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Nearly one-quarter of the undergraduates affected by Wells' closure have transferred to Hobart and William Smith Colleges in Geneva. The group is part of a record 98 transfer students at the school. 

Fall classes begin Monday, Aug. 26. 

Hobart and William Smith Colleges is one of 24 schools that have teach-out agreements with Wells College. The pacts allow students to continue their education at another institution. 

Melanie Sage, senior associate director of admissions and director of transfer admissions at Hobart and William Smith Colleges, said in a news release that she was contacted by Wells College students and parents the day of the closure announcement on April 29. 

Hobart and William Smith responded to closure by sending staff to Wells and holding an open house for students on May 4 — five days after the closure was announced. 

"What was really amazing is the way our community pulled together to support the Wells students," Sage said. 

The timing of Wells' decision presented challenges for affected students. The closure was announced during the final week of classes for the spring semester and almost four months before the start of the fall semester at other institutions. For students wishing to continue their studies in the fall, they did not have a lot of time to complete the transfer process. 

India Buff, who completed one year at Wells before it closed, is among the students who acted quickly to transfer to Hobart and William Smith. The week of Wells' closure announcement, she visited the Geneva campus, applied and received her acceptance. 

Buff lauded deans and the admission staff for their support. She said that's the reason many Wells students transferred to Hobart and William Smith. 

"[T]hey were so welcoming and helpful," she continued. "It was a relief to register for classes and even meet some faculty over Zoom." 

Hobart and William Smith administrators highlight some features that are similar to Wells, including proximity to one of the Finger Lakes — Hobart and William Smith is near Seneca Lake — and the liberal arts curriculum.

Students transferring from Wells will have the option to live in Miller House, one of the residence halls. 

Mike Quinn, vice president for admissions and financial aid at Hobart and William Smith, said they were "saddened" when Wells College announced it would close at the end of the academic year. 

"Our thoughts immediately turned to the Wells students who faced uncertain futures," Quinn said. "We understood the stress and sadness they were likely feeling and worked hard to ease the transition for them."