College of William & Mary Info Guide
History:
- Officially founded in 1693, with original plans dating back to 1618.
- Second oldest institution of higher learning in America, after Harvard.
- Has been called the Alma Mater of the Nation due to its close connection to America’s founding fathers.
- Famous for its firsts: the first U.S. institution with a Royal Charter, the first Greek-letter society (Phi Beta Kappa, 1776), the first student honor code, the first college to become a university, and the first American law school.
Mission:
- Fosters a vibrant and inclusive community.
- Promotes lifelong learning, knowledge generation, and expanded understanding.
- Nurtures creative thinkers, principled leaders, and compassionate global citizens prepared for meaningful and distinguished lives.
- Brings together great minds and hearts to address the most pressing contemporary issues.
- Emphasizes belonging, curiosity, excellence, flourishing, integrity, respect, and service.
Location and Campus:
- 1200-acre campus located in Williamsburg, Virginia, approximately midway between Richmond (the state capital) and Norfolk.
- Close to various historical landmarks and colonial-era attractions.
- Offers a range of facilities and amenities to support its students’ academic, social, and recreational needs, including but not limited to:
- Academic Buildings
- Libraries
- Residence Halls
- Recreational Facilities
- Botanical Garden
- Observatory
- Art Museum
- Green Spaces
- Walking Paths
- Historic Sites
Admissions:
- Acceptance Rate: 33%
- Early Decision Acceptance Rate: 52%
- SAT Range: 1370-1520
- ACT Range: 32-34
- Key Factors to Consider When Applying:
- High School GPA (Required)
- High School Rank (Considered but not required)
- High School Transcript (Required)
- College Prep Courses (Required)
- SAT/ACT (Considered but not required)
- Recommendations (Required)
- Application Deadlines & Fees:
- Regular Admission: January 5
- Early Decision: November 1
- Application Fee: $75
- Accepts Common App: Yes
- Accepts Coalition App: Yes
- Financial Aid:
- Must complete the following items to be considered for financial aid:
- Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA)
- College Scholarship Service Profile (CSS Profile)
- For students ineligible to file the FAFSA, the Virginia Alternative State Aid (VASA) Application
- Scholarships & Awards:
- Need-Based Scholarships
- 1693 Scholars Program
- W&M Scholars Award
- James Monroe Scholars Program (includes a $3,000 summer research stipend and other benefits)
- Other Scholarship Opportunities:
- Department Awards
- Varsity Athletic Recruitment Scholarships
- Sharpe Community Scholars Program
Academic Programs:
- Majors:
- Africana Studies
- American Studies
- Anthropology
- Art (2D Studio, 3D Studio)
- Art History (General, Curatorial, Environmental)
- Biology
- Business — Accounting
- Business — Business Analytics
- Business — Finance
- Business — Marketing
- Chemistry
- Chinese Language & Culture
- Classical Studies (Ancient Greek, Latin, Classical Archaeology, Classical Civilization)
- Computational & Applied Mathematics & Statistics (Applied Statistics, Mathematical Biology)
- Computer Science
- Data Science
- Economics
- Education (Elementary, Secondary, ESL/Bilingual Education, Special Education)
- English
- Environment & Sustainability (Science, Policy, Humanities)
- Film & Media Studies
- French & Francophone Studies
- Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies
- Geology (General, Environmental)
- Global Studies — Asian & Middle Eastern
- Global Studies — Asian & Pacific Islander American
- Global Studies — European
- Global Studies — Latin American
- Global Studies — Russian, Eastern European & Eurasian
- Government
- Hispanic Studies
- History
- Integrative Conservation
- International Relations
- Japanese Studies
- Kinesiology — Allied Health
- Kinesiology — General
- Kinesiology — Human Nutrition
- Kinesiology — Public Health
- Linguistics
- Mathematics (Standard, Applied, Pre-College Teaching)
- Medieval & Renaissance Studies
- Music
- Neuroscience
- Philosophy
- Physics (Standard, Medical, Engineering Physics & Applied Design)
- Psychology
- Public Policy
- Religious Studies
- Secondary Education
- Self-Designed
- Sociology (General, Globalization, Health & Medicine, Criminology & Law, Policy & Justice)
- Theatre
- Minors:
- Africana Studies
- American Studies
- Anthropology
- Applied Science
- Arabic Language & Literature
- Art & Art History (Studio Art, Art History, Combined)
- Biochemistry
- Biology
- Business — Accounting
- Business — Business Analytics
- Business — Finance
- Business — Innovation & Entrepreneurship
- Business — Management & Organizational Leadership
- Business — Marketing
- Business — Supply Chain Analytics
- Chemistry
