Information for Admitted Students
Congratulations on your admission to Wesleyan University! This page will guide you through your next steps as you prepare to join the Wesleyan community. We’re so glad you’re here, and we can’t wait to welcome you to campus.
If you are a transfer admitted student, click here.
Important Dates
| Event | Date | Details |
|---|---|---|
| New Student Arrival Day | Wednesday, September 3, 2025 | Move-in day for new students. (International students arrive earlier, see below.) |
| New Student Orientation | Wednesday, September 3 – Sunday, September 7, 2025 | A five-day program to help all new students transition to Wesleyan. |
| International Student Arrival | Friday, August 29 – Saturday, August 30, 2025 | Register for this two-day arrival window in WesPortal via the ISO Student Registration Form. |
| International Settle-in Day | Sunday, August 31, 2025 | Ride free buses to shop for supplies in Middletown and participate in group activities with your peers. |
| International Student Orientation | Monday, September 1 – Tuesday, September 2, 2025 | Led by the Office of International Student Affairs. Full details will be shared in June. |
Accessing Your Digital Tools
In mid-June, you’ll receive an email from Information Technology Services with your Wesleyan email address and login credentials.
Starting July 2, 2025, your Wesleyan email becomes your official university inbox. Be sure to check it regularly—or set up forwarding to your personal email—to stay on top of important updates.
In mid-June, you’ll receive an email from Information Technology Services with your WesPortal login credentials.
WesPortal is your personalized student dashboard. You’ll use it to:
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Complete enrollment forms and surveys
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View housing and meal plan assignments
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Upload your ID photo
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Submit your health insurance waiver
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Pay your tuition bill
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Register for classes
Need help with access or tech support? Visit wesleyan.edu/its.
Once you’ve logged into WesPortal, you’ll unlock your Online Orientation. This interactive, self-paced experience includes videos, tips, quizzes, and more to help you prepare for life at Wesleyan.
If you won’t have internet access this summer, please contact the Office of Student Involvement at orientation@wesleyan.edu. Note: the office is staffed beginning in June.
Parents and Families
Welcome to Campus!
We can’t wait to welcome you to campus on Wednesday, September 3, 2025 for Arrival Day.
Move-in will take place between 9:00 a.m. and 1:00 p.m. Families are welcome to stay until 5:00 p.m.
Important Notes:
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If you are an international student, fall athlete, or part of First Things First, follow your program’s instructions—this section does not apply to your arrival.
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Room assignments and move-in appointment scheduling will be available in WesPortal by August 9 at noon.
Move-In Process:
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Arrive during your assigned time. All move-ins are by appointment based on residence hall.
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After unloading, your vehicle must be moved to a designated parking lot (you’ll be directed to the closest one).
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GPS: Use 303 High Street, Middletown, CT, then follow campus signage (not GPS directions) to your residence hall.
Check-In:
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You’ll check in at your unloading site—bring a photo ID.
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You must have completed all required items in the New Student Checklist, including health forms, to move in.
Tips and Reminders:
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Bring your own cart if possible (limited availability).
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Label your belongings with name, building, and room number.
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Many residence halls do not have elevators—pack accordingly.
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The mailroom (Usdan Center basement, 45 Wyllys Ave.) has carts you can borrow with your WesCard.
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Construction may be active on campus, especially near the Butterfields.
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Don’t forget a refillable water bottle—it’s usually hot!
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Renter’s insurance is encouraged (Wesleyan doesn’t cover lost/damaged items).
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For forgotten essentials, visit the Campus Store in Usdan before heading off-campus.
Orientation is your official welcome to Wesleyan. Designed for all incoming first-year and transfer students, this multi-day experience helps you get to know campus, connect with your classmates, and start building your life at Wes.
Dates: September 3–7, 2025
Schedule: Available in early August on WesNest
WesNest is Wesleyan’s student engagement platform where you can:
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View Orientation events
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Explore student groups and upcoming activities
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Track your involvement on campus
Reminders:
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Orientation is organized by the Office of Student Involvement.
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Orientation info will be emailed to you in June.
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Your WesPortal and email login credentials will arrive in mid-June.
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Starting July 2, all communication will be sent to your Wesleyan email only, set up forwarding if needed.
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Students arriving from outside the U.S. participate in International Student Orientation, designed to support you as you settle into life in the U.S. and at Wesleyan.
Have questions?
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General orientation: orientation@wesleyan.edu
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International students: iso@wesleyan.edu
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Instagram updates: @wes.involvement
What to Bring to Campus
Learn about what we recommend students bring with them when coming to live on campus.
Join us on Social Media
Connect with new Cardinals and stay up to date with orientation and student life.
Planning Ahead
The First Year
Intellectual independence, critical thinking, and exploration of a wide range of traditional and interdisciplinary fields of study are the hallmarks of a Wesleyan liberal arts education.
