WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., April 30, 2010 – Williams College has offered admission to 1,202 students to the Class of 2014. This year 6,633 students applied, for an acceptance rate of 18.1 percent.

Of the students accepted this year, 659 are women and 543 are men, bringing the female to male ratio to 55:45. Two hundred sixteen students were admitted through the college's binding early decision program and will make up 39 percent of the target class.

As in past years, the admitted students show a great deal of academic talent, with average SAT scores of 724 in critical reading and 717 in math. In the exceptionally strong applicant pool, about a fifth of the students who submitted high school rank either expected to be valedictorian or were estimated to be in the top one percent.

"The academic quality of the admitted group is as strong as ever," said Richard Nesbitt, director of admissions.

Compared with last year, more of the admitted students are involved in dance, music, or theater, or want to go on to get a Ph.D. in a non-scientific field.  This year's admitted students are talented in many ways. Of those who submitted samples of their music, artwork, acting, or dance, 18 percent received top ratings from Williams faculty. Four hundred were tagged for their "intellectual vitality," meaning that they showed signs of "extraordinary academic depth/talent" or promise as a "classroom catalyst that would have a significant impact in labs or class discussions."

Culturally and socioeconomically, the admitted group for 2014 is even more diverse than last year. Seven percent of students hail from outside the U.S. Among U.S. students, 166 identify as African American, 204 as Asian American, 136 as Latino, and nine as Native American.  Minority students comprise 43 percent of the total. Nineteen percent are first-generation college students.  

The college's partnership with Questbridge, a national program that identifies top high school students from low-income or underserved backgrounds and matches them with its partner colleges and universities, drew nine accepted students. Questbridge Scholars are guaranteed a four-year financial aid package with no loans and no parental contribution.

Williams College's strong financial aid program is critically important in encouraging outstanding students to apply. Admissions decisions are need-blind for U.S. students, and the college provides grants and other assistance to meet the demonstrated needs of all who are admitted.

Students who choose to come to Williams say they were attracted by its academic reputation, size, academic facilities, and the attractiveness of the campus, in addition to the personal attention and extracurricular opportunities it offers.

The college has been recognized for faculty involving undergraduates in their research. Of the students admitted this year, 188 expressed an interest in doing research in science.

The target size for the Class of 2014 is 550 students, the same as last year but up from 538 in the previous three years. Applicants were notified on March 30.

Applicants accepted through the Regular Decision process have until May 1 to decide whether or not to attend Williams. All accepted students were invited to attend the Williams Preview Program April 19-20 to explore the college and meet their future classmates.

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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/ Williams College can also be found on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/williamscollege and Twitter: http://twitter.com/williamscollege

News: Alison Hansen-Decelles