Williams College admits approximately 10.0% of applicants, meaning roughly 1 in 10 applicants receives an offer of admission. This places Williams among the most selective liberal arts colleges in the United States, falling within the Most Selective tier for institutions with acceptance rates below 10%. The peer median admission rate of 70.6% highlights the stark difference between Williams' selectivity and typical four-year institutions. Even among elite private liberal arts colleges, Williams' acceptance rate represents significant selectivity that creates uncertainty even for exceptionally qualified applicants. This level of selectivity means that many students with outstanding academic credentials, including those with perfect test scores and stellar academic records, face meaningful admission uncertainty. The combination of limited enrollment capacity and high application volume requires students to approach Williams as a reach school regardless of their qualifications. Students should build comprehensive college lists that include institutions with higher acceptance rates but comparable academic quality and career outcomes. The sections below provide guidance on academic preparation and alternative schools that deliver similar post-graduation outcomes with more accessible admission processes.
A directional estimate — not a prediction
Admitted students at Williams typically demonstrate exceptional academic preparation across standardized testing measures. SAT scores for enrolled students range from 1470 at the 25th percentile to 1560 at the 75th percentile, with a median of 1527. Most admitted students score between 1470 and 1560 on the SAT, though students with scores outside this range are admitted in smaller numbers. SAT Math scores typically fall between 740 and 790, while SAT Verbal scores range from 730 to 770, indicating balanced strength across both testing domains. ACT scores for admitted students range from 33 to 35, reflecting similarly high academic preparation. These test score ranges place Williams significantly above peer institutions, with SAT scores averaging 271 points higher than the peer median of 1256. Students scoring below 1470 should expect to be at a competitive disadvantage but are not automatically excluded from consideration. If your scores fall within the 1470-1560 range, you are academically competitive for admission, though test scores represent just one component of the holistic evaluation process. The 99.9th percentile ranking for test scores indicates that Williams attracts students among the highest-achieving academically nationwide. Students should consider whether their academic profile aligns with these ranges when building their college application strategy.
Understanding institutional priorities and student support
Williams College enrolls students from diverse backgrounds while maintaining highly selective admission standards. The institution enrolls 17.2% Pell-eligible students, indicating that roughly one in six students comes from lower-income families eligible for federal aid. First-generation college students comprise 21.5% of enrolled students, suggesting that approximately one in five students are the first in their families to attend college. Transfer students represent just 2.3% of enrolled students, indicating extremely limited transfer admission opportunities. This student composition reflects Williams' ability to maintain economic diversity within a highly selective framework, though Pell and first-generation shares remain lower than at public institutions with broader access missions. The relatively low transfer share suggests that prospective transfer students face even more competitive admission odds than first-year applicants. Students from lower-income families should note that 17.2% of enrolled students share similar economic backgrounds, while first-generation students should recognize that 21.5% of their potential classmates would be navigating college as the first in their families. These enrollment patterns indicate that Williams values socioeconomic diversity while operating within the constraints of highly selective admission processes.
Given Williams' 10% acceptance rate, most applicants—even highly qualified ones—should consider it a reach school. The alternatives below provide similar outcomes with more accessible admission or different geographic options.
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Students who gain admission to Williams College demonstrate exceptional persistence and completion rates once enrolled. 96.5% of freshmen return for sophomore year, significantly above the peer median retention rate of 83.1%, indicating strong institutional support and student satisfaction. The six-year graduation rate reaches 96.5%, substantially exceeding the peer median of 70.0% and reflecting both strong student preparation and institutional effectiveness. Pell-eligible students, who comprise 17.2% of enrolled students, maintain completion patterns that support successful degree attainment across socioeconomic backgrounds. The minimal gap between overall retention and completion rates suggests consistent institutional support throughout the college experience. High retention and completion rates indicate that students who gain admission typically find the academic and social environment conducive to success. These metrics suggest that prospective students who gain admission can expect strong institutional support for degree completion, regardless of their family background or prior college experience. The substantial outperformance relative to peer institutions indicates that Williams provides an environment where admitted students consistently progress toward graduation. Prospective students should view these retention and completion rates as indicators of the supportive academic environment they would experience if admitted.
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