Frequently Asked Questions

Wellesley is a private, nonprofit liberal arts college for women, located 12 miles west of Boston in Wellesley, Massachusetts. Considered one of the most selective liberal arts colleges in the country, Wellesley has provided a transformative educational experience for women who lead change in our world. Wellesley is an undergraduate institution; students earn a four-year baccalaureate degree (bachelor of arts) in one of over 50 majors. See Wellesley’s mission and values. Founded in 1870, it is accredited by the New England Association of Schools and Colleges.

About 2,350 students are enrolled at Wellesley. (The retention rate is over 95 percent!)

Wellesley students come from every U.S. state, more than 50 countries, and many social, cultural, and economic backgrounds. Wellesley values and celebrates many different types of diversity.

Wellesley is known for the excellence of its education (and in particular its student/faculty ratio of 7:1), the beauty of its setting (with a 500-acre residential campus of rolling hills, woodlands, a lake, and spectacular architecture, it is considered one of the most beautiful campuses in North America), its gifted faculty (93 percent of full-time faculty hold a Ph.D. or the highest degree in their field), and its unique campus culture. It’s among the most successful institutions in the world at educating women leaders. The College is also known for its commitment to affordability. Nearly 60 percent of students receive (need-based) financial aid.

Notable alumnae include Madeleine Korbel Albright ’59, former U.S. Secretary of State; Hillary Rodham Clinton ’69, former senator and U.S. Secretary of State, and the Democratic Party presidential nominee in 2016; Madame Chiang Kai-Shek (Soong May-ling) 1917, former first lady of the Republic of China; Diane Sawyer ’67, television broadcast journalist; Persis Drell ’77, physicist and director emeritus of the SLAC National Accelerator Laboratory; Robin Chase ’80, cofounder and former CEO of Zipcar; Desiree Rogers ’81, CEO of Johnson Publishing, also named one of the 50 most powerful African-American women in business by Black Enterprise; Ophelia Dahl ’94, executive director, Partners in Health; Pamela Melroy ’83, former astronaut/NASA Space Shuttle pilot and commander; Susan L. Wagner ’82, financial executive, founding director of BlackRock.

CLASS OF 2027 SNAPSHOT

8,460 applicants

1,138 admitted (13%)

573 enrolling

DEMOGRAPHICS

African American/Black: 9%

Asian: 27%

Latinx/Hispanic: 14%

Native American: <1%

Two or more races: 8%

Other/not reported: <1%

White/Caucasian: 28%

Domestic students of color: 58%

International citizens: 14%

Students who come from a home where at least one language other than English is spoken: 53%

FIRST GENERATION (Neither parent has a four-year college degree)

Percent of entering class: 24%

RECEIVING AID

Percent of entering class receiving financial aid award containing grant aid: 58%

Percent of entering class eligible for the Federal Pell Grant: 23%

SECONDARY SCHOOL TYPE

Public and charter: 59%

Independent: 31%

Religious: 10%

Homeschools: <1%

TEST SCORES (Middle-50% range of those who requested scores be considered)

SAT Evidence-based Reading and Writing: 720-770

SAT Math: 720-780

ACT composite: 33-35

ALUMNAE RELATIVES (Alumnae relatives including parent or grandparent)

Percent of entering class: 8%

GEOGRAPHIC DISTRIBUTION

New England: 18%

Pacific and Mountain: 23%

South: 18%

Mid-Atlantic: 16%

Central: 10%

International and Americans abroad: 15%

STATES REPRESENTED (By location of high school)

43 states (+ D.C. and Guam)

Top states represented: California, Massachusetts, New York, Texas, New Jersey

CITIZENSHIPS REPRESENTED

27 nations of citizenship represented by non-U.S. citizens

Top countries of citizenship represented: China, India, Canada, Brazil, Singapore

Yes! U.S. veterans, mothers, and any woman who was unable to complete her bachelor’s degree during the traditional 18- to 23-year-old period of her life may apply as an Elizabeth Kaiser Davis Degree Program candidate.

Yes! Wellesley accepts regular decision applications from strong candidates who will graduate at the end of junior year (third year of high school). Candidates will have gone above and beyond high school graduation requirements and have transcripts that look very similar to those of students who have spent four years in a college prep curriculum. Accelerated candidates apply under the Regular Decision plan and must demonstrate the academic and personal maturity necessary to compete with other Regular Decision candidates.

