Wesleyan University
Overview
Wesleyan University, located in a small New England city of 50,000, is a diverse, dynamic liberal arts community where critical thinking and practical idealism go hand in hand. Students take advantage of over 1,000 courses in 45 majors, 31 minors and 3 certificate programs in an open curriculum with no core required courses.
Professors teach every class at Wesleyan while maintaining leading-edge research endeavors, creating many opportunities for undergraduates to attend small classes and engage in faculty research. Rigorous academic work connects to real-world issues and concerns through a variety of unique programs such as the Center for Prison Education and the Patricelli Center for Social Entrepreneurship. Annually, Wesleyan receives more federal funding for science research than any other small college or university, and most undergraduate science majors see their original research published before they graduate. WesMaSS (Wesleyan Math & Science Scholars) is a highly selective academic program designed to support students from traditionally underrepresented groups pursuing study in mathematics and the natural sciences.
Campus life is student-driven and vibrant, with more than 275 student clubs such as The Argus (the student newspaper) and other publications; music, dance, theater, film, spoken-word and improv comedy groups; social justice, activist, and identity-based organizations. Wesleyan has 30 varsity athletic teams that compete in the NESCAC conference in NCAA Division III, as well as active club sports teams. Students engage with the Middletown community through the Albritton Center (the hub of civic engagement at Wesleyan), service learning and the Center for Community Partnerships, volunteering in various capacities and creating substantive programming for residents. Many opportunities for other off-campus experiences exist as well, with over 50% of students choosing to study and do research domestically and abroad, often supported by grants available to pursue research projects or to support an unpaid internship. Wesleyan’s unique housing system fosters increasing independence as students move from dormitories to apartments and houses that are part of Wesleyan’s residential network.
Wesleyan alumni go on to careers in every area of industry, technology, government, business, education, entertainment, politics and non-profit work. They include Nobel Prize recipients, MacArthur “Genius” Grant winners, Fulbright scholars, Super Bowl champions, Academy Award winners, groundbreaking scientists, innovative entrepreneurs, political trailblazers, and more.
Wesleyan students gain access to top graduate programs and experience incredible rates of admission to medical and law schools, with more than 80% admitted to a top choice program annually. The Gordon Career Center offers a full array of services to current students and alumni for internships, summer employment and opportunities, and post-Wesleyan employment.
