If you’re reading this, you’re likely wondering whether your child has what it takes to get into Williams College. We can’t blame you: Williams is the Harvard of small schools. It’s ranked #1 in liberal arts colleges by US News & World Report. Before we get into the nitty-gritty of getting into Williams, let’s look at what makes this small school so mighty. 

About Williams College 

Williams College is located in Williamstown, Massachusetts, deep in The Berkshires, one of New England’s most naturally beautiful regions. The campus is surrounded on all sides by petite mountains and, in the warmer months, students enjoy dips in swimming holes. Though Williams is remotely located, it’s still within a hub of culture: North Adams is the next town over and it’s home to the Massachusetts Museum of Contemporary Art, a factory converted into a huge museum (over 300,000 square feet of gallery space!) with James Turrell and Sol LeWitt installations. Williams is also near Lenox (home to the Tanglewood Music Center and Edith Wharton’s The Mount) and Great Barrington (full of Michelin-star restaurants with farm-to-table fare, so you have that to look forward to on parents’ weekend). 

OK, but enough with the glitzy tuff. Williams also packs a lot of heft for a small school. Though it has fewer than 2,000 students, it has a $3.65 billion endowment. This means the school has an endowment-per-student that trumps some Ivy League schools. U.S. President James Garfield, Nobel Laureate and economist Robert Engle, and Pulitzer Prize and Tony Award-winning composer Stephen Sondheim all called campus home for the span of their bachelor’s. The college has a longstanding relationship with Exeter College at Oxford University, which informs several aspects of the undergraduate experience. For example, during the “Winter Study” term in January, in which students stay on campus or study abroad for a three week mini-semester, many opt to travel overseas and participate in the Williams-Exeter Programme.

For the Class of 2029, Williams College had a mere 8.5% acceptance rate. That means getting in will require strategic planning (and the help of Ivy Coach’s college admissions experts certainly wouldn’t hurt!). 

Williams College Admissions Requirements 

Williams College admits only the best students from around the world. That doesn’t mean they’re looking for just perfect grades and SAT scores. As they say on their application page, “We want creative thinkers, diverse opinions, and people who embrace intellectual challenges. People committed to bringing as much to the community as they’ll gain from it.” They’re looking for a diverse class that’s going to turn what would otherwise be a quiet town into a thriving intellectual hub. That being said, let’s look at what some of the common denominators are among those few students who gain admission to Williams. 

What Kind of GPA Is Necessary To Get Into Williams College? 

We at Ivy Coach have combed through every single one of Williams’ available Common Data Sets, and the last available GPA numbers are from a now long-gone moment in terms of analyzing the ever-shifting world of college admissions. 

In brief, Williams College could use a dose of statistical transparency. Why are they keeping it close to the chest? This data is essential to students and families trying to decide where to apply. Williams College is a leader among this nation’s small schools, and ought to be setting a better example. But, until they improve their data-sharing practices, what can we glean from available data?

It’s safe to say though, with an admissions rate like 8.5%, that the lion’s share of admits to Williams College are stepping onto campus with GPAs above 3.75, mostly 4.0s. 

What Kind of SAT or ACT Scores Are Needed To Get Into Williams College?

The average SAT score for the Williams College Class of 2029 was a 1520, and the average ACT score was a 34. Though Williams is test-optional, 61% of applicants submitted scores. If you want your child to be a serious contender for admission to Williams, we’d strongly recommend that they do not fall for the test-optional fable.

What Classes Do Students Need to Take to Get Into Williams College?

While Williams College does not explicitly state any minimum high school course preparation for applicants, we at Ivy Coach know that highly selective colleges like Williams want to see students excelling in each core subject (English, history, math, science, and foreign language) all four years of high school. In fact, they expect to see five years for foreign language since most students begin their first level of foreign language in eighth grade.

What Kinds of Extracurriculars Does Williams College Like To See?

We’re going to clear up a common misunderstanding: highly selective colleges are not looking for well-rounded students. They’re looking for a well-rounded student body comprised of students who are each singularly talented. 

In terms of extracurriculars, that means Williams College is looking for depth over breadth. If you’re a member of the debate team, the robotics team, the field hockey team, and the drama department…well, then, you’re merely a member of those groups. You don’t stand out in any of these pursuits. Williams College would much rather accept a nationally ranked debate champ than a kid who spent an hour or two on debate a week because he spent the rest forgetting Shakespeare lines and fumbling the ball in football practice. 

Williams College Application Requirements

Williams accepts the Common App or Coalition App. They ask for a guidance counselor recommendation and two teacher recommendations. Finally, they provide applicants the opportunity to submit a 3-5 page sample of their academic writing. 

Does Williams College Require An Interview? 

Williams College does not require an interview, and, in fact, they don’t even offer one!

What Are Williams College’s Application Deadlines? 

Early Decision applications to Williams College are due Nov. 15,  and Regular Decision applications are due Jan 5. 

How Ivy Coach Helps Students Get Into Williams College 

If you’re interested in discerning if your child has a shot of getting into Williams College, we recommend setting up Ivy Coach’s Strategy Session. Not only will you find out if your child has a chance of getting into Williams College, but you’ll receive a game plan of how your child can optimize their admission to the best school possible.