William & Mary Waitlist FAQs
Questions and Answers about the William & Mary Waitlist
If you wish to remain in consideration for admission to William & Mary, please complete the Waitlist Response Form provided in your application portal by mid-April. Should we be able to admit additional students to the first-year class we will consider only those students who responded affirmatively to their waitlist offer.
Below is a list of frequently asked questions regarding our waitlist process.
How is the waitlist determined?
Now that I have the option of being on the waitlist, what is the next step?
When will I hear about admission?
If I am admitted, how will I be notified?
How many students are admitted from the waitlist in a typical year?
If you go to the waitlist, am I ranked?
Will a campus interview enhance my chances?
I am a candidate for financial aid. Will the waitlist affect my financial award?
If I am offered admission, will I receive housing?
What if I don’t get off the waitlist but William & Mary remains my top choice?
How is the waitlist determined?
Knowing that some admitted students will decline our offer and elect to attend other institutions, we offer admission to more applicants than can be accommodated. The waitlist provides a means through which other capable applicants may be selected for admission if fewer students than anticipated accept our offer of admission. Typically, between 1,200 and 1,500 students elect to remain on the waitlist.
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Now that I have the option of being on the waitlist, what do I do next?
Complete the Waitlist Response Form as soon as possible by following the link provided in your application portal.
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When will I hear about admission?
Usually, any offers of admission from the waitlist will not be until around May 1, and all offers of admission will be made prior to August 1. You will receive an update about the status of the waitlist by mid-June.
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If I am admitted, how will I be notified?
Usually by phone—written confirmation will follow immediately. If we are unable to reach you by phone, we will email you at the address you provided on your application.
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How many students are admitted from the waitlist in a typical year?
The number has varied tremendously in previous years and is difficult to predict. Below are the numbers of students we’ve offered admission from the waitlist for each of the past four years:
2023 136 students
2022 4 students
2021 38 students
2020 145 students
If you do go to the waitlist am I ranked?
No. If we determine that we will use the waitlist, we will re-evaluate all applicants who have accepted a place on the waitlist.
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Will a campus interview enhance my chances?
No. We do not offer interviews for students on the waitlist. A student's academic record is the major criterion for admission. Although we welcome any additional academic information (third quarter or second trimester grades), none is required.
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I am a candidate for financial aid. Will the waitlist affect my financial award?
Unfortunately, we are not able to guarantee that we can meet the full need of any student admitted from the waitlist. We will make every effort to provide you with the best possible package from the funds available at the time of your admission, and you will not be required to make a commitment before receiving your financial aid package.
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If I am offered admission, will I receive housing?
Yes. All entering first-year students are guaranteed on-campus housing unless they are eligible to live at home and have petitioned the Dean of Students Office to do so.
What if I don’t get off the waitlist but William & Mary remains my top choice?
William & Mary offers two spring term guaranteed admission programs for waitlisted students; a community or junior college pathway, and an academic semester abroad program through Verto Education.
For the community or junior college pathway, waitlisted students simply need to fulfill the following requirements:
- Complete at least 12 transferable credits in the fall from an accredited community or junior college.
- Earn a 3.0 GPA.
- Finish the semester with no individual grade below a C-.
- Continue to meet high standards of personal conduct.
Additional information about this fall semester option can be found on our spring pathway website.
William & Mary is also pleased to be a partner institution with Verto Education, which offers credit-bearing, travel-based, gap-semester experiences abroad. Requirements for the Verto option include:
- The Italy & Spain locations require participants to be 18 years of age by June 1, and students must be 17 by the England location start date.
- Complete at least 12-16 transferable credits for the fall semester through the Verto program in either England, Italy, or Spain.
- Earn at least a 3.0 GPA.
- Finish the semester with no individual grade below a C-.
- Continue to meet high standards of personal conduct.
For each program waitlisted students will need to complete a streamlined application process. All students remaining on the waitlist pursuing the pathway will need to submit the William & Mary Spring Pathways Intent Form by June 15 (available starting in mid-May to students who have responded to our general waitlist) and submit their official high school transcript (with graduation date) by July 15.
For both pathways, students will be required to complete a simple form to reactivate their first-year applications (available in August and due by September 15). All students on the pathway will also need to submit mid-semester grade estimates by October 28 (note: Verto sends these on behalf of their participating students).
While acceptances will be made quickly upon receipt of mid-semester grades in Mid-November, they will be conditional pending final grades. An official fall semester transcript and College Report are due by January 5.
Should you have any questions regarding the community or junior college pathway program please contact your Regional Counselor. Questions regarding the academic Semester Abroad program may be directed to globalstudyprogram@vertoeducation.org. Please refer to this page to reference how the Verto courses transfer to William & Mary.
While on-campus housing will be guaranteed for all spring term guaranteed admission students, it is unlikely to be in first-year housing. International students are welcome to participate in this program, however, due to the quick turnaround time from official offers of admission to the start of the spring semester, it may be difficult or simply not feasible to complete the requirements for certain visas (such as an F-1) in time for spring orientation and enrollment.
Bear in mind that William & Mary also offers a standard transfer admission process for students who have completed a semester or more of college elsewhere.
