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Colleges of Distinction: New York

Wells College

Aurora, New York

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Wells College is the place to explore interests and find one’s own unique voice. A world of possibilities lie within the lakeside campus, including DIII athletics, graduate-level research alongside professors, multiple student groups and organizations, and transferable financial aid that continues in semesters abroad. The relationships forged throughout a Wells education will prepare and guide students no matter where they go in life.

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Wells offers a well-rounded, rigorous liberal arts degree aimed to inspire students to be creative, to embrace new ways of knowing, and to respond ethically to the interdependent worlds to which they belong. The College emphasizes community engagement, a cooperative residential atmosphere, and hands-on learning. Classes are small, and professors are attentive and dedicated to student success. 

Located on 300 acres of land on the Cayuga Lake in central New York, Wells students take advantage of their proximity to stunning natural parks and metropolitan hubs such as Rochester, Syracuse, Boston, and New York City.

Get to know Wells College

357
Degree-Seeking Undergraduates
Enrolled female students
66%
 
Enrolled male students
34%
 
Gender Ratio
Full-time students
98%
 
Part-time students
2%
 
Full-time to Part-time Ratio
Full-time faculty
62%
 
Adjuncts
38%
 
Faculty Ratio
9:1
Student/teacher ratio
$30,300
Full-time tuition cost
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6-year graduation rate
Mar. 1
Application deadline
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Acceptance rate
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Out-of-state students
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Full-time faculty w/ terminal degree

Benefits

Student Activities

Student Activities

  • Choral groups
  • Concert band
  • Dance
  • Drama/theatre
  • International Student Organization
  • Jazz band
  • Literary magazine
  • Music ensembles
  • Student government
  • Student newspaper
  • Symphony orchestra
  • Yearbook
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High-Impact Practices

High-Impact Practices

  • Common Intellectual Experiences
  • Learning Communities
  • Writing-Intensive Courses
  • Undergraduate Research
  • Service-Learning
  • Internships
  • Capstone Courses and Senior Experience
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Campus Resources

Campus Resources

  • Career Services
  • Writing Center
  • Academic Advisors
  • Library Services
  • Faculty Mentors
  • Disability Services
  • Health Services
  • Academic Tutors
  • Financial Aid Advisors
  • Student Success Initiative
  • Peer Mentors
  • Counseling
  • Gender & Sexuality Center
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College Highlights

Engaged Students
Great Teaching
Vibrant Community
Successful Outcomes
Admission & Aid
2022-2023 Education Colleges of Distinction
2022-2023 Career Development Colleges of Distinction
Engaged Students

“Wells has made me realize this is who I am. It has made me the best version of myself I could ever hope to be.” – Lyndsey Wells, Class of 2016

DIVERSITY AND GLOBAL LEARNING
A core tenet of the Wells College mission is to foster an empathetic and well-rounded understanding of the world. In fall 2018, the student body included 15.4% Black, 7.4% Hispanic, 2.0% Asian, and 58.6% white (non-Hispanic) students. 

A diverse community inspires students to expand their perspective, which is a crucial element of responsible and successful leadership. As such, Wells College encourages eye-opening study abroad opportunities far beyond campus walls.

UNDERGRADUATE INVOLVEMENT AND RESEARCH
Wells professors offer one-on-one mentorship both in their own classrooms and beyond. Most classes are small and discussion based, much like typical graduate programs, to foster inclusive and collaborative learning. 

Every academic program at Wells College requires hands-on experiences, so every Wellsian is an engaged student. Students have the opportunity to develop practical career skills, conduct research, and hold internships. Wells students have been selected to present their research at the National Conference of Undergraduate Research.

ENROLLMENT BY ETHNICITY
Non-U.S. Citizen: 0%
Hispanic/Latinx: 18%
Black or African American, non-Hispanic: 12%
White, non-Hispanic: 54%
Native/Indigenous American or Alaska Native, non-Hispanic: 2%
Asian, non-Hispanic: 3%
Native Hawaiian or other Pacific Islander, non-Hispanic: 0%
Two or more races, non-Hispanic: 4%
Race and/or ethnicity unknown: 7%

Great Teaching

“Much of the learning process at Wells occurs outside of the classroom and in small groups. This, coupled with small class sizes, gives me the opportunity to get to know most of my students as individuals. It is enjoyable to watch them grow as scientists over their four years here, and then beyond.” – Dr. Christopher Bailey, Professor of Chemistry

EDUCATION FOR THE REAL WORLD
Wells takes a unique approach to higher education in the astounding way that it puts hands-on learning at the forefront. Classroom learning is connected directly to future careers in a global society. Wells students have unique and diverse opportunities to conduct research with faculty members, hold internships, and study across the United States and abroad. 

SENIOR PROJECT
All students, regardless of major, are required to participate in a senior project in order to finish their academic career with a clear understanding of all the progress they’ve made. In their last year, they may create a project or write a thesis about a topic relevant to their studies. No matter how they culminate their college experience, their projects further enhance their knowledge and prepare them for graduate studies.

