If you’re curious about what the William And Mary Acceptance Rate is, the article presents a detailed guide on the William And Mary College admission exercise.
The William and Mary College, founded in 1693 by the King and Queen of England, is the second-oldest institution of higher education in the United States.
Despite its historical title as a college, it has evolved into a renowned research institution with over 45 undergraduate programs and more than 40 graduate and professional degree programs.
The university’s popular majors include social sciences, biological and biomedical sciences, and business, management, marketing, and associated support services.
It is considered one of the top 15 public universities in the country, offering high-quality education at a relatively low cost for Virginia residents. In-state students paid around $31,000 for tuition and room and board during the 2021-22 academic year, while out-of-state students paid $53,000.
William & Mary provides several scholarship opportunities for both undergraduate and graduate students, including three merit scholarships for academically talented individuals. Additionally, students can explore federal work-study positions and alternative student jobs to help finance their education.
Prospective students can apply through the Common Application and undergo a thorough evaluation process by university personnel. Required documents for applicants include high school transcripts, a letter of recommendation from their school counselor, and a mid-year school report form. Virginia residents must also fill out additional papers to be eligible for in-state tuition.
While SAT and ACT scores are not mandatory for the application, applicants are welcome to submit them if they wish. A significant number of applicants for the class of 2025 chose not to submit test scores, and those who did had SAT scores ranging from 1360 to 1520 out of 1600 and ACT scores ranging from 31 to 34 on a scale of 36.
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William and Mary Acceptance Rate
Getting into William & Mary is increasingly challenging, as evidenced by the growing number of applications received. For the class of 2025, the institution received a record-breaking 17,475 applications, surpassing 15,000 applications for the first time. Out of these applicants, only 6,466 were accepted, resulting in an overall acceptance rate of 37% (44% for in-state applicants and 31% for out-of-state applicants).
William & Mary offers Early Decision (ED) admissions, and the class of 2025 received 1,184 ED applications. Among these, 545 students were accepted through the ED process, resulting in an early decision acceptance rate of 46%.
Typically, the College of William & Mary extends acceptance letters to approximately 40% of students who apply. However, the enrollment rate is around 28%, indicating that a significant percentage of admitted students choose to enroll at the university.
GPA Requirements at William and Mary College
Based on sample GPA data obtained and applied, the mean GPA range for accepted students at William & Mary is anticipated to be around 3.75 – 3.96. The class of 2025 at William & Mary has an average high school GPA of 4.28, with 86.29 per cent graduating with a 4.0.
SAT and ACT Requirements at William and Mary
Average ACT/SAT Scores of William and Mary Applicants (Fall 2020)
Section Scores on the SAT
- 660 – 740: Critical reading
- 660 – 770: Math
The total score should be in the range of 1320 to 1510
Section Scores on the ACT
- 31-35: English
- 27-33: Math
The total ACT score should be in the range of 30 to 34.
Class Rank Requirements at William and Mary
The class of 2025 at William & Mary had 77 per cent of its members graduate in the top tenth of their high school class. Ninety-six per cent of those who graduated were in the top quarter of their class.
How to Improve Your Chances of Getting into William & Mary
1. Maintain a 4.28 GPA while taking the most difficult classes available
GPA, class rank and course rigor are all extremely essential to William & Mary’s admissions. The Academic Index is a metric used by highly selective schools like William & Mary to help with admissions decisions. The Academic Index is a single figure that represents your whole academic performance. It might assist you in figuring out if you meet the college’s academic requirements and how seriously to take your application.
2. Aim for an SAT score of 1490 and an ACT score of 34
Any score in the middle of 50% is acceptable for William and Mary admissions, but the higher you score in the range, the more competitive your application will be. When it comes to admissions, William & Mary considers test results essential.
William & Mary super scores—that is, they take the greatest math and verbal/critical reading scores from any SAT/ACT exam—and encourage candidates to take the SAT/ACT two to three times to optimize their test scores.
3. Develop one or two Tier 1-2 extracurricular activities
The College of William & Mary values applicants with outstanding academic records, and extracurricular activities can play a significant role in distinguishing candidates. Understanding the ‘four tiers of extracurriculars’ can help grasp how colleges prioritize these activities during the admissions process:
Tier 1 is reserved for exceptionally rare and outstanding activities that demonstrate exceptional performance or leadership. Examples include winning prominent national awards or gaining national recognition in areas like athletics or music.
Activities that receive regional awards or state-level distinctions in athletics or music fall under Tier 2. While these activities also showcase leadership and achievements, they may not possess the same level of uniqueness as Tier 1 activities.
Tier 3 activities shed light on an applicant’s interests outside the classroom but are not as weighty as the higher tiers. Holding leadership positions in well-known clubs or participating in sports are examples of Tier 3 activities.
Extracurricular activities in Tier 4 are the most common and have the least impact on admissions decisions. Engaging in clubs, playing in a band or orchestra, and participating in sports are typical examples of Tier 4 activities. While not as crucial, William & Mary still considers work experience and volunteer activities (often found in this tier) to be highly relevant in the admissions process.
4. Compose Interesting Essays
In addition to extracurricular activities, essays are another way to stand out in a field crowded with academic all-stars. There is only one essay requirement for William & Mary admissions, and it is optional (except for applicants to the St. Andrews Joint Degree Program).
If you’re serious about getting into William & Mary, you’ll want to take advantage of this opportunity, create an engaging essay, and stand out. “What makes you unique?” is the central question of the William and Mary supplemental essay. A strong essay demonstrates your character, which William & Mary considers an important factor to be considered for admissions.
5. Letters of Recommendation
Letters of recommendation are extremely significant in the admissions process at William & Mary, which requires a counselor letter and accepts an optional instructor recommendation. Although sending a teacher’s letter of reference is not necessary at William & Mary, it is a good idea to include one in your application if you are serious about getting in.
A teacher who taught you in a core academic class during your junior or senior year and can testify to your academic aptitude and classroom performance is a good guideline for who to seek for your reference.
6. Apply Early Action/Early Decision
William & Mary offers two Early Decision (ED) admissions processes: ED I and ED II, both of which are binding. This means that if you apply through either of these options and get accepted, you are committing to attending William & Mary.
Submitting an Early Decision application can increase your chances of acceptance, as the university has a 37% overall acceptance rate and a higher 46% early decision acceptance rate. However, it is important to recognize that ED is not suitable for everyone. It is a serious commitment, and applicants should only choose this option if they have a strong preference for attending William & Mary.
One crucial consideration is that applying through ED prevents you from comparing financial aid packages from other institutions.
Therefore, it is more appropriate for applicants who can afford to attend William & Mary regardless of the financial assistance they might receive. So, after reviewing the William and Mary acceptance rate, GPA, SAT scores, and other admission requirements, applicants should prepare for the exams accordingly.
