FAQs
- How many students attend Wesleyan and how many students are in a typical entering first-year class?
Wesleyan enrolls a total of approximately 2,900 undergraduate students and we currently enroll around 765 first-year students and 60 transfer students each fall.
- How many students apply to Wesleyan?
That number changes each year. Last year we received over 12,000 first-year applications.
- How many of those applicants were offered admission?
For the Fall 2017, 2,014 first-year students were offered admission to Wesleyan.
- Does Wesleyan accept the Common Application?
Wesleyan accepts the Common Application and we do not have our own separate institutional application. You can find the Common Application here.
- Does Wesleyan accept the Coalition Application?
Wesleyan is a member of the Coalition for Access, Affordability and Success. Beginning August 2017, for the class entering Fall 2018, Wesleyan will also accept the new Coalition Application. More information can be found here.
- Will the print/paper version of the application still be available?
CA4 (the current Common Application) is an online-only application and therefore will not be available in paper form or as a downloadable document for mailing. Students can still print-preview an application, but the print-preview version must not be mailed to any school to which you are applying. The print-preview shown to the student is identical to the document that colleges see.
- Can I receive credit for AP, IB, or college courses taken in high school?
Wesleyan awards up to two course credits for AP, IB or college courses taken prior to matriculation. While a maximum of two credits earned before matriculation may count toward the Wesleyan degree, all such credits that have been approved by Wesleyan departments will be listed on the student’s transcript. This applies to Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and Advance-Level exams, as well as any college-level courses taught by a college teacher in a college setting, provided that the course meets Wesleyan’s transfer credit criteria. We do not offer advanced standing. Please go here for more information.
- What is the average GPA for students admitted to Wesleyan?
Wesleyan does not calculate an average GPA for admitted students nor do we recalculate high school core GPA. Our application review process is a holistic one; we evaluate your entire high school transcript, including course selection and grades achieved.
- How important is class rank? What if my school does not calculate it?
Class rank helps us to put your classroom achievement into your school’s context. While we would prefer that class rank be reported, we understand that many schools' policies differ and we do not penalize students who are not ranked.
- What are Wesleyan’s requirements for teacher recommendations?
The Wesleyan admission committee wants to see two teacher recommendations. These recommendations should come from teachers who know you well and who can speak to the quality of your work in the classroom. We want to know about your academic engagement, your curiosity, and your willingness to go above and beyond minimum requirements. Wesleyan prefers that one teacher recommendation come from a math or science teacher, and the other come from an English or social studies teacher. While this is not required, we feel that this is the best representation of you as a student in different areas of the curriculum and shows your fit with the liberal arts education we offer. We also suggest that teacher recommendations be from 11th or 12th grade, if possible.
Music, art or other elective instructors may write a recommendation for you, but they do not count as one of the two academic subject teacher recommendations.
- What is the role of the interview in the admission process?
Interviews at Wesleyan are evaluative, play a role in the admission process, and are a valuable opportunity for an exchange of information about both the candidate and the university. Interviews either on campus or with an alumnus locally are not required, but are highly recommended. We have no preference for which type of interview you choose to do but do not allow students to have both—only one per applicant. Click here to schedule an interview.
- Is it possible to defer enrollment at Wesleyan for one year if I am admitted?
Yes. Typically, 20 to 25 students are granted deferred enrollment in each class. The non-refundable $250 admission deposit must first be paid to secure matriculation. Upon approval, Wesleyan will grant deferred admission for one year. In order to obtain approval, applicants must submit a plan for their “gap year.” Deferred enrollment requests must be submitted in writing (letter or email) and approved prior to June 1st. Students granted a deferral cannot submit further admission applications to other institutions or enroll full-time in any other institution of higher education. Once the student’s request for deferment is received and approved, a formal letter acknowledging their deferred status will be sent. An essay, briefly describing deferral activities and reaffirming intention to enroll at Wesleyan is required by March 1st of the deferral year
- Does Wesleyan have an admission deposit?
Yes. The Wesleyan admission deposit is $250. Please note: The deposit is non-refundable.
- I have a disability. Should I disclose my disability during the admission process? How do I obtain accommodations as a student at Wesleyan?
