The Basics About Wellesley College
Wellesley College is a private institution that was founded in 1870. It has a total undergraduate enrollment of 2,324, its setting is suburban, and the campus size is 500 acres. It utilizes a semester-based academic calendar. Wellesley College's ranking in the 2011 edition of Best Colleges is National Liberal Arts Colleges, 4. Its tuition and fees are $39,666.
Overview: Wellesley College
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General Information
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Institutional Control:
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Private
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Year founded:
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1870
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Religious affiliation:
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N/A
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Academic calendar:
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semester
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Fall 2009 Total number of undergraduates:
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2,324
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Setting:
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suburban
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2009 Endowment:
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$1,287,284,000
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Fall Admissions
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Application deadline:
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1/15
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Application fee:
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$50
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Fall 2009 Acceptance rate:
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35%
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Selectivity:
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most selective
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Expenses
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Costs:
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2010-2011 Tuition and Fees: $39,666
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Student Life at Wellesley College
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Wellesley College, located 12 west miles outside of Boston in Wellesley, Mass., has a scenic campus encompassing a lake, woodlands, an arboretum, and open meadows. It is a liberal arts college for women and is one of the original Seven Sisters Colleges, which includes Mount Holyoke, Vassar, Smith, Radcliffe (now part of Harvard), Bryn Mawr, and Barnard. Students can choose from more than 160 student organizations on campus. The school has 13 varsity athletic teams that are part of NCAA Division III East College Athletic Conference. Instead of sororities, Wellesley has societies that serve as social and academic clubs. Housing is guaranteed for incoming freshmen, and the majority of students live in Wellesley’s 21 residence halls throughout their four years.
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Other Facts About Wellesley College
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Wellesley has a cross-registration program with MIT, offering students a greater range of courses. Also, students can spend a semester in another college in the Northeast as part of the Twelve College Exchange Program. The college has a strong science program, including the nation’s second oldest physics lab. Wellesley has a program called the Davis Degree Program, which allows women older than 24 to attend college. The school also has many traditions, including an annual hoop-rolling race between the seniors, and step-singing, when the academic classes try to out-sing each other. Notable alumni include Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton; former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright; and ABC news anchor Diane Sawyer.
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Mission (as provided by the school)
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One of the most academically challenging colleges in the country and widely acknowledged as the nation's top women's college, Wellesley provides students with myriad opportunities. With a longstanding commitment to and established reputation for academic excellence, Wellesley offers more than 1,000 courses in 56 established majors and supports more than 100 student clubs and organizations. Wellesley's blend of high academic standards, strong sense of community and dedicated faculty create an ideal environment for women who want to succeed. Because Wellesley is an undergraduate institution, students don't compete with graduate students for faculty attention, academic resources, the use of facilities or research projects. Wellesley's admission process is "need-blind" for U.S. citizens and permanent residents, which means that the college admits students without regard to their family's ability to pay. Wellesley is one of the few institutions that meets 100 percent of a student's demonstrated financial need and is committed to working with students and their families to make college affordable. Wellesley has boosted its generous financial aid to eliminate loans for students with the greatest need. One of the most socio-economically diverse colleges in the country, Wellesley provides financial aid to 54 percent of its students, placing it among a handful of colleges and universities that provide financial aid to more than half of its students. The average financial aid package (2009-2010) is $35,951 in grants, loans, and work study. Wellesley's 2300 students enjoy an average class size of 17-20 students and a student to faculty ratio of 8:1. Each year several hundred students spend a semester or year studying abroad. Cross-registration of courses is available with MIT, Babson College, Olin College of Engineering and Brandeis University. Exchange programs are offered with the Twelve College Exchange Program, Spelman College and many others. Wellesley has outstanding internship and career services, with about three-quarters of its students participating in at least one internship. The Center for Work and Service provides internship stipends of $3,000 for about 300 students each year, making it possible for many to devise their own internship or to accept an otherwise unpaid opportunity. Wellesley has 13 varsity teams as well as club teams and recreational activities. There are 21 residence halls that vary in size from 140 to 285 students. Students from all four classes live in most residence halls. Facilities include the Lulu Chow Wang Campus Center, Science Center, Knapp Media & Technology Center, Library, Davis Museum & Collins Cinema, Keohane Sports Center, Hunnewell Arboretum & Alexandra Botanic Garden, Ferguson Greenhouses, Jewett Arts Center, Nehoiden Golf Course, Newhouse Center for the Humanities, Pforzheimer Learning and Teaching Center, Slater International Center, Wellesley Centers for Women, Whitin Observatory and Wellesley College Theatre. The Albright Institute for Global Affairs educates women for leadership in the world. Alumnae connections are very strong at Wellesley, with approximately 32,000 alumnae members. Notable alumnae include U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton '69, former Secretary of State Madeleine Albright '59, ABC News anchor Diane Sawyer '67, former first lady of the Republic of China Madame Chiang Kai-Shek '17, former Space Shuttle Commander Pamela Melroy '83 and many more. Wellesley is easily accessible to Boston, a great city in which to meet thousands of other college students and to experience theatre, art, sports and entertainment. One of the most diverse colleges in the nation, Wellesley College enrolls students from 66 countries and all 50 states.
