William & Mary welcomes admitted Class of 2030 to campus

W&M Life

William & Mary will welcome its newly admitted students to campus this weekend. (Photo by Timothy D. Sofranko)

William & Mary will welcome admitted undergraduate students and their families to campus this weekend to explore all that the university has to offer.

In total, more than 1,300 admitted students plus their families are expected to participate in the annual Day for Admitted Students on April 11.

The event allows admitted students to experience life at the nationally preeminent university through a series of activities that explore William & Mary's academics, research, student life and campus living offerings.

In total, William & Mary made 6,001 offers of admission to undergraduate applicants this year through both its Early Decision and Regular Decision processes. Those applicants were selected from a pool of 17,432 - an admission rate of 34%.

As part of the overall applicant pool, the university set a record for Early Decision applications, receiving 1,606 for the Class of 2030 - up 9% from last year.

"Starting off the cycle with a record number of Early Decision applications enabled us to build an excellent foundation to the Class of 2030," said Tim Wolfe, associate provost for enrollment and dean of admission. "This momentum carried over into our Regular Decision process. Based on the academic quality, experiences and talents displayed in the applications of our admitted students, I'm confident this class will make William & Mary proud and be among the best of the best in the nation."

Participants in last year's event pose for a photo in front of a Wren Building backdrop. (Photo by Timothy D. Sofranko) Participants in last year's Day for Admitted Students learn about William & Mary's academic offerings. (Photo by Timothy D. Sofranko)

Meet the admitted students

William & Mary accepts undergraduate applications through its two-phase Early Decision process and its Regular Decision process. Early Decision applicants received notification of their status in December and January, and Regular Decision applicants learned of theirs in March.

In addition to setting a new record for Early Decision applications, the university made a record number of Early Decision admission offers. Including both rounds, the university made 760 offers to Early Decision applicants.

Overall, the admitted students are a bright and accomplished group. Of those with a class rank, 89% are in the top 10% of their class. The SAT middle-50% is 1420-1520, and the ACT middle-50% range is 33-35.

They represent 57 different countries and 50 states plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam and Northern Mariana Islands. After Virginia, the top 10 states represented include New York, New Jersey, Maryland, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, California, North Carolina, Texas, Connecticut and Florida.

This year, the university saw a 3% increase in the number of in-state, first-generation students offered admission. In addition, the university experienced a 5% increase in the number of admitted, in-state students who applied using an application fee waiver, which can be a leading indicator of potential Pell Grant eligibility.

William & Mary has been working in recent years to increase access for limited-income and first-generation students. In 2022, the university announced an initiative to cover tuition and fees for all in-state Pell Grant recipients. The next year, the university launched its Commonwealth Impact Partnership Program. Those efforts continue paying off, and in fall 2024, the university reached its initial goal of having Pell Grant recipients make up at least 20% of its in-state students.

Students talk with participants in last year's event about W&M's many student clubs and organizations. (Photo by Timothy D. Sofranko) A student at last year's event holds up a bell, given to students who submitted enrollment deposits. (Photo by Timothy D. Sofranko)

A day of exploring

The lineup for this year's Day for Admitted Students includes a student organization fair, "Tribe on the Track," plus a Sunken Garden party, mock lectures, mini tours, department chats and other sessions focused on various aspects of the university.

The day will culminate in a Green & Gold Student Social in Zable Stadium, with a Parent & Family Social happening at the same time.

Like last year, participants in this year's Day for Admitted Students who have submitted an enrollment deposit will receive a miniature bell with a cypher engraved on it.

"We're so looking forward to welcoming the newly admitted students to campus," said Kate Perry, associate dean of admission. "Our hope is these events will give visitors a genuine sense of what it's like to be part of this close-knit and academically driven community.

"We plan to introduce students and families to the endless opportunities they'll have at William & Mary with sessions focused on our newly established academic programs, multidisciplinary research, impactful and funded internships and global experiences abroad. They'll meet with current students to learn more about campus and residential life and hear about their involvement with everything from Club Gymnastics to the Cheese Club."

Admitted students unable to attend will be able to explore William & Mary through two more opportunities this month: the You Belong program on April 10 and Green & Gold Days April 6, 20 and 24. Both are open to all admitted students.

"We hope students and families leave with a sense of what it means to call William & Mary home," said Perry.

Erin Jay, Senior Associate Director of University News

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