How to Apply to Chemistry at Kalamazoo College: No General Requirements, Major Declared in Sophomore Year, an ACS-Approved Chemistry Program Plus a Separate Biochemistry Major, for Domestic, International (Including China) and Transfer Applicants

Kalamazoo College (K) is a private liberal arts college in Kalamazoo, Michigan, with three terms a year (the College calls them quarters). Chemistry is taught by the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry; students apply to the College and declare a major after entry. The guide below follows the College’s website and is organised for US domestic applicants, international applicants and applicants from China, with a section for transfer students at the end. Biology, mathematics, physics and other majors are not covered here; pre-health preparation is advising rather than a major at K, so it is outside this article (see the website).

1. Degrees and programmes

• Two majors in one department: the Academics page says K has 30 majors, 21 minors and 12 concentrations. The Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry offers a major in Chemistry and a major in Biochemistry. The program page says they are two separate programmes housed in one department, with significant overlap, and that students cannot pursue degrees in both (the catalog says no double major). The pages read do not give the degree title (B.A. or B.S.); check the catalog or ask admission. No chemistry minor is listed in the pages read; check the Academics page.
• Chemistry major (catalog): at least eight units of courses, all with labs (excluding the SIP and the chemistry seminar), plus two terms of the senior seminar CHEM 490; required and cognate courses must be passed with C- or better. Foundational courses in the suggested order: by the end of the first year CHEM 110 (Chemical Composition and Structure) and CHEM 210 (Organic Chemistry I); by the end of the second year CHEM 220 (Organic Chemistry II), CHEM 230 (Chemical Reactivity) and CHEM 240 (Analytical Chemistry); by the end of the third year CHEM 310 (Chemical Thermodynamics and Kinetics). Two further 300- or 400-level courses with lab are also required. Cognates: MATH 112 (Calculus I, or its equivalent MATH 110/111), MATH 113 (Calculus II), PHYS 150 and PHYS 152 (Introductory Physics I and II with lab).
• Biochemistry major: exploratory courses CHEM 365 (Biochemistry I), CHEM 465 (Biochemistry II with lab) and CHEM 466 (Biochemistry lab); cognates BIOL 101 (Biology Explorations), BIOL 201 (Cell and Molecular Biology with Lab, to be completed before CHEM 365), MATH 112, MATH 113 and PHYS 150. The catalog lists the foundational sequence under the requirements shared by the chemistry and biochemistry majors.
• Accreditation: the catalog says the chemistry programme is an American Chemical Society (ACS) approved pre-professional undergraduate programme, and students may choose an ACS-certified degree: CHEM 210, 240, 310, 330 (Inorganic Chemistry), 352 or 365, a research-based chemistry SIP and three more chemistry courses above the 100 level (excluding CHEM 200 and 490), with MATH 112 and 113 and PHYS 150 and 152 (MATH 214, 240 and 260 recommended). The catalog recommends the certified curriculum for students considering graduate study in chemistry or biochemistry.
• Dual degree engineering (chemical engineering): the catalog says students planning the dual degree follow the chemistry major sequence through the third year and complete CHEM 110, 210, 220, 230, 240, 310; MATH 112, 113, 214, 240, 280; and PHYS 150, 152, 220 at K, then meet the engineering school’s entry requirements. Partner schools and transfer conditions are not given in the pages read; see the College’s dual degree engineering page.
• Course highlights: upper-level courses in the catalog include Inorganic Chemistry (CHEM 330), A Survey of Biochemistry (352), Quantum Chemistry and Spectroscopy (410), Instrumental Analysis (420), Chemistry in Art Conservation (430), Principles of Medicinal Chemistry (470, with lab, priority to senior chemistry or biochemistry majors) and Macromolecular and Supramolecular Chemistry (480). The program page says faculty research includes supramolecular chemistry, photoactive metal complexes, antimicrobial activity, biosensing, protein manipulation and genome engineering.
• Research and internships: the catalog says CHEM 200 (Research Apprenticeship in Chemistry) is for students expecting to major in chemistry or biochemistry: the student approaches a faculty member, works at least 50 hours, may enrol for no more than three quarters, needs instructor permission, places are not guaranteed, and it does not count toward the major; CHEM 301L (Chemistry Research Methods) is a lab for students heading toward research careers. The program page encourages internships in industry, academia and government, and says the College works with the Kalamazoo Section of the American Chemical Society on networking events.

2. How admission works: apply to the College, declare a major later

• At application: the Academics page says K has no prescribed general education requirements and that students wait until the second term of sophomore year to declare a major while still typically graduating in four years; students who already know their field can start taking its courses straight away. The pages read do not say whether applicants choose chemistry on the application, or whether the department has its own admission standard or a cap on places; the admission pages describe applying to the College as a whole.
• Declaring and switching: the pages read do not give a grade threshold for declaring chemistry or biochemistry, nor conditions for moving in from another major; this is not published in the pages read, so ask admission or the department.

