Admission to Wheaton is competitive and is based on academic preparation, intellectual curiosity, the difficulty of a student’s secondary-school curriculum, writing skills, English proficiency, teacher and counselor evaluations, and achievements outside the classroom. Members of the admission staff are familiar with educational systems around the world and know how to interpret the transcripts and grading scales of many different countries.

On this page

What is the difference between a college and a university?

The words college and university are interchangeable in the US. A college is typically a higher education institution that provides only undergraduate bachelor degrees. Many liberal arts colleges, like Wheaton, are colleges and do not offer graduate degrees.

A university is an institution comprised of other academic divisions such as colleges and schools. In most cases, one or more of these units may be labeled college because they provide undergraduate degrees within the larger university. Universities usually offer graduate or professional degrees in addition to undergraduate degrees.

There are of course many exceptions to these general definitions. There are colleges that provide undergraduate and undergraduate degrees and there are universities that offer mostly undergraduate degrees and just a few graduate degrees.

There are no differences between colleges and universities in the quality of the faculty, their research and teaching, or in the graduate school and employment opportunities for their students.

Can international students apply Early Decision or Early Action?

International students may apply through the Early Decision, Early Action, or Regular Decision application plans.

Early Decision 1 and Early Decision 2

If Wheaton is your first choice college, you may wish to apply as an Early Decision 1 (ED 1) or Early Decision 2 (ED 2) candidate. Wheaton’s ED 1 and ED 2 plans are binding agreements; you will be expected to enroll at Wheaton if you are admitted and withdraw all applications you have submitted to other colleges and universities. Note that you, your high school counselor and a parent/guardian also must sign the Early Decision Agreement form (pdf).

Early Action

If you’re not ready to commit to Early Decision admission, but would like your admission decision in January, Early Action (EA) is a good option. Early Action is not binding and students admitted through EA have until May 1 to accept their Wheaton offer of admission.

Regular Decision

Regular decision is the standard application plan.

Should I apply as a first year or transfer applicant?

You should apply as a first-year applicant if

    • you are currently enrolled in the final year of secondary school
    • you have graduated from secondary school and have not matriculated as a degree candidate at a higher education institution
    • you have not taken more than 12 credits as a part-time, non-degree student.

You should apply as a transfer applicant if

    • you have matriculated as a degree candidate at a higher education institution
    • you have taken more than 12 credits as a part-time, non-degree student.

What are the English proficiency requirements?

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)

TOEFL iBT Test website

    • Recommended score of 85
    • Wheaton College Code: 3963
    • Wheaton College accepts TOEFL MyBest scores, sometimes referred to as superscores

International English Language Testing System (IELTS)

IELTS website

    • Recommended score of 6.5
    • Wheaton College Code: 5109

Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE)

Pearson PTE website

  • Recommended score of 61

Duolingo English Test (DET) with interview

Duolingo English Test website

  • 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.

Transfer applicants: English proficiency may also be established by successful completion of at least two years at a college or university where English is the principal language of instruction.

The Admission Committee understands that many international students are unable to travel to the United States for college visits and interviews. While we hope that those who come to the Boston/Providence area will include a visit to Wheaton, those who are unable to visit will not be at a disadvantage in the admission process.

Wheaton encourages students whose first language is other than English, and especially those in China, to complete an online Initialview or Vericant interview. These interviews allow us to see your English language skills beyond a test score and provide additional evidence of communication, critical thinking abilities, enthusiasm for becoming a successful college student at Wheaton, and more importantly, provide you an excellent opportunity to showcase your personality and talents and skills to the Admission Committee.

We offer interviews online to students who are unable to visit campus. These interviews are a great opportunity to learn more about life at Wheaton, tell us about yourself and to get your questions answered! Requests can be made online and we will contact you about setting up an appointment.

In addition, members of the admission staff travel each year to many countries around the world. If you have made yourself known to us or have applied for admission, you will be contacted if members of the Admission Staff are making interviews available while they visit your country.

Are SATs or ACTs required for admission?

Wheaton College is a test optional institution and does not require SAT or ACT test results for admission, scholarship, or financial aid consideration. The Admission Committee places primary emphasis on secondary school performance, English proficiency, writing skills, and letters of recommendation when making admission decisions. The following scores represent the middle 50% of those admitted students who elected to submit scores as part of the admission process.

  • SAT middle 50% score range for admitted applicants: 1180-1350
  • Wheaton College Code: 3963
  • ACT middle 50% score range: 27 – 31
  • Wheaton College Code: 1932

Can I study engineering at Wheaton College?

