What is the age range of Davis Scholars? 
Current Davis Scholars range in age from about 24 to 64. Approximately one-fourth of the current students are in their twenties, and approximately one-fifth are over forty.

Is there a minimum age for Davis Scholars? 
Ordinarily, a Davis Scholar must be at least twenty-four years old when she enters the program. Women with children and veterans of the armed services may be younger.

Is there a minimum credit requirement for applying to the Davis Degree Program? 
Applicants to the Davis Degree program are urged to complete at least four college level courses for credit to strengthen their academic skills and credentials before applying to the program. An applicant needs to demonstrate strong writing skills and the ability to think coherently and analytically, and she must show training in the principles of mathematics, including algebra and trigonometry. Students who have never pursued a foreign language at the college level should complete course work in a foreign language prior to applying.

How will I know how many of my credits will transfer into Wellesley units? 
Once a student has been admitted to the College, the Registrar's Office does a preliminary assessment of how many credits will transfer. This assessment will be included with the student's letter of admission. Once the student accepts Wellesley's offer of admission, the Registrar's Office will provide a more detailed assessment indicating which courses will transfer and which of Wellesley's degree requirements they may meet. The student can help ensure that this process is accurate by arranging to have all relevant transcripts from previous college work sent to the Wellesley Registrar's Office.

Is there a maximum number of units Wellesley will accept? 
Wellesley will accept a maximum of 16 transfer units, the equivalent of 64 semester-hours or credits or 96 quarter-hours. All students must complete a minimum of 16 units at Wellesley.

Is there a minimum number of courses a Davis Scholar must take in a semester? Is there a limit to how many semesters a Davis Scholar may spend at Wellesley? 
Commuting Davis Scholars, other than international students, have no time limit for completing their degrees and may choose to be full- or part-time students. International Davis Scholars and all Davis Scholars in residence must be full-time students. This means they must take a minimum of three courses each semester; the ordinary load is four courses. How many semesters international Davis Scholars and resident Davis Scholars may spend at the College will depend on the number of units with which they enter. A student's Class Dean will clarify how many semesters the student may have to complete her degree and will help her plan accordingly.

Do Davis Scholars earn the same degree the same as traditional-age students? 
Yes, Davis Scholars complete the same academic degree requirements and receive the same degree as traditional-age Wellesley students. The only exception is the Physical Education requirement, from which Davis Scholars are exempt.

What are Wellesley's degree requirements, and how can I meet them? 
You can find a summary of Wellesley's degree requirements on the Class Deans' webpage (http://www.wellesley.edu/ClassDeans/degree.html) These requirements provide a good deal of structure but also allow for a great deal of freedom. Your Class Dean will discuss requirements with you and will help you plan a program that meets requirements as well as satisfying your own interests.

What if I have no idea what I want to major in? Who will help guide me? 
Faculty members at Wellesley are happy to talk with students outside the classroom, so your teachers will be a resource and will help you to develop your interests and clarify your ideas. Your Class Dean will also offer support and guidance as you decide on a major.

How are Davis Scholars charged for their courses? Is this different for resident and commuting students? 
Davis Scholars in residence pay a comprehensive fee that includes tuition, room and board. Commuting students pay by the course. If they pay for four courses in a semester, the charge is equal to tuition, and they could, if they choose, take an additional course without paying an additional fee for it.

Can Davis Scholars receive financial aid from the College? Is there a minimum number of classes you need to take to be eligible for financial aid? 
Financial aid and a variety of payment options are available to all students, including Davis Scholars, with demonstrated need. In order to be eligible for financial aid during a semester, a commuting Davis Scholar must take a minimum of two units. Click here for more information about financial aid.

Would my financial aid be different as a resident versus a commuter? 
Students living on campus receive a financial aid package based on a comprehensive fee that includes tuition, room and board. Commuting students receive aid for the cost of each course plus a small allowance for living expenses. This allowance is not intended to cover the full costs of off-campus living.

Do you have to pay for tutors? 
Tutors are available free of charge through the Pforzheimer Learning and Teaching Center.

Does Wellesley have on-campus and family housing for Davis Scholars? 
Wellesley offers both 9- and 12-month on-campus housing to Davis Scholars, but we do not have housing for students' families. Click here for more information about housing.

If living on campus, will I have a roommate? 
All Davis Scholars have single rooms and share common rooms.

Are there opportunities for Davis Scholars to study abroad? 
Yes, the same opportunities for study abroad are available for Davis Scholars as for traditional-age students. These opportunities include semester- and year-long programs and also two- or three-week wintersession programs, which can be particularly attractive to Davis Scholars whose family obligations make it difficult to be away for a longer period.

What is the interaction with traditional-age students like? 
Traditional-age students as well as faculty welcome the opportunity to have Davis Scholars in class and on campus. Davis Scholars and traditional-age students join study groups, participate in class projects, and meet in the dining halls for lunch or dinner. Davis Scholars also join with traditional-age students in various campus activities.

Can Davis Scholars take part in campus activities (i.e., sports, clubs, college government)? 
All campus activities are open to Davis Scholars, and many choose to participate in co-curricular activities. These include on- or off-campus service projects, cultural organizations, literary societies, language groups, student government, intramural sports, theater and music performances, etc. Click Especially for Students on Wellesley's home page for more information about the range of activities available at the College.

Can Davis Scholars use the Sports Center? 
Yes, even though Davis Scholars are exempt from the P.E. requirement, they are welcome to use the Sports Center, to take P.E. classes, and to join club, intramural, and varsity teams.

What kind of support can Davis Scholars expect? 
All the supports of Wellesley College are available to Davis Scholars. In addition to faculty members, the Class Deans and the Pforzheimer Learning and Teaching Center provide academic support. Health Services provides help with medical problems, Counseling Services provides help with psychological issues, and Disability Services provides help with both temporary and chronic disabilities. The Center for Work and Service and the Department of Religious and Spiritual Life also offer personal support. Financial support is available not only through Student Financial Services and the Students' Aid Society but also through Lifeline, a special resource for Davis Scholars. The Davis Scholar community, including current students, alumnae, and staff, is also an important source of support for Davis Scholars.

Are there computers available for me to use on campus? Are they PCs or MACs? Is there a place to plug in my laptop? 
There are computer clusters on campus with both PCs and MACs, including two computer stations at the Continuing Education House available for Davis Scholars and Postbacs to use. Many areas on campus are wireless, including the Continuing Education House.

Should I have a clear knowledge of how to use basic programs on computers, such as Word, Power Point, Excel, etc.? 
Some proficiency in using computers is strongly recommended, and support is available at Wellesley to assist and improve computer skills.