Selection Information

The 1693 Scholars Program is a highly selective scholarship. Students selected as finalists typically achieve the following:

Successfully pursue the most demanding curriculum available to them
Rank in the top 1-3% of their graduating high school class
Score above 1500 combined on the Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing sections of the SAT and/or score above a 33 on the ACT
(Note: William & Mary is test-optional; therefore, applicants will still be reviewed for the 1693 Scholars Program if they do not submit an SAT or ACT score.)
Are successful student leaders in their schools and local communities who seek out and embrace opportunities to enrich their educational experience

Application Review and Selection

All first-year applicants are reviewed as potential 1693 Scholars - there is no separate application process. Students applying through William & Mary's Regular Decision process, students applying through William & Mary's Early Decision process, students applying through William & Mary's Early Decision II process, students applying for the St. Andrews William & Mary Joint Degree Programme, and international students, are all eligible for the 1693 Scholars Program.
The committee selects applicants as potential finalists (semi-finalists) and requests that they submit one additional essay and one short video that will be used to select the finalists. Finalists are required to complete a virtual interview with two alumni as well as a virtual presentation to a faculty panel. Subsequently, a smaller group of finalists (about 15) will be invited to William & Mary for an expense-paid weekend in April.

2024 Application, Nomination and Notification Timeline

January 1 - Application deadline for William & Mary first-year admission. Students should apply to W&M using the Common Application.
February - Approximately 150 semi-finalists will be notified and asked to submit one additional essay and one short video for consideration as a finalist.
March 14 - March 23 - Virtual Finalist Interviews
March 20 - March 23 - Virtual Finalist Presentations
Friday, April 12 - Saturday, April 13 - 1693 Scholars Finalist Weekend (on-campus)
April 15 - April 22 - Eight 1693 Scholars will be selected and notified.

Additional Submissions

In February, potential 1693 Scholars (semi-finalists) are asked to submit one additional essay (200-300 words) and one short video submission (3 minutes maximum). You will be notified by email if we are seeking these from you, and you will have approximately two weeks to respond. Only these applicants will be considered when selecting finalists for the 1693 Scholars Program.

2024 Prompts

Prompt #1 (Video Submission): Tell us about your least significant achievement.

Prompt #2 (Essay): What’s a famous quote that you think should be interpreted differently?

Prompt #1 was created by Stamps 1693 Scholar, Adam Jutt '25 and prompt #2 was created by Class of 1940 1693 Scholar, Leo Murphy '24.

Questions

If you have any questions regarding the 1693 Scholars selection process please contact Kim Van Deusen, Associate Director, at [[kim]].