William & Mary Admissions 2026: 37% Acceptance Rate, GPA Range, SAT/ACT & How to Apply
Direct answer: William & Mary’s latest official Class of 2029 profile lists a 37% overall acceptance rate from 16,897 total applications. The official profile also lists 37% in-state and 37% out-of-state acceptance rates.
The 37% rate makes W&M selective, but not “impossible.” Your real chance depends on course rigor, GPA, essays, recommendations, test-choice strategy, Early Decision fit, residency context and whether your application feels like a strong match for a liberal arts and sciences university.
This page gives the answer first, then the useful details searchers actually need: GPA range, SAT/ACT range, test-optional rules, deadlines, application materials, ED warnings, transfer notes, international testing and a quick pre-submit checklist.
Class of 2029 overall, in-state and out-of-state acceptance rates are listed as 37%.
Official admitted Class of 2029 profile lists 16,897 applications.
Enrolled Class of 2029 range on a 4.0 weighted GPA scale.
ACT middle 50% is 32–34. W&M is completely test optional.
Quick navigation for W&M applicants
William and Mary acceptance rate 2026: clear answer first
| Searcher question | Official answer | What it means for you |
|---|---|---|
| William and Mary acceptance rate 2026 | 37% based on the admitted Class of 2029 profile. | W&M is selective. Treat it as target-to-reach depending on your profile. |
| Total applications | 16,897 applications. | Your file needs to be clear, not generic. |
| Enrolling students | 1,642 enrolling students, including 42 in the St Andrews Joint Degree Program. | W&M builds a relatively small class from a large pool. |
| In-state acceptance rate | 37%. | Virginia residency does not mean automatic admission. |
| Out-of-state acceptance rate | 37%. | Out-of-state students still need strong fit and academics. |
| Early Decision applicants | 1,478 ED applicants in the official profile. | ED can help only if W&M is truly your first choice. |
William and Mary GPA, SAT and ACT: what is competitive?
GPA answer
Middle 50% GPA: 4.16–4.51 on a 4.0 weighted GPA scale for enrolled Class of 2029 students.
Class rank answer
79% of enrolled students with class rank were in the top 10% of their high school class.
SAT answer
Middle 50% SAT: 1390–1520. Reading/Writing: 710–760. Math: 680–760.
ACT answer
Middle 50% ACT: 32–34. Submit only if it strengthens your application.
| Your profile | How W&M may read it | Best action |
|---|---|---|
| GPA inside or above 4.16–4.51 weighted range | Academically competitive if rigor is also strong. | Use essays and recommendations to show fit, maturity and curiosity. |
| GPA below range | Still possible, but you need context and strength elsewhere. | Show upward trend, hard courses, strong writing and meaningful activity depth. |
| SAT 1390–1520 or ACT 32–34 | Scores are in the enrolled middle 50% range. | Consider submitting if the score supports your academic story. |
| Scores below range | Scores may not help. | Apply test optional if the transcript, rigor and essays are stronger. |
| No scores | Allowed. W&M is completely test optional. | Make transcript, essay and recommendations carry more weight. |
| Homeschooled / narrative grades / limited AP or dual enrollment | Testing may provide helpful outside academic context. | Consider submitting SAT/ACT or AP/dual-enrollment evidence if strong. |
William and Mary application deadlines
| Plan | Common App deadline | Decision timing | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision I | November 1 | Early December | Students who know W&M is their first choice and are ready for a binding plan. |
| Early Decision II | January 5 | Early February | Students who need more time but are ready to commit if admitted. |
| Regular Decision | January 5 | Regular spring notification cycle | Students comparing schools, cost, aid and options. |
| Transfer for Fall Enrollment | March 1 | Transfer review cycle | Students applying after enrolling at another college after high school. |
William and Mary application materials checklist
| Requirement | Official detail | Practical applicant move |
|---|---|---|
| Common App | Required for first-year applicants. | Submit before the deadline; do not wait for recommendation files to arrive. |
| Essay | Required as part of the application. | Show intellectual fit and personality. Avoid writing only about prestige. |
| Optional essays | W&M strongly encourages up to two optional essays. | Use them if they add new, useful context. Do not repeat your main essay. |
| Recommendation letters | Required in the checklist. | Choose teachers who can describe how you think, write, question and contribute. |
| Application fee | $75 non-refundable fee; fee waiver request available. | Request a waiver early if eligible so payment does not delay submission. |
| Optional materials | Testing, interviews and arts submissions may be optional. | Submit optional material only when it strengthens the file. |
Early Decision at William and Mary: should you use it?
