Transferring to Wesleyan

We are pleased that you are interested in Wesleyan. We want to offer you some information and some suggestions to consider.

1. Use our new Pre-application for Transfer Admission and pay your application fee by credit card.
    
2. Go here to file your application electronically (select "Register").
    
3. Go here to download PDF forms:

    Download the PDF version of the Common Application for Transfers

    Please note that two Instructor Evaluations required. See instructions below.

    Download the PDF version of the Midterm Evaluation Form.

Who is eligible for transfer?

Successful transfers come into Wesleyan's Sophomore and Junior classes from a variety of institutions: public and private universities, two and four year colleges. Numbers vary, but in recent years 350 to 400 people have applied for approximately 60 places. Wesleyan University has extended 100 to 130 of those applicants an offer of admission. All of them had completed at least one year of college and the equivalent of at least six Wesleyan credits. One Wesleyan credit is considered equivalent to four semester hours or six quarter hours.

We provide a credit review with the offer of admission, but generally coursework will be creditable and will help to determine transfer admission eligibility if:

     a) the course was taken on a college campus (not a college-level course
         taken at high school) *
     b) the course is similar to a course offered by a Wesleyan department or is
         from a department or program that Wesleyan has
     c) the course is at the college level (e.g. algebra would not count)
     d) a grade of C- (B- for a summer course) was earned

* Credit from AP or IB courses can be used to meet graduation requirements but not to determine transfer eligibility.

Official transcripts of all academic work undertaken are a required part of the Wesleyan application. Applicants, including international students, may not discount academic credits in order to qualify as first-year applicants. Wesleyan does not grant a second bachelor's degree.

We have a special interest in Connecticut Community-Technical College (CCC) adult students. The Etherington Scholars Program, a scholarship program named for Wesleyan's former president Edwin Etherington, attracts some of the top graduates of these two-year state colleges and helps them prepare for a productive future in Connecticut. All CCC transfer applicants are considered for the Etherington Scholarship on the basis of financial need. You need not use a separate form in order to apply for this scholarship.

Reapplicants (i.e. students who have applied to Wesleyan but were denied or never matriculated) are welcome to apply again, but must submit a new application. If you were denied admission, you must wait one full academic year before reapplying. 

There is no mid-year transfer admission program; new students can begin only in the fall semester.

Please note: Wesleyan does not have a part-time option for undergraduate students.  Matriculants are expected to take at least four courses per semester.  Additionally, all Wesleyan students are expected to live in university-owned housing.  Special permission is required for students who seek to live off campus.

The Application Process

Applications for Fall semester are due March 15. Decision notification will be mailed by May 15. Admitted students are expected to reply by June 1.

We do not use a formula or any set combination of factors to select transfers. In general, we are looking for those college students who have made good use of their educational opportunities and who are ready to take advantage of what Wesleyan offers while contributing to our community of learning.

The transfer student has special considerations in preparing his or her application. Most transfer applicants are ambivalent about leaving their current school and every college or university has its good and bad aspects (even ours). Students graduating from a two-year school may be less ambivalent, of course! In any case, do not be afraid to acknowledge positive aspects of the school you may be ready to leave, even as you explain your desire to move on.

The Essay

As the personal essay is very important, we expect that you dedicate appropriate time and care to its composition. Essays are read for their content and quality of expression: an effective essay lets us hear your voice. The essay is designed to allow you latitude in responding. If there is something about your situation that you think warrants further explanation, feel free to add an additional paragraph or page.

Transcripts

Transcripts from high school and each college attended are essential. If possible, please send them "to the attention of Karen O'Leary" and request them early in the application process, as they can take a long time coming.

Recommendations

Instructor Evaluations are from college teachers of academic courses. Applicants from larger schools, especially first year students, may find this a problem. We have read very good evaluations from graduate student Teaching Assistants as well as from faculty with whom the applicant has spoken about the reasons for transfer. The College Official's Report presents a similar problem, in that the dean may not know the student. Some larger schools have a policy to attach a form letter to the report. Wesleyan accepts these form letters without prejudice against the applicant.

Tests

SAT Verbal and Math Tests (or the new SAT I) or ACT (American College Test) scores are required of all transfer applicants. Scores of tests taken in high school are accepted, as are scores of new tests. Subject tests (or the new SAT II) are NOT required for transfers. Scores recorded on the high school transcript are acceptable, but official reports are best. Non-traditional applicants, including those over 24, often have questions about these tests. While we do require them, the college record is more central to our decision in these cases.

Interviews

Personal interviews are helpful to both the applicant and the admission committee. Many of you will have already had an interview before deciding to apply. Interviews are available in your area with alumni interviewers.

You may schedule an alumni interview on our website by clicking here. You will need a Wesleyan ID number to do so.

Campus interviews are required for applicants attending a Connecticut Community College and those who are already taking classes at Wesleyan. Campus interviews are also required for students who have interrupted their schooling for a year or more. Please contact the Office of Admission as soon as possible to schedule an on-campus interview as appointments are limited.

After You Have Applied

All applicants to Wesleyan are instructed to monitor the receipt of their application materials by using our web-based WesCheck page.  Using your last name and assigned WesID number, you can view application materials received as well as outstanding items. It is important to use WesCheck regularly (after September 15) to be sure your application is complete.

Financial Aid

For each student who is selected for admission, Wesleyan is committed to providing the full amount of financial aid he or she is qualified to receive based on our determination of financial need. The commitment to meet a student's full need extends to every year of enrollment.

Financial Aid for foreign transfer students is not available. Applications from non-U.S. citizens or nonpermanent residents requesting financial aid will not be considered. Foreign students NOT requesting financial aid should submit documentation verifying sufficient personal resources or outside scholarships to meet the expense of your Wesleyan education. Please use the "International Student Certification of Finances" form (available at: www.admiss.wesleyan.edu/applyoutside.html) and submit the completed form with your application.

The Military Veterans Endowed Scholarship Fund at Wesleyan University assists students who have previously served on active duty in the U.S. military. Click here for more information.

We hope that this information will be helpful to you. Should you have further questions, please do not hesitate to contact us. If you have access to e-mail, send a formal email to kmoleary@wesleyan.edu and include the word "transfer" in the subject line. The best phone number to use is (860) 685-2987; if leaving a message, include your name, daytime phone and any questions you may have.

In closing, we want you to know that transfers have added a great deal to the life and character of Wesleyan University over time. They appreciate their new college in a way only transfers can, because they have previous experience with college life. They are helped and encouraged to make a rapid transition out of "transfer" status and into all the privileges and responsibilities that come with being a Wesleyan student. The University is a place of great excitement and opportunity. We hope you can join us.

• Therese Overton, Associate Dean
• Karen O'Leary, Program Coordinator