University Insights

Williams College Acceptance Results for the Class of 2029

Williams College Accepts 8.5% of Students for Class of 2029
September 1

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 with an overall acceptance rate of 8.5%. Early Decision applicants experienced a significant advantage with an admission rate of 26.6%, compared to only 7.3% for Regular Decision applicants. Slight increases in total applications and a modest expansion of class size contributed to this year’s results.

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 RoundApplicantsAdmittedAcceptance Rate
Early Decision (ED)96425726.6%
Regular Decision (RD)14,2611,0387.3%
Overall15,2251,2958.5%
Advice From our Crimson Strategists

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 RoundClass of 2029Class of 2028% Change
Applications Received 14,26114,100+1.1%
Applications Accepted1,038614+69%
RD Acceptance Rate7.3%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 RoundClass of 2029Class of 2028% Change
Applications Received 9641,068-9.7%
Applications Accepted257249+3.2%
ED Acceptance Rate26.6%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.

Why Apply Early Decision?

William's College's Overall Acceptance Rate Trends

Class ofTotal ApplicationsAccepted ApplicantsAcceptance Rate
202915,4251,3138.5%
202815,4111,1597.5%
202710,3158589.8%
202615,3211,0488.5%

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.

How To Stand Out in Williams' Admissions Process
  • 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 is dedicated to providing tailored college admissions consulting that helps ambitious students navigate this challenging process, with counseling for Early Decision and Early Action strategies and expert guidance on building 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 world leading consultants. We want to hear about your goals and explain how our comprehensive, personalized approach to admissions success leads to outstanding results at Ivy League institutions, top liberals arts colleges, and other leading institutions like Stanford, MIT, UCLA, Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, and more.

For inspiration, learn more about Crimson's work and vision and check out the current slate of Crimson Education events and webinars.

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