How to Get Into Wesleyan
Wesleyan University Middletown CT” by Steadyjohn is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

How to Get Into Wesleyan University — General Information

Wesleyan University is a private university founded in 1831 and located in Middletown, Connecticut, overlooking the Connecticut River. The total Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment is approximately 3,000. U.S. News ranks Wesleyan University as #17 of the 2022 National Liberal Arts Colleges.

In this How to Get into Wesleyan University guide, we’ll cover:

  • The Wesleyan University average GPA
  • Average Wesleyan SAT scores 
  • Tips to meet the Wesleyan application deadline
  • Information about Wesleyan University admissions 
  • Advice for the Wesleyan interview
  • Details about the Wesleyan acceptance rate
  • How to interpret the Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment figures, and much more!

When thinking about how to get into Wesleyan University, remember that it is a liberal arts college that values diversity, passion, and collaboration just as much as intellectual rigor. 

Therefore, ensure your grades match the estimated Wesleyan University average GPA, and your standardized tests match the average Wesleyan SAT scores. In addition, prepare well for your Wesleyan interview. This will help Wesleyan University admissions see how your interests help you to grow physically, intellectually, and socially.  

Do all of this well before the Wesleyan application deadline, and you have a high chance of acing the Wesleyan University admissions process and being admitted for Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment! 

Figuring out how to get into Wesleyan University takes strategy. We can help. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes graduates from top schools across the country. Want to maximize your Wesleyan admissions odds? Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.

How do I get into Wesleyan?

If you’d like to know how to get into Wesleyan University, understand that Wesleyan University admissions reviews applications holistically. This means that they take each part of your application into account. 

WU does not require applicants to submit SAT or ACT scores. However, they will consider your Wesleyan SAT scores—as well as your Wesleyan interview—if you do submit them. They will also look at your college counselor recommendation, teacher evaluations, and personal essays submitted through the Common Application or Coalition Application

So, when thinking about how to get into Wesleyan University, start planning early. The Wesleyan University admissions team wants to see that you’ve excelled in challenging courses and pursued extracurriculars that excite you. Make sure each element of your application is up to scratch well before the Wesleyan application deadline. 

How hard is it to get into Wesleyan University?

Thinking about how to get into Wesleyan University? First, know that the Wesleyan acceptance rate is relatively low, making it a very selective school.

Remember that the Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment is around 3,000, and the Fall 2021 Wesleyan acceptance rate was 19.3%. In addition, the Wesleyan SAT scores for admitted students are high. The middle 50% of the Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment achieved an SAT score between 1460 and 1560 or an ACT score of between 33 and 35.

Wesleyan University admissions does not require Wesleyan SAT scores or ACT scores. However, the Wesleyan acceptance rate is low, so high Wesleyan SAT scores should be a key part of your “how to get into Wesleyan University” strategy. Study hard for standardized tests and, if your results are strong, submit them.

While Wesleyan University is a hard school to get into, don’t let that discourage you from applying! Follow the advice in this “how to get into Wesleyan University” guide and you’ll stand a good chance in the Wesleyan University admissions process.

What is the required GPA for Wesleyan University?

When considering how to get into Wesleyan University, you’ll no doubt wonder about the Wesleyan University average GPA, as well as any GPA requirements. 

Wesleyan does not publish a Wesleyan University average GPA for the Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment. So, there is no specific Wesleyan University average GPA that you should strive to achieve.

However, if you are thinking about how to get into Wesleyan University, you should take your high school grades seriously. Although the Wesleyan University admissions team uses a holistic review process, they highly value academic strength. Your grades and standardized test results, therefore, make a huge difference.  

Although no official average GPA is published, we advise studying as though the Wesleyan University average GPA is 3.90. To achieve a GPA this high, strive to achieve As in challenging courses. This will help you stand out to the Wesleyan University admissions team. A strong GPA will help you overcome the competitive Wesleyan acceptance rate. 

Do your grades fall below the hypothetical Wesleyan University average GPA of 3.90? Not to worry—you can still create a solid “how to get into Wesleyan University” strategy. You can strengthen your application with high Wesleyan SAT scores, glowing teacher recommendations, an engaging personal essay, and strong supplemental materials. 

What is the Wesleyan University standardized test policy?

