So, you’re thinking about applying to Pepperdine University, and you’re curious about your chances of admission. Well, we’re here to help! Of course, there are a lot of factors in the admissions process, and it’s impossible to accurately predict whether you’ll be admitted or not. However, the most important factors in the admissions game are your GPA and test scores. So, using those as a measure, we can give you an estimate of your chances.

With an acceptance rate of 30%, admission to Pepperdine is very competitive. Based on our analysis, to have a good chance of being admitted, you need to be at the top of your class and have an SAT score of close to 1420, or an ACT score of around 32.

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 Pepperdine admission statistics.

Pepperdine 2019 Admissions Statistics: Class of 2023

Pepperdine’s acceptance rate in 2019 was 30%. For students applying to the class of 2023, out of 13,718 applicants, Pepperdine admitted about 4,241. The average GPA of admitted applicants was 3.79, the average ACT score was 30, and the average SAT score was 1340.

For students who took the ACT, the 25th percentile score of successful applicants was 28, and the 75th percentile score was 32.

For students who took the SAT, the 25th percentile score was 1270. The 75th percentile score was 1420.

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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.

As we said, admission to Pepperdine is very competitive. Even if Pepperdine 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 at least 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) and three target schools (where you are near the average for GPA/test scores) on your list.

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

Pepperdine 2020 Application Requirements: Class of 2024

To apply to Pepperdine, you’ll need to fill out the Common Application, submit an ACT or SAT score, pay the $65 application fee, complete the Common Application Personal Essay and two Personal Questions, submit your high school transcript, and submit an Academic Letter of Recommendation. Everything should be submitted by November 1st.

Here’s a full list of application requirements:

• Fill out the Common Application
• Submit an ACT score or SAT score
• Pay the $65 application fee
• Complete the Common Application Personal Essay and two Personal Questions
• Submit your high school transcript
• Submit an Academic Letter of Recommendation

The application deadline is November 1st. November 1st is also the financial aid application deadline. May 1 is the reply date for admitted students.

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

Pepperdine 2019 Admitted Students Profile: Class of 2023

If you matriculate at Pepperdine, 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
• 7.6% of students are international

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

• International: 7.6%
• Hispanic or Latino: 14.1%
• Asian: 11%
• Black or African American: 4.5%
• Unknown: 4.5%
• Non-resident alien: 11%
• Two or more races: 5%
• White: 49.2%

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

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• Communication
• Journalism
• Social Sciences

Now, how are you going to pay for this?

Pepperdine Tuition Figures

At $68,352, Pepperdine’s cost of attendance is astronomical. But, don’t panic! Most incoming students receive some form of financial aid, and the average award is $35,936.

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

• Total budget: $68,352
• Average financial aid package: $35,936
• The average student debt of a Pepperdine graduate is $29,640

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

Campus Location

Pepperdine’s main campus is situated in Malibu, California, overlooking the Pacific Coast Highway and Pacific Ocean itself.

Most of the campus buildings were influenced by Mediterranean Revival Style architecture.

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

Pepperdine Academics

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

• Advertising
• Business Administration and Management
• Creative Writing
• Directing and Theatrical Production
• Education
• Foods, Nutrition, and Wellness Studies
• History
• International Relations and Affairs
• Journalism
• Kinesiology and Exercise Science
• Liberal Arts and Sciences
• Multi-/Interdisciplinary Studies
• Natural Sciences
• Philosophy
• Rhetoric and Composition
• Theatre Design and Technology

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

Student Life at Pepperdine

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

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

• Adorn
• Be The Match On Campus-Pepperdine (BTMOCH)
• Crossroads (LGBTQ+)
• Dance in Flight
• Friends of Veterans
• Golden Key Honour Society
• Hawaii Club
• Image Ministries
• Japan Club
• Koinonia Campus Mission
• Mathematical Association of America
• Neuroscience Club
• Pepperdine Entrepreneur Club
• RipTide
• Student Dietetic Association
• The Wells Project
• Veritas Forum

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

Pepperdine Athletics

Pepperdine offers a large number of intercollegiate sports, with extensive varsity, as well as club, offerings, for both men and women. So, if you’re not up to varsity level, remember there are plenty of club and intramural sports to try out for, too.

Pepperdine’s sports include:

• Baseball
• Basketball
• Cross-Country
• Golf
• Tennis
• Volleyball
• Track & Field
• Water Polo

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

Notable Alums

Pepperdine 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:

• The Skeptics Society founder Michael Shermer
• Musician Brandy Norwood
• Actress Kelly Hu
• Professional golfer Katherine Kirk
• Journalist Michelle Fields
• Author Sharon Draper
• MLB player Eric Thames
• United Airlines CEO Oscar Munoz
• Musician Montell Jordan
• Artist Kevin A. Short
• Journalist Bill Weir

And this is only a partial list!

Remember!

Getting into Pepperdine is very 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 work hard, you’ll end up at a school that’s right for you, and still get a great education.

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.

Our expert teachers and tutors will not only share with you tried and true methods for improving your score, but also help you correct deficiencies in any subject that you’re having difficulty with—English, Writing, Mathematics or Science.

Additionally, online classes can be watched On Demand, so if you miss a class due to your busy schedule, you can catch it online later. We have helped hundreds of students get the scores they need to attend the school of their dreams.

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