A Wellesley education is anything but insular.
We encourage you to seek learning in varied venues, whether that's downtown at MIT, in the water at Woods Hole, or across the country in sunny California. It may be hard to take time away from Wellesley when nearly all that you need is right here. And so much of what you love, too. A change of venue or tone is not only invigorating, but inherently complements the Wellesley experience, where seeing things from different vantage points is a key ingredient to broader learning and more creative insight on all issues.
Cross-Registration with MIT
Wellesley operates a program of cross-registration with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. A Wellesley student interested in taking specific classes at MIT should consult with the faculty advisor for the relevant MIT department. Registration in MIT courses takes place each semester in both the Wellesley registrar's office and in the Exchange Office at MIT. Students electing to take courses at MIT must register at both institutions during an extended add/drop period of one week each semester.
The possibility to earn a BA degree from Wellesley and an SB degree from MIT over the course of five years is available for Wellesley students who are accepted to MIT as transfer students. Wellesley students must apply for transfer admission to MIT during the spring semester of their sophomore year, and are subject to the same admissions criteria and financial aid policies used by MIT for all other college transfer applicants. Accepted students enroll at MIT after they have completed their junior year at Wellesley. During the fourth and fifth years, students enroll at MIT.
The Babson-Olin-Wellesley Collaboration
Wellesley students have always had the opportunity to cross-register with neighboring Babson College and the Franklin W. Olin College of Engineering, as well as enroll in the Certificate in Engineering Studies Program offered at Olin, or earn a certificate in sustainability. But in 2009, the three colleges announced an effort to deepen their collaboration. Going farther than other joint endeavors, the Babson-Olin-Wellesley Collaboration is undertaking an expansion of academic programs, joint sponsorship of speakers and conferences, and joint community outreach programs. The initiative builds upon a foundation of cooperation that already included jointly-appointed faculty members, open membership and participation in many student activities and programs, and transportation between the three campuses. Combining Babson's expertise in business, Olin's engineering chops, and Wellesley's depth in the liberal arts, the Collaboration is all about taking on 21st century challenges.
Wellesley/Brandeis BA/MAief Five-Year Program
All Wellesley students are able to cross-register at Brandeis University. In addition, qualified Wellesley undergraduate economics majors who wish to earn the master of arts in international economics and finance (MAief) may apply in their junior year to pursue a special track, the BA/MAief, which begins in the senior undergraduate year. Brandeis offers the two-year graduate program in its International Business School to prepare students for careers in international finance, business, policymaking, and other fields that require strong analytical skills in international economics and finance. The BA/MAief program allows a student to complete a Wellesley BA and then the MAief with only one year of post-BA study. Additional information on the BA/MAief program can be obtained from the Wellesley Department of Economics.
The 12-College Exchange Program
Wellesley belongs to a consortium that includes Amherst, Bowdoin, Connecticut College, Dartmouth, Mount Holyoke, Smith, Trinity, Vassar, Wesleyan, and Wheaton. Two one-semester programs associated with the 12-College Exchange are the National Theater Institute in Waterford, Conn., and the Williams-Mystic Seaport Program in American Maritime Studies, also in Connecticut. Students in good standing may apply for a semester or full academic year in residence at any of the member institutions. Preference is given to students planning to participate in their junior year. Applications and additional information are available from the Office of International Study.
The Wellesley-Spelman Exchange Program
Wellesley maintains a student exchange program with Spelman College in Atlanta, Ga., a historically black college for women. The program is open to students in their junior or senior year.
Semester in Environmental Science at Woods Hole
The Semester in Environmental Science Program is held each fall at the Marine Biological Laboratory at Woods Hole, Mass. This 14-week program emphasizes the measurement and understanding of biogeochemical cycles and processes in terrestrial, freshwater, and marine ecosystems. Intended primarily for juniors, participation is limited to approximately two students per year. Interested students should contact Wellesley's Department of Biological Sciences for additional information.
B/MA Five-Year Program with the Graduate Institute in Geneva
Wellesley College and the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva have established a program for Wellesley students to earn both a BA from Wellesley and an MA from the Graduate Institute in 5 years, rather than the normal 6 years. Students will spend the fall semester of their senior year in Geneva, then return for spring semester and graduation at Wellesley. Following graduation they will return to Geneva for their fifth year. French is not a requirement for admission but those students who are not proficient in French will be required to study the language when at the Institute in Geneva.