Wellesley College has revised its admissions policy to formally allow transgender students who identify as female . The women's-only liberal arts school in Massachusetts - which costs roughly $ 59,000 per year to attend - never explicitly banned transgender applicants . However , it said in a statement on its website Thursday that it felt compelled to clarify its policies 'in an era of a changing understanding of gender identity . ' Wellesley College ( the campus seen above ) has revised its admissions policy to formally allow transgender students who identify as female . The college ’ s board of trustees approved the new policy on Wednesday night . Under the new guidelines , Wellesley College says it will consider for admission any applicant who 'lives as a woman and consistently identifies as a woman . ' It adds that if gender identity is not 'clearly reflected ' in application materials , the college will request additional information 'that may include a letter from a parent , healthcare provider , teacher , or clergy . ' The updated code will come into effect in time for the next admission cycle for the Class of 2020 . The move follows similar policy changes at all-women 's colleges such as Mills College in California , Bryn Mawr College in Pennsylvania , and Mount Holyoke and Simmons College , both in Massachusetts . Wellesley said it will not accept applications from transgender men , but would 'continue to support ' any student who decides she no longer identifies as a woman during her education there . Wellesley , which was founded with the intention to prepare women for 'great conflicts ' and 'vast reforms in social life ' first opened its doors to students on September 8 , 1875 . Prominent graduates include former First Lady Hillary Clinton and ABC news anchor Diane Sawyer .
The women's-only liberal arts school in Massachusetts , which costs roughly $ 59,000 per year , never explicitly banned transgender applicants . But it did require them to undergo a medical exam and provide proof of their gender identity before they could be admitted.