Students come to Lesley with a desire to make a difference; they leave prepared to impact the world. We seek students who demonstrate the creativity, knowledge, and skills that will allow them to thrive and achieve success in our academic programs, art studios, on-site at internships, and in study abroad opportunities throughout the world.
We admit qualified students regardless of race, religion, gender, gender expression, national or ethnic origin, age, sexual orientation, veteran status, or disability. Students may be accepted to the college for full-time or part-time study. In any given semester, a full-time student carries a minimum of twelve credit hours, with most students taking an average of fifteen credits per semester.
First-Year Students
Students may apply to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the College of Art and Design, or both. We offer two admissions programs. The Early Action program serves students who wish to receive an early, non-binding admissions decision; the application deadline is December 1st. The Regular Admission program has a preferred deadline of February 15; however applications will continue to be reviewed on an ongoing basis after that date. Lesley uses the Common Application exclusively. All first-year students must submit a completed application along with the following:
- an official copy of the high school transcript, HiSet, or GED. The high school transcript may be sent electronically through the Common Application
- one teacher recommendation
- optional counselor recommendation
Standardized Testing
- Lesley University is “test optional”
- The SAT/ACT is also optional for international applicants
Portfolios
- Students applying to BFA programs in the College of Art and Design must submit a digital portfolio of 12-20 pieces.
Coursework, Transcripts and Earned Credits
Successful candidates will be on track to graduate from high school or a program of home-schooled study with a total of at least 20 college-prep units including: 4 units of English; at least 3 units of math (must include Algebra II); at least 3 units of history/social science (must include U.S. History); and at least 3 units of science with a minimum of 2 lab courses. We strongly recommend that students take a fourth year of math, science, social science, and at least two years of a foreign language.
If you are dually enrolled in college coursework or simply taking some college level classes, you may submit official college transcripts either electronically or by mailing to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions Lesley University 29 Everett Street Cambridge, MA 02138. In order for transcripts to be considered official, they must be sent to us directly from the sending institution.
Interviews or Portfolio Reviews
Although not required, an interview or portfolio review is strongly encouraged. Academic performance, rigor of curriculum, strength of portfolio, demonstrated motivation, along with commitment to community engagement form the basis of all admissions decisions. We reserve the right to deny admission to any candidate determined by the Admissions Committee to be inadequately prepared to succeed in Lesley's program of study.
Admissions decisions are "need blind," made without consideration as to whether a student is applying for financial assistance. Guaranteed merit-based scholarships are available for both first-year and transfer students at the point of admission.
Transfer Students
A student who has completed secondary education and has matriculated into a degree program at another college or university may apply as a transfer student. The maximum number of credit hours that may be transferred into the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences is 90 credits. The maximum number of credits that may be transferred into the College of Art and Design is 66 credits.
All transfer applicants must submit a completed application along with the following credentials:
- official secondary school transcript or high school equivalency (GED or HiSet). Applicants with 24 or more earned college-level credits are waived from this requirement.
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official college transcript from each institution previously attended may be submitted electronically or by mailing to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions Lesley University 29 Everett Street Cambridge, MA 02138. For transcripts to be considered official, they must be sent to Lesley directly from the sending institution
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optional: one recommendation, preferably from a college professor
- students who have earned college credit from an institution outside of the U.S. must have their transcripts evaluated by a credential evaluation service and forwarded to the Undergraduate Admissions Office. Agencies available to do this evaluation include: World Education Services (WES); Credential Evaluation Services (CED), or the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO).
Students applying to transfer into a BFA program within the College of Art and Design must submit a digital portfolio of 12-20 pieces with first-year foundation studio skills clearly demonstrated along with an artist statement.
As a general rule, accepted transfer students present a 2.5 or higher cumulative grade point average in previous college-level work.
Admissions decisions are "need blind," made without consideration as to whether a student is applying for financial assistance. Guaranteed merit-based scholarships are available for transfer students at the point of admission.