Wheaton College offers an Engineering and Engineering Sciences 3+2 program with the Thayer School of Engineering at Dartmouth College. Students spend their first year, sophomore and senior year at Wheaton College and complete junior year and a fifth year at Dartmouth College, and earn degrees from both institutions. Merit scholarship and need-based financial aid awarded by Wheaton College is available only for the first four years of study. Funding for the fifth year of study at Dartmouth College is determined and awarded by Dartmouth College.

Can I study law at Wheaton College?

Because law schools recognize the value of traditional liberal arts education, there are required courses making up a pre-law program. An interested student should select courses that will develop an ability to write, to argue persuasively and to analyze critically the arguments of others. Students considering a career in law should consult one of the pre-law advisors about their academic program and to prepare for law school admissions. Wheaton offers a legal studies minor, but this minor is not a prerequisite for law school.

International students who intend to practice law in their home country should consider earning a law degree there and then enroll in a Master of Laws, LL.M., degree program in the U.S.

Can I study medicine or other health professions at Wheaton College?

Medical study takes place at the post-bachelors, graduate level of study in the U.S. Undergraduate students complete a prescribed set of courses as undergraduates in order to be eligible for medical school admission. Students may select any academic major as long as they complete these courses. Wheaton College provides a Health Professions Advisory Committee that advises and supports students as they prepare for application to medical school.

  • Non-US citizens and non-US permanent residents have dramatically diminished prospects for admission to US medical schools.
  • Some health professions schools do not allow applications from international students, while others do (those that do are mostly private schools).
  • Overall, the number of international students admitted yearly to any medical-related professional program is extremely small. Acceptances that are offered tend to be from private health professions schools.
  • Statistics from the Medical School Admission Requirements (MSAR), published yearly by the Association of American Medical Colleges, indicate that 71 US medical schools accepted applications from international students (12 of those only accepted applications from Canadian citizens).
  • Of 18,000 matriculated medical students, only 240 were international students. Please review the American Medical Association Applying to Medical School as an International Student.
  • An additional issue that arises for non-US citizens and non-permanent resident applicants involves financing their health profession education. Many US students finance their education, at least in part, through US government loans, only available to US citizens and permanent residents.
  • Health professions schools often require international students to show proof of their ability to pay for their education in full and place adequate funds (often at least US$200,000 to US$300,000) in an account prior to enrollment.

We recommend that you research the admissions eligibility for health professions schools in your home or other countries with open enrollment.

What is the total cost of attendance?

Visit our Tuition and Fees page

Does Wheaton offer financial aid for international students?

Merit Scholarships

Wheaton offers academic merit scholarships to recognize outstanding secondary school achievement. Citizens of any country are eligible for these scholarships which range in value from US$25,000 to US$33,000, renewable each year. No additional application is necessary for merit scholarship consideration.

Need-based Financial Aid

Applicants who wish to be considered for need-based financial aid must submit the International Student Certification of Finances form, available on the admission portal after application has been submitted.

Please note that Wheaton College does not provide need-based aid that covers the full cost of attendance with the exception of the Davis United World Scholarship and the Wheaton Refugee Scholarship.

Davis United World College Scholars Program

Wheaton College has been a partner institution with the Davis United World College (UWC) Scholars Program since 2014, Each year, Wheaton seeks to enroll 3 UWC students through the Scholars program. UWC students with demonstrated financial need are eligible for this scholarship, which covers the cost of tuition, fees, room, board, and medical insurance. Additionally, Davis UWC Scholars receive a stipend for books and supplies, one round trip air fare from their home to Boston, and return, each academic year, and the opportunity to earn additional money through on campus employment.
Next Genius

Next Genius Scholarship Program

For the fifth consecutive year, Wheaton College in Massachusetts will partner with Next Genius, a Mumbai-based educational initiative that seeks to promote the importance of critical thinking.

Wheaton awards a full-tuition scholarship to one of the top candidates in a nationwide competition as well as several half-tuition scholarships.

Wheaton Refugee Scholarship

The Wheaton Refugee Scholarship was established in January 2017. Students who have fled a war-torn region as a refugee and who do not hold US citizenship or permanent resident status, or who have legally entered the United States as refugees, and who, if admitted and choose to enroll, are able to obtain a visa to study full-time in the United States (or, who are already in the US on a legal refugee visa status) are eligible to apply for this scholarship.

The Refugee Scholarship covers the cost of tuition, fees, room, board, and medical insurance. Additionally, Refugee Scholars receive a stipend for books and supplies and the opportunity to earn additional money through on campus employment.

