Williams College Admission Requirements
Williams College has a reputation for academic excellence with challenging classes that change the way students approach problems. Williams also gives students the opportunity to lead successful social lives. Over the years, the college has become a model of inclusive excellence where students from all walks of life can bring their unique experience to the table.
But here’s a fair bit of warning to applicants: the acceptance rate is fairly low at only 15%. In this guide, we’ve condensed all the info you need about the Williams College admissions process.
About Williams College
Williams College is known to be one of the best liberal arts colleges in the country. Its modest 450-acre campus is nestled in western Massachusetts in a rural setting. This means that the college is small – so small that it only has room for about 2,000 students, which probably explains their low acceptance rate. On the flip side, students can get access to more individualized attention – something that could be more conducive to their academic careers. Students are known to be dedicated and passionate, and they seem to have ‘quirky’ interests. For example, it’s not uncommon to find a computer science major who also happens to be deeply interested in football and experimental theater.
We’ll be honest; life at the campus can get a little hectic since the faculty body is always offering a ton of lectures. Students might even feel as if they’re not getting a break. But the weekends can be fun and the campus can become a hosting ground for clubs, big parties, small parties, and for people to just hang out. This makes for a well-rounded student experience and graduates are just about ready to make their mark in Corporate America.
The average annual income for graduates is $59,000 – that’s just the first 10 years after enrolling. Notable alumni include Steve Case, Elia Kazan, James Garfield, Amy Prieto, and Robert Engle.
The acceptance rate is only 15% though, so you have to ace every test and avail every resource at your disposal to stand out from the crowd.
GPA Requirements for Williams College
Remember, only about 2000 students (at most) are selected and the number of applicants can range in the tens of thousands. This means the median GPA for admitted students can get extremely high at an impressive 4.07. Consider opting for more difficult courses such as AP and IB to demonstrate your competitiveness with academia.
SAT Requirements for Williams College
The median SAT range for admitted students was 1420-1540 – this is extremely competitive and will require you to be prepared for the test. A score below 1420 can significantly reduce your chances of getting admitted.
Consider hiring SAT tutoring services to bring your score up to par.
ACT Requirements for Williams College
Admissions officers don’t seem to require a minimum score for ACT score but a quick look at the median numbers for the class of 2023 suggests an ACT range of 33 and 35. This is extremely high and you will need every advantage you can get to push your score this high.
We recommend hiring ACT tutoring services in your area to bring your score up to par.
How to Apply to Williams College
It’s clear that Williams College is highly selective with its low acceptance rate and tough academic requirements. However, you will need to fulfill the following requirements to be considered:
- High school transcript
- High school GPA (above 4 is recommended)
- Letters of recommendation (recommended)
- SAT or ACT scores
- Top of your class (recommended)
Tip: The college accepts the Coalition Application or Common Application.
Wrapping Up
If you plan on joining the thousands of Williams College hopefuls for the next admissions cycle, you should start preparing as soon as possible. Make sure to boost your GPA and ace every test you can. If that doesn’t seem to be possible, consider boosting your ACT or SAT scores. You can use tutoring services near you to maximize your chances of success.
And as always, make sure to apply to other schools as well – including ‘safety’ schools so you always have a backup plan in case things don’t work out. Feel free to reach out to us for more information.