3. Prerequisites and placement

• High school courses: the admission pages and catalog read do not state minimum high school chemistry, mathematics or physics requirements; ask admission.
• Chemistry placement exam and AP / IB: the catalog says students entering CHEM 110 who have completed AP, IB or college-level chemistry (without official AP/IB scores or transfer credit on file), or a strong high school chemistry sequence, must take the placement examination if they intend to take chemistry courses, major in chemistry, biochemistry or biology, or follow a pre-health track; the result may exempt them from CHEM 110. AP scores of 4 or 5 and IB scores of 5, 6 or 7 automatically exempt a student from CHEM 110, but the CHEM 110 lab (110L) must still be completed. Whether AP/IB chemistry also earns graduation credit is not stated on the pages read (the registrar’s pages, which were not read, cover it).
• Mathematics and physics: the cognates require Calculus I–II and Introductory Physics I–II (see section 1). AP/IB placement for calculus and physics and the mathematics placement process are not described in the pages read; see the catalog’s mathematics and physics pages and the registrar.
• First year: the catalog suggests completing CHEM 110 and 210 by the end of the first year; MATH 112, 113 and PHYS 150 are prerequisites for later courses such as CHEM 310. The chemistry prerequisite chain is long (for example CHEM 220 requires CHEM 210, and CHEM 310 requires CHEM 120, MATH 113 and PHYS 150, all with C- or better), so students planning a chemistry major should plan early. Some prerequisites in the catalog name CHEM 120, which is not in the listed foundational sequence; confirm with the department.
• Labs and graduation requirements: every course in the chemistry major has a lab; two terms of CHEM 490 are required (all three terms can count toward the College’s senior shared passages requirement); students also complete K’s Senior Integrated Project (SIP). Each department sets its own SIP requirements and the catalog refers to the College-level SIP section, which was not read. The ACS-certified major requires a chemistry research SIP. The program page’s example SIP is an organic synthesis project.
• Honours: the pages read do not describe a departmental honours programme; not published in the pages read.

4. Timeline and materials (first-year applicants)

• Rounds and deadlines: Early Decision (ED, binding) 15 November, notification 1 December, deposit 15 January; Early Action (EA) 1 December, notification 18 December, deposit 1 May; Regular Decision (RD) 1 February, notification 15 April, deposit 1 May. FAFSA opens 1 October, with a 1 March priority date. The pages show no year, so check that the dates apply to fall 2027 entry.
• How to apply and fee: first-year applicants use the Common Application only; no application fee.
• Materials: high school transcript (including any dual enrolment or early/middle college transcripts) sent by the school directly to the Office of Admission; counsellor recommendation/school report; teacher recommendation (the College also accepts alternative references such as coaches or employers, and does not say it must come from a science teacher); application essay. The College says it reviews grades and grade trends, academic rigour (it names AP, IB and dual enrolment as examples), activities and the essay. Homeschooled applicants must interview and submit a non-family reference and an academic portfolio.
• Testing: test-optional since 2015. Scores that are submitted are used as additional material and “do not have a direct impact on the admission decision”. Applicants without scores are still considered for merit scholarships, which are based on high school GPA and rigour.
• Chemistry competitions: the website does not say how subject competitions are viewed in admission.

5. US domestic applicants

• Costs (2026–27): the cost page lists tuition and fees of $66,308 and food and housing of $13,803. It does not distinguish in-state from out-of-state, and says most students do not pay the full price (a net price calculator is provided). Figures for books and travel are not given on the pages read.
• Merit scholarships: the cost page says 100% of admitted students receive a merit scholarship based on academic achievement, worth $44,000–$53,000 a year (the international page says $44,000–$52,000; the two differ, so confirm with admission). No separate application is needed.
• Need-based aid: file the FAFSA. The cost page says 99% of students receive some aid, the average need-based package is $61,080, and the College provided more than $57.4 million in institutional aid in 2025–26.
• In-state residents: the cost page mentions partnerships with the local Kalamazoo Promise and Bearcat Advantage scholarship programmes, whose eligibility was not read; the pages read say nothing about priority or guaranteed admission for Michigan residents.