W&M is clearly your first choice, you are ready to enroll if admitted and your family understands the financial commitment.
You need to compare aid offers, are unsure about W&M, want a gap year decision, or are not ready to make a binding commitment.
| ED issue | What W&M says | Applicant decision |
|---|---|---|
| Binding commitment | ED I and ED II applicants commit to enroll if admitted. | Use ED only if you are ready to withdraw other applications after admission. |
| Financial aid | ED and RD aid consideration is not affected by applying ED. | Still, ED students may not compare offers from other colleges. |
| Other applications | Students may apply elsewhere but only to one binding ED school. | Do not submit more than one binding ED application. |
| Deposit | ED admits must confirm by the deadline in the admission letter. | Plan the deposit and withdrawal timeline before applying ED. |
How to make your William and Mary application stronger
Do not waste optional essays
If you use optional essays, add new evidence: intellectual curiosity, community contribution, a personal context, or a reason W&M fits your goals.
Show liberal arts fit
W&M values a strong academic community. Show curiosity across subjects, writing strength, discussion readiness and interest in learning beyond one narrow career goal.
Use test optional carefully
With 40% of Class of 2029 applying test-optional, no score is acceptable. But your transcript and course rigor must clearly prove readiness.
Make recommendations specific
The best letters help readers understand your thinking, growth, work habits, classroom contribution and character.
William and Mary admissions video guide
Watch this video as a support resource, then use the checklist below to turn general advice into a stronger W&M application.
Final W&M application checklist before you submit
International and transfer applicant notes
W&M does not require SAT/ACT, but international students are encouraged to submit ACT/SAT if other external exam results such as IB, AP or A-levels are not available.
English proof: TOEFL or IELTS is strongly recommended for students whose first language is not English and whose schooling has been in another language. W&M lists IELTS Academic 7 or above as a useful benchmark and accepts Duolingo if TOEFL/IELTS are not accessible.
Fall transfer deadline is March 1. W&M’s transfer page says a 3.5+ GPA is generally preferred for traditional transfer applicants, with course rigor and credit hours also considered.
Coursework tip: Competitive transfer preparation usually includes liberal arts and sciences work such as math, lab science, social science, writing and world culture/history.
Official William and Mary links and sources
The key details are included above so users do not have to open every page. Use these official links only for final verification before applying.
Official Class of 2029 acceptance rate, applications, GPA, SAT, ACT and transfer data.
Applicant types and major deadlines for first-year, transfer and other applicants.
Common App, transcript, essay, recommendations, optional materials, fee and portal details.
ED I, ED II, Regular Decision, financial aid and transfer timeline details.
Test-optional policy, SAT/ACT codes, superscoring and English language testing guidance.
Binding ED rules, ED deadlines, financial aid notes and deposit expectations.
FAQs about William and Mary acceptance rate 2026
What is the William and Mary acceptance rate for 2026?
For 2026 planning, use the latest official Class of 2029 rate: 37% overall from 16,897 applications. The official profile also lists 37% in-state and 37% out-of-state acceptance rates.
How many students applied to William and Mary?
William & Mary’s Class of 2029 profile lists 16,897 total applications and 1,642 enrolling students.
What GPA do you need for William and Mary?
There is no guaranteed GPA cutoff, but the enrolled Class of 2029 middle 50% GPA range was 4.16–4.51 on a 4.0 weighted scale.
What SAT score is good for William and Mary?
The enrolled Class of 2029 middle 50% SAT range was 1390–1520. Submit scores only if they strengthen your application.
What ACT score is good for William and Mary?
The enrolled Class of 2029 middle 50% ACT range was 32–34. W&M is test optional, so ACT is not required.
Is William and Mary test optional?
Yes. W&M says standardized testing is completely optional. Forty percent of the Class of 2029 applied test-optional.
Does William and Mary superscore SAT and ACT?
Yes. W&M says it superscores SAT and ACT if taken multiple times. If both SAT and ACT are submitted, it uses the result most advantageous to the applicant.
What are W&M Early Decision deadlines?
Early Decision I is due November 1, and Early Decision II is due January 5. ED is binding and should be used only if W&M is your clear first choice.
What does William and Mary require to apply?
First-year applicants must submit the Common App, high school transcript, essay, recommendation letters and any optional materials they choose to include. There is a $75 fee or fee waiver request.
How can I improve my William and Mary application?
Show strong course rigor, use optional essays to add new context, choose test-optional strategically, request meaningful recommendations and explain why W&M’s academic community fits your goals.