If you’re reading this page, you’re likely wondering if your daughter has what it takes to be a Wellesley woman. She’d be in good company: Hillary Rodham Clinton, Madeleine Albright, news anchor Diane Sawyer, and When Harry Met Sally director Norah Ephron all count themselves among the alumnae of Wellesley College. We’re going to answer all your questions and more. But first, let’s learn more about Wellesley. 

About Wellesley College 

Founded in 1870, Wellesley College has been empowering women to become world leaders for over 150 years now. Located in the eponymous Massachusetts town of Wellesley, an idyll just twenty minutes outside of Boston, the school enjoys a small but beautiful campus that is well connected by school shuttles to other Greater Boston Area powerhouses like Harvard and MIT. Wellesley women can even cross-register with courses at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.

Wellesley has only 2,500 undergraduate students. These students get to take classes with some of the top faculty in the world: Susan Reverby, who gained national attention for uncovering unethical U.S. medical experiments in Guatemala; prominent international relations theorist Stacie E. Goddard; and mathematician Ann Trenk, known for her work in graph theory and combinatorics. And that’s just to name a few!

They also get to take part in some quirky campus traditions! At the beginning of the year, Flower Sunday welcomes first-year students onto campus as “big sisters” hand them bouquets. And Wellesley College is the halfway point for the globally famous Boston Marathon every April. On Marathon Monday, the campus is called the Scream Tunnel because Wellesley students line up along Central Street to offer their support for the runners, quite loudly.

Wellesley College’s acceptance rate is only 14%. Getting in will require strategic planning (and the help of Ivy Coach’s college admissions experts certainly wouldn’t hurt!). 

Wellesley College Admissions Requirements

Obviously, GPA, standardized testing scores, and extracurricular achievements are the key components of a successful application to Wellesley College and to any school. That being said, what do these components actually look like for Wellesley admits? Without further ado, let’s dive in!

What Kind of GPA Is Necessary To Get Into Wellesley?

Unfortunately, there’s not a clear answer to that very good question. Wellesley College has never reported the GPA of its incoming first-year students to The Common Data Set Initiative, a voluntary effort among colleges to help all of those involved with a student’s transition into higher education. We at Ivy Coach combed through every single one of Wellesley’s Common Data Sets and not once has the college reported the high school GPA of admitted students. Wellesley College’s motto is Non Ministrari sed Ministrare, which translates from Latin to “Not to be ministered unto, but to minister.” We at Ivy Coach call upon Wellesley to minister the data. 

“We review each applicant thoughtfully and within the context of their available resources,” the admissions office says of its holistic review process. But they concede that academic record is the first and most important thing they consider. In other words, they are weighing your GPA heavily in their consideration. But personal statement, letters of recommendation, extracurricular background, interview, and special talents are weighed as well. 

What Kind of SAT or ACT Scores Are Needed To Get Into Wellesley?

The average SAT score for the Wellesley College Class of 2029 was a 1500, and the average ACT score was a 34. Though Wellesley is test-optional, we at Ivy Coach believe that not submitting test scores can only ever hurt an applicant’s chances, even to supposedly test-optional schools. 

What Classes Do Students Need to Take to Get Into Wellesley College?

While Wellesley College does not explicitly state any minimum high school course preparation for applicants, we at Ivy Coach know that highly selective colleges like Wellesley want to see students excelling in each core subject (English, history, math, science, and foreign language) all four years of high school. In fact, they expect to see five years for foreign language since most students begin their first level of foreign language in eighth grade.

What Kinds of Extracurriculars Does Wellesley Like To See?

We’re going to clear up a common misunderstanding: highly selective colleges are not looking for well-rounded students. They’re looking for a well-rounded student body comprised of students who are each singularly talented. 

In terms of extracurriculars, that means Wellesley College is looking for depth over breadth. If you’re a member of the debate team, the robotics team, the field hockey team, and the drama department…well, then, you’re merely a member of those groups. You don’t stand out in any of these pursuits. Wellesley College would much rather accept a nationally ranked debate champ than a kid who spent an hour or two on debate a week because he spent the rest forgetting Shakespeare lines and fumbling the ball in football practice. 

Wellesley College Application Requirements

Wellesley accepts the Common App or Coalition App. They ask students to send two teacher recommendations. Additionally, applicants must respond to the following supplemental question: 

• Wellesley students actively seek ways to build bridges and to change the world for the better. Tell us about an experience working with and alongside people of different backgrounds and/or perspectives from your own. Why was this important to you, and what lessons from this will you bring with you to Wellesley? Please limit your response to two thoughtful paragraphs (minimum 250 words, maximum 400 words).

Who Should Students Ask For Letters of Recommendation For Wellesley? 

Wellesley applicants should ask two teachers, ideally two junior year teachers in core subjects. Obviously, the applicant should have a good relationship with the teacher or at least have performed well in their class. In addition, at least one of the recommenders’ subject area should be related to the student’s hook: if a student’s singular hook is studying fruit fly DNA, it wouldn’t make sense if their recommenders were their History and English teachers. 

Does Wellesley Require An Interview? 

No, they do not! Wellesley doesn’t even offer interviews to applicants. 

What Are Wellesley College’s Application Deadlines? 

Early Decision I applications to Wellesley College are due Nov. 1. Early Decision II are due Jan. 5 and Regular Decision applications are due Jan. 8. 

How Ivy Coach Helps Students Get Into Wellesley College 

If you’re interested in discerning if your child has a shot of getting into Wellesley College, we recommend setting up Ivy Coach’s Strategy Session. Not only will you find out if your child has a chance of getting into Wellesley College, but you’ll receive a game plan of how your child can optimize their admission to the best school possible.