Frequently Asked Questions...
...from our mulitcultural applicants.
- What kind of students will I find at William & Mary?
At William & Mary you will find a collection of bright, curious minds coming from very different walks of life with their own set of values and beliefs. Our undergraduate student body is approximately 30% students of color; our students hail from all 50 states and over 50 foreign countries and each student carries with them a wealth of unique experiences and a strong sense of determination to make real their dreams. - What do students do on campus for fun?
Never judge a book by its cover. At William & Mary, students work hard, but they play hard as well. Of course there are parties, but there are lots of other social outlets on campus: Tribe football and basketball games are popular, newly released movies are often brought for campus showings, open mic nights, karaoke, performances by student organizations and there are a number of interesting exhibits in our campus art museum, the Muscarelle. A few of our bigger annual events include a back to class cookout, Homecoming Step Show and a Fall Formal. Williamsburg is also known for its amazing restaurants, great outlet shopping and of course Busch Gardens. - What is it like to be a student of color on campus?
College, of course, is what you make of it; but when college is supposed to be "home away from home," it is important that your environment be supportive of both personal and academic/professional ambitions. It is our goal to provide precisely that kind of environment. You may not find all of the conveniences of home (particularly the savory homecooked meal), but you will find a close knit multicultural community that contributes a great deal to making William & Mary a phenomenal institution. Our Office of Student Affairs works diligently to promote cross-cultural awareness on campus and to create an environment supportive of diversity of all kinds. - Am I a good candidate for admission?
The admission office takes a comprehensive approach when evaluating applications. Each part of the application is taken into consideration: strength of high school curriculum, GPA, essay, extracurricular activities and letters of recommendation. William & Mary does not have a minimum GPA or minimum SAT/ACT score for admission; however, our most competitive applicants have taken a rigorous course load including courses such as Calculus, Physics and 4 years of a single foreign language. You can increase your competitiveness by taking the highest level courses offered at your school and performing well in them. - William & Mary: Public or Private?
To the surprise of many, William & Mary is a public institution. Approximately 2/3 of the students are in-state residents (Virginians). - My SAT/ACT scores were not as high as I'd like them. Will you still consider my application?
Do not let your test scores dissuade you from applying. SAT/ACT scores are completely optional. Although standardized test scores can be an important factor in the admission process, they are not the only factor. Study, practice and take the test 2-3 times to help increase your score, if you would like to submit one. We superscore, which means will always take the highest math and highest verbal/critical reading score from any SAT examination and the ACT examination. If you take both the SAT and ACT, we will use whichever score is higher. - Does William & Mary offer any scholarships?
Yes. View details on financial aid. - Does William & Mary have any historically black sororities or fraternities?
Existing Charters Include:
Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Inc.Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc.
Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc.
Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity, Inc.
Sigma Gamma Rho Sorority, Inc.
Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.
Zeta Phi Beta Sorority, Inc. - Is there a Center for Student Diversity on Campus?
The Center for Student Diversity is a second home for many students. The CSD maintains an open-door policy encouraging students to gather ogether for lunch or simply to talk. On a more formal basis, the office facilitates SPAN, the Student Peer Advisory Network, a mentoring program where each incoming freshmen student is paired with an upperclassman who shares their intended major. In addition to these resources, the Dean of Students Office offers in depth workshops and one-on-one counseling sessions with students on time management and study skills. Also, faculty are required to hold office hours throughout the week where students can get clarification on lectures, ask for advice on final project ideas or talk about career opportunities in a given field. - When should I visit campus?
William & Mary generally offers programming Monday-Friday at 10:00am and 2:30pm as well as select Saturday mornings at 10:00am only. Your visit will consist of a 30 minute information session followed by a 1 1/2 hour campus tour. No reservations are needed to attend. Checkout the schedule of campus tours and find directions to the Office of Undergraduate Admission.
