Your guidance and advice creates the pathway for high school students imagining their college career. Discover what life and learning mean at Macalester, and help them know when Macalester may be the right fit.
High school counselors are welcomed and encouraged to visit Macalester and join our info sessions and student-led tours. Our visits team will find the date and time that works best for your schedule. Group visit requests can also be arranged based on availability. Please note, due to staff and student scheduling, we are typically unable to accommodate walk-in visits.
For students who may be a good match with Macalester, you can make it easy for them to learn about Mac with a simple referral. Just send us their name and school email, and we’ll do the rest. We’ll be welcoming and transparent, and they’ll only be added to our mailing list if they choose to do so. Either way, they’ll know you’re thinking about their college search and success!
Through the admissions cycle, counselors can track your students’ progress at Slate.org. View Macalester’s deadline and decision release information, view the status of your students’ Macalester application checklist items, add documents and letters, and view admissions decisions.
We enjoy the opportunity to visit high schools and college access related Community Based Organizations both in-person and online. If you would like to invite a Macalester staff member to a college fair, workshop, case studies, panel discussion, or school visit, please send a message to [email protected].
These recorded workshops are geared at making the college search and application process easier. Interest in Macalester is not required (but we hope to leave a great impression). Topics like writing a college essay, filling out the Common App, and navigating financial aid are just a few of the choices. Workshops are available to view anytime.
For high school seniors who know Macalester is their college of choice and want to apply Early Decision, the Early Financial Aid Assessment gives them an early view of their financial aid package. It can reduce the worry about a binding decision and give them the motivation to apply Early Decision I or II.
Questions about Macalester or the application process? Get in touch with the Admissions Officer for your region.
Macalester Admissions practices holistic admission review. Factors such as academic performance in context, recommendation letters, essays, leadership experience and potential, and extracurricular involvement are thoroughly reviewed by the Admissions Committee. The most important part of your application is something students are already working on throughout high school; their performance in high school! It is this performance that is the best predictor of success in college.
Macalester Admissions staff are committed to supporting applicants affected by circumstances beyond their control (such as severe illness, internet blackouts, natural or manmade disasters, etc.) that prevent them from submitting the Common Application by our published deadlines. As soon as you are able, please contact our office at [email protected] to explain your circumstances.
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.
Macalester interviews are offered to applicants who have begun their application process. Interviews are reserved for domestic applicants who are rising seniors, seniors, or prospective transfer students.
Admissions interviews at Macalester are optional. Interviews are an opportunity to share or address anything you’d like included in your application.
All interviews are conducted by a Macalester staff member and are only offered virtually.
Interviews for rising seniors begin on August 1. Seniors who wish to interview must do so by February 1 of their senior year. Transfer students must request an interview by April 15. Each student may only interview once, and interviews are available on a first-come, first-serve basis. Learn more or schedule your interview here.
The best preparation for college is a balanced and rigorous high school curriculum. For balance, students should take classes in all five academic core subjects: English, mathematics, history or social science, laboratory science, and world language. Challenge themselves by taking the advanced curriculum available at your school whenever possible. Some examples include honors, Advanced Placement (AP), and International Baccalaureate (IB) courses. Most applicants will complete at least 20 academic core courses by the time they graduate high school.
If you’d like the perspective of an admissions staff member on your course selection in high school, please get in touch with [email protected].
Macalester College will accept a maximum of 32 semester credits earned prior to matriculation. College/university credits, summer-session college credits, credits earned through a post-secondary education program, College Board Advanced Placement (AP), International Baccalaureate (IB), and GCE A- Levels are included in this 32-credit maximum. College/university courses will be evaluated once an official transcript is sent to Macalester directly by the sponsoring college/university. Transcripts are required for credit evaluation and transfer of credit. Please arrange for them to be mailed to the address below, or sent via secure electronic transmission to Macalester College. For more information refer to the Registrar FAQ.
Since school systems vary greatly, we look at an applicant’s high school record in the context of their school system rather than listing a minimum GPA. We also recognize that many school systems worldwide do not report a GPA or rank in class; in those cases, that information is not required. Whatever the system, we look for evidence that the applicant has academically performed at a very high level and has pursued a rigorous curriculum.
Academically, sophomores and juniors should focus on their classes, paying attention to the recommended secondary school curriculum mentioned in the question, “What classes should I take in high school?” and take advantage of the rigor available. Continue their involvement in extracurriculars they care about that are available. Keep an open mind and start thinking about their priorities (college size, setting, particular majors or extracurriculars, etc.) for college. Then connect with the staff and students at those colleges to get a taste of the college experience before narrowing down a list. Learn more about Macalester’s programming and visit opportunities here.
