How to Apply to the College of Arts and Sciences

Please note that you may apply to the College of Arts and Sciences or to the Conservatory of Music, but not both. This is the application process for the College of Arts and Sciences. If you wish to pursue a Bachelor of Music or a Bachelor of Music Education, please apply to the  Conservatory of Music.

Before you begin the process, please review the definitions and timing information below. All the requirements listed must be met in order to be considered for admission.

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Definitions

• First-Year applicants (first-time, first-year) are those students who have not yet graduated from high school, regardless of the number of college credits earned, or those who have graduated but have not earned any post-high school college credit. College coursework is evaluated after acceptance.  
• Transfer applicants are those who, at the time of application, have graduated from high school and subsequently earned credit at a higher education institution. 
• International Students: If you are not a U.S. citizen or permanent resident, please review the  admissions process for International Students. 

Other Types of Applicants

• Previous Applicants: Students who have applied to Wheaton College within the last two years, but who have not enrolled, should apply online. Additional required items include a final high school transcript, a new academic recommendation, subsequent college transcripts, and an essay. The application fee is waived for these applicants. If the original application was submitted over two years ago, the candidate must submit a new application to the College of Arts and Sciences or to the Conservatory of Music.
• Returning Students: Students who have previously enrolled in a degree program and have been away for a semester or more must complete a  Returning Student Application (PDF). No application fee is required. Please submit transcripts for college work completed at other schools as well.
• Special Students: Non-degree seeking students apply with a Special Student Application. Please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office at 800.222.2419 to request one.
• Applicant with Bachelor's Degree: If you have already earned a bachelor's degree, please contact the Undergraduate Admissions Office before applying.

Deadlines and Timing

* Note: If you're currently living outside the United States, you may choose to have your decision letter faxed or emailed to you.  Emails to Early Action applicants will be sent by January 5, and emails to Regular Action applicants will be sent by April 1.

Please allow at least one week to ensure that the application and supporting documents arrive by the deadline.

Admissions Decisions Notification

Admissions decisions are given by mail. We do not notify applicants of their decision in advance or over the phone. Please plan accordingly. Email or fax notification is available only for students living outside the U.S. and will occur after the decision letters have been mailed. 

Application Steps

1.  Complete Your Application

• Complete the Online Application
• Write and Submit Your Essays
• Pay the Application Fee 
  Before you submit the online application, you will need to pay the non-refundable $50 application fee by credit card, debit card, or online check. Payment is made from within the application system.
  If you would like to request a fee waiver because of financial hardship, please have your high school guidance counselor or principal complete the  fee waiver form and fax it to 630.752.5285 or email it to admissions@wheaton.edu.  Once the fee waiver form has been received and approved, you will receive an email with a fee waiver code which will enable you to submit the online application.
  Wheaton Connection Application Fee Waiver:  As a thank you for attending  Wheaton Connection, all registered students will have their online application fee waived.  Juniors will receive the fee waiver code the following July, for next year's application. 
• Submit Art or Music Supplement
  Prospective Art Students
  Students who plan to pursue a degree in Art are encouraged to submit a  portfolio of 10 to 15 examples of their work in JPEG format.  If you submit the online application, you may upload an electronic copy of your art portfolio on the supplemental items page of the online application.  You may also submit a CD or DVD. Please label each CD or DVD image with the title, date, media, and dimensions of the work, and send to Undergraduate Admissions, 501 College Avenue, Wheaton IL 60187. For more information, contact the  Art Department at 630.752.5050.

2.  Send Test Scores

• You are required to submit either SAT, ACT, or CLT (Classical Learning Test) test scores. All test scores must be sent directly from the testing company to Wheaton College. Do not send your student copy of the score report.
• Wheaton's Code Numbers 
  SAT: 1905
  ACT: 1160  
• Superscores
  Wheaton "superscores" the SAT, ACT, and CLT using the highest critical reading and math scores from any sitting of the SAT test, and calculating the highest composite ACT score using subscores from any sitting of the ACT test. 
• Due Dates
  Early Action
  Please note that if you are applying during the Early Action round, the tests must be taken no later than the October ACT test date and/or the November SAT test date prior to applying for admission. 
  Regular Action
  If you are applying during the Regular Action round, the ACT or SAT test must be taken no later than the December test date prior to applying for admission. 
  Note: Only test scores received by the application deadline will be considered for merit scholarship eligibility. 
• Transfers: Test scores are required unless you have earned at least 60 (post-high school) college semester credit hours at the time of application.
• English Proficiency Requirements:  English proficiency requirements apply to all international students and to U. S. residents whose native language is not English.

