How to Apply to Mathematics at Macalester College: Mathematics, Statistics, Computer Science and Data Science in One Department, Declaring the Major by the End of Sophomore Year, for Domestic, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Macalester College is a liberal arts college; undergraduate mathematics is offered by the Department of Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science (MSCS). Students apply to the College as a whole and declare a major after entry. This guide is based on the College’s and the department’s websites, organised for US domestic applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, followed by transfer students. Computer science is not covered here.

1. Degrees and areas

• Degree: the international FAQ says the College offers the Bachelor of Arts degree, with majors in 39 areas of study, 40 minors and 11 concentrations. The pages read mention only the BA.
• Department programs: the MSCS home page says students can major or minor in mathematics, statistics, computer science or data science.
• Mathematics major requirements (the majors page; current from fall 2021, and new declarations must meet them except in unusual circumstances): two introductory courses, MATH 236 and MATH 237 (any order); two supporting courses, one in data visualization and modeling (STAT 112 or STAT 155) and one in programming (COMP 120, 123, 127 or 128); five MATH courses numbered 250 or above, including at least two cornerstone courses (from MATH 312, 354, 365, 375, 376, 377, 378, 379) and at least one 400-level MATH course taken before the spring semester of senior year; and passing the capstone presentation.
• Minor: any five mathematics courses numbered 110–494, with no more than two counting toward any other major, minor or concentration.
• Suggested paths: the department’s advice page lists elective groupings by interest: modeling and applied mathematics, a math major that complements a computer science, physics or economics major, and graduate study (students aiming at graduate school in theoretical mathematics must take both MATH 376 and 377, ideally by the end of junior year, the department’s core proof-based courses). It also mentions summer research (REU programs) and honors projects, and notes that 300- and 400-level courses are offered on a rotating schedule, many every other year.
• Limits within MSCS: you may complete at most two programs of study in the department (two majors, one major and one minor, or two minors). Double majors: mathematics with computer science is permitted; mathematics with statistics, or with data science, is not. A major may not be paired with the same-named minor, and a minor may share at most two courses with any other major, minor or concentration.
• Grades in prerequisites: enrolling in any MSCS course requires a C- or higher in all prerequisite courses.
• Honors: a substantial independent research project with a written paper. Juniors must file a proposal with the department by April 30 (a hard deadline), with a faculty advisor’s agreement, a personal statement and a faculty endorsement; the department looks at course grades, projects, research or internship experience and other evidence of preparedness.
• Capstone: every MSCS major completes a capstone experience: a 400-level course with a project taken before the spring of senior year, the capstone seminar, and a 15–20 minute presentation at MSCS Capstone Days each spring.

2. How admission works: apply to the College, declare after entry

• At application: the application pages read do not ask you to choose mathematics, and do not say whether mathematics has a separate admission line or capacity limit. Applications are reviewed holistically by the College.
• When to declare: the international FAQ says students are not required to officially declare a major until the end of their second year, and that they choose advisors when they formally declare, no later than the end of the second year. The department adds a policy: MSCS majors and minors are not declared for first-semester, first-year students.
• Steps to declare (department page): review the major requirements; fill in your copy of the MSCS Major Planning Form (a planning tool, not an official declaration); meet an MSCS faculty member, who connects you with the MSCS co-chair (or the data science coordinator) to get the major declared; then fill out the MSCS advisor request form.
• Conditions: beyond the steps and limits above, grade thresholds and capacity limits are not stated on the pages read; ask the department.
• Switching in: no separate conditions; follow the declaration steps above.

3. Prerequisites and placement

• High school mathematics: the admissions FAQ says the best preparation is strong performance in a balanced and rigorous curriculum across five core subjects (English, mathematics, history or social science, laboratory science and world language); most applicants complete at least 20 academic core courses. Department-specific prerequisites are not stated on the pages read.
• Introductory courses and placement: the department’s advice page says a typical math major takes MATH 135, 137, 155, 236, 237 and 279 (as printed) plus COMP 120 or 123 in the first two years, and that “many majors place out of Math 135 and/or 137.” How placing out works is not described on the pages read, and no placement exam is mentioned. MATH 236 (linear algebra) is called a key course for all math students.
• AP and IB credit: the admissions FAQ says Macalester accepts a maximum of 32 semester credits earned before matriculation (college courses, summer college credits, AP, IB and GCE A-Levels together). The international FAQ says Higher Level IB exam scores of 5, 6 or 7 may receive the equivalent of four or eight semester hours per exam, determined by the academic department; Standard Level evaluation was to be published on the Registrar’s page in the fall of 2026. AP Calculus equivalences for MATH 135/137 are not described on the pages read.
• Math competitions: the pages read do not say how competitions are viewed in admissions.

