When should I apply?
“I remember telling my parents, “I can see myself walking around this campus and thriving.” Right then and there, I knew that Macalester was the school for me and I applied Early Decision. It not only helped me end the stress of the college search process, but also allowed me to look forward to the fall at Mac!”
Talia Chait ’24, Boston, Massachusetts
Is Early Decision right for me?
When considering when to apply, students choose between Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision. Below are the 2-year average acceptance rates for Early Decision compared to the Early Action and Regular Decision rounds.
| Acceptance Rates 2-Year Average | |
| Early Decision | 50% |
| Regular Decision and Early Action | 27% |
| Overall | 28% |
Why Early Decision?
Early Decision is the best option for students who know that Macalester is their first-choice college and, if admitted, are ready to enroll. Early Decision is restrictive in that students must withdraw all other applications, assuming the financial aid award makes attendance at Macalester financially feasible.
The Admissions Committee evaluates Early Decision candidates with the same standards as students applying in Early Action and Regular Decision.
FINANCIAL AID
Early Decision applicants are eligible for our Early Financial Aid Assessment. These assessments allow these students to apply for financial aid and find out their need-based financial aid eligibility before choosing to apply Early Decision. Merit scholarships and need-based financial aid are awarded to students admitted through Early Decision using the same criteria as other application rounds.
TIMING
Early Decision applicants receive their admission decisions early in their senior year.
Early Decision I: November 1 Application Deadline
Early Decision II: January 1 Application Deadline
Why Early Action?
Early Action is a non-restrictive option for students ready to apply to Macalester on November 1. Early Action applicants receive their decision in December. Those who apply for need-based financial aid can expect to receive their financial aid result in mid-January.
FINANCIAL AID
Students applying for need-based financial aid will receive financial aid decisions much earlier than those who are admitted through Regular Decision. The factors that determine financial aid awards, including merit-based scholarship opportunities, are the same in Early Action as they are for Regular Decision.
TIMING
Early Action applicants receive their admission decisions in December, early in their senior year, and more than three months earlier than Regular Decision.
FLEXIBILITY
Early Action is non-restrictive. Applicants may apply to other colleges. Admitted students can accept the offer of admission on or before the May 1 National Reply Deadline.
Regular Decision
Regular Decision is a non-restrictive option with the latest application deadline of January 15. The decision release for Regular Decision is in March. The Admissions Committee evaluates Regular Decision candidates with the same standards as students applying in Early Decision and Early Action.
TIMING
Regular Decision applicants may want the grades for the first terms of their senior year to be reviewed with the application or are not ready to submit their applications in the Early Action Round.
FLEXIBILITY
Regular Decision applicants may apply to other colleges through other regular decision and other non-restrictive early action plans. Admitted students can accept the offer of admission on or before the May 1 National Reply Deadline.
You may apply to Macalester once the Common Application is available on August 1. All applicants for admission are considered for merit-based scholarships and need-based aid. If you have any questions, contact us at [email protected] or 800-231-7974.
QuestBridge and Posse
Macalester Admissions partners with QuestBridge and Posse, two unique organizations with similar goals for supporting students. Learn more about applying through QuestBridge or Posse.
TALIA CHAIT ’24
Boston, Massachusetts
Major: Psychology
I was looking for smaller liberal arts schools because I liked the culture of them. I had never heard of Macalester before someone mentioned to me that I should maybe go check it out. I ended up coming out the fall of my senior year for an overnight with a (then) first year on the tennis team. I absolutely fell in love with Mac and its values. Everyone I met that weekend was so nice and I could see myself being a part of the community. I remember telling my parents, “I can see myself walking around this campus and thriving.” Right then and there, I knew that Macalester was the school for me and I applied Early Decision. It not only helped me end the stress of the college search process, but also allowed me to look forward to the fall at Mac!
What do you love about Mac?
One of the things I absolutely love about Macalester is the community. Everyone here is nice, kind, supportive, and down to earth. I think the Mac community is very special in that way (the Minnesota nice is real). I have also been able to meet people from all different backgrounds and I love having meaningful conversations with them.
Academics are both rigorous and challenging while allowing room for you to join extra curricular activities. I have learned so much from my classes I have taken so far and I have been able to have some of the most thought provoking discussions with my classmates. Professors also want you to succeed and will be there for you in whatever way you may need them. Athletics have never gotten in the way of academics because Mac values the fact that you are a student-athlete meaning being a student comes first. Professors are very understanding if we need to miss a class for a game/tournament. Additionally, being at the D3 level allows me to continue my athletic career without sacrificing my education and career goals.
Mac will allow you to grow academically, socially, emotionally, and more all within an amazing environment and local community!