At Wesleyan, you will work under the guidance of scholars, scientists, and artists who care deeply about teaching and advising. Upon your acceptance of Wesleyan’s offer of admission, we will provide you with academic and advising resources that contain detailed information. In the meantime, we hope the following summary of the first-year academic experience will be helpful to you.
Educational Goals for the First Year
During your first year, you should strive to build a program of study that balances intellectual breadth and depth. This will mean exploring fields of study that are new or unfamiliar to you while at the same time sharpening your knowledge and interest in those areas of the curriculum that you expect to focus on later. Every student finds this balance in their own way. This could mean taking courses in physics or sociology if you plan on majoring in music, or taking courses in film or anthropology if you plan on majoring in biology. Your faculty advisor and advising resources will guide you through this process.
Academic Advising and the Academic Relationship
Developing a strong relationship with your faculty advisor is key to taking full advantage of your Wesleyan educational experience. Your advisor, who will be assigned to you over the summer, will serve as your intellectual guide, answering questions about how to best navigate the curriculum. You will be challenged to undertake coursework in disciplines outside your comfort zone so that you may broaden your understanding of yourself and the world. After you arrive on campus, your advisor will point you to additional resources needed to develop your academic plan for the next two years. When you declare your major in the spring of your sophomore year, you will be assigned a new faculty advisor in your major department. Your class dean is another source of academic guidance and support during your time at Wesleyan.
Learn More About Academic Advising
Academic Resources
Among the many resources that Wesleyan provides to assist with academic planning, WesMaps, WesPortal, and the Wesleyan University Course Catalog are the most important. WesMaps provides complete curricular information for every course taught at the University, including course description, important readings, scheduling information, General Education designations, prerequisites, grading mode, and course format. As a new student, you will utilize WesMaps, Wesvising, the Advising Guidelines, and other resources as you participate in course registration over the summer and craft a tentative plan of study to be discussed and approved by your faculty advisor at your orientation meeting. WesPortal is your online gateway to the University, with important academic processes, including course registration, drop/add, and declaration of your major.
WesPortal also helps you monitor progress towards graduation by providing access to your academic history, General Education Report, credit analysis, and major certification form. Beyond these core academic functions, your WesPortal also provides access to your Wesleyan email and Google Docs accounts, class blogs, enrollment and personal data information, and student account balance and payment tools.
The Gordon Career Center is also a good resource for accessing internship, work study, and summer grant opportunities. The Gordon Career Center works with students of all class years to translate their liberal education into a lifetime of meaningful work.
First-Year Seminars
First-Year Seminars provide students with the intellectual challenge of a small discussion group. These seminars are limited to first-year students and emphasize writing, research, analysis, discussion, and critical thinking skills. Some are special “learning and living” seminars in which students enrolled in the course live in the same residence hall. You will have the opportunity to enroll in a First-Year Seminar during course registration over the summer.
International Students
Welcome International Students!
International students are vital members of the Wesleyan community. They embody the Wesleyan spirit of unbridled curiosity, the bold pursuit of discovery, and the invaluable benefits of intellectual and cultural exchange.
As you navigate the distinct challenges and exciting opportunities of studying in the United States, our Office of International Student Affairs is here to support and empower you with information and resources so you can take full advantage of your time at Wesleyan and beyond.
Matriculation information will be sent to you in early May 2025 (including guidance on international student orientation, arrival, and visas). In the meantime, for more information on preparing to enroll at Wesleyan, visit the Office of International Student Affairs website.
First Generation Students
Welcome First Generation Students!
At Wesleyan, first generation students have the support of our entire community. Here, we celebrate breaking through barriers and paving the way for future generations.
From our First-Generation Low-Income student community, First Things First, to our class deans and our Resource Center, first generation students are connected to mentors, community, guidance, and resources as we support you throughout your time at Wesleyan.
For more information on internships, summer grants, and work study opportunities on and off campus, visit the Gordon Career Center.
For more information about support and resources for first generation students, visit the First Generation website.
Parents and Families
Congratulations Parents and Families!
This is an exciting time for you and your student, the culmination of many years of hard work, support, and encouragement. We are thrilled to be able to share it with you and to invite you to be part of our vibrant Wesleyan community.
Explore our Parents and Families website
Learn about the many ways in which we partner with our parents and families to support our students through their entire Wesleyan career. Find additional family-specific resources to help you stay connected.
Visit the Parents and Families Website
Mark your calendar for WesFest events!
WesFest is a wonderful opportunity for admitted students and their families to preview the Wesleyan experience in person and online. We are still ironing out details for WesFest. Your student will receive an email as soon as dates/times are set.
Show your Wesleyan pride!
