So, you’re thinking about applying to James Madison University (often referred to by people as “JMU”), and you’re curious about your chances of admission. There are a lot of factors in the admissions process. However, the most important factors in the admissions game are your GPA and test scores.

With an acceptance rate of 73%, admission to JMU is somewhat competitive. Based on our analysis, to have a good chance of being admitted, you need to be at the very top of your class and have an SAT score of close to 1320, or an ACT score of around 30.

Not quite there? Try taking our SAT prep course and you’ll still have a chance of getting in, but it’s in the single digits. Let’s take a closer look at JMU admission statistics.

JMU 2019 Admissions Statistics: Class of 2023

• JMU’s acceptance rate in 2019 was 73%
• For the class of 2023, out of 24,449 applicants, JMU admitted 17,848 
• The average GPA of admitted applicants was 3.5
• The average ACT score was 25
• The average SAT score was 1200

For students who took the ACT, the 25th percentile score of successful applicants was 24, and the 75th percentile score was 30.

For students who took the SAT, the 25th percentile score was 1160. The 75th percentile score was 1320.

If you’re somewhere in the middle of these numbers, remember that a high test score can compensate for a slightly lower GPA, and vice versa. If you’re at the lower end, it helps if you’re a diverse applicant, the child of an alum, or have incredible personal achievements. Still, at the 25th percentile, your chances of getting in are in the low single digits.

Other aspects of your application, such as athletics, extracurricular and recommendations, are important, but will likely only make a difference for admission if you’re in the 75th percentile range for your GPA and SAT/ACT scores.

Even if JMU is your dream school, and even if you’re in the 75th percentile, you’ll still want to make sure you apply to a wide variety of schools to ensure you’ll gain admission somewhere.

Generally, you should have:

• Three safety schools (where you are in the 75th percentile of GPA/test scores)
• Three reach schools (where you are in the 25th percentile of GPA/test scores)
• Three target schools (where you are near the average for GPA/test scores)

OK, so you’ve decided to apply. We took a look at JMU’s admissions requirements to help you get everything in order.

JMU 2020 Application Requirements: Class of 2024

Here’s a list of application requirements:

• Fill out the JMU Online Application
• Pay the $70 application fee
• Submit your high school transcript

Here are the deadlines that you should be aware of:

• The application deadline is November 1st for Early Action.
• May 1 is the reply date for admitted students.

Have you been admitted to JMU? Congratulations! Below is a glimpse of what your classmates will be like.

JMU 2019 Admitted Students Profile: Class of 2023

If you matriculate at JMU, you’ll be joining a diverse class, with students from all over the U.S. and the world, and have a chance to study in dozens of fields.

Here are some interesting facts about the recently admitted class:

• Roughly 40% are male and 60% are female
• 2% of students are international

JMU has a diverse class, as well, with a large number of people of color. The ethnicities of admitted applicants are:

• International: 2%
• Underrepresented minority: 22%
• Two or more races: 4%
• White: 62%

What do these admitted students plan to study? JMU offers dozens of majors, and students matriculating there pursue a wide number of subjects. Here is a list of some of the top programs:

• Business
• Communication
• Journalism

Now, how are you going to pay for this?

JMU Tuition Figures

At $40,082, JMU’s cost of attendance is astronomical. Most incoming students receive some form of financial aid, and the average award is $7,300.

Here’s a fuller look at JMU tuition and financial aid in 2017:

• Total budget: $40,082
• Average financial aid package: $7,300
• The average student debt of a JMU graduate is $28,407

Now, what is life like at JMU? Let’s take a look.

JMU Location

The university’s main campus is located in Harrisonburg, Virginia.

The university originally consisted of only two buildings, Jackson and Maury Halls. Today, it is composed of nearly 150 buildings.

Remember, you’re going to JMU for its excellent academics! Below is a look at what academic life will be like.

JMU Academics

JMU has dozens of majors. Some of the school’s more interesting majors are:

• Accounting
• Business
• Computer and Information Sciences
• Drama
• Economics
• Finance
• Geography
• Hospitality Administration
• International Relations and Affairs
• Legal Studies
• Mathematics
• Philosophy and Religious Studies
• Registered Nursing
• Social Sciences
• Speech Communication and Rhetoric
• Systems Science and Theory

Now, let’s take a look at life outside the classroom at JMU.

Student Life at JMU

JMU has hundreds of student organizations, covering academic interests, creative and performing arts, cultural and racial initiatives, gender and sexuality affinity groups, government and political interests, and various media and publications.

Here’s a sampling of JMU’s student activities:

• 3D Printing Club of JMU
• Alternative Break Program
• Anthropology Club
• Anime Club
• Architectural Design Club
• B.U.I.L.D.: First Year Leadership Program
• Bare Naked Ladies
• Bellydance Club
• Campus Assault ResponsE
• Cinemuse Film Club
• Coders Anonymous
• Dance Theatre
• Destination Imagination
• Doghouse Productions
• Electric Automobile Association
• Food for Thought
• GenFKD

Are you an athlete? JMU’s got plenty of options for you.

JMU Athletics

JMU offers a large number of intercollegiate sports, with extensive varsity, as well as club, offerings, for both men and women. 

JMU’s sports include:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Football
• Golf
• Soccer
• Tennis

Who might you become with a JMU degree? Let’s take a look at some well-known and successful alums:

Notable Alums

JMU has produced politicians, business tycoons, entertainers, musicians, media figures, and leaders in dozens of other fields.

Here’s a list of some particularly well-known alums:

• Author Matt Bondurant
• CNN Correspondent Jim Acosta
• Composer Brian Balmages
• Documentarian Steve James
• Comic book artist Chris Sprouse
• Chef Christina Tosi
• Tavalon Tea founder John-Paul Lee

And this is only a partial list!

Remember!

Getting into JMU is somewhat competitive. Don’t despair if you get a no.

If you have a strong GPA and high test scores, you have a great chance of getting into at least one of the more competitive schools. And if you don’t, remember: where you go is NOT who you are.

If you need to boost your GPA or test scores before application time rolls around, you should consider signing up for a course with Prep Expert. We offer one-on-one tutoring and classes, both in-person and online, at locations throughout the United States.

For more test strategy, college admissions, and scholarship application tips sign up for our FREE class happening right now!