International Transfer Applicants

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 March 15. 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.

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.

Submission of English proficiency testing (EPT) is optional. 

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. 

Therefore, proof of English Proficiency is recommended for international applicants whose first language is not English AND who have spent fewer than two years in a curriculum taught primarily in English in secondary/upper secondary schooling. This could be through testing such as the TOEFL, IELTS, or Duolingo English Test, or third-party interview services such as InitialView and Vericant.

Applicants who choose to submit English Proficiency Test scores as part of their application may submit them through the testing agency, within the Common Application, or self-reported through the Applicant Portal after they apply. Test scores cannot be deleted once submitted and will be considered as part of our holistic review process.

We may reach out to candidates to request English proficiency test results if the Admission Committee determines that it is necessary to make a decision.

Students not applying for need-based scholarships must complete the Financial Obligations Form (available in the applicant portal after the Common Application is received). Applications will not be complete without this form.

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

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. IB Scores are required for International Applicants who attended IB programs at schools outside the US.

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.

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.

Macalester follows a Test Optional admissions policy. Applicants can choose to submit ACT, SAT, and AP exam scores as part of their application. International students enrolled in IB programs are required to submit IB exam scores.

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.

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 Macalester Applicant Portal after Macalester has received your application.

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.

Transfer applicants are not required nor encouraged to submit more than the one required recommendation. 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.

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?”