3. Request Transcripts and Reports

• High School Transcripts
  Please request an official transcript from your high school. We accept official transcripts that are sent electronically (through an official transcript service), or by mail. The transcript should include grades earned, class rank (if available), and GPA. Mailed transcripts should be sent to:
  
  Wheaton College Undergraduate Admissions
  501 College Avenue
  Wheaton, IL 60187
• High School Report (Optional)
  The  High School Report (PDF) is for first-year applicants only, and is optional. It should be completed by the high school guidance office, and submitted with your official transcript and school profile. Regular Action applicants do not need to send a 7th semester grade report or 7th semester transcript. 
• Homeschool students
  If you were homeschooled for any part of high school, submit the  Homeschool Information Form with a transcript signed by a homeschool official. 
• Post-secondary transcripts
  Transfer applicants are required to submit transcripts from all post-secondary institutions, whether or not credit was earned or grades were received. First-Year applicants who have taken or are taking college courses at a post-secondary institution should also submit transcripts. Post-secondary transcripts should be sent directly from the institution to the Wheaton College Admissions Office.
• International Students: Please see the "Request Secondary School Records" and "University Records" sections of How to Apply as an International Student.  

4. Request Recommendations

Academic Recommendation
A report from one of your core academic teachers (English, science, social science, math, or foreign language) is required. This should be someone who knows your classroom performance well. Homeschool students should refer to the academic recommendation form for further instructions. Transfers: Your academic recommendation must come from a college/university professor or advisor. However, current first-year students may submit a recommendation from either a college/university professor or high school core-subject teacher. There are two options for completing this form:

• Online form: After starting your online application, you will have the option of sending an online recommendation form by email to the recommender you have chosen. From the "My Account" page of your online application account, click on "Submit Supplemental Items" in the application checklist, then follow the instructions for sending a recommendation request. 
• Paper form: Complete Part I of the  Academic Recommendation (PDF) and give it to your reference person. Ask that he or she send the form directly to the Admissions office or return the form to you in a signed and sealed envelope, which you will submit, unopened, with the other supporting documents for your application.

Pastoral Recommendation
A recommendation from a pastor, youth pastor, former pastor, Bible study leader, Christian school teacher, church official, or other mature Christian is required. This person should be a mature Christian adult who knows you well and has had the opportunity to observe your spiritual life. This person should not be a relative. There are two options for completing this form:

• Online form: After starting your online application, you will have the option of sending an online recommendation form by email to the recommender you have chosen. From the "My Account" page of your online application account, click on "Submit Supplemental Items" in the application checklist, then follow the instructions for sending a recommendation request. 
• Paper form:  Complete Part I of the  Pastoral Recommendation (PDF) and give it to your reference person, requesting that he/she send the form directly to the Admissions Office or return it to you in a signed and sealed envelope, which you will submit, unopened, with the other supporting documents for your application.

5. Schedule an Interview (optional)

Interviews are an optional part of the application process that allow us to get to know applicants better. Appointments for on-campus and telephone interviews can be scheduled by calling the Visit Coordinator at 800.222.2419 x2.

Students who are living outside the United States are welcome to schedule a Skype or phone interview. Please send a request for an international interview to admissions@wheaton.edu. 

6. Apply for Financial Aid

Please consult  Cost & Aid for instructions on how to apply for financial aid. Direct your questions to the Student Financial Services Office at 800.362.2674, or contact them via email. The priority processing deadline for financial aid is November 10 for First-Year Early Action and Spring applicants, January 22 for First-Year Regular Action applicants, and March 1 for Fall Transfer applicants.