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The Macalester Great Lawn in springtime.

Admissions & Aid

At Macalester, our mission is to prepare students for lives of meaning and purpose. Students here receive unparalleled support and mentorship as they discover their place in the world and learn how to become agents of change.

APPLYING TO MACALESTER

Macalester Campus

Start your application

The Common Application is now open for the 2025-2026 academic year. If you’re considering Macalester, start with our Preliminary Application to get updates, track progress, and access your applicant portal.

Macalester Students exiting radio station

Request Information

Ready to hear more about our college in the city, our leading academics program, or Mac’s commitment to internationalism and multiculturalism? Start here and let’s keep in touch.

Visit and Connect

Take a look at the many ways to learn about Macalester and engage with the Mac community. On-campus and virtual options are all available for high school students and families. We can’t wait to meet you!

Financial Aid

Many students and families are surprised at the different ways to make college more affordable. We meet 100% of the full demonstrated need of every student we admit, and all first-year applicants are considered for merit-based scholarships.

Students at Macalester

If you’re motivated and ambitious, Macalester might be the right fit for you. Create the next innovation. Sharpen your perspective. Transform your worldview. Macalester students come from across the U.S. and around the world.

2,000+

Student body

108

Countries represented

60%

Students who study away

Find 39 majors and a world of opportunity

A liberal arts and sciences education at Macalester prepares students to think critically and creatively, solving problems in their local, national, and global communities. Learn more about our majors, minors, and concentrations.

Bianca Gonzalez Open Modal
A Day in the Life

Bianca Gonzalez

See campus life from Bianca’s perspective.

A Day in the Life

Bianca Gonzalez

See campus life from Bianca’s perspective.