About

See what students say:

Academics

Chartered in 1693, William & Mary is one of the nation's first and most selective public universities, seeking to bring its extremely rigorous, interdisciplinary academics to curious, accomplished students who want to learn beyond a textbook. Hands-on research is a fundamental aspect of a William & Mary education for humanities, STEM, and computational field majors alike, and "the administration supports student involvement" at every level. That's not just a matter of studying abroad, which 55 percent of students take the school up on (in over 55 countries), but also doing faculty-student research and having the opportunity for authorship and conference presentations. Students can "mix and match so many different aspects of majors to customize and find the perfect fit for yourself" and the end goal seems to be not just for picking up specific course material, but learning "how to study and learn more efficiently."

Professors are "happy to work with students" and welcome the chance for collaboration, which means they "tend to be very excited at the chance to get to know as many students as possible, even for the large lecture classes." They match the passion levels found in the classroom, and "love when students attend office hours to dive deeper into the subject." Teachers also "go above and beyond to find interesting guest speakers and create really interesting courses" that bring the material to life, such as in the way history professors use the surrounding landmarks "to provide students with a tangible experience of history."

Student Body

Hailing from all over the country and world, this group of unique individuals "has very diverse passions," but they're all "extremely motivated to perform and excel in their given field." This energy, of students who are all "excited about their involvements, however niche their interests may be," bubbles over into the social fabric of the school, where most everyone is "open to being friends with anyone," students and faculty included. "I had a professor take care of my fish over a break," shares one undergrad. As for the campus's size, it is "large enough that you can meet someone new each day, but small enough that you'll likely run into a friend every day on campus." In true Goldilocks fashion, this "really intimate and positive campus" is just right.

Campus Life

There are "so many different clubs and activities," including pre-professional organizations, community service-oriented activities, and club sports, and the 6,900 undergraduates see these as opportunities to "spend so much of their time on making others' experiences better." The school hosts guest lectures each semester that "are tailored to a majority of students' interests and are done by experts in their fields," and since William & Mary is filled with "lots of people who take their studies seriously" but remain committed to their social lives, "people often gather in the library to do homework together and to talk as they do it." Regular old pleasures such as "meeting with friends for meals, working out, doing homework, baking, and reading for fun" help students relax, and "many people spend lots of times outdoors, on the trails or on the Sunken Garden." Nearby Colonial Williamsburg "is a fun place to explore and get lunch with your friends," and students also head to Richmond or the beach, both are just a short drive away.

Contact & Visit

Campus Visits Contact

Contact
Kate Perry
Associate Dean of Admissions

Address
Office of Undergraduate Admission
P.O. Box 8795
Williamsburg, VA 23187-8795

Phone
757-221-4223

Email
admission@wm.edu

Experience College Life

Most Popular Places On Campus
Wren Building (oldest academic building)
Sunken Garden
Sadler Center
Swem Library
Kaplan Arena
Muscarelle Museum of Art is another favorite location on campus

Most Popular Places Off Campus
Colonial Williamsburg
Busch Gardens Amusement Park
Water Country USA
Jamestown Settlement
Outlet Shopping Centers/Pottery Factory
Richmond (state capital) and Virginia Beach are about one hour from campus.

Campus Tours

Campus Visiting Center
M-F
8:30-5
757-221-4223

Campus Tours
Appointment Required: Yes
Dates: Year-round
Times: Varies
Average Length: 2 hours

On Campus Interview

Campus Interviews
Yes

Information Sessions
Available

Times
10:00AM, 2:30PM

Faculty and Coach Visits

Dates/Times Available
Year-round

Arrangements
Contact Coach Directly

Advance Notice
Other

Contact Email Address for Visit
tribeathletics.com

Class Visits

Dates/Times Available
Academic Year

Arrangements
Contact Admissions Office

Overnight Dorm Stays

Overnight Dorm Stays
Not Available

Arrangements
Other

Transportation

Types of Transportation Available to Campus
Several airports serve the Williamsburg area: Newport News-Williamsburg International Airport in Newport News is a 30-minute drive from campus; Norfolk International Airport in Norfolk is a 60-minute drive from campus; Byrd International Airport in Richmond is a 60-minute drive from campus. Amtrak train service is also available to Williamsburg.

Driving Instructions to Campus
From the Richmond Airport and points west: Take Interstate 64 East; Exit 234 to the right (199 East); Travel 8 miles, then turn left onto Jamestown Road for another 1.7 miles and Undergraduate Admission Office is located on right side of street. From Norfolk Airport, Newport News Airport, and other points east: Take Interstate 64 West; Use Exit 242-A (199 West); Travel 5.2 miles and turn right onto Jamestown Road for another 1.7 miles.

Local Accommodations
William & Mary is adjacent to Colonial Williamsburg. The town's restoration organization runs a number of lodging facilities, all of which are within 5 minutes of William and Mary. Colonial Williamsburg has a variety of lodging options with various price ranges (www.history.org; 1-800-HISTORY). Of these, the least expensive is the Governor's Inn (506 N. Henry St.). There are several bed-and-breakfasts near campus, which can be previewed at: www.bandbwilliamsburg.com. There are many places to stay in the Williamsburg area. You can view a complete listing of lodging options from the Williamsburg Hotel and Motel Association (www.gowilliamsburg.com).

Admissions

Applicants: 17,548
Acceptance Rate: 33%
Average HS GPA: 4.40







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