Yes! Please see the Transfer Student page for information about applying as a transfer student.

Wellesley will consider for admission any applicant who lives as a woman and consistently identifies as a woman; therefore, candidates assigned male at birth who identify as women are eligible to apply for admission. Those assigned female at birth who identify as men are not eligible for consideration for admission. Steadfast in our commitment to the College’s mission of educating women, Wellesley will consider for admission women who are prepared for a rigorous academic environment that challenges them to achieve at their highest potential.

Yes. That said, Wellesley is a college dedicated to the education of women. The College provides students with a uniquely empowering learning environment—one designed specifically to prepare women to thrive in a complex world. This singular focus on women is a critical part of the Wellesley experience. Wellesley accepts applications from those who were assigned female at birth and who feel they belong in our community of women.

We encourage students with questions about preparing or submitting their Common Application or their Coalition Application powered by Scoir online to call the Office of Admission and ask to contact us to speak with an admission counselor. Counselors are available to provide helpful guidance Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.to 4:30 p.m., Eastern time.

Please note: The Common Application and the Coalition Application powered by Scoir instruct online applicants to identify their legal sex, regardless of their gender identity. If you identify as female and encounter any challenge in submitting your application to Wellesley based on your answer to this question, please reach out to the Office of Admission for assistance. Our admission counselors can provide instructions for addressing this issue in the submission of your application.

Yes! Wellesley accepts applications from undocumented and DACA students.

For financial aid purposes, Wellesley considers undocumented and DACA students as international citizens, which means financial assistance is available for a limited number of undocumented and DACA students.

However, Wellesley is committed to meeting 100 percent of calculated need for all admitted undocumented and DACA students who apply for financial aid during the admission process. Admitted undocumented and DACA students will receive financial assistance in the form of grant aid. Students will not be expected to borrow funds (via a student loan) as part of their aid packages. Students who are ineligible to work in the United States will receive grant aid in place of the typical school year work-study expectation and summer work earnings expectations.

Read more about applying as an undocumented or DACA student. If you still have questions about applying, contact us.

Wellesley does not require a fixed plan of secondary school course preparation. However, entering students normally have completed four years of college preparatory studies in secondary school that include training in clear and coherent writing and in interpreting literature; history; training in the principles of mathematics (typically four years); competence in at least one foreign language, ancient or modern (usually four years of study); and experience in at least two laboratory sciences.

Students planning to concentrate in mathematics, premedical studies, or natural sciences are urged to elect additional courses in mathematics and science in secondary school and to complete mathematics coursework through pre-calculus. Students planning to concentrate in language or literature are urged to study a modern foreign language and Latin or Greek.

There are often exceptions to the above, and the Office of Admission will consider an applicant whose educational background varies from this description. Wellesley's applicant pool has been consistently strong. As a result, not all applicants who are academically qualified are admitted.

If the opportunity is there, take it! Your junior and senior years of high school are important, and you should enroll in the advanced courses available to you. The Office of Admission is interested in seeing how you have chosen to challenge yourself in your high school program. Advanced courses will not only challenge you in high school, they may also help you get ahead in college. One unit of credit will be awarded for a score of 5 on most AP exams. In addition, the International Baccalaureate diploma, GCE A-Level, and French Baccalaureate diploma programs are well respected and may result in credit.

Wellesley requires two letters of recommendation from teachers.

Carefully consider which teachers you want to ask to fill out your evaluation. Have they gotten to know you personally? Have they seen you improve? Can they comment on your learning style?

Be sure to give your chosen teachers enough time to write your letter of recommendation. They are, after all, busy people with full lives.

If you have college credits that have not been applied toward your high school diploma, you may have these credits evaluated by the Registrar’s Office to receive credit toward graduation from Wellesley. It is possible to apply up to four units of credit from approved AP/IB/GCE/French Bacc work toward your Wellesley degree.

The admission committee at Wellesley College engages in a decision-making process that reflects holistic principles of application review, meaning admission decisions are based on the committee’s consideration of all pieces of an application, quantitative and qualitative, at once and in the context of an applicant’s school and home environment. Committee members are trained to assess each student’s academic, co-curricular, and personal accomplishments, as well as her potential to contribute to the Wellesley community. After reviewing files in their assigned geographic regions, groups of committee members meet to discuss the applicants from their regions. Together the members come to a consensus about the most appropriate admission decision for each student, in the context of the full applicant pool.

