Sarah Lawrence College
Bronxville, NY · Private · 1,530 undergrads
- Admit rate: 61.7% (4,819 applicants)
- SAT middle 50%: 1240–1430 (ACT 28–31)
- Undergraduates: 1,530 (4.9% international)
- Average net price: $41,437 (per year after aid)
- Graduation rate: 71% (within 6 years)
Deadlines
- Early Action: Nov. 1, 2026
- Early Decision: Nov. 1, 2026
- Early Decision II: Jan. 15, 2027
- Regular Decision: Jan. 15, 2027
Essays
Optional essay, choose one of four (option 1) (500)
Sarah Lawrence students are often described as hyphenates: filmmaker-sociologist-historian, environmentalist-photographer, psychologist-novelist, economist-poet. In 250-500 words, tell us about seemingly disparate interests you have brought together, or hope to bring together at Sarah Lawrence.
Optional essay, choose one of four (option 2) (500)
Students at Sarah Lawrence are asked to design their own research questions directly with faculty, and then answer them through intensive semester-long projects that frequently inspire a blend of intellectual rigor and creativity. In 250-500 words, tell us about a text, problem, or topic you would love to explore over a semester or a year, and what you would hope to achieve through that work.
Optional essay, choose one of four (option 3)
Liberal arts and sciences colleges have a long and robust history of providing the educational foundation for the careers of influential politicians, financiers, entrepreneurs, artists, scientists, CEOs, and more. Many of them cite their liberal arts degree as foundational and transformative for how they took on challenges in the world and for shaping their lives after college. How do you see your upcoming college studies leading to your future career (or careers)?
Optional essay, choose one of four (option 4)
In today’s rapidly changing world, many social, political, and ethical issues spark intense debate and demand nuanced understanding. Choose a contemporary issue that you find both challenging and urgent—whether it relates to identity, justice, artificial intelligence, environment, or another area—and critically explore your perspective on it. How have your previous experiences, background, and/or values shaped your viewpoint? How do you envision engaging with this issue during your college education and beyond?
Editor's notes
- Almost everything beyond the Common App essay, transcript and one teacher letter is optional here, and the college says it trusts you to pick what tells your story best. Signing up for an interview or adding the optional essay also signals serious interest, which admission counselors say they can notice.
- Grades matter more than scores. The CDS rates GPA important and test scores only considered, and just 9% of fall 2025 enrollees sent the SAT. Send scores only if they add something your transcript doesn't.
