Wesleyan acceptance rate 2023

Your Opinion: Is this School Hard to Get Into?

62 15

Wesleyan University, a liberal arts school, provides students a well rounded foundation in education by having a curriculum with a diverse range of subjects. This college is located in Middletown, CT, a predominately urban area. There are around three thousand students enrolled each year at Wesleyan University.

The acceptance rate for this school is lower than most schools and competition is high, given that only 20 percent of students who applied are granted admission to the school. You can get more information from the admissions office website at wesleyan.edu.

Overall Wesleyan University Acceptance Rate - Fall 2020

16.5%

The overall acceptance rate for Wesleyan University was reported as 16.5% in Fall 2020 with over 13,300 college applications submitted to this school. Both in state and out of state applicants are included in these figures. We do not have data on transfer acceptance rates currently.

Historical Trend and Acceptance Rate 2022 Projection

The historical trend chart shows acceptance rates from the previous years, from which we have projected the acceptance rate for the 2022-2023 school year. The overall acceptance rate trend for Wesleyan University has been slowly getting lower over the recent years.

Acceptance Rate By Year

  • 2016-2017: 17.8%
  • 2017-2018: 16.3%
  • 2018-2019: 17.5%
  • 2019-2020: 16.5%
  • Projected Acceptance Rate 2022-2023: 15.7%

How Does Wesleyan University Compare?

Admissions Rates & Enrollment Rates - Details

General Recommendations & Requirements for Admissions

  • School Records are Required
  • Submit Recommendation Letters are Required
  • Standardized Test Scores (SAT,ACT,...) are Recommended
  • TOEFL Exam (Foreign Language Students) are Required

Number of Applicants, Percent Accepted, and Enrolled Students (Fall 2020)

TotalMaleFemale
Applicants 13,264 37.8% 62.2%
Admitted 2,186 45.3% 54.7%
Enrolled 771 44.9% 55.1%

To learn more about the data and calculations that power this site, please visit our data discussion page.

About

See what students say:

Academics

Nestled in the middle of Connecticut is Wesleyan University, a historical private liberal arts university that prides itself on an open curriculum that lets students explore interests and activities outside of their major. The school does have General Education Expectations, which help illustrate pathways through the curriculum; it also offers a flexible framework of four competencies that provide suggestions as to skills and capabilities that students should acquire in their course choices, which is useful with more than 1,000 courses on offer. An average 8:1 student-to-faculty ratio means small class sizes, which creates an "enjoyable work environment that promotes learning, questioning, debate, and just overall fun"; this includes interactive learning, "excellent introductory STEM labs, field trips, ample research opportunities, and unique in-class projects." This experiential philosophy even translates to larger formats: "I've had lecture classes that are so open to student questions that they begin to seem more like seminars," says a student. Seniors are also allowed to "teach student forums on topics they are passionate about and provide a space for current events."

Inclusivity is a priority, and the school offers courses like Queer Studies and African America Studies. Along with inclusivity, Wesleyan stresses the importance of faculty as teachers and mentors. Professors are "intentional and thoughtful about every aspect of the course" and "patient and understanding when it comes to students needing extensions." They "embrace students from majors outside their field and encourage academic exploration," As one student notes, "Every class I've taken has made me want to learn more." In addition, faculty "research is significant, and they use it to compliment the classes," and they all have "workable office hours and [are] exceptionally accommodating." The alumni network is similarly willing to assist students: "Whether that is through mentoring us or hiring us as interns, they have been incredibly helpful."

Student Body

Wesleyan students are "eclectic, artsy, liberal," diverse, and inclusive. There are many different personalities at Wesleyan, but the one common denominator is that they are accepting. Everyone here "has their 'thing' that they are eager to share with others." One student adds, "No two students share exactly the same combination of interests, which makes Wesleyan a very fun place to make friends."

Though this "incredibly academically motivated" group is "talented, active, and openminded," they "don't tend to be obsessive about academics," and "there's a good balance between work and life." Students say that "it feels like everyone at Wes does a million things, so for many, clubs and other extracurriculars [that] are just as meaningful as classes." Students do say that as far as sports go, "there are the athletes and non-athletes with very few individuals crossing battle lines." Still, there is "a strong culture of social acceptance and progressiveness," and people "come from all over the world and always have such amazing anecdotes to share."