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Applications: Wellesley College
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Regular Decision
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Application deadline:
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1/15
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Notification date:
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04/01
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Deadline for accepting admissions offers:
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May 15 (Fall), January 15 (Spring)
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Early Decision
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Is an early decision plan offered?
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Yes
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Early decision deadline:
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11/1
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Early decision decision sent by:
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12/15
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Early Action
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Is an early action plan offered?
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No
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Early action deadline:
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N/A
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Early action decision sent by:
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N/A
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Application Fee
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Application fee:
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$50
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Is the application fee refundable?
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No
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Can the application fee be waived for students with financial need?
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Yes
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Is it possible to defer admission?
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Yes
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Application Formats
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Can applications be submitted via E-mail?
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Yes
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Electronic application URL:
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https://www.applyweb.com/apply/wellesley/menu.html
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Tuition and Room Deposits
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Tuition deposit:
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$300
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Is the tuition deposit refundable?
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Nonrefundable
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Room deposit:
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$0
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Is the room deposit refundable?
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Nonrefundable
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Contact Information
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Admissions director:
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Jennifer Desjarlais
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Admissions office phone number:
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(781) 283-2270
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Admissions E-mail:
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Requirements and Factors: Wellesley College
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Admission Requirements
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Admission interview?
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Recommended
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Campus visit?
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Recommended
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Off-campus interviews?
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may be arranged with an admission representative
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Does the school have an open admission policy?
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No
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Does the college use SAT or ACT scores in admissions decisions for first-time, first-year applicants?
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Yes
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Standardized tests?
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Either SAT or ACT required.
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ACT Writing test?
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ACT with writing required
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SAT/ACT scores must be received by:
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12/30
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SAT Subject Test scores must be received by:
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12/30
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High school completion requirement for admissions:
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High school diploma or equivalent is not required
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General college-preparatory program?
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Recommend
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Academic Factors Used in Admissions Decisions
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Rigor of secondary school record?
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Very Important
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Class rank?
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Important
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Academic GPA?
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Very Important
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Standardized test scores?
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Very Important
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Application essay?
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Very Important
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Recommendations?
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Very Important
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Nonacademic Factors Used in Admissions Decisions
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Interview?
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Considered
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Extracurricular activities?
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Important
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Talent/ability?
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Important
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Character/personal qualities?
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Very Important
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Being a first-generation college student?
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Considered
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Alumni/ae relations?
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Considered
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Geographical residence?
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Considered
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State residency?
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Considered
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Religious affiliation/commitment?
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Not Considered
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Race/ethnicity?
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Considered
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Volunteer work?
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Considered
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Work experience?
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Considered
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Level of the applicant's interest?
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Considered
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Required High School Course Work
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Recommended High School Course Work
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High school units recommended in English:
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4
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High school units recommended in Foreign languages:
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4
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High school units recommended in History:
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4
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High school units recommended in Mathematics:
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4
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High school units recommended in Science:
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3
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High school units recommended in Science Labs:
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2
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High school units recommended in Social Studies:
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4
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Entering Class Statistics: Wellesley College
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Fall 2009 Selectivity
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Selectivity:
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most selective
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Fall 2009 Acceptance rate:
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35%
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Early decision acceptance rate:
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59%
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Early action acceptance rate:
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N/A
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Acceptance rate (excluding early action and early decision students):
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34%
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Fall 2009 Applications, Acceptances, and Enrollments
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Number of applicants:
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4,156
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Number of applicants accepted:
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1,463
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Freshman enrollment for Fall 2009:
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589
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Percent of total enrolled incoming freshmen who been accepted under either early acceptance or early action:
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20%
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Number of male applicants:
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0
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Number of male applicants accepted for Fall 2009:
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0
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Male freshman enrollment:
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0
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Number of female applicants:
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4,156
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Number of female applicants accepted Fall 2009:
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1,463
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Female freshman enrollment:
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589
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Fall 2009 Wait List
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Does the school have a waiting list?