Any good “how to get into Wesleyan University” strategy will include strong SAT or ACT results. Like the Wesleyan University average GPA, there are no required Wesleyan SAT scores or ACT scores. But if you want to ace the Wesleyan University admissions process, you should take your Wesleyan SAT scores seriously. 

Remember that the middle 50% of the Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment achieved an SAT score between 1460 and 1560 or an ACT score of between 33 and 35. Wesleyan is a test-optional school, so the Wesleyan University admissions team does not require Wesleyan SAT scores. However, we suggest that you submit a strong score (within the middle 50% of applicants). It will help you stand out from the crowd, which is key given the low Wesleyan acceptance rate.

Want to perfect your “how to get into Wesleyan University” strategy and nail the Wesleyan University admissions process? Read our guide on improving your Wesleyan SAT scores before the Wesleyan application deadline. 

What does the Wesleyan University application require?

To really master how to get into Wesleyan University, first understand what Wesleyan University admissions requires in your application. You must also be cognizant of the Wesleyan application deadline. 

For both the Early Decision and Regular Decision policies, Wesleyan University admissions requires the following:

  • An application and personal essay, submitted through the Common Application or Coalition Application
  • A secondary school report, transcript, and school profile  
  • A recommendation from your college counselor 
  • Your midyear school report form
  • Two academic teacher evaluations
  • Wesleyan SAT scores or ACT scores (optional)
  • Supplemental materials (optional)
  • Wesleyan interview (optional)

Note that the Wesleyan application deadline for Regular Decision is January 1st. The Wesleyan application deadline for Early Decision 1 is November 15th. For Early Decision 2, the deadline is January 1st

You’ll find some great advice on how to ace the Common App here

The Wesleyan interview is optional, but it is also evaluative. This means Wesleyan University admissions will use it to assess your application. So, if you really want to know how to get into Wesleyan University, book a Wesleyan interview and prepare well for it.

You’ll find more advice about how to succeed in your college interview here. We’ll give more tips about the Wesleyan interview later in this “how to get into Wesleyan University” guide. 

Finally, Wesleyan University admissions does not require supplemental materials—most successful applicants don’t submit any. So, only submit this material if you have a particularly strong artistic portfolio.

So, if you’d like to know how to get into Wesleyan University, try to improve your grades, Wesleyan SAT scores, Wesleyan interview technique, and personal essays before the Wesleyan application deadline.

What extracurriculars does Wesleyan University like?

When planning how to get into Wesleyan University, you should think about the extracurriculars Wesleyan University admissions will look for. This is especially important given the low Wesleyan acceptance rate.

There are over 250 student-run groups at WU. Given the Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment of almost 3,000 students, this breadth of organizations shows the diverse interests of the student body.

The Wesleyan University admissions team looks for students with a variety of talents. They want to see how you have engaged with school activities, civic and religious organizations, politics, and the arts. We recommend that you pick up such pursuits long before the Wesleyan application deadline. Then, share them in your personal essays, optional supplemental materials, and Wesleyan interview. 

What is the acceptance rate at Wesleyan University?

Anyone thinking about how to get into Wesleyan University must consider the Wesleyan acceptance rate. This number gives you a sense of the Wesleyan University admissions process.

In the fall of 2020, the Wesleyan acceptance rate was 21%. According to U.S. News, the Wesleyan acceptance rate makes it a “most competitive” school. 

Want to give yourself the best chance of overcoming the low Wesleyan acceptance rate? Focus on matching those optimum Wesleyan SAT scores and surpassing the estimated Wesleyan University average GPA.

That said, don’t be put off by the Wesleyan acceptance rate. If you’re researching how to get into Wesleyan University, it’s likely that something in the school appeals to you. This means you’d make a valuable member of the Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment. 

So, do your research on how to get into Wesleyan University. Then, strengthen each part of your application before the Wesleyan application deadline.

Does Wesleyan University require interviews?

There is no required Wesleyan interview. However, we suggest you make the Wesleyan interview a part of your “how to get into Wesleyan University” strategy. The Wesleyan University admissions team will use your interview to supplement your other materials. So, a strong Wesleyan interview can add depth to your profile.

Your Wesleyan interview will be between September and February. Sign up for a Wesleyan interview here, or request a Wesleyan interview with an alum here.