Campus Life

While many admit that "there is a lot of studying during the week," they say "it's easy to find groups to study with" through tutors, study groups, or class-sponsored activities. And students here definitely find time to have fun. Because Wesleyan "is not in a big city, most of the social life is on campus," and "on the weekends, that can look like parties and performances," or taking advantage of the "strong arts and music scene," including "lots of fun concerts, films, comedy shows, or dance performances." Weekend trips to New Haven or Boston are not out of the question, but most stay local, and "people love to go thrifting at the closest places [and] eat food in Middletown" for their trips off-campus.

Outdoor activities such as hiking are widely undertaken (ultimate Frisbee is very popular here!), and many students join multiple groups and teams. In the winter there's plenty of snow, "so people like to sled on Foss Hill and have big snowball fights." Snowball fights aside, "the best days are when it's nice out in the spring, and everyone sits and eats outside," and "everyone says hi to everyone."

Admissions

  • Overview
  • SAT & ACT Test Scores
  • Testing Policies
  • Deadlines
  • Other Admission Factors
  • Selectivity Rating

Admissions

Overview

Applicants: 13,067

Acceptance Rate: 19%

Average HS GPA: 0.00


SAT & ACT Test Scores

SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing

25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)

650 - 750

SAT Math

25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)

650 - 760

SAT Composite Scores

25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)

1310 - 1490

ACT Composite Scores

25th-75th percentile (enrolled students)

31 - 34


Testing Policies

Standardized testing policy for use in admission

Test Optional


Deadlines

Early Decision — November 15

Early Decision II — January 1

Regular — January 1


Other Admission Factors

Academic


Rigor of Secondary School Record


Selectivity Rating


Get a personalized plan for a competitive application from an admissions expert.

Learn More


Academics

  • Faculty and Class Information
  • Graduation Rates
  • Majors
  • Degrees
  • Career Services
  • Prominent Alumni
  • Academic Rating

Academics

Faculty and Class Information



Most frequent class size

10 - 19

Most frequent lab / sub section size

10 - 19



Graduation Rates


Majors

  • AREA, ETHNIC, CULTURAL, GENDER, AND GROUP STUDIES.

  • African-American/Black Studies.
  • American/United States Studies/Civilization.
  • East Asian Studies.
  • Ethnic, Cultural Minority, Gender, and Group Studies, Other.
  • French Studies.
  • Italian Studies.
  • Latin American Studies.
  • Russian, Central European, East European and Eurasian Studies.
  • Spanish and Iberian Studies.

  • BIOLOGICAL AND BIOMEDICAL SCIENCES.

  • Biology/Biological Sciences, General.

  • COMPUTER AND INFORMATION SCIENCES AND SUPPORT SERVICES.

  • Computer Science.

  • EDUCATION.

  • Social and Philosophical Foundations of Education.

  • ENGLISH LANGUAGE AND LITERATURE/LETTERS.

  • English Language and Literature, General.
  • English Language and Literature/Letters, Other.

  • FOREIGN LANGUAGES, LITERATURES, AND LINGUISTICS.

  • Classics and Classical Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics.
  • German Language and Literature.
  • Romance Languages, Literatures, and Linguistics, General.

  • HISTORY.

  • History, General.

  • LIBERAL ARTS AND SCIENCES, GENERAL STUDIES AND HUMANITIES.

  • Humanities/Humanistic Studies.
  • Liberal Arts and Sciences/Liberal Studies.

  • MATHEMATICS AND STATISTICS.

  • Mathematics, General.

  • MULTI/INTERDISCIPLINARY STUDIES.

  • Biological and Physical Sciences.
  • Science, Technology and Society.

  • NATURAL RESOURCES AND CONSERVATION.

  • Environmental Studies.

  • PHILOSOPHY AND RELIGIOUS STUDIES.

  • Philosophy.
  • Religion/Religious Studies.

  • PHYSICAL SCIENCES.

  • Astronomy.
  • Chemistry, General.
  • Physics, General.

  • PSYCHOLOGY.

  • Physiological Psychology/Psychobiology.
  • Psychology, General.

  • SOCIAL SCIENCES.

  • Anthropology.
  • Archeology.
  • Econometrics and Quantitative Economics.
  • Political Science and Government, General.
  • Social Sciences, General.
  • Sociology.

  • VISUAL AND PERFORMING ARTS.

  • Art History, Criticism and Conservation.
  • Dance, General.
  • Drama and Dramatics/Theatre Arts, General.
  • Film/Cinema/Video Studies.
  • Fine/Studio Arts, General.
  • Music, Other.


