Williams College: Acceptance Rate and Your Chances
Updated June 2026 · CollegeCalcAI
| Acceptance rate | 10% |
| SAT (75th percentile) | 1530 |
| ACT (75th percentile) | 35 |
| Location | MA |
| School type | Private |
Williams College is a private liberal arts college in Williamstown, Massachusetts, in the Berkshires. It accepts about 10% of applicants and is widely considered one of the finest liberal arts colleges in the country. The small class size and remote setting create a campus culture that is distinctly focused on learning and community.
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A 10% acceptance rate puts Williams in the same tier of selectivity as schools like Swarthmore, Amherst, and Bowdoin. Getting in requires an excellent academic record and an application that communicates something real and specific about who you are. Because the student body is so small, every person admitted has a meaningful presence in the community, and that shapes how the admissions office thinks about each application.
Williams fills a substantial portion of its class through early decision, which makes applying ED a practical consideration if the school is genuinely your top choice.
Test scores that make you competitive
The SAT 75th percentile for admitted students at Williams is 1530, and the ACT 75th percentile is 35. Scoring at these levels puts you in the upper tier of admitted students on the testing dimension. Williams has a test-optional policy, so you are free to apply without submitting scores, and many students do so successfully.
What Williams College looks for
Williams is looking for students who will thrive in an intense academic environment and contribute to a small, close community. Rigorous course selection and strong performance are table stakes. Beyond that, your essays and recommendations need to paint a picture of someone who is genuinely curious and engaged, not just accomplished on paper.
Depth in extracurriculars carries more weight than breadth. Students who have committed to something over time and made a real difference, in whatever domain that is, tend to stand out. Williams also values students who will bring different perspectives and experiences to campus, so do not underestimate the value of sharing what makes your background or viewpoint distinct.
Estimate your chances at Williams College
CollegeCalcAI offers a free college chances calculator at collegecalcai.com. You can enter your GPA, test scores, and activities and get a personalized estimate of your odds at Williams in seconds. It is a helpful reality check when you are thinking through where to apply.
Frequently asked questions
What is Williams College's acceptance rate?
Williams College's acceptance rate is approximately 10%, so roughly 1 in 10 applicants is admitted each year.
What SAT or ACT score do I need for Williams College?
The SAT 75th percentile for admitted students is 1530 and the ACT 75th percentile is 35. Williams is test-optional, so these serve as competitive benchmarks rather than requirements.
Is Williams College hard to get into?
Yes. A 10% acceptance rate makes Williams one of the most selective liberal arts colleges in the country. Strong academics, authentic essays, and a clear sense of fit all matter.
See your real odds at Williams College
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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.