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Williams College Admissions: Acceptance Rate, GPA, SAT

Perennial #1 liberal arts college — tiny classes, Berkshire mountains, tutorial system.

Acceptance Rate
9%
SAT Range
1460–1560
Avg GPA
4.07
Undergrad
2,100
Test-OptionalNeed-BlindMeets Full NeedEarly Decision
Policy Unstated

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What it takes to get into Williams

Williams accepts roughly 9% of applicants — highly selective by any measure.The middle 50% of admitted students score between 1460 and 1560 on the SAT, and the average unweighted GPA is around 4.07.

Numbers alone don't get you in. Williams reads holistically — they want to see academic rigor in your high school transcript (AP/IB/Honors course load), genuine intellectual curiosity, leadership in extracurriculars, a clear “spike” or area of demonstrated excellence, strong essays, and recommendation letters that vouch for your character.

Test-optional policies vary year to year. Even where tests are optional, applicants who submit scores in the 75th-percentile range typically have an edge. Check Williams's admissions page for the current cycle's policy.

What Williams Weighs in Admissions

Visual breakdown from Common Data Set Section C7

Very Important
Course rigor & GPA
Leadership
Activity depth
Spike / distinctive talent
Application essays
Recommendations
Important
Awards & honors

Williams Acceptance Rate

9% acceptance rate with SAT, GPA benchmarks and selectivity analysis.

How to Get Into Williams

Data-driven admissions strategy based on CDS weights and what actually matters.

How to Write the “Why Williams?” Essay

Research tips, common mistakes, and what admissions is actually looking for.

See Where You Stand

GPA vs SAT scattergram — compare your stats to admitted and rejected students.

Practice Williams Interview Questions

AI-scored mock interview with real alumni questions. 5-dimension feedback.

Williams Admissions FAQ

What is Williams's acceptance rate?

Williams admits approximately 9% of applicants based on the most recent reported Common Data Set figures. This rate has trended downward over the past decade as application volumes have grown.

What SAT score do you need for Williams?

Admitted students at Williams typically score between 1460 (25th percentile) and 1560 (75th percentile) on the SAT. Hitting or exceeding the 75th percentile gives you a meaningful edge.

What GPA do you need for Williams?

The average admitted student at Williams has an unweighted GPA of approximately 4.07 on a 4.0 scale — though weighted GPAs and course rigor matter just as much as the raw number.

Is Williams test-optional?

Williams's testing policy varies by cycle. Some years they are test-optional, some years test-required. Always confirm on the official admissions page before submitting.

Compare Williams with similar schools

Stats are approximate, drawn from publicly-reported Common Data Set figures. Confirm current numbers on Williams's official admissions site.