William & Mary: Acceptance Rate and Your Chances
Updated June 2026 · CollegeCalcAI
| Acceptance rate | 33% |
| SAT (75th percentile) | 1480 |
| ACT (75th percentile) | 33 |
| Location | VA |
| School type | Public |
William & Mary is a public university in Williamsburg, Virginia with a long history as one of the country's most respected state schools. It accepts about 33% of applicants, which makes it genuinely selective without being an extreme long shot. Students who get in tend to have strong academic records and a clear sense of who they are.
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A 33% acceptance rate means William & Mary turns away about two out of every three students who apply. That puts it firmly in selective territory. You are not competing against a small pool of applicants, so a solid GPA and test scores are expected, not optional.
The good news is that roughly one in three applicants does get in. If your grades are strong, your courses are challenging, and your application reflects genuine interests, you have a real shot. It is not the kind of place where you need a perfect application just to be considered.
Test scores that make you competitive
Admitted students at William & Mary tend to score well on standardized tests. The 75th percentile SAT score is 1480, and the ACT equivalent is 33. That means three quarters of admitted students scored at or below those marks, so you do not need to hit those numbers exactly to be competitive. Scores in the 1300-1480 SAT range or 29-33 ACT range put you in a solid position.
William & Mary has offered test-optional policies in recent years, so students who feel their scores do not fully represent them have the option to apply without them. If your scores are on the lower side, a strong GPA and compelling activities can still carry your application.
What William & Mary looks for
William & Mary takes a holistic approach to admissions. Strong grades in challenging classes, like AP or IB courses, matter a lot. Beyond grades, they want to see that you have invested seriously in a few activities rather than collecting a long list of surface-level involvements. Quality wins over quantity here.
Essays also carry real weight. William & Mary wants to understand who you are, why you are drawn to the school, and what you would bring to campus. Students who write specific, personal essays tend to stand out more than those who write what they think admissions readers want to hear.
Estimate your chances at William & Mary
If you want a clearer picture of where you stand, CollegeCalcAI offers a free calculator that estimates your chances at William & Mary based on your GPA, test scores, and activities. It takes just a minute and gives you an honest, personalized read rather than a generic acceptance rate. Head to collegecalcai.com to try it.
Frequently asked questions
What is William & Mary's acceptance rate?
William & Mary accepts about 33% of applicants, making it a selective school where strong academic preparation is important.
What SAT or ACT score do I need for William & Mary?
The 75th percentile SAT score for admitted students is 1480 and the ACT is 33. Scores in the 1300-1480 SAT or 29-33 ACT range are competitive, though William & Mary has been test-optional for some application cycles.
Is William & Mary hard to get into?
Yes, with a 33% acceptance rate it is selective. Most applicants are not admitted, so you will want a strong academic record, but it is far from impossible for a well-prepared student.
See your real odds at William & Mary
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Sources: U.S. Department of Education (IPEDS), NCES, and publicly reported Common Data Sets. Acceptance rate and score figures are rounded and reflect recent admissions cycles. How we calculate chances.