Selection Information

The Murray Scholars program is a highly selective merit-based scholarship.  Students selected as Murray Scholars annually represent the very best and brightest of William & Mary's entire applicant pool.  The dynamic type of student selected as a potential finalist typically achieves each of the following:

• Successfully pursues the most demanding curriculum available to him/her

• Ranks in the top 1% of his/her graduating high school class

• Scores above 1500 combined on the Math and Critical Reading sections of the SAT

Additionally, Murray Scholar students are successful student leaders in their school and local communities who seek out and embrace opportunities to enrich their educational experience.

For more information, read the bios of William & Mary's current Murray Scholars.

Application Review and Selection

All freshman applicants are reviewed as potential Murray Scholars - there is no separate application process.  The Admission Committee selects deserving applicants as potential finalists and requests that they submit an additional essay that will be used to select students as finalists.  Murray Scholar finalists are invited to William & Mary for a an expense-paid weekend visit each spring. Finalists will be interviewed by the selection committee, make a presentation, tour the campus, and meet with faculty and students.  From the events of this weekend the Murray Scholars will be selected and notified shortly after their visit.

Application, Nomination and Notification Timeline

• January 1, 2010 - Application deadline for applying to the College of William & Mary for freshman admission. Students should apply to the College using the Common Application.

• February 2010 - Potential finalists will be notified and asked to submit the additional essay for consideration as a finalist.

• April 9-10, 2010 - Murray Scholars Finalist Weekend - Finalists will meet and present to the Murray Scholar selection committee.

• Mid to late April 2010 - Murray Scholars will be selected and notified.

Additional Essay

Potential Murray Scholars are asked to submit one additional essay (250-500 words) at the time the Admission Committee chooses potential finalists.  Only these applicants will be considered when selecting finanlists for the Murray Scholars program.

2010 Essay topic

If you could add one word to the English language, what would that word be?  Define your new word and explain why you
think we need it.

Note: This Murray Scholars essay prompt was written by Alena Stern, a current scholar and winner of the 2009 Murray Scholar essay prompt contest!

Questions

If you have any questions regarding the Murray Scholars selection process please contact the Kimberly Van Deusen, Associate Dean of Undergraduate Admission, at 757-221-3859 or [[kim]].