International First-Year Applicants

At commonapp.org you can create an account. There are many resources to help you in your application process – including an Application Guide for First-Year Students.

To secure eligibility for financial aid, students should express their interest during the application process, as financial aid cannot be awarded after an offer of admission has been made, nor at anytime during their studies at Macalester.

Macalester’s classes are instructed in English and only students who have a strong command of the English language (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) will be offered admission.

If your first language is English and/or you attend a secondary school where the primary language of instruction is English:

Applicants may request that this requirement be waived by completing the ENGLISH PROFICIENCY Testing Waiver Request Form in their Applicant Portal.

If English is not the first language or the primary language of instruction:

Applicants are required to submit one of the following exams in order to demonstrate proficiency in English. Alternative English tests, such as the TOEFL IBT Home Edition,  are not accepted.

Self-reported test scores for IELTS and internet-based TOEFL will be accepted in the selection process. Admitted students who decide to attend Macalester will be required to submit official score reports.

Scores for TOEFL Essentials and Duolingo English Test must be submitted directly from testing agencies. Testing Policy page.

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL). Macalester’s code for the TOEFL is 6390.
  • Macalester accepts the Internet-Based TOEFL and the TOEFL Essentials tests.
• Duolingo English Test (DET)
  • Concerned about access to an exam? The Duolingo English Test is a cost effective option for students who do not have access to IELTS or TOEFL.

Students not applying for need-based scholarships must complete the Financial Obligations Form (available in the applicant portal after the Common Application is received). Applications will not be complete without this form.

Students applying for need-based financial aid must submit a financial aid application (CSS Profile OR the International Student Application for Financial Assistance) AND complete and submit the Financial Declaration form, available in the applicant portal. Apply for Aid

If you are applying through Early Decision, the Early Decision Agreement confirms that Macalester is your top-choice college. By signing, you commit to enrolling at Macalester if admitted and agree to withdraw all other college applications. More about Early Decision

Request that your secondary school(s) send Macalester official transcript(s).

Since there are multiple educational systems around the world with unique grading structures, we consider the transcript requirement on a case-by-case basis. The standard requirement for transcripts is to include grades (marks) for years 9 through 12/13 and available external exam scores. 

Please note: For students applying before sitting their final graduation exams, predicted/anticipated results should be included with their transcript materials.

Please direct any questions about transcripts to [email protected].

Required: Two recommendation letters

• One recommendation letter from a counselor or school official
• One recommendation letter from a teacher – An evaluation from a teacher in one of your primary academic courses of study.

Early Decision and Early Action applicants must self-report in-progress senior grades using the In-Progress Grades form in your portal checklist. Grades must be submitted between the following dates:

• ED I between November 1 and November 18 
• EA between November 1 and December 5
• ED II between January 1 and January 16

For international students in a non-US style curriculum, this requirement could be filled by available mock exams for the most recent term, an unofficial progress report, or (if applicable) predicted results for final graduation exams (IB, A-Levels, etc.).

Regular Decision applicants must request that a school official (counselor or registrar) send us an updated transcript by February 15 if senior year first-term grades are not on the initial transcript. If an updated transcript is not available before February 15, please contact [email protected]. 

Macalester follows a Test-Optional admissions policy. Applicants can choose to submit ACT, SAT, AP, and IB exam scores as part of their application. 

Regardless of the presence of test scores, all applicants receive equal consideration for admission and scholarship opportunities. Choosing not to submit test scores will not disadvantage you in our selection process. 

Applicants who submit test scores to our office may self-report them through the Common Application, submit them to [email protected], or request that official scores be sent to Macalester. Macalester’s testing codes are 2122 for the ACT and 6390 for the SAT.

View the Test Policy for more details and data about how the Admissions Office uses testing in the selection process.

If you have made a substantial commitment to the arts in the areas of fine arts, music, theater or dance, you are welcome to submit samples in your Macalester Applicant Portal after Macalester has received your application.

Due to capacity limitations, Macalester cannot accommodate requests for online interviews from international applicants (i.e. students who would be studying on a non-immigrant type visa such as an F-1). As an alternative, you may choose to submit an interview through InitialView or Vericant. These third-party interviews can help us learn more about you, but the questions will not be specific to Macalester. We realize there is a cost for these services.

Interviews are optional and not having an interview does not decrease a student’s chances for admission.

In some instances, the Admissions Committee may decide more information about an applicant would be helpful in making a final decision. Macalester reserves the right to invite certain applicants to schedule an optional interview with a member of the international admissions team.

Applicants are only required and encouraged to submit the two required recommendations. However, if you wish to have an additional letter of support, we ask that you choose carefully to ensure that the additional recommendation provides a new perspective not already present in your application.