Williams College Acceptance Results for the Class of 2029
Arkesh P.
Chief Operating Officer
Summary
Williams College, a top liberal arts college in Massachusetts, has completed its admissions cycle for the Class of 2029, admitting 1,313 students, resulting in an acceptance rate of 8.5%. In this post our experts highlight how Early Decision acceptance rates offer an exceptional statistical advantage, along with other Williams College admissions trends and insights, and tips on how to stand out as an applicant.
Williams College, a top liberal arts college in Massachusetts, has completed its admissions cycle for the Class of 2029. Williams sent out notifications to Regular Decision applicants on March 21st.
The school admitted 1,313 students out of 15,225 applicants, resulting in an acceptance rate of 8.5%. This year's rate, while low, is a rebound from last year's record-low 7.5% acceptance rate (Class of 2028).
Below is a more detailed breakdown of Williams' admissions landscape along with insights for prospective applicants hoping to chart their own path to this top-ranked liberal arts college.
Class of 2029 Overview
| Admission Round | Applicants | Admitted | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Early Decision (ED) | 964 | 257 | 26.6% |
| Regular Decision (RD) | 14,261 | 1,038 | 7.3% |
| Overall | 15,225 | 1,295 | 8.5% |
Key Trends and Insights
- The total number of applicants increased just slightly compared to last year, and school officials reported their intention of increasing the class size to 560 new enrolled students, compared to 550 in recent years.
- Overall acceptance rates at Williams have hovered around 8% for four consecutive years, highlighting the college's high level of selectivity.
- The Early Decision rate rose to 26.6% this year, compared to last year's 23.3%, when the school received a record-high 1,068 ED applicants.
Broader Admissions Trends:
- Pandemic-Era Rise in Applications: Applications to Williams jumped almost 43% beginning with the Class of 2025, resulting in a significant drop in the acceptance rate, down to 8% for the Class of 2025, compared to 15.1% the previous year.
- ED Advantage: Applying to ED to this leading liberal arts college can offer a statistical advantage for gaining admission, with ED acceptance rates at Williams ranging between 23–27% over the past three admissions cycles.
- Fluctuations Influenced by External Factors: Acceptance rates and application totals can vary due to external influences such as policy changes, global events (e.g., COVID-19), or targeted recruitment efforts.
The admissions landscape at Williams College remains exceptionally competitive, demanding applicants have a disciplined approach focused on high academic achievements and meaningful extracurricular involvement. Applicants should also focus on standing out authentically rather than merely fitting into a perceived mold.
Williams' Regular Decision Acceptance Results
Regular Decision Results: Class of 2029 vs 2028
| Admission Round | Class of 2029 | Class of 2028 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applications Received | 14,261 | 14,100 | +1.1% |
| Applications Accepted | 1,038 | 614 | +69% |
| RD Acceptance Rate | 7.3% | 6.4% | +1% |
Although up to 7.3% this year, compared to last year's 6.4%, the RD acceptance rate continues to be exceptionally competitive.
The overall number of RD applications rose only 1%, but the number of RD admits rose roughly 70%.
Williams' Early Decision Acceptance Results
Early Decision Results: Class of 2029 vs 2028
| Admission Round | Class of 2029 | Class of 2028 | % Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Applications Received | 964 | 1,068 | -9.7% |
| Applications Accepted | 257 | 249 | +3.2% |
| ED Acceptance Rate | 26.6% | 23.3% | +14% |
The number of ED applicants decreased almost 10%, down to 964 for the Class of 2029, compared to 1,068 last year, contributing to a significant increase in the ED acceptance rate this year.
The ED acceptance rate, above 25%, contrasts sharply with the RD acceptance rate of 7.3% and overall rate of 8.5%, making ED a way to get a large statistical edge, for students willing to accept ED's binding commitment.
- Higher Acceptance Rates: Early Decision applicants typically enjoy higher acceptance rates compared to Regular Decision.
- Demonstrated Interest: Applying early shows Williams College your strong interest in joining their academic community.
Historical Trends
The table below provides a snapshot of Williams College's overall acceptance rates over the past four years.
William's College's Overall Acceptance Rate Trends
| Class of | Total Applications | Accepted Applicants | Acceptance Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2029 | 15,425 | 1,313 | 8.5% |
| 2028 | 15,411 | 1,159 | 7.5% |
| 2027 | 10,315 | 858 | 9.8% |
| 2026 | 15,321 | 1,048 | 8.5% |
These historical data demonstrate Williams' consistently competitive admissions landscape, making it important to present a strong applicant profile and to consider applying ED for an additional advantage.
- Academic Excellence: Maintain top grades and a high GPA.
- Strong Essays: Use your essays to showcase your unique voice and story.
- Leadership and Extracurriculars: Strive to demonstrate meaningful engagement outside the classroom.
- Test Scores: If submitting, aim for high SAT or ACT scores within or above William College's reported range.
Final Thoughts
If you're a prospective student thinking about attending a leading liberal arts college like Williams, be sure to check out our full guide What Are the Top Liberal Arts Schools in 2025?
Otherwise, congratulations to all students admitted to Williams' Class of 2029 — your achievement reflects remarkable dedication and excellence. For those considering applying to Williams in the future, the admissions landscape is highly competitive, making strategic preparation essential.
Crimson Education specializes in helping ambitious students navigate this challenging process, with advising for Early Decision and Early Action strategies and offering students tailored guidance to build compelling applications that reflect their authentic strengths and passions.
If you're a student or parent interested in Williams College or other top universities, sign up here to connect with one of Crimson Education’s admissions advisors today. Tell us about your goals and find out how a comprehensive, personalized approach to admissions success can put you on a path to greater success!