Massachusetts Independent College Transfer Guarantee (Mass Guarantee)
Lesley University participates in the Mass Guarantee program. Any student with an associate degree from a Massachusetts community college and a minimum GPA of 2.5 is guaranteed acceptance to Lesley. There is also a guaranteed transfer of all associate degree credits earned.
Bachelor's Degree Completion Programs (on-campus in Cambridge and online)
Admissions Requirements:
Application instructions are online here: https://lesley.edu/admissions-aid/how-to-apply/undergraduate-programs
Required documentation:
- Official Transcript from each institution previously attended may be submitted either electronically or by mailing to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions Lesley University 29 Everett Street Cambridge, MA 02138.
- High School Transcript/G.E.D. or HiSet
- Applicants with less than 24 earned college credits must submit an official high school transcript or an official copy of their Graduate Equivalency Diploma (G.E.D. or HiSet). Transcripts must be original documents bearing the official high school stamp and date of graduation. Documents must be submitted electronically or sent to the Office of Undergraduate Admissions Lesley University 29 Everett Street Cambridge, MA 02138 in envelopes sealed by the granting institution.
- Students with earned college credit from an institution outside of the U.S. must have their transcripts evaluated by a credential evaluation service and forwarded to the Undergraduate Admissions Office. Agencies include: World Education Services (WES); Credential Evaluation Services (CED), or the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO).
- Evaluation of College-level Coursework.
For credit to be reviewed for transfer the following is required:
- Official Transcripts (sent electronically or mailed directly from the granting institution to Lesley bearing the official institutional stamp) and conferred by regionally accredited colleges or universities.
- Students who have earned college credit from outside the US must submit a translated, official, course-by-course evaluation by a credential evaluation service to the Undergraduate Admissions Office. Agencies available to do this evaluation include: World Education Services (WES); Credential Evaluation Services (CED), or the American Association of Collegiate Registrars and Admissions Officers (AACRAO).
- NOTE: Catalog course descriptions from granting institutions may be required prior to credits being successfully transferred to Lesley University.
- Proof of English Language Proficiency is required for all applicants whose native language is not English.
Massachusetts Independent College Transfer Guarantee (Mass Guarantee)
Lesley University participates in the Mass Guarantee program. Any student with an associate degree from a Massachusetts community college and a minimum GPA of 2.5 is guaranteed acceptance to Lesley. There is also a guaranteed transfer of all associate degree credits earned.
Applications are accepted on a rolling basis. The Office of Undergraduate Admissions works with students to complete their application file. Once all application requirements are met, the completed application is then presented to the Admissions Committee for review. Admitted students are assigned a professional Academic Advisor. The Academic Advisor will review prior learning experience and discuss the student's goals. Up to 90 transfer credits may be applied toward Lesley’s 120-credit BA programs and up to 66 credits may be applied to BFA programs. Students may also earn up to 45 transfer credits (which are counted towards the maximum allowable 90 transfer credits) by documenting college-level knowledge gained via life and work experience, through our Prior Learning Assessment course (PLA). Our academic advisors work with students from initial degree planning through to graduation.
Community College Partnerships
Lesley University partners with local community colleges to provide pathways to bachelor’s degree completion. Associate’s degree holders from specific local community colleges can transfer their earned credits into a corresponding bachelor’s degree program offered by Lesley University and taught online, at Lesley University’s Cambridge campus, or on select community college campuses.
Bachelor’s Degree Completion Programs on the Bunker Hill Community College Campus
Lesley University offers four bachelor’s degree completion programs on the Bunker Hill campus:
- Bachelor of Science in Business Management
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Studies, non-licensure program
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies
*Certificate in Child Homelessness—students in any of the majors listed above, or students in any program on the Cambridge campus, may also pursue this 15-credit certificate program, as part of their degree plan.
Bachelor’s Degree Completion Programs at the DeMello International Center in New Bedford, MA
- Bachelor of Science in Business Management
- Bachelor of Arts in Psychology
- Bachelor of Science in Human Services
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies
Bachelor of Science Degree Completion Program on the campus of Urban College of Boston
- Bachelor of Science in Early Childhood Studies, non-licensure program
- Bachelor of Arts/Bachelor of Science in Liberal Studies
Admissions Requirements:
- Students interested in pursuing one of Lesley University’s degree completion programs at Bunker Hill CC or the Urban College of Boston should have completed, or be in the process of completing, an associate degree.
