Third Largest Applicant Pool for Class of 2030, Breaking Down Admitted Students Data

Following the release of Regular Decision results on Wednesday, March 25, the University’s Office of Admission shared data about applications for the Class of 2030 with The Argus.

The Office of Admission reported 14,820 applicants for the Class of 2030, marking the third-largest applicant pool in the University’s history. A total of 2,338 students were admitted across all rounds, resulting in an overall acceptance rate of approximately 15.8%.

While the total number of applicants decreased slightly from last year’s record of 14,970, the acceptance rate also declined marginally from 16.1%.

The University’s target is to enroll as many as 810 students in the Class of 2030. Of those admitted, 558 were accepted through the two rounds of Early Decision, an increase from 512 last year. As a result, a larger proportion of the incoming class has already committed prior to the regular decision cycle, aligning with a broader trend toward earlier enrollment commitments.

Financial aid applicants accounted for 45% of admitted students, a slight uptick from 44% last year. 16% of admitted students identify as first-generation college students, an uptick from 13% previously, while 12% identify as international students, compared to 10% of admitted students for the Class of 2029.

Academic indicators for the Class of 2030 remained largely consistent with the past year, with slight variation across categories. Math preparation rose to 86% of admitted students completing calculus, up from 84% the year before. In the sciences, 79% completed coursework in biology, chemistry, and physics, representing a 1% decrease, while 76% demonstrated four-year proficiency in a single foreign language, a 1% increase from the previous cycle.

67% of admitted students opted to have their standardized test scores considered. Median scores remained unchanged, with a median ACT of 34 and SAT medians of 750 in evidence-based reading and writing and 770 in math. 

The Office of Admission has been hosting admitted students over the past few weeks and will continue to do so in the coming weeks through a range of on-campus programs. These visits are directed towards giving admitted students a chance to get a sense of the University and its community by attending classes and connecting with current students and faculty members. One notable example is the Fly-In Cardinals, the Office’s overnight hosting program.

In addition to these admitted student events, the admissions office has recently launched “Yes to Wes” Days, held on Monday, April 6 and Monday, April 13, with the final one planned for Tuesday, April 21. 

Designed as a replacement to the previously organized WesFest, these events are designed to let admitted students and their parents experience a day in the life as a University student. By being able to eat in the University dining hall and attend performances and other campus activities, prospective Cardinals can get a taste of student life on campus. 

Alongside these larger events, the Office continues to offer campus tours, information sessions, meetings with senior interns, and day visits where students can sit in on classes. 

Students offered admission during Regular Decision have until Friday, May 1 to accept.

Raiza Goel can be reached at rgoel@wesleyan.edu.

Goel is a tour guide for the Office of Admission.