4. Deadlines and application materials (fall 2027 start)

• Rounds and deadlines: the U.S. first-year page is headed “Application Deadlines for a Fall 2027 start”: Early Decision I (binding) Nov. 1; Early Action Nov. 1; Early Decision II Jan. 1; Regular Decision Jan. 15. The dates page lists: ED I notification Dec. 6, reply Dec. 21; EA notification Dec. 19, reply May 1; ED II notification Jan. 31, reply Feb. 15; RD notification Mar. 14, reply May 1.
• How to apply and fee: the Common App (QuestBridge applications are also accepted). The transfer pages say there is no application fee; the first-year and apply pages read do not print a fee amount, so check in the Common App.
• Materials: Common App; official high school transcript (grade 9 through junior year); two recommendation letters, one from a counselor or school official and one from a teacher in a core academic subject (English, social studies, world language, mathematics or science; the page does not say it must be a mathematics teacher); Early Decision applicants self-report in-progress senior grades (ED I Nov. 1–16, ED II Jan. 1–20); Regular Decision applicants send an updated transcript by Feb. 15 if first-term senior grades are not on it. There are two optional Macalester essay prompts (the Twin Cities location, and the College’s mission).
• Testing: test optional; applicants may submit ACT, SAT, AP and IB scores, self-reported if they wish. School codes: the pages give ACT 2122 and SAT 6390, but one line of the international FAQ gives 6390 as the ACT code; check before submitting.
• Interview: one page calls it optional and not required, another “recommended, but not required”; offered to domestic rising seniors, seniors and prospective transfers, online with a staff member.
• Admission figures (as printed): for fall 2026 entry, 10,048 students applied and 26% were admitted; the College typically seeks to enroll 545 first-year students.

5. US domestic applicants

• Costs (2026–27): the financial aid page lists tuition $74,394, residence hall $9,268, meal plan $8,162, activity fee $230 and a comprehensive fee of $92,154. The four listed items add up to $92,054, $100 less than the printed comprehensive fee; see the College’s comprehensive fee details. One price is listed, with no in-state or out-of-state distinction.
• Merit scholarships: all applicants are considered automatically with no separate application and no FAFSA or CSS Profile; awards go up to $40,000, are for eight semesters with no minimum GPA for renewal, and Early Decision applicants are considered equally. The College states two different shares: the merit page says 4 out of 5 students receive a merit scholarship, while the financial aid page says more than half. National Merit Finalists who name Macalester their first choice may receive a Macalester National Merit Scholarship.
• Need-based aid: the College says it meets 100% of demonstrated need for every admitted student; the page prints 59% of students receiving need-based grants from Macalester and an average need-based package of $67,609 (no year shown). You must express interest in aid in the application; aid cannot be awarded after an offer of admission. The “Macalester Promise”: for admitted U.S. students with a family income of $100,000 or less and typical financial assets, a full-tuition scholarship (see the website for eligibility details).
• Preference or guaranteed admission for state residents: not stated on the pages read.

