Information for International Students

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Learning at Wesleyan

Wesleyan graduates go on in high numbers to the best graduate and professional schools in the United States and to successful careers in business, law, medicine, education, politics, international relations, social service, engineering, and the arts. The primary purpose of study at Wesleyan, however, is not to provide vocational or preprofessional training in a specific field. Intellectual independence, the acquisition of critical thinking skills, and the ability to master and link distinct fields of learning are the goals of a Wesleyan education. Like most American universities, Wesleyan is founded upon the liberal arts tradition, with its focus on a combination of intellectual breadth and depth. Major programs of study involve roughly one-third of the students' coursework, with the remainder used to explore a variety of fields.

Wesleyan's faculty, an unusually productive group of teacher-scholars, includes a MacArthur ("genius grant") Fellow and numerous recipients of Rockefeller, Guggenheim, and other national prizes for teaching and research. The faculty's involvement in research brings innovation and depth to their teaching. Students work closely with the faculty. Thirty-nine percent are women, and 17 percent are persons of color. All 350 faculty teach undergraduates; 325 conduct fulltime instruction. The student-faculty ratio is approximately 9:1.

Wesleyan provides instruction in 46 major fields of study. The curriculum offers opportunities for independent study, individual and group tutorials, study abroad, and internships. Undergraduates have unparalleled access to laboratory research in the natural sciences. Nationally recognized artists provide instruction in the performing arts. Writing is emphasized across the curriculum.

Just as a Wesleyan education is global in its reach, with strong concentrations in Latin American, African, and East Asian studies, so too are Wesleyan students found around the globe.  Wesleyan conducts its own programs abroad, alone or in consortium with peer institutions, in China, France, Germany, Israel, Italy, Japan, and Spain.  Study abroad is also permitted in some 140 programs in 43 countries, as well as via direct enrollment or petition.  Approximately half of the student body spend a semester or year studying in another country for Wesleyan credit.

Campus and Facilities

The 360-acre campus contains several buildings listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and maintains outstanding facilities, including more than 340 buildings. Of note are the Olin Memorial Library; Russell House, a National Historic Landmark; the six-story Exley Science Center; the Andrus Public Affairs Center; the Van Vleck Observatory; the Center for Film Studies; the Freeman Athletic Center with a 50-meter swimming pool; the Spurrier-Snyder Rink for skating activities, the 1,200-seat Silloway Gymnasium, the 7,500-square-foot Andersen Fitness Center, and the Rosenbaum Squash Center with eight courts; the 11-building Center for the Arts complex; Fayerweather with Beckham Hall; and the Usdan University Center, opened in 2007. 

Student Life

Wesleyan has a long tradition of including in its community people of various social, racial, ethnic, and geographic backgrounds. The University embraces differences of outlook and opinion. Students of color make up 25 percent of the student body, and of the U.S. citizens and permanent residents, 9 percent are African American, 10 percent are Asian or Asian/Pacific-American, and 7 percent are Latino. Among undergraduates, almost 50 states and 30 foreign countries are represented. International students comprise 6 percent of the student body.

All Wesleyan students are guaranteed housing on campus for the full four years. They may choose among several options for housing and dining, and more than 90 percent will live on or within one block of campus. First-year students usually live in one of several residence halls and take their meals together. After the first year, Wesleyan offers a variety of  housing options, including apartments and small houses. Membership in the dining plan is required for all four years, which allows students to eat in any of the on-campus dining facilities as well as to buy food from the campus grocery store and cook their own meals.

Student-sponsored activities form the core of Wesleyan’s social life. The more than 200 student organizations at Wesleyan cover a range of interests: martial arts, outdoor activities, community tutoring, a cappella singing, literary magazines, theater and dance troupes, WESU-radio, political organizations, and ethnic interest and support groups of all types. New groups are being formed constantly in response to student interest.

Athletics, at the varsity, intramural, and club levels, are popular and well supported by the facilities of the Freeman Athletic Center and multiple playing fields. Wesleyan participates in Division III sports as a member of the NESCAC (New England Small College Athletic Conference). See the athletics section of the Wesleyan Web site for a complete listing of teams: www.wesleyan.edu/athletics/.

Support for International Students

Wesleyan's Office of International Student Affairs offers many services and programs to support the international student population including advice on personal and cultural matters, assistance with visas, insurance, career planning, and academic expectations.  It is also a resource for general problem solving related to such areas as housing, financial matters, traveling, and emergencies.  OISA develops programming and events throughout the year including special orientation for international students.

