Overview
William & Mary is a selective public four-year institution in Williamsburg, Virginia. The school accepts 33.5% of applicants and enrolls 6,949 students.
Admission Statistics
- Acceptance Rate
- 33.5%
- Average SAT
- 1,448
- SAT Range (25th–75th)
- 1,375–1,520
- ACT Composite (avg)
- 33
- Total Enrollment
- 6,949
Your Chances by SAT Score
Your score is above the 75th percentile. You are a competitive applicant.
Your score falls within the middle 50% of admitted students.
Your score is below the 25th percentile. Other parts of your application will need to stand out.
Admission Guide
William & Mary requires two supplemental essays beyond the Common Application, including a 250-word response about your academic interests and a longer essay about contributing to the campus community. These supplements matter significantly since admissions officers use them to identify students who understand the college's distinctive culture of intellectual exploration mixed with Colonial history.
Your essays should reference specific programs like the Roy R. Charles Center for Academic Excellence, which funds undergraduate research across all disciplines, or the Reves Center for International Studies if you're interested in global perspectives. Mentioning the school's unique Honor Code shows you've researched campus culture beyond surface-level details. The Honor Code operates on a single sanction system where students pledge "I have neither given nor received unauthorized aid on this assignment, nor have I concealed a violation of the Honor Code."
Strong applications highlight genuine intellectual curiosity through specific examples. Don't write generically about loving learning. Instead, describe the biology research project you designed or the historical primary sources you analyzed. William & Mary professors frequently collaborate with undergraduates on research projects, so demonstrate that you're ready for this level of academic partnership.
The campus attracts students who balance serious academics with school spirit around Tribe athletics and traditions like the Yule Log ceremony. You'll fit well if you want rigorous coursework within a community that takes both academic work and campus traditions seriously. Greek life exists but doesn't dominate social life.
Submit your application by January 1st for regular decision. Consider Early Decision if William & Mary is your clear first choice, as this demonstrates genuine interest in a school that tracks demonstrated interest carefully. Connect your career goals to specific resources like the Cohen Career Center's extensive alumni network in fields like consulting and government work, where William & Mary graduates are well-represented.
What It Costs If You Get In
- Average Net Price
- $22,529/yr
- Tuition (in-state)
- $25,040
- Tuition (out-of-state)
- $49,412
- Students Receiving Aid
- 12%
After You Graduate
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 91.0%
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $73,490/yr
- Freshman Retention Rate
- 94.6%
Frequently Asked Questions
Does William & Mary require SAT or ACT scores for admission?
William & Mary is test-optional for most applicants. Students can choose whether to submit standardized test scores as part of their application.
What is the early decision deadline for William & Mary?
William & Mary offers Early Decision I with a November 1 deadline and Early Decision II with a January 1 deadline. Both are binding commitments.
Can transfer students apply to William & Mary and when is the deadline?
William & Mary accepts transfer applications for fall and spring semesters. The fall transfer deadline is March 1, and spring transfer deadline is November 1.
Does William & Mary give preference to Virginia residents in admissions?
As a public university, William & Mary reserves approximately two-thirds of each incoming class for Virginia residents. Out-of-state admission is more competitive.