For First-Years

students gathering on campus

Navigating your First Year - Class Deans Resources

Shanté Brown, Dean of First-Year Students intentionally serves the academic and personal needs of all our first-year students, helping them prepare for their arrival at Wellesley, planning and implementing extensive programming for new students, and providing advice and counsel throughout the entire first year. The Dean of First-Year Students and the Assistant Director of New Student and Transition Programs jointly support the New Student Orientation program, including the recruitment, selection, training, and supervision of the undergraduate Orientation Coordinators (OCs) and Orientation Mentors (OMs).

Students are invited to meet us in our offices on the second floor of the Schneider Center. We are open Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. You can call us at 781.283.2327. Our mailing address is Office of the Dean of First-Year Students, Wellesley College, 106 Central Street, Schneider Center, Wellesley, MA 02481-8203.

Please be sure view our Especially for Entering Students and New Student Orientation pages for advice on how to make the most of your first year at Wellesley.

We encourage you to utilize the PLTC for additional support. They offer assistance with time management, and also offers a variety of tutoring programs including: Help Room (group tutoring for multiple courses within a discipline), Attached Tutoring (tutor office hours for a specific course and section), Supplemental Instruction (group tutoring for a specific course and section) and Assigned (Individual) tutoring.  Drop-in tutors hold weekly office hours.

View our First Year Timeline and explore more detailed information below.

Fall Semester Timeline

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September

Welcome to Wellesley! First year events offered by the First-Year Class Dean and Advisor, along with Orientation Mentors are great opportunities to meet your cohort. Events start with Orientation.

Convocation

Flower Sunday - A great way to become part of a network of students from all class years. Learn more about Bigs/Littles. 

Be aware of academic deadlines. These can be found on the Academic Calendar:

  • Deadline to ADD a fall course

 

October

Family & Friends weekend! Each fall, Family & Friends Weekend allows the College to give participating families a taste of what their child experiences as a Wellesley student.

The Federal Student Aid applications (FASFA) open. Get your forms in as early as possible for the best shot at financial aid.  Questions or need assistance? visit Student Financial Services.

Some summer internships have October applications deadlines. Now's the time to find the right internship for you! Career Services can help with any questions you have.

The Tanner Conference is usually held in late October. The Tanner is an opportunity to learn from other students about their internships, civic engagement, study abroad experiences and more!

 

Be aware of academic deadlines.  These can be found on the Academic Calendar.

  • Deadline to declare a fall course CREDIT/NON
  • Deadline to DROP a fall course
November

Learn more about spring courses at the Academic Open Houses. Feel free to contact the First Year Dean about any questions you have regarding the courses. Use the online appointment scheduler or contact the office at (781) 283-2325 to make an appointment.

Register for spring classes.

Interested in becoming an Orientation Coordinator? Now's the time to apply. Check out the job postings through Handshake. 

Thanksgiving break!

Wednesday, November 24:  Thanksgiving break

Thanksgiving 2019: Why Thanksgiving Day Is So Late | The Old Farmer's Almanac

Monday, November 29:    Classes resume

December

Be aware of academic dates and deadlines in December. You can find the dates in the Academic Calendar:

  • Deadline to WITHDRAW
  • Reading period
  • Final Examinations

Winter break!

Interested in an Alternative Break in Wintersession? Alternative Breaks are service-oriented, substance-free breaks in which we volunteer with a variety of community partners in order to explore the social, cultural and political issues in that community. Career Education can provide you with more information.

Wintersession and Spring Semester Timeline

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Wintersession / January

Welcome back! 

Winter doldrums?  Come and talk with us.  We'd love for you to stop in.  There are no drop in hours, but you can always email your class dean for an appointment, or call the main office at 781-283-2325 to set one up. 

Staying over and need to know about housing? Contact Res Life.

The Albright Institute is in session - take time to listen to the incredible speakers.

Need some winter clothes?  Visit the WSAS Clothes Closet.

If you are doing wintersession, please be aware of academic deadlines, which can be found in the Academic Calendar

  • Deadline to ADD a Wintersession course
  • Deadline to declare a Wintersession course CREDIT/NON
  • Deadline to DROP a Wintersession course
  • Deadline to WITHDRAW from a Wintersession course

Other deadlines in January are:

  • Deadline to submit Fall incomplete work in late January
  • Deadline for Fall/Winter make-up final exams

Fall final grades are released in early January

The spring semester starts late January in the winter wonderland of Wellesley.

February

Be aware of upcoming academic deadlines.  View the Academic Calendar

  • Deadline to ADD a spring course
  • Deadline to DROP a spring course
  • Deadline to declare Credit/Non grading option
March

Midterms

Interested in alternative break trip?  Career Education can provide more information. 

Family and midterms conflicting?  Talk to us! 

Spring Break!

April

Learn more about fall courses at the Academic Open Houses.      

Register for Fall Classes.  Questions? We can help.  It's easy to make an appointment with your class dean or stop by during drop-in hours.   You can also email your dean. 

Housing Registration - check out updated information on the Res Life page.

Thinking about a summer term at Wellesley.  Lots of information is available.

Choose your housing for your sophomore year.  Find more information on the Fall Housing Room Selection Process.

The Ruhlman Conference is held in late April.  The Ruhlman Conference is a day of student presentations about their research experiences, endeavors and other opportunities.

May

Be aware of the academic deadlines.  You can find them in the Academic Calendar.

  • Deadline to WITHDRAW from a spring course
  • Reading period
  • Final papers are due
  • Final examinations

 

Sophomore year is waiting!   Check out the Sophomore page of the Class Deans Resources and have a great summer!

You are not on this journey alone, in life or at Wellesley.  Your class dean will be there for you every step of the way to make sure that you have the individual attention & support you need to realize your goals.                                                                     Nayanika Das, Class of 2021

Contact: Dean Shanté Brown | Schneider Center, Room 220 | sbrown14@wellesley.edu | 781.283.2325