FRESHMAN ADMISSION 
PROFILE 
Average SAT scores: 
V 582 M 546 
Average ACT score: 
25 
Average GPA: 
3.4 
Freshman retention rate: 
68% 

2006-2007 COSTS: 
Tuition: 
$15,840 
Room and Board: 
$8,280 
Books, misc.: 
$1,000 (approx.) 

FINANCIAL AID: 
Freshmen receiving aid: 
87% 
Average financial aid package: 
$11,200 

FACULTY: 
Full-time: 
47 
Part-time: 
7 
Ph.D.: 
98% 
Student-faculty ratio: 
8:1 

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College Description 
Wells College is a private, residential, liberal arts college enrolling 450 students. Founded in 1868 by Henry Wells, Wells College was the second institution in the United States to award the baccalaureate degree to women. Today, true to its heritage, Wells maintains a national reputation for academic excellence. The beautiful 365-acre, lakeside campus is situated in the heart of the Finger Lakes resort region of New York State in the picturesque village of Aurora. The campus is 20 minutes from Ithaca, 1 hour from Syracuse and Rochester, and approximately 5 hours from New York City. Students come to the college from across the United States and they represent 27 states as well as numerous foreign countries. Wells is also part of the thriving cultural and intellectual life in Central New York that surrounds Cornell University, Colgate University, Hamilton College, Hobart and William Smith Colleges, the University of Rochester, and Syracuse University.

Academic Life 
The academic philosophy at Wells is rooted firmly in the liberal arts. The college is organized into four academic divisions that include the humanities, natural and mathematical sciences, social sciences, and the arts. Ninety-eight percent of the faculty hold a Ph.D. or terminal degree in their field and approximately 50% are women. The faculty come from many of the nation's finest colleges and universities. Hallmarks of the academic experience at Wells include: All courses are taught by faculty members; classes on average have 10 to 12 students, even in lower-level introductory courses; through an exchange program, students may take classes at nearby Cornell University; students enjoy one of the country's finest internship programs, which provides over 1,000 internship opportunities throughout the United States and has a growing number of international connections; and through affiliated programs in Denmark, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico, Senegal, Spain, and the United Kingdom, and through the School for Field Studies (offering opportunities in Australia, Kenya, New Zealand, Hawaii, Africa, the Caribbean and Portland, Maine), students enjoy opportunities to study abroad. In addition, Wells' curriculum reflects the growing importance of technology.

Campus Life 
Wells students enjoy all of the advantages of living in a closely knit community. The environment is relaxed and congenial. A well-respected Honor Code shapes the educational and social atmosphere of the campus. Students choose from over 42 clubs and organizations in addition to student-sponsored events, lectures, and performances. While campus life is filled with sports programs and activities, students also enjoy excursions to nearby towns for shopping and ???. Wells' shuttle makes regular trips to Ithaca, one of America's premier college towns, located just 20 minutes away. The Sommer Student Center is home to many educational and social activities, as well as the location of the campus bookstore, club and organization meeting rooms, and the student activities office. In addition to a traditional dining facility in Main Building, students may also enjoy meals in The Cafe, located in the Sommer Student Center. Eighty-six percent of Wells students live on campus in one of four residence halls ranging in character from the elegance of a Victorian mansion to traditional and suite-style options. There are numerous computer labs on campus offering access to e-mail, Netscape, and word processing.

Facilities and Resources 
The Louis Jefferson Long Library has received numerous awards for its architectural design. It houses 246,000 volumes and 571 periodicals, in addition to having full Internet and ProQuest CD-ROM capabilities. The library is also a member of OCLC (On-line Computer Library Center). The Zabriskie Science Building houses laboratories for chemistry, biology, and physics, as well as a computer laboratory, library, darkroom, and greenhouse. Facilities for printmaking, painting, ceramics, sculpture, and photography are located in the Campbell Arts Building. Barler Hall houses a recital hall, vocal and instrumental practice rooms, a music library, and a listening laboratory. In addition, campus facilities include the Margaret Phipps Auditorium for theatre arts instruction and performance, the String Room Gallery, a dance studio, a foreign language listening laboratory, and an extensive art history slide library and gallery. The Wells College Books Arts Center, which consists of the Wells College Press and Class of 1932 Bindery, functions as a learning center, sponsoring exhibitions, lectures, demonstrations, workshops, and symposia in the fine arts, literary arts, bookbinding, printing, publishing, and related fields.

Athletics/Sports 
Wells is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association, Division III, the Atlantic Women's College Conference, and the New York State Women's Collegiate Athletic Association. Wells athletes compete in five intercollegiate sports: field hockey, lacrosse, soccer, swimming and tennis. Intramural sports include tennis, volleyball, basketball, indoor hockey, indoor soccer, and other special interest events. Athletic facilities are housed in the Student Union and include a competition-size swimming pool, gymnasium, weight room, and indoor tennis courts. The college also has a nine-hole golf course, all-weather tennis courts, athletic fields, jogging and cross-country ski trails, a boathouse, and a dock. Downhill skiing is taught at a nearby ski area. Horseback riding is taught at a nearby stable where students may also board their horses.

Financial Aid 
Through its endowment, gifts, and grants, Wells offers financial assistance to students demonstrating financial need. Wells uses the Profile Application and the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to determine a student's financial need. Approximately 89% of the students receive financial aid in the form of scholarships, grants, student loans, and campus work-study. The recommended filing date for financial aid is February 15. In addition to need-based financial aid, Wells offers numerous merit-based scholarships. The deadline for applying for merit-based scholarships is November 1.

Admission Requirements 
Wells admits students on the basis of the strength of their academic preparation. Wells seeks students from varied backgrounds, as diverse interests and talents provide a stimulating, intellectual environment. To provide the foundation for study at Wells College, students must complete a college-preparatory program during the secondary school experience. The college requires a program that includes English grammar, composition, and literature; the principles of mathematics; experience in a laboratory science; and history. In addition, the college recommends three years of a foreign language. Wells does award credit for students who take Advanced Placement examinations. Applicants to the college must submit scores from either the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT) or the American College Test (ACT). In addition, admissions interviews are strongly recommended. For candidates who are unable to visit the campus, off-campus interviews may be arranged with area alumnae. Transfer students are admitted on a rolling basis and can enter in either the spring or fall semesters. International students are required to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL).

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