Having attended United World Colleges, UWC students arrive at Macalester poised to succeed academically and become leaders on campus. A top choice for Davis Scholars, they appreciate that the UWC Movement and Macalester are kindred in their missions and values, committed to service, internationalism, and multiculturalism. Believing deeply in the power of fostering community from difference, we are dedicated to building a more just and peaceful world together.
# of UWC schools represented at Mac
UWC alumni that have graduated from Macalester
Current number of UWC alumni on campus
Since 1986, Macalester has welcomed students from the United World Colleges (UWC), a network of International Baccalaureate schools designed for students interested in gaining leadership and cross-cultural skills in a global context.
All forms and instructions can be found at macalester.edu/admissions/international.
Early Decision I Nov 1
Early Action Nov 1
Early Decision II Jan 1
Regular Decision Jan 15
Admission to Macalester is highly competitive. Applications are considered holistically, factoring in a variety of information to assess each candidate’s potential to excel academically and be an active and engaged member of the community. In recent years, admission rates in Early Decision and Early Action are more favorable compared to Regular Decision.
Macalester recognizes the excellent preparation the IB Program provides and as such, Macalester awards credit for HL and SL exams. When reviewing IB students for admission, Macalester considers coursework completed prior to the IB Diploma program, internal marks—noting grade trends—during the IB, and predicted/anticipated IB scores (or final IB results if available at the time of application). There is no minimum IB score requirement and there are no requirements for specific HL courses, regardless of intended program of study. Typically, the most competitive IB students have predicted/anticipated IB scores of 36 or higher out of 42 points.
Macalester is SAT/ACT optional.
English Proficiency Submission of English proficiency testing (EPT) is optional. Students wishing to further demonstrate their English Proficiency are welcome to submit a Duolingo English Test. The DET score must be sent directly through DET.
For more details see Macalester’s Testing Policy.
As a Davis Partner School, UWC students who apply for need-based financial aid and have demonstrated need are eligible to receive up to the full $40,000 Davis grant. Thanks to the generosity of the Davis Foundation, Macalester is proud to provide qualifying admitted UWC students with financial aid packages that meet 100% of demonstrated need without the use of loans.
Macalester requires the following two forms from students who plan to study on a non-immigrant visa (ex. F-1, L-2, etc.) and are applying for need-based financial aid. Your application will not be reviewed until both are submitted.
“Macalester’s rigorous academic program, accessible research opportunities, and abundant career resources have all given me confidence for my future. I have found support from many academic offices, including the International Student Programs Office, specifically dedicated to international students.”
“I love Macalester’s location in St. Paul, Minnesota. Mac students can find different things to do every day (Mac students have a lot of different interests). You can travel around on the public transportation system or by walking or biking. And some groups and classes travel around the state to experience different environments and scenery.”
Macalester’s partnership with the UWC is made possible with the generous support of the Davis UWC Scholars Program (www.davisuwcscholars.org), created by Shelby M. Cullom Davis and his wife Gale.
UWC students interested in connecting with a current Macalester student are encouraged to contact the Admissions Global Ambassadors at [email protected].
When I was choosing my college, the single biggest factor that made Mac stand out was its commitment to internationalism and service to society. These values shape Mac’s small community into one that is uniquely resilient, caring, and welcoming across all aspects of the college, including interpersonal relationships, academics, administration, and leadership.
Now, as a Macalester student, I find the barrier-free interaction with my professors to be the most valuable part of my learning experience. My professors take an interest in more than just my name; they care about my interests and inspirations. The ability to walk into their offices at any time, with or without an appointment, has been the greatest asset in helping me thrive in my academic pursuits while building connections with professionals who can guide me through their years of experience.
To anyone thinking about where they will find their sense of belonging in college, start by asking yourself deeper questions about your personal, social, and academic needs, along with your core values and inspirations. College fit goes both ways. Not only should you be a good fit for the college, but the college should also align with who you are at your core. A place where you can authentically be yourself gives you the strength to grow!
Before applying to any college, I researched how open each college was to people from different backgrounds. I was really worried about coming to a college where I would be surrounded by people who only hang out with their look-alikes. Fortunately, this does not happen at Mac, and I was able to make friends with people from across the country, as well as people from different countries.
One of my biggest pieces of advice for UWC students considering college and Macalester, would be to contact a current student at Mac. That connection can easily give you a sense of the Macalester community, and help you find the best fit.
I definitely appreciate that Macalester’s classes are designed to help both future graduate students and students who want to start working after graduation. The academics are challenging, but the small classes and openness from professors make it easier.
The openness, friendliness, and intellectualism found at Macalester have made me glad that I chose Mac.