Wellesley College admits students of any race, color, national and ethnic origin to all the rights, privileges, programs, and activities generally accorded or made available to students at the school. It does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national and ethnic origin in administration of its educational policies, admissions policies, scholarship and loan programs, and athletic and other school-administered programs.

For specific material requirements, please see the application instructions for each application type: First-Year, International, QuestBridge, Undocumented or DACA, or Transfer and Davis Scholars.

If a severe weather or a community crisis delays your application, ability to sit for standardized tests, or your school's ability to send required materials, don't panic! Simply let the Admission Office know when we might expect your application materials. Please send us an email at applicant@wellesley.edu from the same email address you are using for your application.

The admission committee is comprised of admission staff members within the Office of Admission.

Students may apply to Wellesley College through the Common, Coalition powered by Scoir, or QuestBridge applications. Wellesley considers all three applications equally in the review process.

Wellesley does not offer on- or off-campus interviews as part of the admission process. Students interested in learning more about Wellesley and connecting with current students and alumnae are encouraged to join our mailing list or register for an upcoming event. Additional ways to engage:

🏫 Register for an in-person, self-guided tour or an in-person, student-led tour

💪 Attend Amplify, an online series is about empowering change and redefining leadership

👯 Sign up for an AlumConnect event to meet some of Wellesley's 35,000+ brilliant, multi-faceted alumnae

🙊 Learn more through one-stop-shopping info sessions with Wellesley, Harvard, Princeton, University of Virginia, Yale, and the Sister Colleges

💬 Drop in on an informal (themed!) chat student-to-student chat—no admission reps allowed!

🎥 Bookmark our awe-inspiring Admission Playlist

👟 Take a 360 virtual tour of our beautiful campus

💙 Peruse 100 marvelous things about Wellesley College

The questions on the Common Application, the QuestBridge Application, and the Coalition Application powered by Scoir seeking demographic data regarding race and ethnicity are voluntary, and applicant responses will not be visible to or considered by Wellesley College admission staff in the review of your application. Demographic data pertaining to race and ethnicity will only be used to meet federal reporting requirements after decisions have been rendered and the admission cycle has concluded.

As an admitted first-year candidate, you may request to defer entrance to Wellesley for one year, although approval is not guaranteed. Admitted students must first submit their enrollment deposits by the reply deadline identified in their letter of admission and then may write to deanofadmission@wellesley.edu to request to defer admission. Requests must be made in writing and no later than June 1.

Accepted Davis Degree Program or Transfer applicants are not eligible to defer their entrance to Wellesley but can reapply in future years.

However, all students are eligible for medical deferrals.

Wellesley College has temporarily suspended its standardized test requirement for a four-year period of review. Applicants to Wellesley for entry in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 are not required to submit SAT or ACT test results with their applications.

Our holistic, committee-based application review process gives us the flexibility to evaluate each applicant’s full record within the context of their available resources. While standardized tests have long served as an external benchmark of college readiness, they are one factor among many that we can consider in the admission process.

Regardless of an applicant’s decision to submit test scores, the admission committee is particularly interested in an applicant’s demonstrated writing and quantitative skills as key predictors for success in Wellesley’s curriculum.

Yes, the policy applies to all students. It is strongly recommended that international students whose native language is not English, and who have been studying in English-based curriculum for fewer than five years, take one of our approved English proficiency exams. 

Wellesley believes that students in every field should learn to communicate effectively in writing. To that end, all Wellesley students must take a First-Year Writing course. These courses provide a common introductory experience in college-level thinking and writing for all students at Wellesley, and serve as a launching point for the continued work students undertake across the curriculum throughout their college careers.

Students can demonstrate their readiness for Wellesley’s writing requirements in the following ways:

• submitting an English or writing-based standardized test score (SAT, ACT, PSAT, Pre-ACT, AP, predicted IB or predicted A-level)
• showing achievement in English or writing at the honors or advanced level in high school
• reporting publications or awards received for creative or expository writing

Regardless of major, all Wellesley students will be expected to demonstrate proficiency in quantitative reasoning and complete distribution requirements with a significant quantitative component. First-year students are required to demonstrate proficiency in Quantitative Reasoning by taking a Quantitative Reasoning (QR) course or passing an online QR exemption test in the summer before enrolling.

The Quantitative Reasoning Program is designed to ensure that Wellesley College students are proficient in the use of mathematical, logical, and statistical problem-solving tools needed in today's increasingly quantitative world.