Eligible students must apply by January 1 and may only apply as a Regular Decision applicant.

For more information, please review the Wheaton College Refugee Scholarship web page.

Does Wheaton offer athletic scholarships?

Wheaton’s athletics teams compete in the NCAA (National Collegiate Athletic Association) Division III which prohibits the awarding of scholarships based on athletic ability to students. Talented athletes may qualify for need-based financial aid and/or academic merit scholarships.

Are financial aid and scholarships available to transfer students?

Transfer applicants are eligible for financial aid and academic merit scholarships.

Why do I have to submit the International Student Certification of Finances with my admission application?

Applicants who are not US citizens or who do not have permanent resident (green card) status must submit the International Student Certification of Finances form regardless of where they live or whether or not they have any valid US nonimmigrant visa status. This form must be submitted with the admission application whether or not applicants are applying for need-based financial aid.

The information supplied will be used in conjunction with financial aid and/or scholarship awards as evidence of a combination of funding that will meet the total cost of attending Wheaton when enrolling international students apply for their F-1 visa.

Can I visit campus or arrange for an Interview?

The Admission Committee understands that many international students are unable to travel to the United States for college visits and interviews. While we hope that those who come to the Boston/Providence area will include a visit to Wheaton, those who are unable to visit will not be at a disadvantage in the admission process.

Wheaton encourages students whose first language is other than English, and especially those in China, to complete an online Initialview interview. These interviews allow us to see your English language skills beyond a test score and provide additional evidence of communication, critical thinking abilities, enthusiasm for becoming a successful college student at Wheaton, and more importantly, provide you an excellent opportunity to showcase your personality and talents and skills to the Admission Committee.

If you are unable to visit campus for an interview, a limited number of interviews via Zoom are available for applicants in October, November, December, and January. You may request a Zoom interview online.

In addition, members of the admission staff travel each year to many countries around the world. If you have made yourself know to us or have applied for admission, you will be contacted if members of the Admission Staff are making interviews available while they visit your country.

How does Wheaton College support international students?

International Student Services, part of the Center for Global Education, helps ensure the success of Wheaton’s international students,, while preparing them for employment, graduate school, and global citizenship.

Campus and local programming for international students includes:

  • Visa support
  • International Student Orientation
  • Community ambassador program
  • Employment workshops
  • International Bazaar
  • Wheaton World Cup
  • Academic success workshops
  • International Education
  • Davis United World Scholars Weekend
  • Off campus events including Boston Red Sox games and apple picking
  • Funding and support for cultural events – Diwali, Chinese New Year, Holi, and others

Is Wheaton safe?

The National Council for Home Safety and Security in 2018, ranked Norton the 3rd safest municipality of its size in Massachusetts and 7th in the United States. Massachusetts was ranked as the 4th safest state in the United States. Massachusetts also has some of the strictest gun laws in the United States.

At Wheaton the safety of our students, faculty, staff and visitors is paramount. Campus Safety provides around-the-clock protection and emergency services for the campus, which is located within a quarter of a mile of the local police department. Wheaton Campus Safety is committed to providing a comprehensive program of police, security, crime prevention, fire safety, emergency medical service, parking and traffic enforcement and other related services. The goal is to help insure a safe and orderly environment for the entire college community, guests and visitors.

Trained campus safety dispatchers are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week to deal with emergency calls. As part of the Wheaton emergency preparedness plan, we have implemented an Emergency Alert System to alert Wheaton students, faculty, and staff in the event of a serious campus emergency.

In addition to motor vehicle patrols, a bike patrol has been established to improve the effectiveness of watching the campus. And when a student has a concern for his/her personal safety in traveling from one point on campus to another, he/she is urged to call Campus Safety to request an escort.

Notices about serious incidents of crime on or near campus are published, distributed and posted in conspicuous locations as warranted.

Campus Safety officers receive extensive training in law, crisis management, crime prevention, investigative procedures, fire safety and other security issues. All officers are trained in CPR, first aid procedures, as well as fire and emergency medical services, and the department conducts various safety educational classes.

Can I remain in my residence hall during college vacations?

Housing is available from the start of the academic year though the last day of finals examinations (August – May) for international students.  This includes all of winter break when the College is closed.  There will be a nominal charge during the winter break period, but not for the Thanksgiving (November) and Spring (March) breaks.

Food service is limited during break periods.  Students will have periodic access to hot food and the ability to purchase items to bring back to their rooms through Dining Services. Students may also utilize the common area kitchens within the residence halls to cook meals.  Meal plans are not in effect during these periods and all food must be purchased in addition to the meal plan.