Wheaton enrolls a diverse group of students who share certain characteristics: the desire to explore knowledge in the classroom and in the world, the willingness to seek challenges and the confidence to participate in the exchange of ideas.
Admission is competitive and is based on both the applicant’s academic and personal qualifications. The college recognizes and values the variations in curricular background and academic preparation represented among applicants, and each student’s secondary school performance and background will be considered individually in assessing their potential for success at Wheaton.
It is the college’s policy to admit students without regard to gender, race, color, creed, national origin or sexual orientation. Wheaton complies with the requirements set forth in the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) of 1974, as amended, and the regulations in implementation thereof.
Admission of First-Year Students
Although Wheaton does not prescribe rigid entrance requirements, the college strongly recommends the following high school curriculum: four years of English with emphasis on composition skills, three or four years of mathematics, three or four years of a foreign language, three years of social studies, and three years of laboratory science and several academic electives. Honors-level, advanced placement (AP) and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses, as well as substantive courses in the visual and performing arts, add further strength to an applicant’s record. These guidelines are not requirements, however; each student’s program is viewed in light of the opportunities open to them. Academic achievement, challenge of the curriculum, evaluations by teachers and counselors, and writing skills are all used to determine the quality of a candidate’s record.
The submission of SAT or other standardized test results is optional. Applicants who wish their scores to be considered should arrange for official score reports to be sent from the appropriate testing agency (the College Board and/or ACT) directly to the Wheaton Admission Office. Reports must be received no later than the application deadline for the corresponding decision plan. Unofficial test scores (i.e., those reported on high school transcripts) will not be considered. Non-native English speakers must submit the results of the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or International English Language Testing System (IELTS) exams.
Because of the college’s commitment to evaluating all applicants as individuals, the Admission Office encourages students to submit any additional material that may illuminate their particular talents and interests. Though not required, such submissions may include: slides of original artwork, samples of creative writing and audiotapes or videotapes. Wheaton asks that all such works be submitted via SlideRoom, an online service available from within the Common Application. Visual art faculty will review portfolios submitted at least two weeks before the application deadline. All admission offers are contingent upon completion of all secondary school requirements in good standing (i.e., graduation or its equivalent).
Interviews
Students who apply to Wheaton are strongly encouraged to have a personal interview with a member of the admission staff prior to the application deadline. On-campus interviews for current-year applicants are generally available by appointment between April 1 and January 15. If you are unable to schedule a visit to the campus, the Office of Admission will, upon request, arrange a phone or Zoom interview with a member of our admission staff.
Please contact the Office of Admission well in advance to schedule an on-campus or Zoom interview via phone at 508-285-8251 or email admission@wheatoncollege.edu
Applying
Wheaton accepts the Common Application. Students may obtain all necessary forms and instructions directly from the Wheaton Admission Office website, from the Common Application Website, or from most high school counseling offices. Applications must be submitted with the required application fee of $60 by January 15 of the student’s senior year. Applicants will be notified of admission committee decisions before the end of March. Because Wheaton subscribes to the National Candidates’ Reply Date, admitted students wishing to enroll must do so by May 1 with a non-refundable enrollment fee of $400.
Early Decision Plan
If Wheaton is a student’s first-choice college, they may wish to consider one of the early decision plans. For “ED I,” completed applications are due by November 15 and should include grades from the first term of twelfth grade (and the results of the SAT or ACT exam, if the applicant wishes these scores to be considered). Notifications are sent by December 15. Students who decide that Wheaton is a first choice after November 1 may utilize “ED II,” which requires that all application materials be received by January 15. ED II applicants are notified by February 15.
Students applying under an early decision plan are free to initiate Early Action or Regular Decision applications to other colleges, but must withdraw them when notified by Wheaton of acceptance and financial aid (if eligible).
It is not always possible to reach a definite decision on an application under the early decision plans. In this case, a student is released from the Early Decision Agreement and will be considered among the regular applicant pool for an April 1 decision. In some cases, early decision candidates may be denied admission rather than being reconsidered with the regular decision applicant pool.
Applicants accepted under the early decision plans will be expected to pay a nonrefundable enrollment fee of $400 in mid-December (ED I) or mid-February March (ED II).
Early Action Plan
For students who are not ready to commit to Early Decision admission, but would like to receive an admission decision before April 1, Early Action (EA) is a great option. Students admitted through EA have until May 1 to accept their Wheaton offer of admission. Applications for admission under the EA plan are due by November 15 and notifications are sent by January 15.
Second Semester Admission
Wheaton accepts a limited number of students for admission in the second semester. Candidates applying for mid-year admission must complete their applications by November 1; notifications are sent on a rolling basis. Candidates for freshman admission may be considered for mid-year entrance, depending upon individual circumstances.
Deferred Admission
For many students, a college career is richer and more relevant if, between high school and college, they take some time to gain the broader experience and added maturity that may come from some non-academic, interim activity. For this reason, Wheaton usually will grant deferred admission for one year to candidates who are accepted through the normal process, upon receipt of the $400 non-refundable tuition fee. Accepted applicants who wish to enroll as full-time students in other colleges before coming to Wheaton should plan to reapply as a transfer student for admission and must submit transcripts of all post-high school academic work.
Early Admission
An unusually mature and well-qualified student who wishes to enter college after three years of high school may apply for early admission to Wheaton. A strong academic record and supporting recommendations from teachers and counselors will be major factors in the evaluation of candidates for early admission. A personal interview is required.