Students can demonstrate their readiness for Wellesley's quantitative requirements in the following ways:

• submitting a math-based standardized test score (SAT, ACT, PSAT, Pre-ACT, AP, or predicted IB or A-level results)
• showing achievement in math at the level of pre-calculus, calculus, or advanced high school statistics
• reporting participation or awards received in math competitions or extracurricular activities

• For applicants using the Common Application, the question is located in the Wellesley-specific section of the application.

• For applicants using the Coalition Application powered by Scoir, the question is in the "Education" section of the application under "SAT/ACT Reporting."

• For applicants using the QuestBridge Application, the question is on the SAT-ACT Score Choice form available in the Wellesley applicant portal after submitting the application. If the form is not submitted, the application will be reviewed without test scores.

• Changing from “consider tests” to “do not consider tests”: Applicants may change their standardized testing preference from “consider test” to “do not consider test” up until the application deadline for their round. They can do so by submitting the SAT-ACT Score Choice Form available in the Wellesley applicant portal. Because the Office of Admission begins reviewing applications at the application deadline, we cannot change your standardized testing preference to “do not consider tests” once the deadline has passed.

• Changing from “do not consider tests” to “consider tests”: Applicants wishing to change from “do not consider tests” to “consider tests” have greater flexibility. The Office of Admission can reevaluate applications and review added test scores prior to releasing admission decisions. To request to change your testing preference to “consider tests” after the application deadline, please email applicant@wellesley.edu.

We encourage applicants who do not have test scores at time of application to select the “do not consider tests” option.

The last possible test date for the SAT or ACT is early December for those applying Early Decision II or Regular Decision. Early Decision I candidates should sit for exams by the end of October so that scores arrive in time to be considered as part of the application.

Applicants who elect to have scores considered may submit self-reported scores with their application, but must provide official scores upon enrollment. Applicants who elect not to submit test scores as part of their application may be asked to submit official scores upon enrollment for research purposes.

If you have a strong high school record and you’re sure Wellesley is the college for you, then you may want to consider applying under one of our Early Decision options—Early Decision Round I (deadline November 1) or Early Decision Round II (deadline January 1). Carefully consider your decision to apply Early Decision. Entering into an Early Decision agreement is a serious commitment. If you are offered admission to Wellesley under one of our Early Decision plans and submit your enrollment confirmation, you are required to withdraw your applications from other colleges and universities. Keep in mind that you can apply Early Decision to only one institution, so choose carefully. Your financial aid will remain the same regardless of the admission plan under which you apply.

It is true that a slightly higher percentage of applicants who apply Early Decision get in, but that is not because there are different standards for those applicants. It’s simply because Early Decision applicants tend to be a pool of highly qualified students who are certain that Wellesley is a good fit for them—and they are often right. If you are certain that Wellesley is the right choice for you, applying Early Decision will allow you to know where you are going to college earlier—around the time of your winter break.

No. If you apply as an Early Decision I candidate and the Office of Admission votes to defer your application, you will then be considered for review in the Regular Decision round. You cannot be considered for review in Early Decision II.

If you are deferred, sending certain additional materials may be helpful to the College during the next round of the decision-making process. You may want to send us your most up-to-date grades, a list of any recent special honors or awards you have received, or any helpful information you may not have provided with your initial application. An additional recommendation may also be helpful. If you have been deferred and you are not sure exactly what to send, just contact us and we’ll help you decide.

No. Candidates from schools outside the United States, including U.S. citizens studying outside the United States, must simply complete and submit the Common Application or the Coalition Application powered by Scoir.

We do not require an English proficiency exam (such as the TOEFL or the IELTS) for admission to Wellesley College. If English is not your native language and you have been studying in an English-based curriculum for fewer than four years, we strongly recommend that you take one of the following English proficiency tests or interview tools:

• TOEFL (iBT or Essentials)
• Duolingo English Test
• IELTS
• Cambridge Assessment English Qualifications (C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency, or C1 Business Higher accepted)
• InitialView
• Vericant (Standard Interview, which includes a writing sample)
• GTEC CBT (Global Test of English Communication Computer Based Testing)

If the Admission Committee determines that an English proficiency exam would aid in our evaluation of the application but an applicant hasn't taken one, the Admission Office will provide a waiver code at that time.