At least 6% of students at Wesleyan have identified themselves as having a disability. Whether to disclose during the admission process is up to you. The Office of Admission does not discriminate on the basis of disability. As is with all students, students who are admitted must meet the standards and be qualified for admission. Some students choose to share this information with admission officers. Others choose to speak only with the Office of Student Affairs which has a Student Guide to Disability Services. Information disclosed to disabilities services staff is not shared with the Office of Admission unless the prospective student provides written permission. Students who require accommodations should review the Office of Student Affairs website for getting registered with the office and making requests for accommodations.
- Why did Wesleyan decide to become standardized test-optional in the admission process?
Research released in February 2014 and the upcoming revisions of the SAT and ACT prompted the change beginning for those who file applications for matriculation in 2015. We are unconvinced that standardized test scores accurately reflect college potential for all students, and believe that test scores unfairly advantage some applicants. Individualism and student choice are core values at the university; this policy extends that choice to applicants.
- If I don’t send my scores, will it count against me? Will there be an assumption that a student who hasn’t submitted their scores has “low” scores?
No and no. Wesleyan believes students should have the power to decide how best to present themselves to the admission committee and whether—or not—their standardized test results accurately reflect their academic ability and potential. If scores are present in the application, we will consider them, and if they are not included, then we will not factor them into our admission decision.
- What is your score cutoff for admission?
There is no cutoff or minimum score at Wesleyan. The admission committee uses a personal, reader-driven, holistic review process which has always considered every applicant’s complete application, regardless of test scores. Every complete application is read in its entirety by an admission officer.
- How do you gauge if a student’s scores will be competitive (and whether they should submit them or not)?
If your scores fall below the 25th percentile of those Wesleyan typically admits (see profile here), your scores are unlikely to make you a more competitive applicant to Wesleyan.
- If I choose to submit scores, is ACT or SAT preferred?
There is no preference for ACT or SAT scores. Last year about 60% of all applicants submitted SATs, 20% submitted ACTs and 20% submitted both.
- If I submit my scores, do you superscore?
Yes, Wesleyan will use the best critical reading, math, and writing scores across any testing dates, and will use the best of each section of the ACT to recalculate a new composite score.
- Are AP scores used in the admission process?
Typically only self-reported (not official) AP scores are available as part of the application. Sometimes AP scores are on a transcript, or students submit copies of AP score reports. Wesleyan may consider AP scores, but grades in AP classes are more critical in our review process.
- Does “score-optional” mean that my grades are even more important? If I don't have any required testing, which part of my application will be of emphasized now?
The best predictor of any student’s success is his or her day-to-day work in a rigorous curriculum, which has always been at the heart of Wesleyan’s holistic review process.
- How do students tell the admissions committee whether or not and /or what scores they want to be considered?
Students need to answer the question on the Wesleyan University pages in the Common Application. There are seven options reflecting combinations of scores to be considered and the option to not have any standardized test scores considered as part of the application. The options are:
- ACT only
- SAT only
- SAT and SAT II
- SAT II only
- SAT and ACT
- ACT and SAT II
- No scores to be submitted
- What if I change my mind after submitting my Common Application or Coalition Application?
Students will need to contact the Wesleyan Admission Office directly, in writing, on or before the application deadline: November 15 for ED1; January 1 for ED2 and Regular Decision. Be sure to include your full name and Common Application or Coalition Application ID. Send your request to testoptional@wesleyan.edu.
- If I attend an American International School, do I need to submit test scores?
Students who are enrolled abroad in an American diploma program or curriculum have the option to submit or not. If you are unsure of whether or not you need to submit scores, please contact Tara Lindros, coordinator of International Admission, at tlindros@wesleyan.edu.
- With this new policy, will a student from China be disadvantaged by not sending his/her score?
Given that the SAT is not offered in mainland China, applicants there have not been required to submit scores as part of the application for many years. This policy is still in place, though many students leave the PRC to sit the SAT in other countries and do send those scores.
- The website says that I would need to submit scores if I matriculate, but what if I didn’t take any tests at all? Can I still apply and/or enroll?
Yes. Wesleyan will not require any matriculating student who did not take an ACT, SAT or SAT II to take exams prior to enrolling.