Applying to Wesleyan

Frequently Asked Questions

  • How many students attend Wesleyan and how many students are in a typical entering first-year class?
    • Wesleyan enrolls a total of approximately 2900 undergraduate students and we recently enroll around 745 first year students and 60 transfer students each fall.
  • How many students apply to Wesleyan?
    • That number changes each year. We received 10,068 first-year applications for Fall 2009.
  • How many of those applicants were offered admission?
    • For the Fall 2009, 2204 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 have a supplement to the Common Application?
    • No. Wesleyan does have a Pre-Application that we encourage students to fill out in order to initiate their applications with us, but we do not have any supplemental essay questions.
  • 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, and Advance-Level and Ordinary-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 school’s 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. Deferred enrollment requests must be submitted in writing and approved by June 1st. Upon approval, Wesleyan will grant deferred admission for one year. Typically, 20 to 25 students are granted deferred matriculation in each class. In order to obtain approval, applicants must submit a plan for their “gap year.” Students granted a deferral cannot make any further admission applications to other institutions or enroll full time in any other institution of higher education. Interested students must also submit their Admitted Student YES Response Form and $250 admission deposit by May 1st. Once the student’s request for deferment is received and, if approved, a formal letter acknowledging their deferred status will be sent.
  • 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 Disabilities 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 Disabilities Services Web site for getting registered with the office and making requests for accommodations.