Application Process

There is a $65 non-refundable application fee. We offer an application fee waiver for all applicants who apply for financial aid. Receiving this fee waiver will not disadvantage an applicant in any way.

Early Decision vs. Regular Decision

Early Decision may be a more favorable pathway to jumpstart your college career and save time and stress in the application process. Applying Early Decision lets Wesleyan consider that we are your first-choice college and that you are fully committed to joining us in the fall. It also allows us to get an early start on building our next incredible class of Cardinals. Early Decision can free you up to enjoy more of your senior year and to begin planning your transition to life at Wesleyan.

Please note that international citizens may apply in the Early Decision rounds only if they are not applying for financial aid. Any international citizen who is seeking financial aid and is competitive for admission will be deferred to Regular Decision for consideration. First-year applicants who wish to apply to more than one college should apply under the non-binding Regular Decision program.

As soon as you have decided to apply either Early or Regular Decision, select Wesleyan as one of your colleges. Complete the Wesleyan Member Questions along with your application.

Early Decision Agreement

If you are applying Early Decision to an institution, your signed Early Decision Agreement must be received by the Early Decision application deadline. The agreement certifies that Wesleyan is your first choice and that you agree to accept Wesleyan's offer of admission if extended. You also agree to withdraw applications submitted to other colleges and not to initiate any new applications.

To complete and submit the Common Application online, you must first select the Early Decision term option for one school. Once you indicate this decision, the Early Decision Agreement will be available in the Supplements section of your Common Application account. To complete the agreement:

1. You must read and sign the agreement from within your Common Application account; a parent/guardian signature is also required. You must then notify your counselor that you are applying for Early Decision.
2. Your counselor must log in to their Common App School Forms account to read, sign, and submit the agreement if they’ve agreed to complete school forms online.
   
   If your counselor is not completing the school forms online, you must print the Early Decision Agreement (PDF) (also available in the forms section of Common App) and give it to your counselor to send directly to the institution. Please note that the counselor is responsible for the submission of the agreement once you’ve completed it.

Various materials are needed to complete your application. Review the requirements specific to you before you begin:

• First-Year Applicants
• Early Decision Applicants
• Transfer Applicants
• International Applicants
• Veteran Applicants
• Questbridge Applicants

First Generation Students

Will you be the first in your family to graduate college? You won’t be alone at Wesleyan, where 16% of our latest first-year students identify as first-generation college students. We are excited to help you and your family realize this exciting accomplishment and pave the way for future generations. 

We know the opportunities that a college education can open up for our students, and we also know that the process can be overwhelming. That is why we take a prospective first-generation student’s interest in attending Wesleyan so seriously and promise to help make your process as easy as possible.

Applying to Wesleyan is just the first step. Get to know First Things First, our First-Generation Low-Income (FGLI) student community that offers mentorship, guidance, resources, and support throughout your time at Wesleyan.

First Generation Resources

Homeschooled Students

Homeschooled students can submit applications via the CommonApp or Coalition Application via SCOIR where requirements such as counselor and teacher recommendations have been adapted to accordingly. We ask that applicants include the following as part of the School Report:

• Curriculum documentation, including courses taken each semester/academic year, evaluations or grades given, and a list of completed reading and material covered in courses. This may be submitted by a parent or the person who oversees the curriculum. 
• Official transcripts of any college or online courses taken. 
• Two academic letters of recommendation from adults who know the student in an academic or intellectual capacity, excluding parents (even if they work in an instructional capacity).  

Wesleyan does not encourage nor require additional recommendations. However, if the student believes an additional letter may support their candidacy, they may submit a supplemental letter from:

• An adult who has supervised the applicant in an internship or volunteer position 
• A teacher or director of any non-academic endeavors such as art, dance, music, or theater 
• An adult who has worked with the applicant as part of an athletic team, faith-based community, or through employment

Please note that, given the unique circumstances of homeschooled students, a member of the Wesleyan admission staff may reach out to applicants with questions regarding curriculum, activities, or other aspects of their applications. 

Students with Disabilities

At least 18% of students at Wesleyan have identified themselves as having a disability and have requested accommodations related to academics, housing, or dining. Whether you disclose your disability during the admission process is up to you. The Office of Admission does not discriminate on the basis of disability. 

As 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 Accessibility Services. Information disclosed to Accessibility Services staff is not shared with the Office of Admission unless the prospective student provides written permission. Students who wish to request accommodation should do so through Accessibility Services.

Accessibility Services

You’ll receive an email with a PIN for WesCheck to track your application materials and decision status. Applicants will receive a status update email to check their Wesleyan Admission Portal after online decisions are officially released.

Related materials will be mailed to students who are admitted. For students who are offered a place on the waitlist, deferred or denied, letters will be available online only. The non-refundable Wesleyan enrollment deposit is $250 and is payable electronically.