International Students
Wheaton encourages applications from international students. Students for whom English is not the native language must submit scores earned on the TOEFL in addition to all other required application materials. Official results from the IELTS or TOEFL are required. A score of 7.0 on the IELTS is recommended for admission. A score of at least 90 on the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT) is expected, although students who score over 100 are considered best prepared for a smooth transition to academic life at Wheaton. The code for sending your IELTS score to Wheaton is 5109. For TOEFL, the code is 3963. Students who have been studying entirely in English (without ESL support) throughout secondary school may be eligible for a waiver of the English proficiency requirement by contacting the Admission Office at admission@wheatoncollege.edu. English proficiency waivers will be granted only after an application is submitted.
Wheaton encourages all U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents who seek support for their education to apply for need-based financial aid using the FAFSA. Need-based aid for non-U.S. citizens without permanent residency status is limited; non-U.S. citizens who are unable to afford at least 50% of the costs of their educational expenses are not encouraged to apply for admission to Wheaton, as the college is unable to provide them with significant levels of need-based financial support. Non-U.S. citizens are eligible to receive Wheaton’s merit scholarships.
Every financial aid decision is based on a combined evaluation of the student’s demonstrated financial need and overall high school record. No student who can finance only one year at Wheaton should enroll with the expectation that financial aid and/or scholarships will be available in subsequent years.
International students at Wheaton hail from more than 75 countries and territories, including Argentina, Australia, Bahamas, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bhutan, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Brazil, Burundi, Canada, Chile, China, Congo, Costa Rica, Cote D’Ivoire, Denmark, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Ecuador, Estonia, Ethiopia, France, Gabon, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Guatemala, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Iraq, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Kenya, Kuwait, Lebanon, Liberia, Malawi, Malaysia, Mexico, Morocco, Nepal, Netherlands, Nigeria, Norway, Pakistan, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Republic of Korea, Russia, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Singapore, Somalia, South Africa, Spain, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, Taiwan, Thailand, Turkey, Ukraine, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, Venezuela, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, and Zimbabwe.
Admission of Transfer Students
Each year Wheaton admits students to the freshman, sophomore and junior classes. To transfer to Wheaton, a candidate must combine strong secondary school preparation, a promising record at another college and satisfactory personal credentials. In order to receive a Wheaton degree, a student must attend Wheaton for at least two years (four semesters), one of which is normally the senior year, and must complete a minimum of 16 course credits in residence.
The admission committee considers candidates for entrance in both the fall and spring terms; candidates for the spring term should submit their applications by November 1. They will be notified of the admission decision on a rolling basis.
Transfer applicants for the fall term who complete their applications by the May 1 deadline will be notified by mid-May. Applications received after April 1 will be reviewed individually and decided upon as space at the college permits. Official transcripts of college work in progress should be forwarded as soon as possible after the close of the term. An interview and campus visit for transfer applicants are strongly recommended. If the candidate is unable to visit the campus, the Admission Office will arrange an interview by phone or Zoom.
Readmission
Students seeking readmission to the college must submit an application to the Committee on Academic Standing. This will include a statement of their activities while away from the college and of their plans if readmitted. Students who have enrolled in another college or taken courses elsewhere must submit transcripts of that work with their application.
Students who voluntarily withdraw from the college in academic good standing and with no history of medical, disciplinary or academic problems may expect to be readmitted. Students who have a history of medical, disciplinary or academic problems should understand that the Committee on Academic Standing will want to determine how these problems have been addressed while the student has been away from Wheaton. The committee will sometimes recommend that a student be conditionally readmitted with the understanding that the student must meet specified expectations in order to continue.
Admission of Non-Traditionally Aged Students
Wheaton does not offer a specific program for non-traditionally-aged students. The Office of Admission will use broadly defined and flexible criteria to assess candidates on an individual basis, including an evaluation of each candidate’s individual academic goals and background. An interview, therefore, is a most important feature of the application process. Application forms and interview appointments should be requested from the Admission Office. Applications for the fall semester should be submitted by May 1.
Admission of Students with Disabilities
Wheaton is committed to achieving equal educational opportunity and full participation for students with disabilities. It is the college’s policy that no qualified person shall be excluded from participating in any college program or activity, be denied the benefits of any Wheaton program or activity, or otherwise be subjected to discrimination with regard to any program or activity.
Wheaton College will make every effort to provide reasonable accommodations and appropriate support for otherwise qualified students with disabilities. Students requesting accommodations or seeking support services should notify the Disabilities Services Coordinator at least one month prior to the start of classes for a given semester so that the college has sufficient time to evaluate and respond to the request.
The college Committee on Academic Standing is charged with responsibility for reviewing appeals of college policies and practices on issues related to current students with disabilities and the college’s efforts to provide reasonable accommodations and support.
Visiting Students
Students attending colleges or universities within the Twelve College Exchange who wish to spend a year or a semester at Wheaton should make arrangements with the exchange coordinator at their own institutions.
Students from other colleges may apply for visiting student status for a year or a semester through the Wheaton Admission Office. These students should arrange to take leaves of absence from their own institutions to assure their readmission upon completion of their work at Wheaton. Visiting students are considered non-degree candidates; students wishing to transfer to Wheaton upon completion of their visiting semester or year should follow the guidelines for transfer admission.
Contacting the Admission Office
To contact the Admission Office, individuals may write a letter, call 508-286-8251, or email admission@wheatoncollege.edu. The office is also accessible online at wheatoncollege.edu/admission.
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