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International Transfer Applicants

We are glad you are considering Macalester as you look to transfer to a different college. Macalester offers admission for U.S. Citizens, Permanent Residents, and international students who have completed one or more semesters as a full-time college student following high school graduation. To help you complete your transfer application, use the checklist below, log into your application portal regularly, and reach out when you have questions. We are here to help.

Fall Term Transfer Application Deadlines

  • Application Deadline April 1
  • Priority for Financial Aid April 1
  • Decision Notification May 3
  • Applicant Reply Date May 16

Requirements for Your Application to Macalester

  • Common App Account & Application

    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.

    Macalester does not have an application fee.

    All Transfer application materials for both admissions and financial aid are due by April 1. If you anticipate needing need-based financial aid at any point during your time at Macalester, you must indicate your interest when you apply via the Common Application. Students who do not apply for financial aid during the application process will not be considered for aid after learning of an offer of admission. Financial Aid.

  • College/University Transcript(s)

    You must have official transcripts from all university-level coursework sent to Macalester directly from the school(s) or via an official online transcript service from all colleges/universities you have attended. A transcript issued to the student is not considered official.

  • Proof of English Proficiency

    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, or you have studied for a sufficient number of years at an institution 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.

    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.

  • Proof of Funding

    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

  • Final High School Transcript

    Request that your secondary school send Macalester an official final transcript of your classes and transcript grades beginning with 9th grade. If you attended more than one high school, check to make sure all years are included on the most recent transcript.

    If you attended a secondary school with an exam-based curriculum, copies of all exam result certificates must be submitted.

  • Recommendation Letter (University Academic Course Instructor)

    Required: one recommendation letter

    Please submit one recommendation letter from a University Academic Course Instructor/Tertiary Course Instructor. This should be an evaluation from an instructor in one of your primary academic courses of study.

Once an applicant has successfully submitted their application, they will receive login information for an applicant portal that will enable them to see their current application status and access forms below. To obtain early access to your applicant portal and these required documents, you may fill out our Preliminary Application.

TRANSFER CHECKLIST ITEMS TO BE COMPLETED IN THE MACALESTER APPLICATION PORTAL

  • Mid-Term Report (Currently enrolled students)

    Currently enrolled students should print the Mid-Term Report form (available in the Macalester Application Portal). Take the form to each instructor with whom you have a spring-term class, and ask the instructor to provide a mid-term progress grade for their class. When completed, you may upload a copy of the form via your Application Portal using the Upload Materials section and selecting “Transfer Mid-Term Report”.

  • College Report

    Print the College Report form (available in the Macalester Application Portal) and take the form to the Dean of Students or Registrar. Please ask that the official forward the completed form to Macalester’s Admissions office. Allow the school official ample time to complete and submit the form prior to the application deadline.

Optional Items

  • ACT or SAT

    Macalester has a Test-Optional admissions policy for ACT, SAT, AP, and IB. We aim to reduce the anxiety many students experience regarding standardized exams and hope to provide applicants more freedom and flexibility to consider which portion of their academic record they would like Macalester to consider in the review process. 

    There is no penalty or disadvantage for students who choose not to submit test scores in the selection process. All applicants are given equal consideration for admission and scholarship opportunities. You can learn more about our Test Policy here.

    If you believe your standardized test scores will add another positive layer to your application file, then please feel free to submit scores to our office or self-report them in the Common Application. Macalester’s testing codes are 2122 (ACT) and 6390 (SAT).

  • Art Samples or Portfolio

    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 application portal.

  • Online Interview

    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.

  • Additional Recommendation Letter

    Transfer applicants are not required nor encouraged to submit more than 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. The additional recommendation may be from a teacher, employer, coach, community organizer, mentor, or anyone else you feel will provide additional information necessary to your application.

  • Transfer Applicant Essay

    As part of the Macalester supplemental application, there is an optional essay with the prompt: “We know that every transfer process is unique and we want to hear from you about why you have chosen to apply to Macalester at this point in your academic journey. As a prospective transfer student, how do you see Macalester as the right next step for you? Put simply—why Mac and why now?”

Financial Aid

Learn more about available options for internationals students.  Find information and required documents for financial aid and proof of funding.

Questions?

We are here to help. Please reach out and our Transfer Student Coordinator will reply soon.

Contact
Jace Riggin
Assistant Director & Transfer Student Coordinator
1-651-696-6357
[email protected]

Transfer Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)