At Macalester College, you'll discover:

Academic Programs

  • Art & Design
  • Communication
  • Computer Science
  • Economics
  • Education
  • Government/Political Science
  • Health Science
  • Languages; Interdisciplinary Studies
  • Liberal Arts
  • Music
  • Performing Arts
  • Psychology
  • Public health
  • Research
  • Science
  • Social Science
  • Technology
  • Visual Arts

Student experience

  • Athletics
  • Co-op/Internship Opportunities
  • Community Engagement; Identity Collectives; Global Citizenship
  • Disability Services
  • Intramural/Club Sports
  • LGBTQIA Services
  • On-Campus Housing
  • Study Abroad
  • Undergraduate Research

Application information

Find out about requirements, fees, and deadlines

First-year

Macalester welcomes first-year applications from across the United States and around the world. Students who identify as a refugee, displaced person, asylum seeker, stateless person, and Undocumented/DACA students, are welcomed at Macalester.

  • Applicants can apply via the Common Application through Early Decision, Early Action, and Regular Decision

  • Macalester also partners with college access programs like QuestBridge and Posse

  • Macalester follows a test-optional admission policy

  • There is no application fee

Learn more about applying at www.macalester.edu/apply.

Transfer

Macalester offers fall semester transfer admission for students who have been enrolled at another college or university as a full-time, degree-seeking student. Students who have completed Post-Secondary Enrollment Options, Dual Enrollment, or equivalent programs within their high school studies are not considered transfer students.

Learn more about applying as a transfer at www.macalester.edu/admissions/us-admissions/transfer/.

Additional Information

Macalester students thrive in a rigorous academic environment, where collaboration is prioritized over competition. You’ll work side-by-side with your professors–in the classroom, the lab, on stage, or on study away. Macalester’s small class size creates easy access to guidance and support of professors as you explore your academic and professional passions. 

  • 100+ student organizations
  • 19 NCAA Division III Varsity Athletics programs, plus club and intramural sports
  • 2-year residential housing requirement, with opportunities to remain on campus for 3rd and 4th year
  • Fun campus events and traditions, such as Mac Fest, International Roundtable, Founding Day, and Springfest
  • The coo-lest college mascot in the world, Coo!

Visit us

Students and their families are welcome to engage with Macalester Admissions throughout the year! Visitors are encouraged to experience Macalester by:

I gravitate towards living in communities that look a little like Mac–diverse and daring, globally concerned, folks from across the globe.

Danai Gurira, Award-winning actress, Tony-nominated playwright, Class of 2001
Macalester College seal.

Admissions office

Visit us

Address

1600 Grand Avenue
Saint Paul, MN 55105, United States of America

Phone number

(800) 231-7974

Region

Midwest

Midwest