Applying to Wesleyan

Wesleyan is one of the most highly selective institutions in the United States, and admission is competitive, most recently with more than 8,000 applicants for 720 places. Applicants are expected to have a strong secondary school preparation in English, social science, science, mathematics, and a foreign language. Candidates studying at foreign schools who have taken national examinations for university admission (GCSEs, ‘A’ levels, Abitur, International Baccalaureate, etc.) are expected to have achieved superior results. A high degree of proficiency in English, as described below, is also required. Wesleyan provides support services for students who speak English as a second language through the English Department and the Writing Workshop.

All students applying for undergraduate admission who have not yet attended a university for one full year will be considered applicants to the first-year class. Those who have completed a year or more at a university will be considered transfer applicants. Please note that students may not discount credit to be considered first-year students.

We do not routinely send application forms to students who inquire from overseas. To apply, go to our admission office home page: www.wesleyan.edu/admission and click on “applying.” Follow the directions there to complete the “common application.” All first year applicants submit the common application. Candidates for the Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship complete the Common Application plus the Freeman Addendum (supplemental materials) or use a paper application packet specific to that program.   Transfer applicants complete the transfer application.

Standardized Tests for Admission

All applicants are required to take the SAT  Reasoning Test of the College Board or the ACT, except students in the People’s Republic of China who may not have access to the exam. The results from two SAT Subject Tests are also extremely helpful in the evaluation of international candidates, but they are not required for students who can submit national, standardized, subject-based examination results such as the GCSEs or ‘A’ levels.

Students whose native language is not English are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL), or alternatively, the academic modules of the International English Language Testing System examination (IELTS). Students should receive a score that demonstrates sufficient proficiency in the English language to function well in a highly demanding academic environment. A score close to 600 on the paper-based TOEFL or 250 on the computer-based TOEFL, or 100 on the Internet-based test, or a “7” on the IELTS, would be evidence of adequate English language ability. (A high score - 650 or better- on the critical reading section of the SAT may also demonstrate the necessary English language proficiency. In some cases, submitting the TOEFL or IELTS results is not necessary.)

All standardized examinations must be taken by the end of January. (Freeman Asian Scholarship applicants must take these exams by January 1.) Exams are administered on several dates, with registration deadlines several weeks beforehand.

The College Board SAT Program
http://www.collegeboard.com

ACT
www.actstudent.org

Educational Testing Service
(for TOEFL) http://www.toefl.org

International English Language Testing System (for IELTS)
http://www.ielts.org

Documentation

After completing the application form and sending a $55 processing fee (in U.S. currency), your school should forward a secondary school transcript as well as official copies of test results of any government or centrally administered national college examination. The school transcript should provide a detailed list of courses taken in the final four years of secondary school (or secondary school and junior college), the grades received or evaluation of work for each course, and the student’s rank in the class. The information should come directly from the school to Wesleyan, not from the applicant.

Please note that documents not in English must have a certified English translation attached.

Interviews

Interviews are not required as part of the admissions process, but we encourage prospective students to arrange them if possible. An interview can provide an opportunity to speak with a member of the admission staff about the academic, extracurricular, and social life of the University. If you will be visiting the United States while applying to colleges, a campus visit is strongly encouraged. Please contact the Office of Admission at (860) 685-3000 as soon as your travel itinerary is definite. If you cannot visit campus, you may be able to schedule an interview with an alumnus/a representative in your area from mid-October through December. To see if there is an alumnus/a interviewer in your area, please send an e-mail to interview@wesleyan.edu, or send a written request to our office. Prospective students may interview only once, either on- or off-campus, and not before May of their junior year.

Advanced Standing

College Entrance Examination Board Advanced Placement (AP) Examinations: The University will grant first-year students up to two credits for a score of 4 or 5 received on an AP examination, provided that they then take at least one upper-level course in the appropriate department at Wesleyan.

International Baccalaureate (IB): Students with superior results on their IB Higher Level may be awarded up to two credits by the appropriate department of the University. Some departments award credit for scores of 5 or better, others require a score of at least 6. Most departments will award this credit only after students take an upper-level course in that subject at Wesleyan. All students with IB diplomas are admitted as first-year students.

British ‘A’ Levels: Students with superior ‘A’ level results may petition the appropriate department of the University for up to two credits (the equivalent of two semester courses) for an ‘A’ level so passed.

Wesleyan will apply towards graduation a maximum of two credits of any kind earned before matriculation by entering first-year students. While a maximum of two credits will be counted toward the Wesleyan degree, all such credits that have been duly approved by Wesleyan departments will be listed on the student’s transcript. This limit applies to Advanced Placement, International Baccalaureate, and ‘A’ level exams as well as any college courses taken elsewhere. More information about graduation requirements can be found on the Internet at: www.wesleyan.edu/gradreqs.

The Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholars Program

The Freeman Foundation, sponsor of the Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholars Program, was established in 1994 through the bequest of Mansfield Freeman, Wesleyan class of 1916, a businessman, benefactor, and longtime resident in Asia. Each year, the Program provides full tuition scholarships for a four-year course of study at Wesleyan toward a bachelor’s degree for 22 exceptionally able Asian students. One citizen is selected from each of those 11 countries: The People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam. To qualify, students must be citizens or permanent residents of one of these countries (and not dual U.S. citizens or permanent residents). Transfer applicants are not eligible for Freeman Asian Scholarships. Applicants must take the SAT or ACT, except for students from the People’s Republic of China, where the SAT is not available. Applicants must also take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or the IELTS. Both examinations must be taken by January 1. Additional background information and essays are also required. Students from these 11 countries who apply for a Freeman Scholarship may also be considered as candidates for regular admission if no financial aid is needed. The application for the Wesleyan Freeman Asian Scholarship requires an addendum (supplemental materials) to the Common Application if filing electronically. For more information and an application, please write to Therese P. Overton, Office of Admission, or send an e-mail to toverton@wesleyan.edu.

Application Deadlines

All parts of the first-year application must be postmarked to the Office of Admission, Wesleyan University, 70 Wyllys Avenue, Middletown, CT 06459-0265 U.S.A. no later than January 1. All candidates will be notified of the admission decision before April 1. The transfer deadline is March 15th with notification by May 15th. All parts of the application must either be in English or be accompanied by a certified English translation.

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.

Early Decision

The Early Decision Program is available to first-year applicants who, after careful consideration, have decided that Wesleyan is their first choice. The Early Decision program is beneficial to both the applicant and to Wesleyan: the applicant can have his or her college choice settled early, and the admission committee can be made aware that Wesleyan is the applicant’s first choice. The Early Decision applicant has two possible application deadlines:

Option I:

Application Deadline: Nov. 15
Notification: Dec. 15

Option II:

For those students who arrive at a final choice somewhat later, and who wish to have their senior year, first semester grades included in their applications.

Application Deadline: Jan. 1
Notification: Feb. 15

Foreign students applying for financial aid are not encouraged to apply through the Early Decision process. The entire international applicant pool should be evaluated before awarding limited financial aid.

Expenses and Financial Aid

Tuition and required fees for first-year students in 2008-2009 are $38,934. The average student budget for all costs, not including transportation but including room, board, and personal expenses, is $49, 570.

Wesleyan and U.S. federally sponsored financial aid are available to U.S. citizens and permanent residents. Financial aid for foreign students, however, is extremely limited and is awarded on the basis of both exceptional qualifications and demonstrated need. In addition to the 22 Freeman Asian Scholars, we expect to offer financial assistance to approximately 50 foreign students from a pool of approximately 350 such applicants. The full financial need of all undergraduate students, as determined by the Office of Financial Aid, is met with a combination of loans, part-time employment, and grants.  Most students whose total family incomes are $40,000 per year or less will receive an aid package that substitutes grants for any loan obligation.  No financial aid is available for foreign transfer students.

Foreign students living outside the United States and applying for aid are required to file the International Student Financial Aid Application.

If financial aid is NOT needed, foreign students must submit documentation verifying sufficient personal resources or outside scholarships to meet the expense of four years at Wesleyan. Please use the International Student Certification of Finances form.

Be sure to complete only the form which is appropriate to your situation. You may obtain the appropriate form by downloading it directly from our Web site or from the College Board Web site.

For More Information

Candidates with questions about undergraduate admission should write to Therese P. Overton, Associate Dean of Admission, Wesleyan University, 70 Wyllys Avenue, Middletown, CT 06459-0265, U.S.A., or send an e-mail to toverton@wesleyan.edu. Questions regarding graduate admission should be sent directly to the appropriate department. Visit Wesleyan’s home page often for updated calendars of campus events, our course book, alumni in the news, and more.

Wesleyan University is fully committed to a policy of equal opportunity and nondiscrimination. The University does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, age, disability, veteran status, sex, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression.

Majors

Certificate programs

Environmental Studies
Informatics and Modeling 
International Relations
Jewish and Israel Studies
Molecular Biophysics

Additional programs

Asian Languages and Literatures
Hebrew

For additional information about majors, departments, the curriculum, and course descriptions visit our Web site at http://www.wesleyan.edu/academics.

International Application Statistics