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Class of 2011 Chosen from Record Number of Outstanding Applications
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., Sept. 19, 2007 -- The 283 men and 258 women who make up the Williams College Class of 2011 officially began their first day of classes on Sept. 6, when the college opened for the 2007-08 academic year.
The traditional introductory First Days took place August 28 through September 5. During First Days, incoming first-year students explored the college and its resources, were introduced to academic departments and their advisors, and took placement exams and the mandatory swim test. They also had the chance to participate in one of several programs designed to give students opportunities to pursue a variety of interests, including diversity and cross-cultural issues, community service, arts and culture, or exploration of the hills, mountains, and streams of the Berkshires.
"The Class of 2011 is an impressive group of young people," said David C. Johnson, associate dean of the college and dean of first-year students. "I look forward to their involvement in and contribution to the Williams community."
The class is similar to last year's in terms of geographic background. The incoming class represents high schools in 41 states, with the greatest number coming from New York (101), Massachusetts (73), California (44), Connecticut (34), and New Jersey (24). There are 47 international students representing 25 countries.
The class includes 51 African Americans, 57 Asian Americans, 48 Latinos, and two Native American.
A record number of 6,448 students applied for admission to the Class of 2011. Applications to Williams have risen 42 percent since 1998. Last year, 6,000 students applied for the 534 places in the entering class. The percentage of students admitted to this year's class was 18.5 percent.
By all standard measures of academic talent, including test scores and academic performance in school, this year's applicant pool was extremely well qualified.
The combined SAT average for admitted students was 1441: verbal SAT of 726 and math SAT of 715. More than 200 of the admitted students received a top rating for music, theater, dance, studio art, or creative writing. Another 155 were projected to play one or more of the 32 varsity sports at Williams.
Williams strong financial aid program and recent initiatives to expand the socio-economic diversity of entering classes have been important in encouraging outstanding students to apply and enroll.
The college admits students regardless of their ability to pay and promises to meet for all admitted students 100 percent of their financial need for four years. The college awards more than $28 million in scholarships. 51.2 percent of the Class of 2011 qualified for Williams-based aid and awards for the class ranged from $4,175 to more than $50,000.
"It's clear to us that among the Class of 2011, an impressive group of talented artists, musicians, writers, dancers, actors, and athletes promise to make the class as dynamic as it is bright and diverse," said Richard Nesbitt, director of admission.
Factors cited by students who elect to come to Williams are academic reputation, size of the college, personal attention, attractiveness of the campus, academic facilities, and extracurricular opportunities.
END
Founded in 1793, Williams College is the second oldest institution of higher learning in Massachusetts. The college's 2,000 students are taught by a faculty noted for the quality of their teaching and research, and the achievement of academic goals includes active participation of students with faculty in their research. Students' educational experience is enriched by the residential campus environment in Williamstown, Mass., which provides a host of opportunities for interaction with one another and with faculty beyond the classroom. Admission decisions are made regardless of a student's financial ability, and the college provides grants and other assistance to meet the demonstrated needs of all who are admitted. To visit the college on the Internet:www.williams.edu
The traditional introductory First Days took place August 28 through September 5. During First Days, incoming first-year students explored the college and its resources, were introduced to academic departments and their advisors, and took placement exams and the mandatory swim test. They also had the chance to participate in one of several programs designed to give students opportunities to pursue a variety of interests, including diversity and cross-cultural issues, community service, arts and culture, or exploration of the hills, mountains, and streams of the Berkshires.
"The Class of 2011 is an impressive group of young people," said David C. Johnson, associate dean of the college and dean of first-year students. "I look forward to their involvement in and contribution to the Williams community."
The class is similar to last year's in terms of geographic background. The incoming class represents high schools in 41 states, with the greatest number coming from New York (101), Massachusetts (73), California (44), Connecticut (34), and New Jersey (24). There are 47 international students representing 25 countries.
The class includes 51 African Americans, 57 Asian Americans, 48 Latinos, and two Native American.
A record number of 6,448 students applied for admission to the Class of 2011. Applications to Williams have risen 42 percent since 1998. Last year, 6,000 students applied for the 534 places in the entering class. The percentage of students admitted to this year's class was 18.5 percent.
By all standard measures of academic talent, including test scores and academic performance in school, this year's applicant pool was extremely well qualified.
The combined SAT average for admitted students was 1441: verbal SAT of 726 and math SAT of 715. More than 200 of the admitted students received a top rating for music, theater, dance, studio art, or creative writing. Another 155 were projected to play one or more of the 32 varsity sports at Williams.
Williams strong financial aid program and recent initiatives to expand the socio-economic diversity of entering classes have been important in encouraging outstanding students to apply and enroll.
The college admits students regardless of their ability to pay and promises to meet for all admitted students 100 percent of their financial need for four years. The college awards more than $28 million in scholarships. 51.2 percent of the Class of 2011 qualified for Williams-based aid and awards for the class ranged from $4,175 to more than $50,000.
"It's clear to us that among the Class of 2011, an impressive group of talented artists, musicians, writers, dancers, actors, and athletes promise to make the class as dynamic as it is bright and diverse," said Richard Nesbitt, director of admission.
Factors cited by students who elect to come to Williams are academic reputation, size of the college, personal attention, attractiveness of the campus, academic facilities, and extracurricular opportunities.
END
Founded in 1793, Williams College is the second oldest institution of higher learning in Massachusetts. The college's 2,000 students are taught by a faculty noted for the quality of their teaching and research, and the achievement of academic goals includes active participation of students with faculty in their research. Students' educational experience is enriched by the residential campus environment in Williamstown, Mass., which provides a host of opportunities for interaction with one another and with faculty beyond the classroom. Admission decisions are made regardless of a student's financial ability, and the college provides grants and other assistance to meet the demonstrated needs of all who are admitted. To visit the college on the Internet:www.williams.edu
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