Admission FAQs

We accept applications on a rolling basis, and we encourage applicants to apply early and to stay connected to their admissions counselor throughout the process.

View our Admission Deadlines page here.

We strongly encourage all prospective students to visit campus, schedule a virtual tour, sit in on a virtual class or a lab, or attend an open house (or all of these!) to see if Wells is a good fit. Our admission counselors are happy to provide you with the information you need. They will connect you with faculty, staff, coaches as well as current students who can answer your questions and provide you with the information you need to make a well-informed decision.

If you haven’t taken any post-high school coursework, you should apply as a first-year student. You should apply as a transfer student if you have completed any post-high school or post-GED college coursework, even if you did not complete a full semester.

You should apply as a first-year student and submit official transcripts for any coursework you’ve completed while in high school, in addition to your high school transcript.

Graduation completion within four years depends on your enrollment status as a freshman or a transfer student.

If you are a first-year freshman and your goal is to graduate within four years, your academic advisor will do everything possible to help you achieve this. If you add a second major, additional minors, or plan to study abroad, you may need more than four years to complete your degree.

If you are transferring to Wells and plan to pursue the same or a similar major, it will be easier to finish your degree within four years. If you arrive with credits in an academic area other than your intended major at Wells, some credits may count towards your degree, but you might need to take additional courses at Wells to fulfill your major’s requirements.

Wells students live in six residence halls or “houses” in a variety of architectural styles and room types. There is no special transfer housing option. You’ll share your housing preferences when confirming your enrollment. Students completing their first year of coursework may choose Dodge or Leach.  Others students opt for the quiet, cozy convenience of Weld. Upper-class students can request a room in Glen Park, the Italianate mansion built by Henry Wells. For a centralized, historical, and social experience, Main is a good choice. The cost of room and board includes 19 meals per week in our beautiful dining hall. Wells student housing is not appropriate for couples or families, however.

Yes. While Wells is primarily a residential campus, commuter students are an integral part of our community.  If you choose to commute, you will have access to ample parking a short walk from campus buildings and an optional commuter meal plan. Our Commuter Council meets regularly for open discussions/Q&A about the commuter experience.

Yes! A semester abroad can be a defining part of your undergraduate education, and an experience you’ll remember for a lifetime. Unlike other colleges, your Wells scholarships and financial aid will travel with you if you participate in one of our approved programs.

Studying abroad requires extra planning, so if you’re interested in spending a semester at our program in Florence or elsewhere, be sure to speak to your academic advisor once you arrive on campus.

We guarantee it! As part of graduation requirements, all students — including transfer students —  participate in at least one experiential learning activity, but many will complete two or more! Hands-on experiences mean our students leave Wells ready for graduate-level study or employment. Your professors and our Center for Academic and Career Advising can help you find the right opportunities and assist you with your job search.

If you have since demonstrated at another school that you can perform college-level work, we encourage you to re-apply.