Wesleyan University is a small liberal arts school located in Middletown, Connecticut. Wesleyan was originally a Christian school--it’s named after the founder of Methodism--but it’s now non-sectarian. Wesleyan is one of the “little ivies” along with Amherst and Williams, and is known for its rigorous curriculum and focus on academics. Wesleyan has a , and a 55% acceptance rate in Early Decision.

That’s right--you heard us--fifty-five percent. Don’t believe it? Wesleyan had 888 early decision applicants last year, and . What’s the lesson here? If you’re dead-set on taking your talents to wonderful old Middletown, Connecticut, you should apply early. 

That being said, Wesleyan does not require a supplemental essay this year. There’s nothing on the Common App, so you’re good, right? 

If you’ve been reading our blog you know this is rarely the case. Wesleyan’s high ED acceptance rate tells us that they want students who want to go to Wesleyan. So show them that you’ll attend if you’re accepted. You’ll want to send them an email showing them just how interested you are--convince them that you’re serious about Wes.

Why Wesleyan? Email

You should write them an email that follows our general “Why ___” formula, with a couple of twists. Remember that this is an email, not an essay--try to keep it brief, at about 3-400 words. You’ll want to write a narrative that positions you to study your chosen major at Wesleyan.

Start off by crafting an origin story, a tale that explains how you’ve settled on an academic path. If you’re interested in Archaeology, start off with the story of how you found an old arrowhead in your backyard. Write about how it felt to pull it out from that hole you dug to China, how you felt when your parents explained that the arrowhead had most likely been there for hundreds of years. Write about how you were inspired to go looking for other artifacts, how you cataloged all the pieces of pottery you found when you tore up your father’s garden. 

Then transition to your Major (you can pick one out ), and why you want to study it at Wesleyan. Show them that you need to be at Wes--write about specific (upper-level) courses you’d like to take and professors you’d want to research with. Choose specific courses, not the generic “Intro to…”.  If you’re that Archaeology major, write about ARCP382: Archaeology of Money: Numismatics and GIS, and relate the course to the old coins you dug up. Find two of these courses (you can see them on your majors’ page) and try as best you can to connect them to personal interests. 

Then write about a professor you’d like to research with, someone whose work inspires you. You can write about how Katherine Brunson’s work with the DNA of ancient bones is interesting, or how you’d like to study the way myths connect to sites with Kate Birney. 

Next, try to write about any extracurriculars you’d like to pursue at Wesleyan. Look through Wesleyan’s student groups and find some activities you’d like to participate in. Try to find clubs that line up with interests you’ve pursued in the past--if you were your school’s student vice-president, you could talk about joining the Wesleyan Student Assembly.

Finish the email with a small conclusion that ties together your previous narrative and desire to go to Wesleyan. Remind your reader of how your experiences and interests have led you to applying. 

Review your email with a teacher or guidance counselor. Spell-check for grammar and punctuation, and try to pare it down a couple of times to get it at around 3-400 words. Send it through to Wesleyan’s Student Admissions office, and then maybe call them and ask if there are any other specific addresses to forward it to.

If you’ve got any questions at all about this email, or about the application process in general, feel free to reach out to us for help.

Contact us here if you need help with the college application process.