Wellesley is not need-blind for students who are not U.S. citizens or permanent residents. The College has the resources to support a limited number of need-based financial aid awards for international citizens with calculated need. Therefore, admission is highly competitive for international citizens applying for financial aid. For those admitted, the College will fund the full amount of their calculated need. Please see Financial Aid for International Students.

International citizens applying for financial aid may apply under any of Wellesley's decision plans: Early Decision Round I (November 1 deadline), Early Decision Round II (January 1 deadline), or Regular Decision plan (January 8 deadline). Please see specific financial aid due dates.

International citizens who wish to be considered for financial aid at any time during their four years at Wellesley must apply for aid while applying for admission. Applications for financial aid are not accepted from international citizens after admission decisions have been made. If an international citizen is awarded financial aid at the time of admission, she is not required to reapply in future years. International citizens who do not receive financial assistance at the time of admission cannot apply for aid during their remaining years at Wellesley.

Slater International Center at Wellesley provides comprehensive resources for international students. Check out Forms and Resources for detailed information. Staff can also assist international students with immigration law compliance.

You will receive an email from Wellesley that will allow you to login to your Wellesley Applicant Portal to see the status of your materials.

Yes! If you are not selected through the National College Match with Wellesley College, you have additional options for applying to Wellesley through one of our decision plans following the Match process in mid-December. See the QuestBridge application instructions.

No. There is no fee to apply to Wellesley.

Yes, Wellesley does consider international, undocumented, and DACA students for the QuestBridge Match Program.

Wellesley does not require non-match finalists to submit a Common Application or a Coalition Application powered by Scoir (see Questbridge application instructions). Should you decide to submit an application via the Common Application or the Coalition Application powered by Scoir, you may copy and paste the same essay submitted through the QuestBridge application onto your Common Application or Coalition Application powered by Scoir.

Wellesley does not offer on- or off-campus interviews as part of the admission process. Students interested in learning more about Wellesley and connecting with current students and alumnae are encouraged to join our mailing list or register for an upcoming event. Additional ways to engage:

🏫 Register for an in-person, self-guided tour or an in-person, student-led tour

💪 Attend Amplify, an online series is about empowering change and redefining leadership

👯 Sign up for an AlumConnect event to meet some of Wellesley's 35,000+ brilliant, multi-faceted alumnae

🙊 Learn more through one-stop-shopping info sessions with Wellesley, Harvard, Princeton, University of Virginia, Yale, and the Sister Colleges

💬 Drop in on an informal (themed!) chat student-to-student chat—no admission reps allowed!

🎥 Bookmark our awe-inspiring Admission Playlist

👟 Take a 360 virtual tour of our beautiful campus

💙 Peruse 100 marvelous things about Wellesley College

We have a need-based financial aid policy, and we fulfill 100 percent of calculated need, so for some students the package could be the same. For international, undocumented, or DACA students, please note that while we meet 100 percent of calculated need for all admitted students, we are only able to fund a limited number each year. That means that the admission process is especially selective for members of these groups who are not being considered through the QuestBridge Match process. For information about how Wellesley determines financial need, please refer to Wellesley’s Student Financial Services website.

Students who will have completed at least two full-time semesters, but no more than four full-time semesters at an accredited two- or four-year private or public institution in the United States at the time of enrollment may apply. Students in the first semester of their first year at any college or university are not eligible for admission. Because the College requires that students complete at least four semesters of coursework at Wellesley in order to earn a degree, rising seniors are also ineligible for transfer admission.

Courses taken in an “early” college or a high school dual enrollment program that fulfill the state’s requirements for the student’s high school graduation, cannot be used additionally for transfer credit. Students must have a high school diploma or GED in order to be eligible to transfer to Wellesley. Students in early college program or high school dual enrollment programs will most often need to apply as first-year applicants.

Students must be full-time students at Wellesley.

Applicants who qualify as transfer students, have recent coursework, and who are U.S. veterans, mothers, and any woman 24 years of age or older who was unable to complete her bachelor’s degree during the traditional 18-23-year-old period of her life may apply for the Elisabeth Kaiser Davis Degree Program. Students in the Davis Degree Program are known as Davis Scholars.

To apply to Wellesley as a transfer or Davis Degree applicant, you must complete and submit the online Common Application for Transfer Candidates. It’s free to do so. Please be sure to identify yourself as a transfer applicant when you register for your Common Application account. The Davis Degree Program will be one of the options you may choose within the Transfer Application.

