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We’re thrilled you’re interested in applying to Wheaton’s College of Arts and Sciences as a first-year applicant! If you have any questions, please contact the admissions office. We’re always here to help.
Apply to Wheaton
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How to Apply
On this page, you’ll learn about how to apply as a first-year student, the timeline for applications and admissions decisions, and the high school requirements for first-year Wheaton applicants.
Information is also available for applicants to the Conservatory of Music, Transfer Students, International Students, TCK/MKs, and Homeschooled Students.
The content of your application will be the same regardless of which platform you choose. Once you begin your application, you’ll be assigned an admissions counselor to help you through the application process.
Application deadlines are:
- October 15th for Early Action I
- November 15th for Early Action II
- January 15th for Regular Decision I
- February 15th for Regular Decision II
See the Application Timeline below for all application deadlines.
First, write and submit your responses to the faith essay questions on the application.
The required faith essay will be available after you submit your application to Wheaton, as part of a checklist in your Admissions Portal. (If you use the Common App, the personal essay is a different item, with different prompts, and is not required for Wheaton applicants.) For your required faith essay, please choose one of the following prompts:
Essay Prompt #1
Wheaton College is recognized around the world for its commitment to preparing students to answer God’s call and advance Christ’s Kingdom across the globe. In answering God’s call today, we join the global church in representing Jesus Christ and honoring the image of God in people from diverse cultures and ethnicities.
Considering your own background and experiences, in what ways do you hope to learn from and contribute to the nationally and globally diverse community at Wheaton College, which is drawn from urban, suburban, and rural areas in the United States and abroad?
Essay Prompt #2
At Wheaton College we encourage you to ask big questions and to search for truthful answers alongside trusted mentors and peers. We believe faith in Jesus Christ provides spiritual, intellectual, and social tools to pursue God's truth in every area of life.
What is one big question you hope to ask during college, and how do you see your time at Wheaton helping you to pursue the answer?
Second, request transcripts. We accept official transcripts electronically through an official transcript service, or by mail. Transcripts should include grades earned, class rank (if available), and GPA.
Transcripts can be mailed to:
Wheaton College Undergraduate Admissions
501 College Avenue
Wheaton, IL 60187
Third, request recommendation letters.
- An academic recommendation from one of your core academic teachers—English, science, social science, math, or foreign language. No recommendations from parents, please.
- A Christian Mentor recommendation letter from a pastor, youth leader, or Christian mentor (non-family members).
- The Christian Faith reference requirement can be satisfied by a phone or video interview with an admissions counselor.
- Choose recommenders who know you well, and make your request early in your senior year to allow them time to write about you thoughtfully.
- You can send an online request for recommendation by email to your recommenders through the online application. From the "My Account" page, click on "Submit Supplemental Items" in the application checklist and follow the instructions.
Optional Supplemental Materials
- The optional High School Report (PDF) should be completed by the high school guidance office, and submitted with your official transcript and school profile. Regular Action applicants should send a 7th-semester grade report or transcript.
- Standardized test scores are not required. If your test scores reflect your academic ability well and you would like a test score considered for admission, indicate this on your application. Submit SAT, ACT, or CLT (Classical Learning Test) test scores directly from the testing company, or include them in your high school transcript.
Deadlines for submitting supplemental materials are:
- October 22nd for Early Action I
- November 22nd for Early Action II
- January 22nd for Regular Decision I
- February 22nd for Regular Decision II
Interviews are available as an option to fulfill the Christian Mentor Recommendation requirement. Appointments for on-campus, telephone, or video call interviews can be scheduled by calling the Visit Coordinator at 800.222.2419 x2 or by emailing us at admissions@wheaton.edu.
All applicants are considered for academic merit scholarships. Consult Cost & Aid for instructions on how to apply for need-based financial aid.
Direct your questions to the Student Financial Services Office at 800.222.2419, or contact them via email.
First-year Admission Application Deadlines
| Admission Round | Application Due | Supplemental Items Sent by | Decision Notification by | Reply-by Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Early Action I | October 15 | October 22 | Thanksgiving | June 1 |
| Early Action II | November 15 | November 22 | Christmas | June 1 |
| Regular Decision I | January 15 | January 22 | March 1 | June 1 |
| Regular Decision II | February 15 | February 22 | April 1 | June 1 |
| Rolling Admission | On-going as space is available | N/A | Three Weeks Upon Completion of Application File | Two weeks after acceptance |
| Spring Entry | October 1 | October 8 | November 1 | December 1 |
Transfer Admission Application Deadlines
| Entry Term | Application Due | Decision Notification by | Reply-by Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring Entry Priority Deadline | October 1 for guaranteed consideration | November 1 | December 1 |
| Fall Entry Priority Deadline | March 1 for guaranteed consideration | April 1 | June 1 |
| Rolling Admission | On-going as space is available | Three Weeks Upon Completion of Application File | Two weeks after acceptance |
Wheaton looks for applicants who have followed a challenging college preparatory curriculum. Advanced Placement and International Baccalaureate courses are encouraged, if available.
- Applicants are expected to complete a minimum of 18 units in high school. A unit is one full year of a subject. Only courses taken in grades 9-12 are counted. Applicants should complete at least 14 units by the end of their junior year.
- Of the 18 units, 15 must be in English, mathematics, science, social studies, and foreign language. The remaining three may be in academic subjects such as accounting, art history/survey/appreciation, Bible or religion, child development, communications, computer science, consumer education, drama, ESL, family living, journalism, marketing, or music history, theory, and appreciation.
- Applicants should complete at least two years in one foreign language.
- Courses such as physical education, choir, band, driver’s education, or vocational courses do not count toward the 18 units. Only one unit of computer science may be counted toward the 18 units.
- Students in accelerated programs who complete both the requirements for a diploma and Wheaton’s entrance requirements in three years may be considered for admission. They must demonstrate exceptional academic ability as well as maturity sufficient to perform at the college level.
For more information, visit our Admissions FAQs page, or contact the admissions office by phone at 800.222.2419, or by email at admissions@wheaton.edu.
Questions?
Do you have other questions or need clarification on a finer point in the application process? Want to talk with someone? We'd love to hear from you.