As a first year applicant, MCLA evaluates you for admission based on high school academic performance and strength of curriculum, standardized test scores, and a personal essay in accordance with guidelines established by the Massachusetts Department of Higher Education (DHE). Additionally, we encourage you to visit MCLA for a tour and to schedule a meeting with an admission counselor.
Due to the ongoing public health crisis, MCLA is waiving the SAT/ACT testing requirement
for applicants for fall 2021 and fall 2022, and we will be piloting a test-blind (test-free) policy for fall 2021 applicants. We do not want students to worry about sitting for the tests when it is unsafe for
them to do so. In addition, national and institutional data point to high school work
being indicative of student success in college and a more equitable means of assessment.
Additionally, as an institution we have a staunch commitment to diversity, equity,
and inclusion and the use of SAT/ACT scores in admission decisions is posing a significant
barrier in carrying out that tenet of our mission.
The MCLA Office of Admission will continue to require only high school transcripts, letters of recommendation, and personal statements to review first year applicants. As always, students can submit additional materials, such as portfolios and supplemental essays. We will rarely ask for additional documents. Our goal is to learn more about our applicants, outside of test scores, in an effort to enroll students who are prepared for and eager to engage in education and experiences that will elevate them as a whole individual, a leader, and a communicator, fully empowered to make their impression on the world. The MCLA Admission Committee will thoroughly review first year applicants using, but not limited to, the following criteria:
This policy will go into effect for all applicants, including U.S. citizens and international
students, first-year applicants and transfers, and students attending public and private
schools, and homeschooled applicants.
International applicants will still be required to submit proof of English language
proficiency. MCLA accepts DuoLingo, TOEFL, IELTS, and PTE test scores. We suggest
the DuoLingo test as it can be completed online in 60 minutes on any day.