6. International applicants

• Selectivity: the international FAQ says the overall international admit rate has ranged between 6% and 11% in recent years; acceptance rates for international students tend to be a bit higher in the binding Early Decision rounds; in recent years extra consideration has been given to international students needing significant aid who apply Early Decision; and students with the highest financial need (contributions under $40,000) face the greatest competition.
• English proficiency: optional. It is “recommended” for international applicants whose first language is not English and who have spent fewer than two years in secondary school taught primarily in English; TOEFL, IELTS, Duolingo English Test, or third-party interviews (InitialView, Vericant) are accepted. There is no minimum score, but the College says students scoring the following are the most successful: new TOEFL (tests after January 2026) 5.0 or higher, earlier TOEFL 100 or higher; IELTS 7.0 or higher; Duolingo 130 or higher. Superscoring and the TOEFL “MyBest Scores” are not considered. TOEFL and IELTS scores may be self-reported; Duolingo and TOEFL Essentials results must come officially from the testing agency.
• Transcripts and materials: official transcripts and external exam results, with grades for years 9 through 12/13; non-English transcripts need an English translation with the translator’s name and position, and an official school seal and signature. Students who have not yet sat final exams submit predicted results. Two recommendation letters and the school report (a principal or other school official may complete it if there is no counselor). IB students must submit IB exam scores. Credential-evaluation agency requirements are not stated on the pages read.
• Proof of funding: students on a non-immigrant visa who apply for need-based aid must submit the CSS Profile OR the 2027–2028 International Student Application for Financial Assistance (ISAFA) and the Macalester Financial Declaration Form; the application will not be reviewed until both are submitted. There are no CSS Profile fee waivers (the free ISAFA is accepted instead). International students not applying for aid must submit the Financial Obligations Agreement.
• Aid deadlines: the international aid page says the forms are due Nov. 10 (ED I and EA), Jan. 8 (ED II), Jan. 22 (RD); the dates page gives “Priority for Financial Aid” as Nov. 9, Jan. 8 and Jan. 22. The ED I/EA date differs by one day between the two pages; check with the financial aid office. International students who qualify for need-based aid receive a four-year aid package at admission.
• International scholarship: aid is mainly need-based; the Charles J. Turck Presidential Honor Scholarship goes to a limited number of international students with special academic potential, up to $40,000 a year, and every international applicant is considered automatically. Students receiving aid are offered part-time campus work (about 9 hours a week, about $3,600 after taxes in the first year), and a Macalester College International Student Loan is available.
• Interviews: because of capacity limits the College cannot accommodate online interview requests from international applicants on non-immigrant visas; you may submit an InitialView or Vericant interview. Interviews are optional and not having one does not decrease your chances.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: whether the gaokao is considered, and how, is not published; it does not appear on the international pages read. Contact the Office of Admissions (the website lists an admissions counselor by region).
• Transcripts and school-leaving exam materials: no China-specific requirements are published; see Section 6 for the general requirements.
• English: as in Section 6, English proficiency scores are optional.

8. Costs, scholarships and outcomes

• Costs and scholarships: see Sections 5 and 6. Mathematics-department scholarships are not described on the pages read; the department pages mention student/faculty summer research and REU programs.
• Outcomes (the website’s own lists): the MSCS home page lists graduate schools attended by recent graduates, for example the University of Minnesota, Carnegie Mellon, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Yale and the University of Edinburgh, and recent employers such as Amazon, Google, Microsoft, Goldman Sachs, McKinsey, Deloitte and the Mayo Clinic. It gives no percentages and does not separate mathematics majors from the whole department. It also says there are over 200 internship sites within 8 miles of campus.

9. Transfer students

• Eligibility and deadline: applicants must have completed at least one full semester or trimester of college by the transfer deadline. For fall entry, the application deadline and financial aid priority date are both March 15, with notification May 2 and reply May 30; the dates page lists the same date for U.S. and international transfer applicants. There is no application fee.
• Materials: Common App; official transcripts of all college coursework; final high school transcript (from grade 9); one recommendation from a college academic course instructor; the College Report (for currently enrolled students); an optional transfer essay. International transfer applicants have additional requirements on the international transfer page.
• Credits: up to 64 credit hours may be transferred, and a Macalester degree requires two full years (64 credit hours) at Macalester. Credit is evaluated after an offer of admission; generally credit is awarded for liberal arts courses at regionally accredited institutions. Mathematics-specific transfer requirements (calculus or linear algebra sequences) are not stated on the pages read; ask the department.
• Housing and aid: transfer students who have not completed the equivalent of four semesters of college must live on campus; all transfer applicants are considered for merit scholarships, and the College commits to meeting full demonstrated need. The Transfer Student Coordinator is the contact.

Checklist

• Confirm the round and deadline for fall 2027 entry (ED I/EA Nov. 1, ED II Jan. 1, RD Jan. 15), and say in the application whether you are applying for aid.
• Prepare transcript, a counselor recommendation and a recommendation from a core academic subject teacher; tests are optional; international applicants add the CSS Profile or ISAFA with the Financial Declaration Form (or the Financial Obligations Agreement); English scores are optional.
• After entry: talk to MSCS faculty after your first semester and declare the math major by the end of sophomore year; plan MATH 236, 237 and the cornerstone courses.
• Ask the department and Admissions about placing out of introductory courses, math competitions and any China-specific guidance.

Sources: Macalester College, Mathematics, Statistics, and Computer Science; Majors and minors; Advice about the mathematics major; How to declare; Honors; Capstone; Apply; Dates and deadlines; U.S. first-year applicants; International admissions; International first-year applicants; International FAQ; Transfer applicants; Transfer FAQ; Financial aid and tuition; Merit scholarships; International financial aid. The application pages are labelled for a fall 2027 start and the cost figures for 2026–27; see the College’s website for the latest.