Overview
Williams College is a extremely selective private four-year institution in Williamstown, Massachusetts. The school accepts 8.5% of applicants and enrolls 2,060 students.
Admission Statistics
- Acceptance Rate
- 8.5%
- Average SAT
- 1,525
- SAT Range (25th–75th)
- 1,480–1,570
- ACT Composite (avg)
- 35
- Total Enrollment
- 2,060
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
Williams College admissions officers care deeply about your ability to thrive in a close-knit mountain community where professors know your name and classmates become lifelong friends. The tutorial system, which pairs just two students with one professor for intensive study, becomes a selling point you should address directly in your application if you want to study subjects like philosophy, art history, or English literature.
Your essays should reference specific Williams traditions like Mountain Day, when classes cancel unexpectedly for students to hike Mount Greylock, or Winter Study, the four-week January term where you can take experimental courses or pursue independent projects. These aren't just charming details,they reflect the school's commitment to experiential learning and community building that admissions officers want to see you embrace.
Don't assume Williams is just another small liberal arts college. The entry system places first-years in groups of about 20 students with two junior advisors, creating immediate social bonds that other schools can't replicate. Your application should show you understand this collaborative residential culture and can contribute to it.
Williams offers both Early Decision I (November 15) and Early Decision II (January 1), giving you two chances for an admissions boost. The school accepts significantly more students through ED, so apply early if Williams is your clear first choice. The college also participates in QuestBridge, which provides substantial aid for low-income students.
Your supplemental essays must go beyond generic liberal arts education praise. Reference specific professors you want to work with, the Clark Art Institute's role in art history education, or how the Zilkha Center for Environmental Initiatives connects to your career goals. The admissions office wants to see you've researched what makes Williams distinct from Amherst, Middlebury, or Bowdoin.
Don't write about wanting to escape to a rural setting for four years. Williams students are deeply engaged with their immediate community and the wider world through programs like the Williams-Mystic maritime studies program or the Williams in Africa initiative. Show how you'll contribute to this outward-looking mountain campus culture.
What It Costs If You Get In
- Average Net Price
- $14,852/yr
- Tuition (in-state)
- $64,860
- Students Receiving Aid
- 17%
After You Graduate
- Graduation Rate (6-year)
- 96.6%
- Median Earnings (10yr)
- $88,665/yr
- Freshman Retention Rate
- 96.5%
Frequently Asked Questions
Does Williams College require SAT or ACT scores for admission?
Williams College is test-optional, meaning you can choose whether or not to submit standardized test scores. If you do submit scores, they will be considered as part of your application.
Does Williams College offer Early Decision or Early Action?
Williams offers Early Decision with a November 15 deadline. This is a binding commitment, meaning you must attend if accepted.
Can you transfer to Williams College as a sophomore or junior?
Williams accepts transfer students for both sophomore and junior year entry. Transfer applications are due March 1 for fall admission.
What makes Williams College different from other liberal arts schools?
Williams uses a unique tutorial system where two students work closely with one professor, similar to Oxford and Cambridge. The college also requires students to take courses across three academic divisions.