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Your To-Do List

Admitted Students Next Steps

Check Your Portal

Your checklist, forms, and helpful links are found in your Admitted Student Portal.


Register for Admitted Student Events


Chat with a Counselor

If you have specific questions or want information to help you choose the college right for you, our Admissions counselors are available for an online appointment. See counselors and calendars.


Watch Your Email for Important Information

  • For enrolled students, credentials for your New Student Portal will be emailed in mid-May.
  • For enrolled students, important forms (found in portal) will be due first in June 2024.
  • Orientation, class registration, and housing information will be emailed in the summer.
  • Other helpful content or resources will also be shared as they are available.

Deposit Day Extensions for Admitted Applicants Applying for Need-Based Aid

We acknowledge that the 2024-2025 FAFSA processing timeline may create situations where admitted students are unable to select a college by the May 1 National Reply Day. For applicants to Macalester College in both the Early Action and Regular Decision rounds who have expressed an interest in need-based financial aid, we will offer the opportunity to request an extension to the May 1 deadline. This extension allows for a thorough comparison of need-based financial aid packages from other colleges and universities.

All admitted applicants applying for need-based financial aid are eligible for a tuition deposit deadline extension. Upon request, applicants will receive a May 15, 2024 deadline to submit their tuition deposit. The extension request form is found in the Applicant Portal.

Should you have any questions or concerns regarding the extension process, please contact [email protected]. We are here to assist you!


Save These Dates

  • New Student Orientation is August 26 -30. Move-In Day is August 26. (Pre-Orientation for International Students will be August 20-23.) Details can be found at macalester.edu/orientation.
  • Classes begin on September 3.
  • Mac Fest is open to families for events, performances, and activities all weekend September 27-29.
  • Check out the college events calendar for other events.

Get Social

  • Meet other admitted Mac2028 students and current Mac students in the class Brightcrowd group. Watch for your invite in email.
  • Share your social posts using #Mac2028. Use #heymac to get on Mac Social.

Check Out Our Virtual Tour or Connect with the Mac Community


Submit Your Tuition Deposit

Say YES to Macalester and reserve your place by submitting your tuition deposit. Because Macalester is a residential campus, enrollment is limited, so it’s important to get your deposit in on time.

Application Type & Deposit Deadline

Early Decision I enrollment deposit deadline:  December 18, 2023
Early Decision II enrollment deposit deadline:  February 15, 2024
Early Action enrollment deposit deadline: May 1, 2024 (See info above for extension.)
Regular Decision enrollment deposit deadline: May 1, 2024 (See info above for extension.)
Transfer Student enrollment deposit deadline is: May 15, 2024


Send Your Final High School Transcript

With regard to the “contingency clause” in your offer of admission, Macalester’s offer of admission is contingent upon your successful completion of all secondary school coursework at a level similar to your previous work, as well as the requirement that you submit a final copy of your secondary school transcript for approval prior to matriculation. If extenuating circumstances have caused any limitations on your ability to complete your coursework or produce a final transcript email [email protected] and we will assist you.


Send Official Test Scores (if part of your application)

If you chose to provide test scores, official test scores may be submitted in the following ways:

  • Direct submission from the testing agency (SAT or ACT). Macalester’s testing codes are 2122 (ACT) and 6390 (SAT)
  • On official transcript sent by student’s high school counselor, registrar, or other school

Review Transfer Credit process if applicable

For students who are considering transferring college or university credit, it’s important to understand the process.

Macalester College will accept a maximum of thirty-two (32) semester credits earned prior to matriculation. College/university credits, summer session college credits, credits earned through a post-secondary education program, International Baccalaureate credits, and Advanced Placement Program credits are included in this 32-credit limitation.

Once enrolled, you must request that an official transcript be sent directly to the Registrar’s Office by the college or university through which you took courses. Student-issued transcripts will not be accepted for transfer of credit.

Once the official college/university transcript is received by the Registrar’s Office, the evaluation process will begin and credit will be transferred accordingly. Transcripts can be mailed to the address below, or sent via secure electronic transmission to Macalester College.

Electronic Transmission:
[email protected]

Mailing Address:
Registrar’s Office
Macalester College
1600 Grand Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55105-1899

If you have questions about transfer credits before enrollment, contact your admissions counselor directly or send questions to [email protected].


Considering a Gap Year? Request deadline is July 1, 2024.

Read more about the process and see stories from students who deferred their admission. For some students a gap year is the best way to transition from high school to college.