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Yes
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Number of applicants placed on a waiting list:
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900
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Number of students on the wait list accepted:
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543
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Number of students enrolled from a waiting list:
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30
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Fall 2009 High School Rank
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Percent of first-year students submitting high school class standing:
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40%
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2009 Freshmen in top 10 percent of high school class:
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78%
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2009 Freshmen in top 25 percent of high school class:
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96%
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2009 Freshmen in top 50 percent of high school class:
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100%
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Fall 2009 High School GPA
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Percent of first-year students submitting high school GPA:
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N/A
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Average high school GPA:
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N/A
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Fall 2009 Freshmen SAT Scores
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Percent of first-year students submitting SAT scores:
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85%
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SAT Critical Reading 25th-75th percentile range:
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640-740
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SAT Math 25th-75th percentile range:
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640-730
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SAT Writing 25th-75th percentile range:
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650-740
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SAT Essay 25th-75th percentile range:
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N/A
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Percent with SAT Critical Reading scores in the 700-800 range:
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52%
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Percent with SAT Critical Reading scores in the 600-699 range:
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38%
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Percent with SAT Critical Reading scores in the 500-599 range:
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9%
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Percent with SAT Critical Reading scores in the 400-499 range:
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0.4%
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Percent with SAT Critical Reading scores in the 300-399 range:
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N/A
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Percent with SAT Critical Reading scores in the 200-299 range:
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N/A
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Percent with SAT Math scores in the 700-800 range:
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43%
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Percent with SAT Math scores in the 600-699 range:
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46%
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Percent with SAT Math scores in the 500-599 range:
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11%
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Percent with SAT Math scores in the 400-499 range:
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0.4%
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Percent with SAT Math scores in the 300-399 range:
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N/A
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Percent with SAT Math scores in the 200-299 range:
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N/A
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Fall 2009 Freshmen ACT Scores
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Percent of first-year students submitting ACT scores:
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38%
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ACT English 25th-75th percentile range:
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N/A
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ACT Math 25th-75th percentile range:
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N/A
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ACT Composite 25th-75th percentile range:
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29-32
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Percent with ACT English scores in the 30-36 range:
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N/A
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Percent with ACT English scores in the 24-29 range:
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N/A
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Percent with ACT English scores in the 18-23 range:
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N/A
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Percent with ACT English scores in the 12-17 range:
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N/A
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Percent with ACT English scores in the 6-11 range:
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N/A
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Percent with ACT English scores below 6:
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N/A
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Percent with ACT Math scores in the 30-36 range:
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N/A
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Percent with ACT Math scores in the 24-29 range:
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N/A
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Percent with ACT Math scores in the 18-23 range:
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N/A
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Percent with ACT Math scores in the 12-17 range:
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N/A
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Percent with ACT Math scores in the 6-11 range:
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N/A
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Percent with ACT Math scores below 6:
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N/A
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Percent with ACT Composite scores in the 30-36 range:
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67%
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Percent with ACT Composite scores in the 24-29 range:
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31%
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Percent with ACT Composite scores in the 18-23 range:
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1%
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Percent with ACT Composite scores in the 12-17 range:
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N/A
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Percent with ACT Composite scores in the 6-11 range:
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N/A
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Percent with ACT Composite scores below 6:
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N/A
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Transfer Students: Wellesley College
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Deadlines
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Terms for which transfer students may apply for admission:
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Fall, Spring
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Application date for transfer students:
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March 1 (Fall), November 15 (Spring)
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Admission decision sent:
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April 15 (Fall), December 15 (Spring)
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Deadline for accepting admissions offers:
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May 15 (Fall), January 15 (Spring)
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Requirements
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Do transfer applicants need a minimum number of credits to apply?
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No
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Minimum required high school GPA:
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N/A
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Minimum required college GPA:
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N/A
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High school transcript?
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Required of all
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College transcript?
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Required of all
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Essay/personal statement?
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Required of all
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Admission interview?
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Required of all
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Standardized test scores?
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Required of all
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Statement of good standing from prior institution(s)?
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Required of all
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Lowest course grade that may be transferred for credit:
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N/A
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Maximum number of credit/courses that may be transferred:
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16 from a two-year school, 16 from a four-year school
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Is there a minimum number of credits needed to complete degree?
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16 credits for a bachelor's degree
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Transfer Student Application and Enrollment Statistics
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Total number of transfer students applying for Fall 2009:
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180
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Total number of transfer students accepted for Fall 2009:
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47
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Total number of transfer students enrolled for Fall 2009:
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27
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International Student Admissions: Wellesley College
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Deadlines and Requirements
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Application deadline:
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January 15 (Fall)
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Preapplication form required?
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No
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Separate application form required?
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No
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TOEFL
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TOEFL requirement?
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N/A
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May the TOEFL be submitted in place of the SAT or ACT?
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No
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Minimum TOEFL score required (paper test):
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N/A
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Minimum TOEFL score required (internet test):
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N/A
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Average TOEFL score (paper test):
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657
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Average TOEFL score (internet test):
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110
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