First-Year Applicants

First Year Application Deadlines

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Admission application and fee

First-year applicants can apply to Wheaton using the Common Application or the Coalition for College Application (choose Wheaton College MA). There is no application fee.

Required credentials

The school report, academic transcripts (high school and college) and Mid-Year Report

Ask your high school college advisor to submit the School Report form. An official copy of your high school transcript must accompany the School Report. An official Mid Year transcript, showing grades from the first semester or trimester, must be submitted by your high school as soon as it is available. Please note: The Admission Committee will not act on applications without at least first-term grades.

Letter of Recommendation

Our objective is to gain a deeper understanding of your role within your learning environment. We encourage input from school counselors, teachers, and community-based organizations. While one recommendation is required, we gladly accept additional ones. For nursing applicants, we suggest including a letter of recommendation from a science and math teacher.

English proficiency (non-native English speakers only)

Applicants whose first language is other than English must demonstrate their English proficiency in order to be considered for admission. Wheaton does not provide an English as a Second Language program, but does offer a writing course and skills course that students whose first language is other than English may be required to take in their first year. Applicants whose first language is other than English may demonstrate proficiency in one the following ways.

• • Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL iBT)
    Recommended score of 85
    Wheaton College Code: 3963
    Wheaton College accepts TOEFL MyBest scores, sometimes referred to as superscores
  • IELTS
    Recommended score of 6.5
    Wheaton College Code: 5109
  • Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE)
    Recommended score of 61
  • Duolingo English Test (DET) with interview
    Recommended score of 125

English proficiency may also be established by successful completion of at least four years at a high school where English is the principal language of instruction. All coursework other than a foreign language must be taught in standard English language and not English as a Second Language courses.

Waiver requests will only be reviewed after the submission of an application and academic credentials. If a waiver is approved, the application status will be updated automatically.

Optional credentials (test scores, writing sample, portfolio)

Standardized test scores (SAT, ACT, SAT Subject Tests)

The submission of standardized test results is optional for all candidates. The Admission Committee, however, encourages students whose first language is not English to submit their SAT or ACT scores along with the required English proficiency test. Students applying Early Decision 1 who wish to include their SAT or ACT scores in their applications should plan to complete testing no later than November of their senior year. The College Board/SAT code for sending your scores to Wheaton is 3963; the ACT code is 1932.

Optional portfolios

Students may wish to submit additional materials in support of their application to provide the admission committee with evidence of particular strengths, talents or interests. Students wishing to submit one or both types of optional portfolios may do so via SlideRoom when you use the Common Application.  To set up a SlideRoom account, click on the SlideRoom link within the Common Application. You can also access SlideRoom through Wheaton College’s SlideRoom page. Please note that these submissions are entirely optional and that not submitting work will not impact your application negatively.

Creative Arts Portfolio
For students wishing for Wheaton faculty to review work representing talent in the categories below should submit a creative arts portfolio.

• • Visual Arts
  • Dance
  • Music Performance (including voice)
  • Theater/Drama
  • Film and New Media
  • Creative Writing

Wheaton Supplemental Materials

In collaboration with the Learning Policy Institute’s Reimagining College Access Initiative, Wheaton offers applicants the option to submit supplemental materials which you feel will convey helpful information that the Admission Committee may not be able to glean from other aspects of your application. Submitting supplemental materials is entirely optional and affords you the opportunity to showcase in detail one or more passions or skills you have, personal qualities you embody, or an experience you’ve had that represents your potential to succeed at Wheaton.

Applicants should feel comfortable being creative and using the medium that best communicates the information they wish to convey. For example, you might submit a short video, research paper or posters,  a reflection essay, and/or other artifact(s) of your choice to showcase:

• • accomplishments and/or research in a subject that you’re passionate about;
  • creativity and collaboration through an entrepreneurial endeavor, leadership experience, or group project;
  • leadership skills and/or expertise developed through an internship, job, or other experience;
  • commitment to community through a community service portfolio;
  • unique skills or experiences you’ve had.

Applicants wishing to submit supplemental materials can do so via Slideroom. It is strongly recommended to include a description responding to the questions below.

• • What are you submitting?
  • What are you hoping we will gain from this submission and learn about you? Why is that important to you?
  • What was your role in this work? (Required only for submissions highlighting work completed as part of a group.)

Financial aid

Regular Decision U.S. citizens and permanent residents applying for financial assistance are asked to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The Wheaton FAFSA code number is 002227. For more information, please visit the Student Financial Services webpage or contact the Student Financial Services staff at 508-286-8232 or [email protected]. Candidates applying for Early Decision 1, Early Decision 2 or Early Action admission should review the requirements on our Early Decision/Early Action page.

Financial aid application deadlines

While Wheaton attempts to provide financial assistance to all eligible applicants, the college cannot assure that funding will be available for applicants whose files are completed after Wheaton’s deadlines.

Contact us

If you have questions regarding Wheaton’s application or financial aid process, please contact us!

Please remember: The Common Application offers Technical Support if any questions arise.

Admission to Wheaton is selective. However, we consider many things including academic achievement, writing ability, difficulty of high school curriculum and co-curricular achievement. So, don’t just apply. Show us who you really are. What makes you special and what drives you? Tell us your story!