English Department

If English is not your native language and you have been studying in an English-based curriculum for fewer than four years, we strongly recommend that you take one of the following English proficiency tests or interview tools:

• TOEFL(iBT or Essentials)
• Duolingo English Test
• IELTS
• Cambridge Assessment English Qualifications(C1 Advanced, C2 Proficiency, or C1 Business Higher accepted)
• InitialView
• Vericant(Standard Interview, which includes a writing sample)
• GTEC CBT(Global Test of English Communication Computer Based Testing)

You can use the following applications to apply to a number of schools, including Wellesley.

Friendly reminder: It’s free to apply to Wellesley.

Common ApplicationCoalition ApplicationQuestBridge Application

Specify your decision plan.

When you begin your application, you’ll need to choose a decision plan for each school you apply to. (Check out our dates and deadlines page for more information.)

Use your legal name throughout.

Be sure to be consistent and use your legal name (as it appears on your passport or other legal documents) on all of your application materials. This may sound obvious, but it’s really important! If you go by another name, list that as your “preferred name” on the application and that’s the name we’ll use when we get in touch with you.

2. The essays

You’ll need to write two essays: a personal essay and a shorter, Wellesley-specific essay. See our application tips for advice on writing your essays.

The personal essay.

For your personal essay, you may choose from the prompts below or write on a topic of your choice. The essay should be 250 to 650 words.

Current Common Application essay prompts

• Some students have a background, identity, interest, or talent that is so meaningful they believe their application would be incomplete without it. If this sounds like you, then please share your story.
• The lessons we take from obstacles we encounter can be fundamental to later success. Recount a time when you faced a challenge, setback, or failure. How did it affect you, and what did you learn from the experience?
• Reflect on a time when you questioned or challenged a belief or idea. What prompted your thinking? What was the outcome?
• Describe a problem you've solved or a problem you'd like to solve. It can be an intellectual challenge, a research query, an ethical dilemma—anything that is of personal importance, no matter the scale. Explain its significance to you and what steps you took or could be taken to identify a solution.
• Discuss an accomplishment, event, or realization that sparked a period of personal growth and a new understanding of yourself or others.
• Describe a topic, idea, or concept you find so engaging that it makes you lose all track of time. Why does it captivate you? What or who do you turn to when you want to learn more?
• Share an essay on any topic of your choice. It can be one you’ve already written, one that responds to a different prompt, or one of your own design.

Current Coalition Application essay prompts

• Tell a story from your life, describing an experience that either demonstrates your character or helped to shape it.
• Describe a time when you made a meaningful contribution to others in which the greater good was your focus. Discuss the challenges and rewards of making your contribution.
• Has there been a time when you’ve had a long-cherished or accepted belief challenged? How did you respond? How did the challenge affect your beliefs?
• What is the hardest part of being a teenager now? What’s the best part? What advice would you give a younger sibling or friend (assuming they would listen to you)?
• Submit an essay on a topic of your choice.

The Wellesley-specific essay

This required writing supplement asks you to respond to the following topic:

When choosing a college community, you are choosing a place where you believe that you can live, learn, and flourish. Generations of inspiring women have thrived in the Wellesley community, and we want to know what aspects of this community inspire you to consider Wellesley. We know that there are more than 100 reasons to choose Wellesley, but the “Wellesley 100” is a good place to start. Visit The Wellesley 100 and let us know, in two well-developed paragraphs, which two items most attract, inspire, or energize you and why. (Not-so-secret tip: The “why” matters to us.)

If relevant to your application, you may submit these optional credentials.

Arts, music, or theatre portfolio

If you have a special talent in the arts, you might want to submit anarts portfolio.

Our art, music, and theatre studies departments will accept electronic submissions of portfolios, recordings, or presentations. The appropriate department will review your material.

Wellesley College does not have a dance department and does not review creative writing materials. Please do NOT submit any dance and/or creative writing supplements as they will not be evaluated.

To submit an arts portfolio:

• You must submit your portfolios, recordings, or presentations electronically through the Wellesley Applicant Portal.Wellesley does not accept art portfolios through the Common Application or Coalition Application. Please do not mail any materials to the Office of Admission. Submissions sent by mail will not be reviewed or returned.

• Follow the guidelines and instructions as outlined by Wellesley’s art, music, and theatre studies departments.

• Please submit your Arts Portfolio through your Wellesley Applicant Portal. Portfolio submissions must be received within a week of the application deadline in order for our faculty to have sufficient time for review.

Athletic supplement

If you are interested in competing in varsity athletics at Wellesley (Division III), submit a recruiting formto the head coach of your sport.