Degrees

Bachelor's
Doctoral/Research
Master's
Post-Master's certificate


Career Services

On-Campus Job Interviews Available


Career Services


Alumni Network


Alumni Services


Classes


Interest Inventory


Internships


Regional Alumni

Opportunities at School


Experiential


Internship


Notable Faculty


Prominent Alumni


Michael Bay '86

Feature filmmaker known for directing and producing the Transformer films and other big-budget, high-concept action films


Bill Belichick '75

Head Coach of the NFL New England Patriots


Beverly Daniel Tatum '75

President Emerita of Spelman College; renowned authority on the psychology of racism, and author of numerous books including "Why Are All the Black Kids Sitting Together in the Cafeteria?"


Lael Brainard '83

Economist and Member of the U.S. Federal Reserve Board of Governors


Jay Levy, MD '60

HIV/AIDS and cancer research physician and Professor of Medicine with specialties in virology and immunology at the University of California, San Francisco


Lin-Manuel Miranda '02

Award winning composer, lyricist, playwright, singer, and actor widely known for creating and starring in the Broadway musicals "In the Heights" and "Hamilton"


Bozoma Saint John '99

Businesswoman and marketing executive currently Chief Marketing Officer at Netflix. Previously, she served as CMO at Endeavor, and chief brand officer at Uber


Academic Rating

Careers

Graduation Rates


Career Services

On-Campus Job Interviews Available


Career Services


Alumni Network


Alumni Services


Classes


Interest Inventory


Internships


Regional Alumni

Opportunities at School


Experiential


Internship


ROI & Outcomes

Information from PayScale:


Starting Median Salary (Up to Bachelor's degree completed, only)


Mid-Career Median Salary (Up to Bachelor's degree completed, only)


Starting Median Salary (At least Bachelor's degree)


Mid-Career Median Salary (At least Bachelor's degree)





Students Say

The Gordon Career Center has “many helpful resources for applying to summer internships and jobs after graduation,” and works individually with students to design career paths based on the overlap of interests, rather than straight trajectories from a major. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of the school, students have multiple and wildly varying interests (for instance, a double major in physics and theatre), and “no one can be placed in a traditional box.” Students are truly free to make their own schedules and pursue the career they desire here, all with the support of the faculty. “Not once have I been discouraged from pursuing my interests, and the encouragement to follow these passions has caused a spark in me to bring them together,” says a theater and science in society double major.

Tuition & Aid

Dates

Application Deadlines

Jan 15


Required Forms

FAFSA
Forms CSSProfile
Forms Divorced Parent


Financial Aid Statistics

Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid


Average Undergraduate Total Need-Based Gift Aid



Undergraduates who have borrowed through any loan program


Average amount of loan debt per graduate


Average amount of each freshman scholarship/grant package


Financial aid provided to international students


Expenses per Academic Year

Average Cost for Books and Supplies

$1,200


Tuition / Fees Vary by Year of Study

No

Transportation for Commuters


On-Campus Room and Board

$15,724


Available Aid

Financial Aid Methodology

Institutional


Scholarships and Grants

Need-Based

Need-Based College/University Scholarship or Grant Aid from Institutional Funds


Need-Based Federal Pell


Need-Based Private Scholarships


Need-Based SEOG


Need-Based State Scholarships


Institutional non-need-based scholarship or grant aid is available


Federal Direct Student Loan Programs

Direct PLUS Loans


Direct Subsidized Stafford Loans


Direct Unsubsidized Stafford Loans


Federal Family Education Loan Programs (FFEL)

College/university loans from institutional funds


Is Institutional Employment Available (other than Federal Work Study)

Yes



Financial Aid Rating

Student Body

Overall


Student Body Profile

Total Undergraduate Enrollment

3,385

Foreign Countries Represented

61


Demographics


96% are full time

4% are part time

Campus Life

  • Campus Life
  • Housing Options
  • Sports
  • Student Activities
  • Special Needs Admissions
  • Student Services
  • Sustainability
  • Campus Security Report
  • Other Information

Campus Life

Overview


Campus Life

Undergrads living on campus

98%

Help finding off-campus housing

No


First-Year Students living on campus

100%


Campus Environment

Suburban


Housing Options

Apartment Single


Disabled Student


Dorms Coed


Dorms Female

Dorms Male


Frat Sorority


Theme Housing


Wellness Housing


Special Needs Admissions


Type of Program

For all students with disabilities



College Entrance Tests Required



Special Need Services Offered

Calculator allowed in exams


Dictionary allowed in exams


Computer allowed in exams


Spellchecker allowed in exams







Distraction-free environment


Accommodation for students with ADHD



Other assistive technology


Student Activities

Registered Student Organizations

213

Number of Honor Societies

2


Number of Social Sororities

1

Number of Religious Organizations

5



Sports


30% participate in intramural sports

18% participate in intercollegiate sports


Men's Sports (Cardinals)

