The New England Small College Athletic Conference (NESCAC) includes eleven excellent liberal arts colleges and universities* in the United States. The Conference enjoys a long tradition of success both in meeting high standards of athletic performance and in helping every student realize their full capabilities. All NESCAC member colleges enroll students who will enhance and enjoy the intellectual, social, and extracurricular communities our campuses provide. NESCAC member colleges believe in and are committed to building equitable and inclusive communities that represent many dimensions of diversity.

Admissions offices work closely with athletic departments to ensure that students on all intercollegiate NESCAC teams are representative of each institution’s student body and are admitted with the expectation of their full participation in the life of the college. Each NESCAC member college maintains its own set of practices to select a class. Differences are reflected in how applications are read, which application materials are weighed most heavily, and even what information is used in the selection process. NESCAC member colleges also vary in terms of which standardized tests, if any, are required of applicants, and how the results are evaluated. In any given year, NESCAC member colleges will have institution-specific goals for the incoming class.

All admissions decisions are rendered and delivered in writing by the admissions office only. Any communication regarding the status of admissions decisions conveyed by non-admissions personnel should be considered preliminary, unofficial, and subject to change. No admissions decision will be made until the candidate’s application is complete and all necessary supporting documentation has been received.

While admission decisions are made exclusively by the admission office, the coach’s assessment of the athletic ability and potential contribution of each candidate is considered. Coaches at different colleges may evaluate the same student-athlete’s ability differently. NESCAC coaches actively identify and recruit student-athletes and act as advocates for them; but no coach at any NESCAC college has the authority to offer, promise, or otherwise guarantee a spot in the incoming class to any recruited student-athlete. It is important to remember that this is a college admission process with an athletic component, not an athletic recruiting process that comes with the opportunity to attend college.

By NCAA Division III policy, there are no athletic scholarships awarded at NESCAC institutions. Financial aid packages are offered in writing only by the institution’s financial aid office and not before the student has been admitted. Financial aid offices may provide financial aid estimates to prospective students prior to students being admitted in accordance with the institution’s published policies and practices for all students. Institutions encourage prospective students and families to use their respective Net Price Calculator (or equivalent cost estimator).

All NESCAC institutions maintain Early Decision, Regular Decision, and Transfer application options. Each NESCAC institution maintains its own application deadlines, decision notification dates, and admissions and financial aid policies, which can be found on the respective websites.

July 21, 2023

*Member institutions are Amherst College, Bates College, Bowdoin College, Colby College, Connecticut College, Hamilton College, Middlebury College, Trinity College, Tufts University, Wesleyan University and Williams College.