The article provides important information about the Williams College Acceptance Rate to assist prospective students in their admission process.
Williams College belongs to the highly competitive category of liberal arts schools, comparable to renowned institutions such as Amherst, Pomona, and Swarthmore.
Despite being less known to the general public, these schools carry the same level of prestige and competitiveness as Ivy League universities, boasting acceptance rates typically in the single digits or very low double digits. For instance, in 2024, Williams College had an acceptance rate of under 10%.
It’s important to recognize that colleges like Williams regularly decline numerous valedictorians and applicants with nearly perfect SAT/ACT scores. However, the intention is not to frighten prospective students and their families. Rather, it is essential to provide an accurate understanding of the true competitiveness of the admissions process at such esteemed institutions.
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Williams College Acceptance Rate 2024
In the 2022-23 admissions cycle, Williams College accepted 255 applicants during the early decision round. This represented a notably higher acceptance rate of 27% compared to the regular round.
Williams College Acceptance Rate 2024
In the Class of 2027, Williams College received a staggering number of over 11,200 applications, out of which only 1,113 were accepted. This results in an exceptionally low acceptance rate of just 9.8%. Looking back at previous years, the acceptance rates were as follows:
- Class of 2026: 8.5%
- 2025: 9%
- 2024: 15%
Williams College Admissions – SAT, GPA, and Class Rank
For the Class of 2026, the middle 50% SAT range for incoming freshmen at Williams College was between 1490 and 1550, while the ACT range fell within 35 and 36. The median scores were 1520 for the SAT and 35 for the ACT. Among the first-year students who enrolled in the 2022-23 academic year, an impressive 87% came from the top 10% of their high school graduating class, and an overwhelming 98% ranked in the top 25%.
Admissions Trends & Notes – Class of 2027
- 14 students deferred from the ED round were later accepted.
- The number of applicants decreased from 15,321 to just over 11,000 for the Class of 2027.
- Williams has announced that it will continue to be test-optional for the next three years.
- Williams typically admits 35 students off of the waitlist but took just one last year.
- 44% of the Class of 2026 were admitted via early decision.
How Williams College Rates Applicants
Williams College places significant importance on a holistic admissions process that delves into both academic accomplishments and personal character. While the academic record holds the highest weight, the college seeks applicants who can demonstrate leadership potential not only within the academic setting but also in the broader community.
To achieve this, Williams evaluates various factors that are categorized based on their level of importance. “Very important” factors include the rigor of the high school course load, class rank, GPA, recommendations, and character/personal qualities. “Important” factors include first-generation status, essays, talent/ability, extracurricular activities, legacy status, racial/ethnic status, work experience, and volunteer work. Additionally, “considered” factors encompass geographical residence and religious affiliation.
Williams values a strong co-curricular record, which may showcase a diverse range of talents and achievements or significant accomplishments in specific areas. Therefore, it is crucial for applicants to understand what competitive colleges like Williams seek when evaluating extracurricular activities, emphasizing both achievements and leadership qualities beyond the classroom.
Williams College Demographics
When examining the demographics of the Williams College undergraduate student body, certain states stand out as significant contributors to the student population. The states that send the highest number of students to the college are:
- New York
- Massachusetts
- California
The greatest percentage of international students come from the following countries:
- China
- Canada
- South Korea
- Pakistan
In terms of ethnic identity, the breakdown is as follows:
- White: 50%
- Asian: 13%
- Hispanic: 12%
- African American: 5%
- Two or More Races: 7%
- International: 8%
A look at the gender split reveals that university enrolls a roughly even number of men and women.
- Men: 48%
- Women: 52%
Members of one recent incoming class attended the following types of high schools:
- Public: 55%
- Private: 32%
- Parochial: 11%
Williams College’s “Yield Rate”
Williams College boasts a yield rate of 44%, which represents the percentage of accepted students who choose to enroll, divided by the total number of admitted students. This yield rate is comparable to other prestigious liberal arts schools like Swarthmore College, Pomona College, and Amherst College.
Tips for Applying to Williams College
If you plan on joining the 11,000+ Williams College hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should know the following:
- If Williams is your top choice, you’ll want to strongly consider applying ED by November 15. The Regular Decision deadline falls in the first week of January, but the acceptance rates are significantly lower in this round.
- This school does not use interviews as part of their evaluation process.
- Williams College does not consider “demonstrated interest” so you will not be judged on whether or not you made a campus visit, contacted an admissions officer, etc.
- Prospective Ephs can apply through the Common Application or Coalition Application.
- You’ll need to submit a Mid-Year Report in late February so remember to keep those grades up throughout your senior year of high school.
- Lastly make sure to dedicate sufficient time and effort to the Optional Writing Supplement offered by Williams College:
Williams Writing Supplement 2024-25
Williams College does not have a mandatory writing supplement as part of its application process. Nevertheless, applicants who wish to showcase their writing abilities have the choice to submit an academic paper completed within the past year. Ideally, the paper should be 3-5 pages in length and can be either creative or analytical in nature.
While grading is not required, the paper should provide insights into the applicant’s writing skills. Typed submissions are preferred, but handwritten pieces are also acceptable. It’s important to note that lab reports should not be submitted for this optional writing sample. If an applicant chooses to include this paper, they should also provide a brief description of the assignment or prompt that inspired the work.
Summary of Williams Acceptance Rate
The majority of applicants to Williams College typically demonstrate high academic achievements, with SAT scores of 1500 or above and strong class standings. While meeting these criteria makes one a competitive applicant, Williams values additional attributes and talents that set individuals apart.
According to the school’s perspective, they seek creative thinkers and individuals with diverse perspectives who embrace intellectual challenges. They highly value applicants who can contribute significantly to the college community and also gain from the rich educational experience it offers.
For any student applying to a prestigious institution like Williams, it is crucial to have a well-balanced college list, including both “target” schools and “safety” schools, to ensure a comprehensive and well-thought-out application strategy.
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