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.
Yes! You do not need your two-year college degree to attend Wells. Many students apply to Wells after just one semester at another college.
We take a holistic approach to reading applications, and we know that transfer students often experience some bumps along the way. That’s what makes them and their contributions to the classroom and community so valuable. We encourage applicants to address prior struggles (academic or personal) within the application so that we have a sense of your experiences and motivations.
Our size and focus on relationships and mentorship mean you will meet people immediately, and your professors will know you by name. There is always something interesting going on, whether it’s a club activity, a theatre performance, Wells traditions, athletics, a guest lecture, or just a group getting together to study, watch a movie or play video games. Living on campus is encouraged since most of this happens after classes are over each day.
Wells values what all students bring to our community, and we show it by offering generous merit-based scholarships based upon what we learn about you in your Wells application. There are special scholarships just for transfers, too. Since your application to Wells doubles as your scholarship application, we encourage you to take the time to share your complete story so that we can award the highest possible level of funding. Visit our scholarships and aid page for more information.
Wells College is committed to making your education accessible and affordable. Our Office of Financial Aid will work with you to help take some of the guesswork out of the aid application, so you can focus on your future.
To unlock the maximum amount of scholarship funding, be sure to complete the FAFSA online and designate Wells College as the recipient: our code is 002901. We will determine your need and merit-based aid upon admission.
Please note: sending your FAFSA to Wells doesn’t mean that you are committed to attending Wells.
We also encourage you to explore and apply for outside financial assistance from federal, state, and institutional resources, in the form of scholarships, grants, loans, and part-time employment to cover student or family contributions.
For more information about applying for aid visit our Tuition & Aid page.
Very likely, yes! Wells accepts credits for non-developmental coursework with grades of C- or better. You will also work closely with your advisor to determine how the courses you have already taken integrate with your Wells requirements.
For general education credits, a credit evaluation will be available at or around the time of admission. For coursework related to major requirements, a secondary review occurs with a faculty advisor before the first semester at Wells.
No, but at least 48 semester hours must be taken on campus at Wells College or in Wells College-approved programs. If you’ve already taken a significant number of credits towards a bachelor’s degree, check with the Office of Financial Aid regarding your eligibility to receive aid.
When you declare a major, you will be assigned a faculty advisor who will help you chart your academic course and answer questions about other “what-ifs” — like adding another major or minor, possible career paths or internships, and/or opportunities for experiential learning. All students have access to the Center for Academic and Career Advising for academic advising questions and internships, research, and other experiential activities throughout their time at Wells.
Yes, we have staff in the Office of Student Success to provide support and reasonable accommodations for students who need them. To receive accommodations, you must complete a disclosure form and submit any required documentation when you confirm your enrollment. These documents will be available in your admission portal.
The Office of Student Success offers individualized academic support to students based upon their needs in areas such as time management, planning, and learning strategies, to name a few. Peer and professional tutoring are available at the Office of Student Success and the Writing Center, centrally located in the Long Library. Additionally, Wells faculty have an open-door policy and pride themselves on their accessibility and ability to get to know their students’ needs. Many faculty also have teaching assistants — students who have done well in that course previously — to help you succeed.
Explore our site. Check out our social media. Give us a call. Request a view book. Get to know us!
Explore our site. Check out our social media. Give us a call. Request a view book. Get to know us!
Our mission is for every student to think critically, reason wisely and act humanely as they cultivate meaningful lives. On our beautiful lakeside campus, students gain the knowledge, skill and experience to create their own unique path.
170 Main Street, Aurora, NY 13026
Admissions:
800.952.9355 | admissions@wells.edu
General Information:
315.364.3264
General Information: 315.364.3264
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