William and Mary logs another record year for applicants: Undergraduate admission applications up 6 percent to more than 11,500
(Williamsburg, VA) – William and Mary’s undergraduate admission
applications have topped 11,500 -- which represents a 6.2 percent
increase from last year, including a rise of nearly 15 percent in
applications among in-state students.
The total application numbers represent another record year for the
College – its third in a row – in terms of total undergraduate
applications. In addition, the increase of more than 6 percent would be
the highest percentage increase in undergraduate applications in three
years. Last year, the College recorded more than 10,850 applications,
which at the time was itself a record.
“Every year more young women and men come to understand that William
and Mary is a university and a community unlike any other -- a notion
our admissions staff advances far, wide, and most effectively," said
William and Mary President Gene R. Nichol. “My colleagues and I look
forward to the next extraordinary class they'll assemble from among
this record-setting and diverse group. Their success is credit to all
who advance the mission of the College.”
Henry Broaddus, dean of admission, credits this year’s increase
to a combination of factors, including expanded outreach efforts by the
admissions staff, particularly among in-state prospective students, and
the College’s continued reputation as the country’s top small public
university. Most notably, undergraduate applications from in-state
students rose 14.6 percent.
“Where we’ve seen our greatest growth has been among our in-state
students and that’s where we’ve focused our greatest amount of
resources. We’re thrilled to see a return on those efforts,” Broaddus
said. “Students and their families are receiving the message that
William and Mary has much to offer as one of the top small liberal arts
research universities in the country.”
This year’s pool also showed a significant increase (16.4 percent) in
applications from students of color, which represents African-American,
Asian, Latino/Hispanic, Native American students. That includes an
increase in applications of 18.8 percent from in-state students of
color and an increase of 14 percent from out-of-state students of
color. Out-of-state undergraduate applications also rose this year,
increasing slightly by about one percent and reversing last year’s
trend that saw a decrease in applications from prospective students
outside the Commonwealth.
“This applicant pool is not only the largest in the history of the
College but it also represents one of the most diverse and most
competitive we’ve ever had at the College,” said Earl Granger,
associate provost for enrollment. “We want to enroll the best and
brightest class possible and this is a tremendous start. We’ll be
selecting the next generation of William and Mary leaders.”
Admission staff have begun the task of reading and reviewing each of
the more than 11,500 applications. Of that group, more than 3,000
prospective students will be offered admission as officials anticipate
enrolling a freshman class of about 1,350 students. Offers of admission
will go out by April 1.