Transfer applicants who wish to enroll for the fall must apply by March 1. Applicants for the Davis Degree program may only apply for fall entry. The College notifies students of their decisions in early May. See Transfer Program Dates & Deadlines or the Davis Degree Program Dates & Deadlines.

Wellesley offers need-based financial aid for all U.S citizens and permanent residents and meets 100% of calculated need for all admitted students. Wellesley is widely recognized as one of the top 10 colleges in the country for students graduating with the least amount of debt. Loans are eliminated for students with the greatest need. It is not uncommon for students to find that the cost of attending Wellesley is less than the cost to attend their in-state institutions.

We recognize that a Davis Scholar’s financial position as a non-traditional student is often unique and after you read more about financial aid at Wellesley, we encourage you to contact Student Financial Services if you have additional questions.

As financial aid for international students is limited, admission to Wellesley for international students is need-sensitive and competition is extraordinarily keen. Wellesley is committed to meeting 100% of calculated need for all admitted international citizens who have applied for financial aid during the admission process. International students must apply for financial aid at the time of application. For international students, the cost of attendance will be based on tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies and other educational costs. Please note that travel is not included in international students' cost of attendance.

In an effort to simplify the financial aid process for international, undocumented, and DACA students, applicants who have indicated their intent to apply for aid will be prompted to complete a Financial Aid Intent Form after submitting their application for admission. Within three to five business days of the completion of the Common application, students will be given access to the Applicant Portal by Admissions. We will contact applicants later in the process regarding any additional financial aid forms or documents they may need to provide. We encourage all applicants applying for aid to begin completing the CSS Profile so that if requested, they can submit it promptly. However, students won’t need to submit the CSS Profile unless they are instructed to do so by our staff. Information on assistance with its cost will also be provided.

Please see the Transfer Application Instructions.

Please see the Davis Degree Program Application Instructions.

Wellesley does not automatically grant credit for courses taken at other colleges. Each candidate’s record is evaluated according to Wellesley’s degree requirements and the accreditation of the institutions under consideration. Credit is only given for those courses that are comparable to courses offered in the liberal arts and sciences curriculum at Wellesley. Credit is not given for courses taken online prior to the 2020 spring semester. Courses taken online between spring 2020 and fall 2021 may be considered. A tentative evaluation concerning the transferral of credits will be made by the registrar at the time of the offer of admission. For more information, see Transfer Credit Guidelines.

Yes, Davis Scholars may take a semester of First-Year Writing at Wellesley for credit and keep the transfer unit for writing. If you would like to enroll in a First-Year Writing course, you will need to consult with the Dean for Davis Scholars or the Director of the Writing Program.

Transfer students and Davis Scholars may, with the approval of the Director, substitute writing credit earned at another school for their First-Year Writing course.

While every Davis Scholar has a unique story, what they all share is an eagerness to engage in Wellesley’s vibrant academic community. Students who are successful in the Davis Degree applicant pool typically have completed some recent coursework at a community college. Applicants are urged to complete at least four college-level courses for credit to strengthen their academic skills and credentials before applying to the program. An applicant needs to demonstrate strong writing skills and the ability to think coherently and analytically, and she must show training in the principles of mathematics, at least through pre-calculus or college-level statistics. Students who have never pursued a foreign language at the college level should complete course work in a foreign language prior to applying.

Prior to graduation from Wellesley, the College requires that all students satisfy distribution requirements, including work in English and writing, mathematics, the sciences, social science, and foreign language. When reading an application, the Office of Admission must feel confident the application contains evidence that a potential Davis Scholar can be successful in these fields. Read Advice from the Dean for more information about preparing to successfully transfer credit to Wellesley.

Incoming sophomore transfer students will still have time to take part in junior semester or year abroad. Incoming junior transfer students must spend a minimum of four semesters at Wellesley in order to obtain a Wellesley degree, so it is not possible to fit the aforementioned options into their schedule. However, as a transfer student, you may participate in Wintersession programs, some of which take place abroad. You can also take advantage of the many internships Wellesley offers during the academic year, Wintersession, and summer.

Wellesley College has temporarily suspended its standardized test requirement for a four-year period of review. Applicants to Wellesley for entry in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 are not required to submit SAT or ACT test results with their applications.

Our holistic, committee-based application review process gives us the flexibility to evaluate each applicant’s full record within the context of their available resources. While standardized tests have long served as an external benchmark of college readiness, they are one factor among many that we can consider in the admission process.