SPECIAL STUDY OPTIONS
Programs available at this institution.
Accelerated program
Cooperative education program
Cross-registration
Distance learning
Double major
Dual enrollment
English as a Second Language (ESL)
Exchange student program (domestic)
External degree program
Honors Program
Independent study
Internships
Liberal arts/career combination
Student-designed major
Study abroad
Teacher certification program

Vibrant Community

“I chose Wells because of the small and involved class sizes as well as the beautiful and remote campus. The current students made the school even more attractive by being extremely genuine about campus life, and all of the traditions that Wells has! As soon as I stepped foot on campus, I knew that it as my new home away from home.” – Ben Siemer, Class of 2022

CONNECTED BY TRADITION
150 years of rich traditions at Wells College connect students’ lives far beyond the campus. The Wellsian heritage welcomes new students through the candlelit Convocation ceremony and continues with fun Odd/Even events, Tea Time on Wells Wednesdays, birthday serenades in the Dining Hall, and much more. There is a Wells tradition for everyone!

HUMAN-CENTERED SERVICE-LEARNING
Wells students are caring, global citizens eager to take action. Through Habitat for Humanity’s Collegiate Challenge, Wells students give up their spring breaks to travel out of state to help renovate and build safe and affordable homes across the United States. “I think one point of having an Alternative Spring Break is immersing students in different environments and cultures that they wouldn’t normally encounter [at Wells],” said Hailey Uribe, Director of Student Activities and Leadership.

COMMUNITY-BASED PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Only 10% of healthcare providers choose to practice in a rural area, which often means that there is an urgent need with few resources to address it. During the summer, Wells students travel to a rural community in New York State for the Rural Health Immersion Program, sponsored by the Wells College Health Sciences Department. Students gain valuable hands-on experience by shadowing health professionals in a variety of hospital departments to observe the unique health needs and challenges that face the area.

STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS
Wells College is dedicated to creating an engaging and inspiring community for everyone. Whether their interests are athletic, theatrical, cultural, social, political, or all of the above, every student has a place to direct their passion. The student activities scene at Wells is entirely based on individual interests and evolving. Students can join existing clubs and create their own organizations. Along with 15 athletic varsity teams, there are many different opportunities for students to get involved.

SCHOOL LOCATION
Situated on more than 300 scenic acres overlooking Cayuga Lake in central New York, Wells College offers the simplicity and safety of village living and easy access to metropolitan and educational centers: a half hour from Ithaca, 1 hour from Rochester and Syracuse, and approximately 5 hours from New York City, Philadelphia, and Boston. The Finger Lakes are known for vast outdoor recreational opportunities as well as its high concentration of outstanding colleges and universities.

ATHLETICS
Over 150 men and women participate on one or more of Wells College’s 15 NCAA Division III varsity sports. Wells is a full-time member of the North Eastern Athletic Conference (NEAC). Varsity sports offered are cross country, soccer, basketball, swimming, lacrosse, volleyball, field hockey, baseball, and softball.

RESIDENCE LIFE
Percent of students living on campus.
First-time, first-year (freshman) students: 98%
Undergraduates: 93%

Campus housing options.
Coed Dorms
Women’s Dorms
Special housing for disabled students
Wellness housing

Successful Outcomes

“The interactive learning on site [during a vet tech internship] gave me the assurance I needed to better understand my career goals. Actually seeing the animals’ anatomy and interconnections during surgery really made the class come alive for me.” – Angelique Villanueve, Class of 2016

REAL-WORLD EXCELLENCE
The small faculty-to-student ratio gives Wellsians valuable flexibility when it comes to professional experience. Students receive one-on-one guidance to secure off-campus internships so they can explore different careers. They can also work side-by-side with professors conducting real research and co-author articles. Student work may even be selected for the prestigious National Conference on Undergraduate Research (Wells students have been invited to present for over 30 years)!

CAPSTONE SENIOR PROJECTS
All seniors are required to produce a thesis or special project under the guidance of a faculty advisor. The senior thesis crystallizes the college experience and provides excellent training for graduate-level studies. It also provides students with the unique experience of completing a thoughtful, in-depth analysis of a topic that is of importance to them. View past senior projects to see the scope of research conducted at Wells!

Admission & Aid

Admission

ADMISSIONS FACTORS
Very Important
Rigor of Secondary School | Academic GPA 

Important
Class rank | Application Essay | Recommendation(s)

Considered
Interview | Extracurricular activities | Talent/ability
Character/personal qualities | First generation | Alumni/ae relation
Volunteer work | Work experience

TEST SCORES
Optional

FRESHMAN PROFILE
SAT Math
25th Percentile: 500 | 75th Percentile: 620
ACT Composite
25th Percentile: 20.5 | 75th Percentile: 28
ACT Math
25th Percentile: 18.5 | 75th Percentile: 26
ACT English
25th Percentile: 20.5 | 75th Percentile: 30

Tuition & Cost

Tuition: $30,300
Fees: $1,500
Room: $11,500
Board: $3,000

Aid

All applicants are automatically considered for merit-based scholarships offered by Wells College. In no way does an application for financial assistance affect admission. Wells College offers several tiers of merit-based scholarships and awards for both first-year students as well as transfer and international students, and more than 125 endowed grants and awards.

What Others are Saying

"Wells has given me everything I wanted and more. From my first visit to campus when the Swim Coach greeted me personally and knew my times, I knew Wells was a special place. It's more than a community, it's a family! The people I met here—not just my friends, but also the professors and staff—are so supportive. They'll be part of my life forever."
— Courtney Cloutier, Class of 2019

Contact Wells College

Contact Admissions

admissions.wells.edu/
(315) 364-3264
admissions@wells.edu

Campus Location

170 Main Street
Aurora, NY 13026

(800) 952-9355

Visit Wells Online

wells.edu

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