How to Apply to Undergraduate Business at Wake Forest University: Enter Wake Forest First and Apply to the School of Business in Sophomore Year, with Requirements and Timeline for Chinese, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

Wake Forest University in Winston-Salem, North Carolina, teaches undergraduate business through its School of Business, which awards the Bachelor of Science (BS). Unlike many schools, Wake Forest does not admit first-year students directly into the School of Business; you apply after you enrol. Here is what you need to know for fall 2027 entry, based on Wake Forest’s official information, for students at high schools in China, students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students.

1. Four majors

• Accountancy: for careers in accounting, consulting and investment banking, and a foundation for the Master of Science in Accountancy.
• Business and Enterprise Management: a general business curriculum with depth in specialty areas and an emphasis on leadership and critical thinking.
• Decision Analytics: offered jointly with the Department of Statistical Sciences and STEM-designated.
• Finance: for careers in financial services, including investment and commercial banking and financial consulting.
• From fall 2026, a Minor in Business and a Minor in Accountancy are available to students in the College.

2. Getting in: a sophomore application

• Admission to Wake Forest first: first-year applicants apply to the university, then apply to the School of Business as sophomores; the Undergraduate Business Admissions Committee screens applicants. Admission is highly competitive, and meeting the minimums does not guarantee a place.
• Prerequisites (the Bulletin requires a C or better, and successful applicants have historically earned substantially higher grades):
  • ECN 150 Introduction to Economics (AP credit may count);
  • MTH 111 Calculus I or MTH 112 Calculus II (AP credit may count); Decision Analytics requires MTH 112;
  • ACC 111 Introductory Financial Accounting, which students who start at Wake Forest must take at Wake Forest;
  • BEM 201 Quantitative Analysis I (STA 112 instead for Decision Analytics).
• Conflicting information:
  • the School of Business website says the application opens in the fall of the second year and that prerequisites (Introduction to Economics, calculus and financial accounting) must be finished by the end of that fall semester;
  • the 2026-27 Bulletin says applicants need 49 hours and the prerequisites by the end of the sophomore spring term, adds BEM 201, and allows applications while prerequisites are in progress.
  Confirm the current timeline and prerequisites with the undergraduate business office after you enrol.
• Limited places: students not admitted remain at Wake Forest and can pursue other majors in the College.

3. First-year deadlines (fall 2027)

• Early Decision I (binding): 15 November, rolling decisions.
• Early Action: for first-generation college students only, 15 November, decisions by 15 January; eligible international students may apply.
• Early Decision II (binding): 1 January, decisions 15 February.
• Regular Decision: 1 January, decisions around 1 April.
• International students apply through the Common App with an $85 fee, a high school transcript, school report and one recommendation.

4. Students at high schools in China

• Test optional: send the SAT or ACT only if you want them considered.
• English is required: TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo, with no published minimums; three years at an English-medium school can waive it.
• Interviews: not required for international students but strongly recommended, through Wake Forest’s platform, InitialView, Duolingo or Vericant.
• Transcripts: at least four years of school records, with translations if not in English; Wake Forest publishes no Gaokao policy.
• Preparing for business: AP Calculus and AP Economics may satisfy business prerequisites under the university’s credit policies.

5. Students at Canadian high schools

• The same deadlines and materials apply; Wake Forest publishes no Canada- or BC-specific grade requirements.
• International status is based on citizenship: students at Canadian high schools with foreign citizenship who need visa sponsorship apply as international students.

6. Costs and aid

• 2026-27 estimated cost: about $98,730, including tuition 71,894, housing 12,900, food 7,396, books 1,720 and other costs 4,820. The estimate lists no separate business charge. 2027-28 costs are not yet published.
• No need-based aid for students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents; unless you receive a merit scholarship, you must show sufficient funds before your application is reviewed.
• Merit scholarships: international students are eligible for most, including several full-tuition awards; the admission application is the scholarship application.

7. Transfer students

• Deadlines: 1 November 2026 for spring 2027; 15 March 2027 for fall 2027. A C average in prior college work is required.
• A separate business application: transfers are admitted to Wake Forest first and then apply to the School of Business under the rules above.
• At most 6 business hours: transfer students’ business courses must be approved before admission to the School of Business, and at most two courses (6 hours) can count toward business program requirements. Courses must come from AACSB-accredited schools; otherwise a validation exam is generally required.
• Aid: Wake Forest offers no aid or scholarships to international transfer students.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China:

• Apply to Wake Forest through the Common App by 15 November (ED I) or 1 January (ED II or RD)
• TOEFL, IELTS or Duolingo; a video interview is recommended
• Take calculus, ideally AP Calculus and AP Economics; finish business prerequisites early after you enrol
• No need-based aid: prepare proof of funding

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• Same deadlines; students with foreign citizenship apply as international students

Transfer students:

• 15 March for fall, 1 November for spring; you still apply to the School of Business after entry, and at most 6 business hours transfer

Sources: Wake Forest University, School of Business undergraduate programs and application process; Bulletin: School of Business; Bulletin: Undergraduate Business Program admission; Bulletin: Transfer of credit from other schools; How to apply and deadlines; International applicants; Transfer applicants; Affordability. Information is for fall 2027 entry (costs are 2026-27 rates). Check Wake Forest for the latest details.