16 Sports

Baseball
Basketball
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Diving
Football
Golf
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Squash
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Wrestling

Women's Sports (Cardinals)

16 Sports

Basketball
Crew Rowing
Cross Country
Diving
Field Hockey
Golf
Ice Hockey
Lacrosse
Soccer
Softball
Squash
Swimming
Tennis
Track Field Indoor
Track Field Outdoor
Volleyball


Student Services

Health


LGBT Support Groups: www.wesleyan.edu/queer


Minority Support Groups: www.wesleyan.edu/inclusion and www.wesleyan.edu/studentaffairs


Air Force ROTC Offered at cooperating institutions: Yale University


Sustainability

Wesleyan’s Sustainability Office and Sustainability Advisory Group for Environmental Stewardship (SAGES) collaborate regularly to develop strategies to promote conservation and reduce Wesleyan’s carbon footprint. The university has committed to carbon neutrality by 2050. SAGES produced the campus’s first climate action plan in 2010 and is now creating a new Sustainability Action Plan, which will be released in 2015. The school is dedicated to green building practices, and its two most recent construction projects received LEED Gold and Platinum certification, respectively. Wesleyan has completed numerous energy conservation projects, including building envelope improvements, HVAC upgrades, and a campus-wide switch from oil to B20 bioheat. Wesleyan generates most of its own power, with solar panels on the Office of Admissions and Freeman Athletic Center and two natural gas cogeneration facilities. All residential energy savings go directly to Financial Aid through the Wes to Wes program. Through low-flow water fixtures, Wesleyan has reduced its water consumption by 13.1 million gallons annually. The Sustainability Office manages composting programs for residences, and pre- and post-consumer composting in the main campus dining hall. Wesleyan’s students are actively involved in promoting sustainability on campus, including an on-campus farm, local food CSA, permaculture club, and outing club.


AASHE STARS® rating

Silver

School Has Formal Sustainability Committee


Sustainability-focused degree available


School employs a sustainability officer


Public GHG inventory plan


% food budget spent on local/organic food


Available Transportation Alternatives




Carpool/Vanpool Matching Program


Condensed Work Week Option For Employees


Free Or Reduced Price Transit Passes And/Or Free Campus Shuttle


Incentives Or Programs To Encourage Employees To Live Close To Campus


Indoor And Secure Bike Storage, Shower Facilities, And Lockers For Bicycle Commuters


Reduced Parking Fees For Car And Van Poolers


School Adopted A Policy Prohibiting Idling


School Offers A Telecommute Program For Employees

Data provided by Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), STARS®, as of March, 2021.


Campus Security Report

Campus Security Report


The Jeanne Clery Act requires colleges and universities to disclose their security policies, keep a public crime log, publish an annual crime report and provide timely warnings to students and campus employees about a crime posing an immediate or ongoing threat to students and campus employees.

Please visit The Princeton Review’s page on campus safety for additional resources: http://www.princetonreview.com/safety

The Princeton Review publishes links directly to each school's Campus Security Reports where available. Applicants can also access all school-specific campus safety information using the Campus Safety and Security Data Analysis Cutting Tool provided by the Office of Postsecondary Education of the U.S. Department of Education: https://ope.ed.gov/campussafety/#/


Other Information

Campus-wide Internet Network


% of Classrooms with Wireless Internet



Partnerships with Technology Companies


Personal computer included in tuition for each student


Discounts Available with Hardware Vendors


Articles & Advice


Articles & Advice


What is the acceptance rate at Wesleyan?

20.9% (2020)Wesleyan University / Acceptance ratenull

How likely is it to get off the waitlist at Wesleyan?

At Wesleyan University last year, 893 accepted a place on the waitlist and 70 were admitted, for an acceptance rate of 7.8 percent, according to College Board statistics.

Is Wesleyan selective?

Wesleyan University admissions is most selective with an acceptance rate of 21%. Half the applicants admitted to Wesleyan University have an SAT score between 1340 and 1520 or an ACT score of 31 and 34.

How hard is it to get into Wesleyan?

First, know that the Wesleyan acceptance rate is relatively low, making it a very selective school. Remember that the Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment is around 3,000, and the Fall 2021 Wesleyan acceptance rate was 19.3%. In addition, the Wesleyan SAT scores for admitted students are high.