Regardless of an applicant’s decision to submit test scores, the admission committee is particularly interested in an applicant’s demonstrated writing and quantitative skills as key predictors for success in Wellesley’s curriculum.

Yes, housing is guaranteed for all Wellesley students. Transfer students are not required to live in College housing, but nearly 98 percent of the student body chooses to do so. Housing needs to be declared at the time of application.

While the College does not offer family housing, Davis Scholars who choose to live on campus may choose between nine-month and 12-month housing options. Housing needs to be declared at the time of application.

Davis Scholars take the same classes as traditional-age students, have the same degree requirements, and graduate with the same Wellesley degree. Davis Scholars also have their own dean, who will guide them through the curriculum at the College, along with their major advisors. In addition, The Continuing Education (CE) House provides a place for all Davis Scholars, especially commuters, to gather as a community, study, and hang out.

If you applied to Wellesley in an earlier year or semester either as a first-year or transfer candidate, you will need to submit a new transfer application. However, if you submitted official test scores within the last two years, as part of an earlier application, the scores will be in our database and attributed to your new application.

If you were a first-year applicant to Wellesley you need to resubmit our mailing list form to update your applicant plan and term. This will ensure that you receive communications and invitations to upcoming transfer programs and events.

No, Wellesley does not permit people to earn a second degree from the College. If you have already earned a bachelor’s degree, regardless of the institution where you earned it, you are not allowed to apply to Wellesley for a second degree.

No. Wellesley admits transfer students from U.S. colleges and universities only.

Wellesley does not offer on- or off-campus interviews as part of the application process. After submitting the application, some candidates for the Davis Scholar Program may be invited to interview if additional information is needed. Students interested in learning more about Wellesley and connecting with current students and alumnae are encouraged to join our mailing list or register for a campus visit or one of our many virtual programs!

Yes, you will receive an email the day before your visit with additional parking information, check-in instructions, and a link to the self-guided tour. In the meantime, please review the following information to help you prepare for your visit:

• You are permitted two guests for your visit. These guests must be listed on your registration.
• Face masks are optional for visitors.
• Your student-led tour will begin in our building with introductions and brief remarks, and then take groups outside through our campus, and into a few select buildings along our campus.

Our campus is open to public. You are welcome to walk around outside, however our buildings remain only open to registered guests of the college.

We encourage all visitors to pre-register to ensure the best possible campus visit experience.

Pre-registration is required for guests attending student-led tours. While we encourage pre-registration for self-guided tours, if needed, you can register upon arriving to campus by scanning the designated self-guided tour QR code.

Once registered, visitors will automatically receive a confirmation email. The day before your visit, you will receive a reminder email with additional information about your arrival to campus.

The day before your visit you will receive an email with parking instructions, check-in information, and a link to the self-guided tour.

You will receive parking information in your reminder email the day before your visit.

The Office of Admission and the Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center are the only buildings open to the visitors completing the self-guided tour. If you find that another building is open—or if a member of the Wellesley community lets you into another building—you are not permitted to enter. If completing the student-led tour, you will be led into certain buildings as a part of the tour, but not permitted in on your own.

Visitors may use the bathrooms and water fountains in the Office of Admission or Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center. It is strongly encouraged that all visitors entering buildings are up-to-date on their COVID vaccinations.

The self-guided tour takes about one hour to complete, though you are welcome to complete it at your own pace.

Face masks are optional for our campus visitors.

You will receive an email the day before your visit that will include parking information, a link to our walking tour, and instructions for check-in.

Be sure to check your email’s spam folder. If you still cannot find your confirmation/reminder email, you may either contact the Office of Admission to have it resent or scan the QR code posted on campus upon your arrival.

Yes! The Office of Admission has printed self-guided tour maps available.

You can grab snacks and quick meals at Lulu in either the Emporium (on the main level) or the Bae Pao Lu Chow Dining Room (on the top floor). If you would like to dine during your visit, we recommend exploring dining options in the town of Wellesley—or "the Ville" as we call it.

For accommodations, please contact the Office of Admission at admission@wellesley.edu.

It is strongly encouraged that all visitors entering buildings are up-to-date on their COVID vaccinations.

Admission officers are able to answer any questions you may have after your visit. Additionally, we can also answer any questions via email. Please send your questions to admission@wellesley.edu or call the Office of Admission.