Get geared up in the red and black with sweatshirts, hats, water bottles, and other University-licensed apparel and merchandise available online at Wesleyan RJ Julia Booksellers and at Sideline’s Wesleyan Cardinals site.
What's next?
Look out for the Parent and Families packet with additional enrollment information, which will be sent out in June.
Financing Your Education
There are many ways to pay for a university education and many resources available to make the costs more manageable. The following guidelines, primarily designed for domestic students, summarize those resources and outline useful strategies in financial planning.
Optional Tuition Insurance
Wesleyan is pleased to advise you of an optional Undergraduate insurance program which extends Wesleyan’s refund policy. Applications must be made prior to the first day of class if enrolled on-campus or by the non-resident program start date if studying away. Please click here for more information or call (866) 985-7598.
Students are charged one semester at a time for tuition, fees, and the Residential Comprehensive Fee. If a student is receiving financial aid, the pending credits for the financial aid are subtracted from the account total, as long as the student has provided the Office of Financial Aid with all necessary certifications and documents.
The account balance, minus tentative credits for any financial aid not yet posted to the account, is the amount the student is responsible for paying. The full amount due must be paid within 30 days of the billing date. Fall semester charges are posted to the student account in July. Spring semester charges are posted to the student account in January. Students are not permitted to enroll unless the full amount due is paid or otherwise satisfied.
Monthly Payment Plans allow families to finance each semester of college costs. Each semester there is a $45 nonrefundable enrollment fee; no interest is charged. Payments run August 1 through December 1 for fall and January 1 through May 1 for spring.
Federal Parent PLUS Loans are available through the U.S. Department of Education’s Direct Loan Program. Parents may borrow up to the full cost of education, less any financial aid. A credit review is part of the application process.
Alternative Loans (also known as Private Education Loans) are loan products that are not backed by the federal government. They typically have variable interest rates and rely on a credit review to calculate the initial rate of interest. Typically the student is the borrower and often a co-borrower is required to pass a credit check to receive a more favorable interest rate. Interest accrues from the date of disbursement. Students should exhaust all federal student loan options before considering an alternative loan.
When should we make arrangements for a payment program?
Enrollment can begin when the semester charges are posted to the student account. The first monthly payment is due August 1.
When should we apply for an educational loan?
In order to receive loan proceeds prior to fall enrollment, applications for any educational loan should be in process by July 1.
Are any campus jobs available to students who are not receiving financial aid?
Yes. Preference is given to students who are authorized to work as part of their financial aid awards, but about one-third of the on-campus jobs typically are held by non-financial aid students. Non-University jobs are also available in the local community.
If we did not apply for financial aid but would like to explore this option, what should we do?
For U.S. citizens and permanent residents, please contact the Financial Aid Office to discuss what financing options may be available. In general, if you applied to Wesleyan without seeking financial aid, you must be enrolled one year before becoming eligible to receive Wesleyan financial aid. International students who did not apply for financial aid at time of admission are ineligible for institutional aid during their attendance at Wesleyan.
Who receives access to the student account?
The student has primary access to their student account. The student can enable guests to view their student account online or make online payments. For more information, visit the Student Accounts website.
What forms of payment are accepted by Wesleyan?
- E-check or paper check
- Cash
- Wire transfer
- Flywire for international money transfer
- Private educational loan
- Monthly Payment Plan
Quick Links
Academic Resources
Life at Wesleyan
Support Along the Way
Have a question or need support? Below are the main contacts to know as you get ready to arrive on campus. Office hours are generally between 9 a.m. and 4:30 p.m.
Orientation Information:
orientation@wesleyan.edu
Dean for the Class of 2029:
Kelly Dunn, Ed.D.
Dean for the Class of 2027:
Jennifer Wood
Incoming Transfer Student Contact
classdean2027@wesleyan.edu
Dean for the Class of 2028:
William M. Bisese, Ed.D.
Incoming Transfer Student Contact
classdean2028@wesleyan.edu
Office of Residential Life:
www.wesleyan.edu/reslife
(860) 685-3550
Submit questions to ResLife through your WesPortal: Offices & Services>Residential Life>Submit a ResLife Inquiry
Office of the Registrar:
registrar@wesleyan.edu
(860) 685-2810
Student Accounts:
student-accounts@wesleyan.edu
(860) 685-3080
Campus Store:
campusstores@wesleyan.edu
(860) 685-4400
RJ Julia Wesleyan Bookstore:
books@wesleyan.edu
(860) 685-3939
Health Services Office:
(860) 685-2470
WesCard Office:
wescard@wesleyan.edu
(860) 685-5300
Office of International Student Affairs (OISA)
oisa@wesleyan.edu
(860) 685-3704
Get in Touch
860-685-3000 860-685-3000 • admission@wesleyan.edu
860-685-2800 860-685-2800 • finaid@wesleyan.edu