- Students must have a 2.5 or higher cumulative academic grade point average (GPA) in their associate degree
- Apply online at lesley.edu/admissions-aid/how-to-apply/undergraduate-programs.
The application process is the same as that described above under Bachelor’s Degree Completion Programs.
Admitted students with an Associate Degree will receive 60 transfer credits toward their 120-credit Lesley Bachelor's Degree (Transfer credit decisions are based on Lesley's transfer policies). Additional transfer credits will be considered on an individual basis.
Transfers between the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences (CLAS), Lesley Art and Design (LA+D), and degree completion programs advised by the Lesley Center for the Adult Learner (LCAL)
Students who wish to transfer from LA+D to CLAS or vice versa should first meet with their academic advisor to clarify their academic status, transcript, and rationale for transferring. They then petition the Dean of the school to which they wish to transfer. If approved, the student is referred to the appropriate Director of Academic Advising to complete the process.
Traditional CLAS students who wish to transfer to LCAL should first meet with their academic advisor to clarify their academic status, transcript, and rationale for transferring. They must then petition the Associate Provost for Coordinated Student Success. Upon approval, the student is referred to the appropriate academic advisor and/or Division Chair.
LCAL students who wish to transfer to CLAS traditional status should first meet with their academic advisor to clarify their academic status, transcript, and rationale for transferring. They should then petition the CLAS Director of Academic Advising. Upon approval, the student is assigned to the appropriate Division Chair and/or academic advisor.
Program change requests and approvals must be submitted to the Office of the University Registrar prior to the end of the add/drop period in the semester or term the change is intended to take place. Program changes submitted after the deadline will go in effect at the beginning of the following semester or term.
International Students
In addition to the credentials required for first-year, transfer and degree completion applicants, an international student must also submit proof of English proficiency. To ensure a student’s ability to participate successfully in the Lesley curriculum, students whose native language is not English must demonstrate English proficiency through one of these six options:
- Official TOEFL (Test of English as a Foreign Language) score of 80 on the internet-based test is required. Equivalencies include: a minimum score of 550 (paper-based test), 213 (computer-based test). The Lesley University code for TOEFL is 3483.
- Official IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 6.5 or higher is required. To submit IELTS scores, contact the center where you took the test and request an official Test Report Form be sent to Lesley.
- Official Cambridge English Exam. Take the Cambridge English Exam at the "Advanced" level and achieve a score of "C1".
- Duolingo English Test with a minimum score of 105.
- ESL Program Partnerships in Boston
We have partnered with six English Language Schools in Boston where you can attain English proficiency and satisfy the English language requirement for our programs. You must provide proof of successful completion of one of the programs, and a letter of reference from the program coordinator or teacher in support of your English capabilities at the college level.
- ASC English in Boston
Successful completion of "Level 5"
- Boston International Academy
Undergraduate Applicants: Successful completion of "High Advanced I Level 4"
- Boston University Center for English Language and Orientation Programs (CELOP)
Successful completion of “Level 7” with a GPA of 3.0 or higher
- Embassy English
Successful completion of "Level C1"
- FLS International
Successful completion of "Level 15"
- Stafford House International
Complete Level 6
- Applicants who graduate from high school, secondary school, pathway programs or associate’s degree programs taught in English may qualify to have the English proficiency requirement waived. If this is not noted on your transcript, please request a letter from your school, college, or university stating that English was your language of instruction
Financial aid is not available for international freshman and transfer applicants; however, international students may be considered for merit scholarships, if applicable. Admitted students who intend to enroll must submit a certification of finances from a bank stating that sufficient funds are available to cover the cost of a Lesley education.
An I-20 form, which is required for obtaining a U.S. student visa, will be provided after the student has been accepted and has submitted both the certification of finances and the required enrollment deposit signifying their intent to enroll. The certification of Finances must be dated and submitted no earlier than three months prior to the start of the student’s first semester so as to be a current reflection of funds.
