? ›Colleges look for three things in your admission essay: a unique perspective, strong writing, and an authentic voice. People in admissions often say that a great essay is one where it feels like the student is right there in the room, talking authentically to the admissions committee!
What are colleges not looking for in essays? ›College essay topics to avoid also include anything that's highly personal or a delicate subject. For example, avoid doing an essay that provides too much detail on an illness, disability, or injury, especially a severe one.
Can a bad essay ruin your college application? ›If a student's essay isn't great OR good, the admission officer will probably just skim past the essay and move right on to your transcript and your test scores to evaluate your candidacy for admission. Bad essays don't get read.
What makes a college applicant stand out? ›Stand-out applications showcase achievement, merit, and previous academic success. Taking honors classes or AP courses can give you a significant advantage. Most colleges generally prefer applicants with a B in an honors program over those with an A in standard courses because it shows initiative.
Do you need to title your college essay? ›You don't need a title for your college admissions essay, but you can include one if you think it adds something important.
What not to ask admissions officers? ›But all the same, it's not a good idea to ask about the school's party culture or anything related to drugs and alcohol. Questions that make you seem uninterested. Don't ask admissions officers questions that compare them to other schools.
Do admissions officers read your entire application? ›Of course they are read! Essays give admission officers real insight into the applicant. You might wonder how a huge school would manage reading thousands of essays, but you can trust that they hire extra staff, if necessary, to make sure the entire application gets a close look.
What is the single most important fact for the admission team to know about you? ›
Academic Achievement
This may seem like a no-brainer, but it's important for college-bound students to understand that grades are the most important factor that colleges will consider when evaluating applications.
Admissions officers want to learn about your personal qualities and strengths from your recommenders. These personal qualities could include integrity, caring for others, thoughtfulness, humor, and passion. Two traits they especially value are demonstrated leadership and strength of character.
What is unweighted GPA? ›An unweighted GPA calculates your average grade on a 4.0 scale (usually) regardless of how easy or difficult a class may be, so an A in, say, 9th grade English counts the same as an A in AP Lang. A weighted GPA takes difficulty into account, so harder courses can actually bump you above a 4.0.
What is the lowest GPA for GCU? ›The minimum GPA requirement for admission is 3.0.
What GPA do you need to get into UCLA? ›GPA and test scores of middle 25%-75% students | |
---|---|
High School GPA | 4.18 - 4.32 |
ACT English Language Arts | 30 - 35 |
SAT Evidence Based Reading & Writing | 670 - 760 |
SAT Mathematics | 690 - 790 |
Usually, a GPA of 3.0 - 3.5 is considered good enough at many high schools, colleges, and universities. Top academic institutions usually require GPAs higher than 3.5.
What's the lowest GPA someone got into Columbia with? ›You should also have a 4.12 GPA or higher. If your GPA is lower than this, you need to compensate with a higher SAT/ACT score. For a school as selective as Columbia University, you'll also need to impress them with the rest of your application. We'll cover those details next.
What is the average GPA for admission? ›While admissions officers base acceptance on several factors, the average GPA for college admission is between 3.5 and 4.0.
What is the most remote College in the world? ›Deep Springs College is isolated within Deep Springs Valley, a geological depression between the White and Inyo mountain ranges, with the nearest sizable town being Bishop, California, (an hour's drive away) and the closest commercial airport being in Las Vegas.
What is Livingston University ranked? ›Livingstone College Rankings
Livingstone College is ranked #68 out of 132 Regional Colleges South. Schools are ranked according to their performance across a set of widely accepted indicators of excellence. Read more about how we rank schools.
What rank is Livingstone College USA? ›
It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 890 (fall 2021), its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 45 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Livingstone College's ranking in the 2022-2023 edition of Best Colleges is Regional Colleges South, #68.
What are two of the most important factors that go into planning for college? ›- Perspective. The most important factor when considering a college is how the school made you feel.
- Internship Opportunities. ...
- Safety. ...
- Academic Support and Career Services. ...
- Campus Life. ...
- Athletics and Extracurricular Activities. ...
- Majors and Minors. ...
- Class Size. ...
- 1) Availability of your College Major. ...
- 2) Availability of Professors Teaching the Course. ...
- 3) Student/Faculty Ratio. ...
- 4) Percentage of Students Who Graduate in 4 Years. ...
- 5) Quality of the Career Placement Department. ...
- 6) The Total Cost of College – Know it or be prepared to overpay.
College admission tests like the SAT and ACT are standardized tests typically taken in your junior or senior year. Colleges use scores from these tests to help them make admission decisions.
What are the 5 most important factors in deciding a college? ›Choosing a college is one of the most important decisions you'll make in your lifetime. Before making your choice, consider these factors: cost, location, size, your interests, campus life, graduation rates, and the potential return on your investment.
What makes a college accept you? ›At the end of the day, good grades and impressive test scores are still key to college acceptance. "Applications that instantly get accepted are well-rounded students — high GPA, extracurricular involvement (and leadership roles within those activities ideally), and strong short answers and essays," said Murray.
What 4 major factors should you consider when finding the right college fit? ›- Public vs. Private. ...
- Financial Aid/Loans. Financial aid can have a huge impact on a student's decision, and in fact, can be the leading factor. ...
- Location, Location, Location. ...
- Size. ...
- Diversity, Equity, and Accessibility. ...
- Research/Internship Opportunities.
Personal qualities of the applicant.
We value leadership ability, character, motivation, tenacity, initiative, originality, creativity, intellectual independence, responsibility, insight, maturity, and demonstrated concern for others and for the community.
They take into account more than your GPA and test scores. Your character and the personal qualities you can bring to a college are important, too. That's why you need to think about your goals, accomplishments, and personal values. Then, you can figure out how you can best express those in your applications.
What is the first thing to do when applying for college? ›- Create a list of colleges you're interested in.
- Research and visit schools to narrow down the list.
- Fill out the FAFSA®, and consider finances and scholarship opportunities.
- Get letters of recommendations, if required.
- Take college admission tests.
Do colleges look at senior year classes? ›
The important thing to know is that colleges do look at your senior year grades. So, a weaker performance in senior year than in previous grades can impact your application and college admissions decisions.
Do colleges care more about GPA or SAT? ›Why is Your SAT Score More Important? There are several reasons that the SAT is a more valuable admissions tool than your GPA. Most obviously, it's because the SAT is a standardized test. While your GPA compares you to the rest of your school, the SAT compares you to the rest of the country.
How do I decide which college offer to accept? ›- Compare the cost of attendance. ...
- Compare the location. ...
- Compare the academics and programs. ...
- Compare the campus life. ...
- Narrow it down to your top two or three schools.
- What Is Most Important to Me? ...
- What Do I Want From My College Experience? ...
- What Environment Is Life-Giving for Me? ...
- Which Majors Spark My Interest? ...
- What Are the Classes Like? ...
- What Clubs or Activities Am I Interested In? ...
- Do the Housing Options Fit My Lifestyle?
- Treat Each "Why Us" Essay Individually. ...
- Spend Time Researching Your Schools. ...
- Focus on Your Fit With the School. ...
- Provide Specific Details and Examples. ...
- Demonstrate a Sense of Enthusiasm.