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William & Mary

William & Mary

Six optional 300-word prompts where showing up at all signals your interest, so the two you pick should be the two only you could write.

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Supplemental prompts

6 optional (answer 1-2)

Word limit

300 words each

Common App essay

Required (650 words)

Testing

Test-optional

What William & Mary rewards

William & Mary gives you six supplemental prompts and asks you to answer just one or two, each capped at 300 words. That generosity is a quiet test. Because the essays are optional, writing them at all signals genuine interest, and which two you choose tells the reader as much as what you say. The school is test-optional, and you still owe the 650-word Common App personal statement on top of whatever you pick here.

The core challenge is restraint and fit. At 300 words you cannot do a topic justice if you pick a vague one, so the move is to choose prompts that let you sound like a specific person at a specific small school, not a generic strong applicant. W&M is a tight-knit public Ivy that prizes community, history, and curiosity. Pick the two prompts only you could answer, then make every line earn its place.

01Community as a verb. W&M opens with a community prompt for a reason. It rewards applicants who show how they actually build, join, and sustain groups, not just which clubs they joined. Show yourself contributing to something larger than your own resume.
02Curiosity with a direction. The strongest answers connect a real intellectual itch to specific W&M offerings: a professor's work, the Sharpe seminars, COLL curriculum, a lab, a study-abroad program. Specificity reads as homework, and homework reads as interest.
03Reflection over event. W&M's challenge and background prompts care less about the dramatic thing that happened and more about what you made of it. They want to see a mind processing experience, drawing meaning, and changing.
04Voice and place. The town prompt and the family prompt both reward vivid, rooted, sensory writing. W&M likes students who notice things and can render the texture of where they come from on the page.

Essay prompts for 2026-2027

2 prompts for William & Mary, each broken down with annotated examples.

Why William & Mary300 words max (optional; answer one or two of six prompts)

What led to your interest in William & Mary?

Community & belonging300 words max (optional; answer one or two of six prompts)

Are there any particular communities that are important to you, and how do you see yourself being a part of our community?

See all 2 prompts and get a read

Your chance

See your chance

Add your GPA, test scores, and profile to estimate your odds at William & Mary and build a balanced list.

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Deadlines

Early Decision INovember 1
Early Decision IIJanuary 5
Regular DecisionJanuary 5
ED I / RD notificationEarly December / By April 1

Cost

Sticker price$46,797
Avg net after aid$19,500
Meets full needMost
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Explore William & Mary
How to get inAcceptance rate, the GPA and SAT profile, and what William & Mary weighs most Supplemental essays2 prompts, each broken down with annotated examples Cost & financial aidAverage $19,500/yr after aid · net price by income + calculator InterviewDoes William & Mary interview? Format, tips, and practice The William & Mary Reader ProScore your draft against William & Mary's exact prompts
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William & Mary FAQ

What is William & Mary's acceptance rate?

William & Mary admits roughly 37% of applicants overall, with the binding Early Decision pool admitted at close to 49%. Admitted students cluster near the top of their class, with a middle 50% SAT of 1390-1520 and ACT of 32-34, though the school is genuinely test-optional and a large share of a recent class applied without scores. At William & Mary, a strong application essay and a well-balanced school list matter alongside your grades and test scores.

What supplemental essays does William & Mary require?

William & Mary requires 2 supplemental essays on its application. On EssayLens each prompt is broken down with annotated examples, and you can get a free admissions-style read of your draft against the exact prompt.

How much does William & Mary cost?

William & Mary's published sticker price is about $46,797 per year, but the average family pays $19,500 after financial aid. Your net price depends on your family income; use the calculator to estimate yours.

Does William & Mary require SAT or ACT scores?

William & Mary is test-optional: you can apply without SAT or ACT scores, and strong scores are just one factor among many when you do submit them.

When are William & Mary's application deadlines?

William & Mary's application deadlines are Early Decision I November 1; Early Decision II January 5; Regular Decision January 5; ED I / RD notification Early December / By April 1. Add William & Mary to your plan on EssayLens to track its deadlines automatically.

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