How to increase chances of getting into William and Mary?

I'm looking into William and Mary as one of my top choices, but I know it's a competitive school. What should I be focusing on to help improve my chances of getting admission? Any advice from current students or alumni would be amazing. Thanks in advance!

To increase your chances of getting admitted to William and Mary, consider focusing on these key areas:

1. Academics: William and Mary is a rigorous institution and will be looking for students with strong academic records. Take challenging courses, such as AP or IB classes, and maintain a high GPA. Try to improve your standardized test scores if they fall below the average for accepted students at William and Mary.

2. Extracurricular Involvement: Be highly involved in extracurricular activities that align with your interests or career goals. Aim for Tier 1 or Tier 2 activities, as these demonstrate achievement and leadership at the state, national, or international level. For more on the 4 Tiers of Extracurricular Activities, check out this CollegeVine article: https://blog.collegevine.com/breaking-down-the-4-tiers-of-extracurricular-activities/

3. Specialty or "Spike": Develop a specialty in your extracurriculars, showing a high level of commitment and achievement in a specific area. This "spike" can help you stand out to admissions officers who are looking for students with unique talents and passions.

4. Essays: Write compelling essays that showcase your personality, interests, and experiences. Avoid cliché topics and focus on capturing the admissions officers' attention with unique anecdotes and thoughtful reflections. For in-depth advice on tackling the William and Mary essays, check out this CollegeVine article: https://blog.collegevine.com/how-to-write-the-college-of-william-and-mary-essays

5. Letters of Recommendation: Cultivate strong relationships with teachers and counselors who can attest to your character and academic abilities. These letters give the admissions committee a deeper understanding of your strengths and potential contributions to the William and Mary community.

6. Demonstrated Interest: Research the school and stay up-to-date with their admission requirements, deadlines, and events. Attend information sessions, campus tours, or college fairs that feature William and Mary, to show the admissions committee your enthusiasm for the school.

7. Early Decision: Consider applying Early Decision to William and Mary, as this can boost your chances if the school is your top choice. Keep in mind that the decision is binding, so you should only take this route if you're sure it's the right fit for you.

To find out your personal chances of acceptance at William and Mary (and hundreds of other colleges and universities), take a look at CollegeVine's free chancing engine: https://www.collegevine.com/admissions-calculator

The engine uses your GPA, test scores, extracurriculars, and more to provide you with your odds of acceptance to over 1,600 colleges across the country. It can even suggest improvements to make your profile align more with William and Mary!

Lastly, don't forget to pay close attention to the application instructions, ensuring that you submit a well-prepared and complete application by the deadline. Good luck!