You are considered a first-time first-year student if you are currently in high school or have not attended college since graduating from high school. Official high school transcripts are required (Sweet Briar also accepts the General Education Diploma (GED) in lieu of a high school diploma). Sweet Briar is test optional with a GPA of 3.0 or higher on a 4.0 scale; students below a 3.0 must submit an SAT or ACT score. Unofficial copies of transcripts and test scores are considered for application review, but official copies will be required before enrolling.

Students are considered transfers if they have earned 24 credits or more from a regionally accredited institution of higher learning. Students with fewer than 24 accredited hours must meet the first-year applicant requirements. Transfers must submit an official transcript from each college attended and proof of good standing at each of the previous institutions attended. Unofficial copies of transcripts are considered for application review, but official copies will be required before enrolling. Submitting an official high school transcript is recommended, but not required.