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Home-Schooled Students
In addition to the other application requirements, home-schooled students must present the admissions committee with either a degree from an accredited secondary school, or successfully complete a state secondary school equivalency examination (GED or HiSET), or demonstrate they have met the requirements of their home state with respect to graduation.
Part-time Degree Students
Part-time degree students apply for admission in the same manner as full-time students and are subject to the same admissions policies.
Reactivated Applications
Any student who applied to the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences or Lesley Art & Design previously but did not enroll is able to reactivate their file within two years of the original date of application. This means that a student does not have to resubmit all the necessary documentation since the original application is still on file. We suggest that a student have a personal interview with a member of the admissions staff. During that conversation we will determine if any additional information is necessary.
Admission Decisions
Admitted:
This category grants the applicant admission by means of an official letter of acceptance. Admission permits the applicant to enroll as a degree candidate. Formal admission is contingent upon successfully meeting all admissions criteria.
Traditional full-time students admitted with an underload of four courses:
Based on review of an applicant’s work in the classroom, and to ensure success in a student’s transition to Lesley, the Admissions Committee may recommend that a student be admitted but enroll with an underload of four courses in their first semester.
Conditionally Admitted:
Applicants who are conditionally admitted must meet the condition(s) as stated in their letter of admission. If they fail to meet the condition(s), they may not be allowed to enroll, will not be allowed to continue in their program, or graduate from Lesley University.
NOTE: International students who meet all academic criteria for admission but have not yet met the University’s English Language proficiency requirement may be admitted with the condition of demonstrating and meeting our English language proficiency requirement. A student has up to one full year to meet the requirement, options for doing so are listed in the "International Students" section above.
Not Admitted:
Applicants who do not meet the admission criteria will receive an official letter of notification. Applicants who have been denied admission must wait one year before reapplying for admission.
Deferred Admission:
Accepted applicants can defer their start term to most programs for up to one year by submitting an Enrollment Contract and deposit where a deposit is required. All accepted applicants will have their documents retained in the Office of Admissions for twelve (12) months. An accepted applicant who fails to enroll within one year is required to submit a new application and supporting materials. Applicants must keep the Office of Admissions informed, in writing, of their plans for enrollment.
Appealing an Admissions Decision:
Applicants may request an appeal in writing to admissions@lesley.edu. This request for reconsideration and review should describe any new information not already included in the original admissions application that should be considered by the Undergraduate Admissions Appeals Committee. This new, significant and/or compelling information can be related to academic performance; extracurricular activities; or a description of the extenuating circumstances which was not provided at the original point of application. Additionally, an interview with the appeals committee will be required.
The Undergraduate Admissions Appeals Committee reviews appeals to determine if the new, significant, and/or compelling information provided by the applicant warrants a different admissions decision.
The decision of the Undergraduate Admissions Appeals Committee is binding and final.
Visiting Students
We welcome students who have already begun their college careers and who wish to study at Lesley as full-time non-matriculating students for either one or two semesters. In order to continue at Lesley for more than two semesters, a visiting student must complete the transfer application process and be formally admitted into a degree program. To be considered as a visiting student, applicants must complete the Visiting Student Application lesley.edu/visiting-students and submit the following credentials:
The preferred deadline for admission as a visiting student for the Fall semester is May 1; the preferred application deadline for visiting students interested in joining us for the Spring semester is December 1. Applications will continue to be accepted after these dates on a space-available basis. Visiting students are not eligible for financial aid
Part-time Non-matriculating Students
Students interested in taking coursework on a part-time basis and who are not, at that point, working toward a Lesley degree, should contact the Academic Advising Office in each undergraduate college to discuss course selection, availability, and pre-requisites (advising@lesley.edu). Once a course or courses are determined by both the Academic Advisor and student to be an appropriate fit, and if a course has the capacity to accommodate a part-time non-matriculating student, the student may then contact the Registrar's Office to enroll in the course/courses. A part-time non-matriculating student may take up to 15 credits at Lesley University. If a non-matriculated student wishes to take more than 15 credits, the student must initiate an application for admission to a degree program.