Admissions
Getting in, fall 2025
Wellesley admits about 1 in 7 applicants (14%). That puts it in the "Highly selective" tier, more selective than 97% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.
Out of every 100 applicants…
The funnel
No application fee
Grants credit for AP exams
Where applicants live
Massachusetts applicants were admitted at 22%, applicants from other states at 21%, and international applicants at 3.4%.
All applicants in the same class: 15%
Of those admitted, 47% from Massachusetts enrolled, against 43% from other states and 67% from abroad.
Counted by where applicants lived when they applied, which can differ from who qualifies for in-state tuition. A group's rate reflects who applies from there as well as how the college chooses.
Yield
48% of admitted students enroll, one of the highest nationally.
Wait list: 2,214 offered a place, 1,121 accepted, 59 admitted (5.3% of those who accepted)
Applying early
Early decision: 29% admitted
301 of 1,023 early applicants
Apply by Nov 1
Second round: apply by Jan 5
Early decision is binding: if admitted, you commit to enroll. Recruited athletes and other applicants with an edge often apply early, so the early rate overstates the gain for a typical applicant.
No early action plan.
Where you stand
How Wellesley reads a record
and GPA are both very important; class rank is important; tests are considered. Scores are optional. 44% of first-years sent an SAT and 18% an ACT. Of the 25% whose high school reported a rank, 88% were in the top tenth. Requires 4 years of English, 4 of math, 3 of science, and 4 of social studies. See the years by subject
What they look at
Considers whether an applicant's parent attended (legacy status).
| Very important | Important | Considered | Not considered | ||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic | |||||
| Rigor of high school record | Very important | ||||
| Class rank | Important | ||||
| Academic GPA | Very important | ||||
| Test scores | Considered | ||||
| Essay | Important | ||||
| Recommendations | Very important | ||||
| Personal | |||||
| Interview | Not considered | ||||
| Extracurricular activities | Important | ||||
| Talent or ability | Important | ||||
| Character and personal qualities | Very important | ||||
| First generation | Considered | ||||
| Alumni relation (legacy) | Considered | ||||
| Geographic residence | Considered | ||||
| State residency | Considered | ||||
| Religious affiliation | Not considered | ||||
| Volunteer work | Considered | ||||
| Work experience | Considered | ||||
| Demonstrated interest | Considered | ||||
From the federal survey: high school record required; college-prep program considered; demonstration of competencies considered; English proficiency test considered
Transferring in
13% of transfer applicants were admittedvs. 14% of first-year applicants
340 applied · 44 admitted · 18 enrolled
Transfers may start in the fall.
At least 8 credits completed to apply as a transfer.
Grants credit for course work completed at another college
What the application needs
- High school transcript
- Required of some
- College transcripts
- Required
- Essay or personal statement
- Required
- Interview
- Not required
- Standardized test scores
- Not required
- Statement of good standing from a prior college
- Required
Applying
The regular round, as the college reports it. Early rounds have their own dates.
- Apply by January 8 for fall 2026.
- Admitted students may postpone enrollment for a gap year. Longest postponement: 1 year.
What you'll need in high school
Requires a high school diploma; accepts the GED.
Recommends a college-preparatory program in high school.
| Years of | Required |
|---|---|
| English | 4 |
| Math | 4 |
| Science (lab: 2) | 3 |
| Foreign language | 4 |
| Social studies | 4 |
| Total | 19* |
A unit is a year of the subject; lab science is part of science. *Added up from the subjects listed; the college didn't give a total.
On the admissions map
↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)
Fall 2025 first-years
First-years' high school class rank
88% were in the top tenth of their high school class, 99% in the top quarter, of the 25% whose high school reported a rank.
This college doesn't publish first-years' .
Source:Wellesley College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)
Test scores
What enrolled first-years scored
The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1500 on the SAT, 330 points above the median for colleges that report scores.
Optional
Scores are considered if you send them. For students entering in fall 2027.
Where would you land?
Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint
Score bands
Nearly all who sent an SAT (93%) scored 1400 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an ACT (97%) scored 30 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an SAT (91%) scored 700 or higher.
87% of enrolled first-years who sent an SAT scored 700 or higher.
Nearly all who sent an ACT (97%) scored 30 or higher.
79% of enrolled first-years who sent an ACT scored 30 or higher.
Shares of the 44% of first-years who sent an SAT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Shares of the 18% of first-years who sent an ACT; students who didn't send scores aren't in these bands.
Who submitted scores?
submitted SAT
253 studentssubmitted ACT
103 studentsRead with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.
Sources:Wellesley College (Fall 2025), Fall 2025;IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26;Wellesley College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2025;Wellesley College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2027 applicants;Wellesley College Common Data Set 2025–26, 2025–26;Wellesley College Common Data Set 2025–26, Fall 2026 cycleAbout the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)