Wellesley is a private liberal arts school in Wellesley, Massachusetts known for their liberal arts curriculum. They’ve got a 30% ED acceptance rate, and a 14% overall acceptance rate, and about 1/3rd of their incoming class comes from the ED/ED2 pool, which means if you’re looking for a solid ED2 option, Wellesley might be your gal.
We know you might be panicking post-ED rejection, but we’ve got you. Ifyou were interested in schools like Smith, Scripps, Vassar, or Amherst, Wellesley is definitely worth considering. We know you might be hesitant to apply ED2, but here’s the deal: applying ED2 is your smartest move. At a school like Wellesley, where they accept a lot of their incoming class from the early pool, it’s even smarter.
Let’s get into their supplement.
Wellesley students actively seek ways to build bridges and to change the world for the better. Tell us about an experience working with and alongside people of different backgrounds and/or perspectives from your own. Why was this important to you, and what lessons from this will you bring with you to Wellesley?
Please limit your response to two thoughtful paragraphs (minimum 250 words, maximum 400 words).
First of all, follow directions. Two paragraphs. Do not write more or less than that!
This falls into the nexus between a diversity essay, a disagreement essay, and a community essay. This means, ofc, that the best way to answer this is with a story. You want to think about times you’ve been around people who are different from you, but you also don’t want to tokenize anyone or make yourself seem like a savior. Focus on someone who is an equal peer or perhaps someone in a position of power over you. Also, do not write about how much you helped someone through charity or service. That will come across poorly. Trust us.
So, we want to write about things where people are coming together and being respectful of differences. This may be a disagreement between friends or family, or it could just be your eyes being opened to something you hadn’t considered. Avoid anything controversial, if possible. You don’t want admissions officers to automatically throw your application in the No Pile because you chose a side of an issue that they vehemently disagree with.
Once you’ve written your first thoughtful paragraph, which should be in story format, it’s time to connect it to Wellesley. Show them you’ve done research into the school! If you wrote about going to a cultural event with a friend from a different ethnic group, talk about how excited you are to engage with cultural organizations and events at Wellesley. Where are other places that foster connection? Dorms, dining halls, libraries. You could even talk about how you might bring people together through the school paper or radio station.
If you’re ED2-ing to Wellesley, it doesn’t hurt to give your Common App itself a fresh look. We have a lot of advice on how to write Common App essay, the activities section, and even the additional information section.
Getting rejected is hard, but that doesn’t mean you need to give up on this process. Applying ED2 is a smart move, and if you need help with your ED2 application to Wellesley, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to support you!
Need help after an ED rejection? Reach out to us today.