In your Wesleyan interview, Wesleyan University admissions looks at your intellectual curiosity, academic and extracurricular commitment, and character. You can find some sample Wesleyan interview questions here

In your Wesleyan interview, be ready to discuss your key academic and extracurricular interests. Be clear on the passions and goals which drive these interests. Try to focus on the skills you have developed through them, and the achievements you have made. Finally, prepare well. That way, when your Wesleyan interview comes around, you’ll have no problem showing Wesleyan University admissions that you have what they are looking for!

How does Wesleyan University review applications?

Students who want to know how to get into Wesleyan University might wonder what happens after the Wesleyan application deadline of January 1st

Wesleyan doesn’t publish a detailed outline of their review process. However, there are certain things you can be sure they will assess. Alongside your Wesleyan SAT scores, assumed Wesleyan University average GPA, and personal essays as discussed above, Wesleyan University admissions looks at the following:

Class rank

Wesleyan University admissions prefers students to report their class rank. We suggest that you share this information, especially if you are high up in your class. 

Teacher recommendations

Wesleyan prefers one of these recommendations to come from a math or science teacher and another to come from an English or social sciences teacher. 

Interviews

Wesleyan interviews are evaluative and therefore highly recommended. While optional, they can provide more depth to your application.

Also, note that Wesleyan University admissions does not look at demonstrated interest. So, your inability to visit campus will not impact you.

Not sure what demonstrated interest is? Check out our webinar to learn more.

Follow the advice in this “how to get into Wesleyan University” guide. Then, craft your application paying close attention to detail. If you follow these tips, you can impress the Wesleyan University admissions team. 

Will Wesleyan University consider my social media accounts?

Considering how to get into Wesleyan University? Then, it’s wise to think about how your social media presence will factor into your “how to get into Wesleyan University” plan.  

Wesleyan University admissions does not mention social media in the Wesleyan University application requirements. Wesleyan University admissions receives a high volume of applications (over 12,700 last year). So, they don’t have time to review your social media accounts alongside your Wesleyan SAT scores, Wesleyan interview, and the rest of your application. 

However, you should still avoid posting any inappropriate content online. Other schools and future employers may look at your online presence to learn about your character. Check out these guidelines for sensible social media use.

Is Wesleyan a good school for me?

Students who want to learn how to get into Wesleyan University might get caught up in understanding the Wesleyan University average GPA, interpreting the Wesleyan acceptance rate, and meeting that Wesleyan application deadline. It’s easy to forget to ask whether Wesleyan is right for you!

When you look at the Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment figures, you’ll see that Wesleyan is a diverse school. This is true in terms of gender, ethnicity, nationality, and background. 

Wesleyan University values intellectual curiosity and an open mind. Wesleyan puts a high emphasis on independent thought. This means they value students’ abilities to solve real-world problems. They have an open curriculum because they value student choice and creative control.  

Before you think about the Wesleyan University admissions requirements, make a list of what you want from your college experience. Then, thoroughly research Wesleyan’s academic offerings and student life. Make sure it’s a place where you can achieve your goals.

You’ll find more information about life at Wesleyan in these videos.

Additional tips to get into Wesleyan University:

Wesleyan University is a selective school, so your grades matter if you want to be among the Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment. However, the answer to how to get into Wesleyan University is more than just achieving the estimated Wesleyan University average GPA or matching the Wesleyan SAT scores.

Think about the following tips to boost your chances of acceptance: 

Be authentic

In your academics and extracurriculars, choose things that genuinely excite you. You’ll find it easier to stick to the subjects and excel, making you a stronger candidate.

Build relationships

Wesleyan takes your academic teacher evaluations seriously, so maintain good relationships with your teachers. There’s no need to be a straight-A student—if you show good character and passion in the classroom, your evaluation will shine.

The Wesleyan undergraduate enrollment is small, and the Wesleyan acceptance rate is low. However, don’t feel discouraged. While academically rigorous, the Wesleyan University admissions process is a holistic one. Showcase your diverse interests and talents so that you build a compelling profile. 

If you follow this “how to get into Wesleyan University” guide, you can feel confident applying to Wesleyan. Good luck!


This guide was written by Bethany Nelson. If you want to know how to get into Wesleyan University, we’ve got you covered. CollegeAdvisor.com’s network of 300+ Admissions Experts (and former admissions officers) includes graduates from top schools across the country. Create your free account or schedule a free advising consultation by calling (844) 343-6272.