6. International applicants

• Materials: Common Application, no fee; proof of English proficiency; secondary (and any university) transcripts sent directly by the institution (transcripts sent by the student are not accepted); counsellor recommendation/school report (required); teacher recommendation (optional); bank statements from parents or sponsors (no more than six months old) and an income statement; the Resource Verification Form; the financial aid form in the application portal. The College says it is “need aware” for international admission. A passport is not needed to apply but is required for the visa. International students are about 4% of the student body, from more than 30 countries.
• English requirement: all international applicants verify English proficiency. Waivers: from an English-speaking country with English as the language of instruction; English as a second language but at least two years at a secondary school in an English-speaking country; a full IB diploma with English A1/A2 and a predicted grade of 5 or higher. Accepted evidence: TOEFL iBT recommended 84 or higher (computer-based 213; institution code 1365); SAT evidence-based reading and writing recommended 600 or higher; IELTS required overall 6.5 (no band below 6); Duolingo required 130 (no band below 115), with 115 (no band below 100) eligible for an interview; Pearson PTE required 62 (no band below 58). International students need not submit the ACT or SAT but may use them to show English proficiency.
• Funds and aid: the College says families should generally be able to pay $25,000–$35,000 a year, depending on the scholarship; the average international package (need and merit together) is roughly 55–65% of the total cost. Need-based aid requires the International Student Financial Aid Application (ISFAA) or the College’s own international aid application at the time of application; otherwise do not expect need-based aid for the four years, and the page says need-based aid for international students is minimal. The international page still shows 2025–26 estimates: tuition and fees $63,426, room and board $13,257, health insurance, books, supplies and travel $4,440, a printed total of $82,452, plus $2,000–$3,000 of personal expenses. See section 5 for 2026–27.
• International scholarships: the merit scholarship ($44,000–$52,000 a year on the international page, no separate application); the full-tuition Global Leadership Scholarship, which needs a separate application, a one-page leadership resume, an essay of up to 300 words and a recommendation, renews for four years and excludes other merit awards (the printed deadline, Common App complete by 1 November and an admission decision by 18 December 2025, belongs to the previous cycle, so confirm the 2027 entry dates with admission); and the Davis UWC Scholars programme.
• Interview and visa: the pages read do not mention an interview for international applicants. A student visa application can start only after admission, the deposit and the Resource Verification Form; the Center for International Programs helps with the I-20 and visa.

7. Applicants from China

• Gaokao: the website does not publish whether or how the Gaokao is considered; contact admission (admission@kzoo.edu).
• Transcripts and school-leaving materials: no China-specific requirements are published; the general requirements are in section 6 (transcripts sent directly by the school, and so on).
• English: see section 6. The College’s list of English-speaking countries and territories does not include mainland China (it includes Hong Kong), so mainland applicants submit a score unless another waiver applies.
• Preparing for chemistry: the website gives no note on how Chinese high school chemistry, mathematics or physics courses correspond to K’s, or how the placement exam is taken; ask admission and the Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry.

8. Outcomes

• Outcomes (the College’s wording): the program page says chemistry alumni go into academic, pharmaceutical, public health, forensic science and other chemical sectors or on to graduate school; it lists careers such as medical doctor, lab manager, professor, research and development, chemical engineer and quality assurance and control; employers including Pfizer, Stryker, Perrigo, Cargill, the National Institutes of Health and the National Science Foundation; and graduate schools including the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Vanderbilt University, the University of Chicago and Northwestern University. The page prints no placement rate.
• Costs and scholarships: see sections 5 and 6. The pages read list no scholarship specific to chemistry.

9. Transfer students

• Who counts: applicants who have completed high school or an equivalent, have previously enrolled in any degree-seeking institution, and have not attended K before.
• Deadline: fall transfer applications are due 15 June, with the deposit due 1 July, on a rolling review; the pages show no year, so check. Applying by 15 June is strongly encouraged. Spring entry is not described in the pages read.
• Materials: the College’s own transfer application (not the Common Application), no application fee; the final high school transcript; official transcripts from every college attended; a college report from the last institution confirming good standing; and an academic evaluation (the equivalent of a teacher recommendation, preferably from a college instructor). Successful transfer applicants usually present a B average or better in current courses. Transfer students are eligible for merit scholarships in the same range as first-year students.
• Credit transfer: up to 18 of the 36 units required for graduation; a transfer credit evaluation follows the offer of admission; the College cannot guarantee that accepted credit will apply to a major or to graduation. Special requirements for chemistry transfer students on calculus, physics or organic chemistry sequences are not given in the pages read; confirm with the department.

Checklist

US domestic applicants:

• ED 15 November; EA 1 December; RD 1 February; no application fee; Common Application, transcript, counsellor and teacher recommendations, essay; testing optional
• FAFSA (priority 1 March); watch for the chemistry placement exam; plan CHEM 110, 210 and MATH 112–113 for the first year

International applicants (including China):

• English evidence (TOEFL recommended 84, IELTS required 6.5, Duolingo required 130, PTE required 62) or a waiver; bank statements, income statement and Resource Verification Form; ISFAA or the College’s international aid application if you want need-based aid
• Whether the Gaokao is considered is not published

After entry:

• Declare in the second term of sophomore year; eight lab units plus MATH 112–113 and PHYS 150/152; two terms of CHEM 490; the SIP

Transfer students:

• Fall deadline 15 June, deposit 1 July; up to 18 units transfer; the College’s own transfer application

Sources: Kalamazoo College, Academics; Chemistry and Biochemistry program page; Academic catalog: chemistry and biochemistry; Admission: how to apply; Admission: first-year students; Admission: international students; Admission: English proficiency; Admission: test optional; Admission: cost and aid; Admission: transfer students. The dates on the admission pages show no year, so check that they apply to fall 2027 entry and see the College’s website for the latest.