Williams College, often ranked as the #1 Liberal Arts College in the nation, is a small liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts. Established in 1793, Williams has an enrollment of 2,061 undergraduate students and is considered one of the “Little Ivies.” Williams’ early acceptance rate rose this year to 26.6% for the Class of 2029 — and the college’s overall acceptance rate followed a similar trend.
WILLIAMS ACCEPTANCE RATE
After admitting a record low 7.52% of students to the Class of 2028, Williams’ overall acceptance rate for the Class of 2029 was 8.5%, according to the Williams Record.
18 of the 1,038 students admitted through Regular Decision had previously been deferred during the early decision round. Meanwhile, 2,194 applicants, or 15.4%, were waitlisted.
Williams’ “target class size” is 560 students this year, up from 550 in recent years, after a new effort to increase first-year housing on-campus.
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TTA TOP TIP: Williams College remains one of the most competitive liberal arts colleges in the country. To stand out in such a selective pool, applicants should focus on two key areas: academic excellence and distinctive extracurricular impact. Williams places a strong emphasis on intellectual curiosity, so demonstrating a passion for learning — through rigorous coursework, research, or independent projects — can be a game-changer. Additionally, leadership in meaningful extracurriculars, rather than participation in many activities, signals depth and dedication.
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At Top Tier Admissions, we are committed to making the college admissions process more transparent. Easy access to clear data helps families understand trends in college admissions to make more informed decisions. This year we’re once again collecting acceptance rate data at selective schools and providing insight and analysis of our own.
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Are you thinking about applying to Williams? Curious about admissions trends and strategies to improve your odds? Contact us to discuss our Application Boot Camp® or Private Counseling program— we look forward to supporting you!
- Williams College Acceptance Rate: Early Trends
- The Value of Attending a Liberal Arts College
- What Are the Little Ivies?
- Liberal Arts College Acceptance Rates: Increase Your Odds
- Average GPA and Class Rank at Top Colleges
- Average SAT Scores at Top Colleges
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