Quad

Admissions

Getting in, fall 2024

Williams admits about 1 in 12 applicants (8.3%). That puts it in the "Ultra selective" tier, more selective than 98% of the 1,547 colleges that report admissions.

Fall 2014: 19%Over time

Out of every 100 applicants…

Admitted & enrolled4 of 100 · 547 students
Admitted, went elsewhere4 of 100 · 725
Not admitted92 of 100 · 14,139

The funnel

Applied
15,411
Admitted
1,272
Enrolled
547

Men and women were admitted at similar rates (8.0% and 8.8%).

$65 to apply

Doesn't list credit for AP exams

43%

Yield

43% of admitted students enroll, one of the highest nationally.

Yield rate vs. every college43%
43%
← 5%higher than 82% of 1,576100% →
Acceptance rate vs. every college8.3%
8.3%
← More selectivemore selective than 98% of 1,547Less selective →

Where you stand

How Williams reads a record

The high school record and a college-prep program are required; GPA and class rank are considered. Scores are optional. 35% of first-years sent an SAT and 17% an ACT.

What they look at

Considers whether an applicant's parent attended (legacy status).

High school GPA
Considered
High school record
Required
Class rank
Considered
College-prep program
Required
Recommendations
Required
Essay
Required
Legacy status
Considered
Work experience
Considered
Demonstration of competencies
Considered
English proficiency test
Considered
Other tests
Considered

Recent change: Started considering a demonstration of competencies in fall 2023; Started considering other tests in fall 2023; Started requiring a college-prep program in fall 2023.

On the admissions map

PublicPrivateDot size = undergrads

↑ SAT midpoint (higher = higher scores)

Most selective zone80090010001100120013001400150016000%10%20%30%40%50%60%70%80%90%100%Williams College
Acceptance rate → less selective

Test scores

What enrolled first-years scored

The typical enrolled first-year who sent scores is around 1530 on the SAT, 360 points above the median for colleges that report scores.

Test policy

Optional

Scores are considered if you send them. For students who entered in fall 2024.

Where would you land?

SAT total1490–1570median 1540
1000110012001300140015001600
Reading & Writing740–780median 760
500600700800
Math750–790median 780
500600700800

Middle 50% of enrolled first-years who sent scores This college's median National median midpoint

Who submitted scores?

35%

submitted SAT

17%

submitted ACT

Read with care: fewer than half of enrolled students submitted either test, so these ranges may run high. Learn about admissions.

SAT midpoint vs. every college1530
1530
← 900higher than 98% of 9361535 →

Sources:IPEDS Admissions survey, Fall 2024;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey, 2023–24;IPEDS Institutional Characteristics survey (athletics, programs, services, religious affiliation), 2025–26About the data(retrieved 2026-10-12)