- Chinese Studies
- Classical Studies
- Computational & Applied Mathematics & Statistics (Mathematical Biology)
- Computer Science
- Creative Writing
- Dance
- Data Science
- Economics
- Educational Studies
- English
- Environment & Sustainability
- Film & Media Studies
- French & Francophone Studies
- Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies
- Geology
- German Studies
- Global Studies — Asian & Pacific Islander American
- Global Studies — Comparative & Diaspora Studies of Asia & the Middle East
- Global Studies — East Asian
- Global Studies — European
- Global Studies — Latin American
- Global Studies — Middle Eastern
- Global Studies — Russian, Eastern European & Eurasian
- Global Studies — South Asian
- Hispanic Studies
- History
- Integrative Conservation
- Italian Studies
- Japanese Studies
- Judaic Studies
- Kinesiology
- Linguistics
- Marine Science
- Mathematics
- Medieval & Renaissance Studies
- Military Science & Leadership
- Music
- Native Studies
- Philosophy
- Physics
- Psychology
- Public Health
- Religious Studies
- Russian Language & Literature
- Sociology
- Theatre
Campus Life:
- Campus Culture:
- Emphasis on academic excellence, critical thinking, and intellectual curiosity.
- Strong sense of tradition with historic buildings like the Wren Building.
- Active student engagement in academic and cultural pursuits.
- Supportive community atmosphere promoting inclusivity and diversity.
- Housing & Dining:
- Variety of on-campus housing options including traditional dormitories and apartment-style living.
- Dining facilities offering diverse cuisines and accommodating dietary needs.
- Options for special interest housing communities.
- Meal plans designed to fit different schedules and preferences.
- Clubs & Organizations:
- Over 450 student organizations covering academic, cultural, recreational, and professional interests.
- Opportunities for leadership roles and skill development.
- Active participation in community service and outreach programs.
- Regular events and activities organized by clubs throughout the academic year.
- Health & Wellness:
- Comprehensive health services including medical care and counseling.
- Wellness programs promoting physical fitness and mental well-being.
- Peer support networks and resources for stress management.
- Focus on preventive health education and resources.
- Arts & Performance:
- Vibrant arts community with opportunities in theater, music, dance, and visual arts.
- Campus galleries and exhibition spaces showcasing student and professional artwork.
- Regular performances, concerts, and recitals featuring student and guest artists.
- Creative workshops and collaborative projects across artistic disciplines.
- Sports & Recreation:
- NCAA Division I athletics program with teams competing in various sports.
- Recreational sports facilities including gyms, pools, and outdoor fields.
- Intramural and club sports leagues for students of all skill levels.
- Fitness classes, wellness programs, and outdoor recreational activities.
Interesting Facts About the College of W&M:
- Oldest in the South: some text
- Founded in 1693, it is the second oldest institution of higher education in the United States after Harvard University.
- Royal Charter: some text
- It received its royal charter from King William III and Queen Mary II of England, hence the name "William & Mary."
- Public Ivy: some text
- It is often referred to as a "Public Ivy," indicating that it provides a quality of education comparable to that of the Ivy League schools.
- Alumni: some text
- Notable alumni include Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States, and John Marshall, the fourth Chief Justice of the Supreme Court.
- Colonial Williamsburg: some text
- The campus is located in Williamsburg, Virginia, a city known for its well-preserved historic district, Colonial Williamsburg.
- First Greek Letter Society: some text
- The Phi Beta Kappa Society, the first Greek-letter organization in the United States, was founded at William & Mary in 1776.
- Law School: some text
- It is home to the oldest law school in the United States, which was established in 1779.
- Campus Traditions: some text
- The college has several unique traditions, including the Yule Log Ceremony, which dates back to the 1930s and marks the beginning of the holiday season.
- Mascot: some text
- The college's mascot is the Griffin, a mythical creature with the head of an eagle and the body of a lion.
- Academic Excellence: some text
- William & Mary is known for its strong liberal arts education and its emphasis on undergraduate teaching, with a relatively small student-faculty ratio.
Contact Information
Telephone: (757) 221-4000
Email: admission@wm.edu
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