Sewanee - The University of the South

Location: Sewanee, TN (rural)

Size: 1,716 students

Avg percent need-met: 88%

Acceptance rate: 56%

Middle 50% ACT: 28-30**Test Optional**

Middle 50% SAT: 1240-1370**Test Optional**

Sewanee is a small, rural school with a demanding education. They boast a well rounded curriculum but expect a lot of work from their students and don't do any grade inflation. Balanced against this, however, are passionate professors who are very approachable and a generally solid administration. The school is steeped in southern academic tradition, so expect students to dress up for class and there is also an honor code. The campus is beautiful and is located on 13,000 acres on Tennessee's Cumberland Plateau, so there is a lot of nature for students to get into!

Popular majors / known for: Economics, Psychology, English, Political Science, Biology

Academic approach: Private/liberal arts, with a holistic philosophy. Religious affiliation with the Episcopal Church, but encourages religious diversity.

  • Provides one additional year of study tuition-free if students don’t complete their major in 4 years

  • Guaranteed funding for summer internship or research

Fun fact / campus tradition: The Order of the Gown is a group of students with high GPA's who wear gowns and work in tandem with the Student Government. Their main job is the promotion of school spirit, tradition, and the ideal university.

Information for international students

  • Sewanee is committed to meeting demonstrated need of all students, including international students.

  • International students are eligible to receive academic merit scholarships. The Global scholars program is a merit aid program specifically for international students.

  • Sewanee requires an English Proficiency Exam from all international applicants and applicants educated outside of the United States. Applicants can request a waiver or submit one of the exams we accept: Duolingo (your College Possible advisor can get you a fee waiver for this), IELTS, PTE Academic, and TOEFL iBT

  • The Office of Global Citizenship provides support to international students and regularly puts out student spotlights. Check them out to learn more about the international student experience!

Application Details

RD deadline: February 1st

Early Action deadline: January 1st, Financial Aid Priority Deadline December 1st

Supplemental essays: None

Application fee: $0

On Common App: Yes

CSS profile: Yes, due February 1st

Interviews: Considered

School also featured in: Great Likely Schools, Conservative Leaning

Page last updated: June 2022