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An Overview: Williams Class of 2013
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., Sept. 14, 2009 -- The 254 men and 295 women who make up the Williams College Class of 2013 officially began their first day of classes on Sept. 10, when the college opened for the 2009-10 academic year.
The traditional introductory First Days took place September 2 through September 9. During this time, first-year students move in, explore the college and its resources, are introduced to academic departments and their advisors, and take placement exams and the mandatory swimming test.
Students also participated in one of a number of Ephventures, orientation programs designed to give students an opportunity to "explore, embark, experience, engage, examine, and expand." The ventures included exploration of the arts, cross cultural interests, and the Berkshires, community building; leadership development; athletics and outdoor orientation.
This year, 6,017 students applied and 1,229 students were accepted, resulting in a 20 percent admit rate. 224 students were admitted through the college's Early Decision Program.
In the fall of 2009, the Williams College student body will include students from 49 states (but no one from North Dakota) and 59 countries - from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
The largest numbers of U.S. students come from New York, Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, and New Jersey. (Fifteen are local, from the Berkshires or Bennington area.)
Fifty-eight percent come from public high schools, 31 percent from independent schools seven percent from parochial schools, and four percent were otherwise educated.
Thirty-four percent of the Class of 2013 self-identifies as American students of color, including 56 African Americans, 72 Asian Americans, 56 Latino/a, and one Native American. The Class has 32 international students.
By all standard measures of academic talent, including test scores and previous academic performance, this year's entering class is extremely impressive. SAT's for the cohort averaged 709 for critical reading and 699 for math and 707 for writing. The average ACT composite was 31. Eighty-eight percent of the class was ranked in the 10 percent of their graduating classes.
"Among these fine scholars, a wealth of talented young scientists artists, musicians, actors, and athletes promise to make the Class of 2013 as dynamic as it is bright and diverse," said Richard Nesbitt, director of admission. Seventy-eight of the students said they were interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in science, 47 received top ratings in music, 26 in studio art, and 16 in theatre.
Factors cited by students who elect to come to Williams are academic reputation, size of the college, personal attention, attractiveness of the campus, academic facilities, and extracurricular opportunities.
Williams College's strong financial aid program is critically important in encouraging outstanding students to apply.
Admission decisions are made regardless of a student's financial ability, and the college provides grants and other assistance to meet the demonstrated need of all who are admitted. Fifty-three percent of the class received aid. The average financial aid package (scholarship and work/study) was $39,350. The expected load debt owed by graduating seniors is $0. The range of family income of those assisted is $0 to $233,000.
"Even in these turbulent economic times, Williams is committed to meeting the full demonstrated need of all its financial aid applicants," said Paul J. Boyer, director of financial aid. "Williams provides its students with some of the most generous financial aid awards, applying its long standing need-based and need-blind policies to both domestic and international students."
The application deadline for Early Decision for the Class of 2014 is November 10, 2009; Regular Decision is January 1, 2010.
END
Founded in 1793, Williams College is the second oldest institution of higher learning in Massachusetts. The college's 2,000 students are taught by a faculty noted for the quality of their teaching and research, and the achievement of academic goals includes active participation of students with faculty in their research. Students' educational experience is enriched by the residential campus environment in Williamstown, Mass., which provides a host of opportunities for interaction with one another and with faculty beyond the classroom. Admission decisions are made regardless of a student's financial ability, and the college provides grants and other assistance to meet the demonstrated needs of all who are admitted.
To visit the college on the Internet: www.williams.edu/ Williams College can also be found on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/williamscollege and Twitter:http://twitter.com/williamscollege
The traditional introductory First Days took place September 2 through September 9. During this time, first-year students move in, explore the college and its resources, are introduced to academic departments and their advisors, and take placement exams and the mandatory swimming test.
Students also participated in one of a number of Ephventures, orientation programs designed to give students an opportunity to "explore, embark, experience, engage, examine, and expand." The ventures included exploration of the arts, cross cultural interests, and the Berkshires, community building; leadership development; athletics and outdoor orientation.
This year, 6,017 students applied and 1,229 students were accepted, resulting in a 20 percent admit rate. 224 students were admitted through the college's Early Decision Program.
In the fall of 2009, the Williams College student body will include students from 49 states (but no one from North Dakota) and 59 countries - from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe.
The largest numbers of U.S. students come from New York, Massachusetts, California, Connecticut, and New Jersey. (Fifteen are local, from the Berkshires or Bennington area.)
Fifty-eight percent come from public high schools, 31 percent from independent schools seven percent from parochial schools, and four percent were otherwise educated.
Thirty-four percent of the Class of 2013 self-identifies as American students of color, including 56 African Americans, 72 Asian Americans, 56 Latino/a, and one Native American. The Class has 32 international students.
By all standard measures of academic talent, including test scores and previous academic performance, this year's entering class is extremely impressive. SAT's for the cohort averaged 709 for critical reading and 699 for math and 707 for writing. The average ACT composite was 31. Eighty-eight percent of the class was ranked in the 10 percent of their graduating classes.
"Among these fine scholars, a wealth of talented young scientists artists, musicians, actors, and athletes promise to make the Class of 2013 as dynamic as it is bright and diverse," said Richard Nesbitt, director of admission. Seventy-eight of the students said they were interested in pursuing a Ph.D. in science, 47 received top ratings in music, 26 in studio art, and 16 in theatre.
Factors cited by students who elect to come to Williams are academic reputation, size of the college, personal attention, attractiveness of the campus, academic facilities, and extracurricular opportunities.
Williams College's strong financial aid program is critically important in encouraging outstanding students to apply.
Admission decisions are made regardless of a student's financial ability, and the college provides grants and other assistance to meet the demonstrated need of all who are admitted. Fifty-three percent of the class received aid. The average financial aid package (scholarship and work/study) was $39,350. The expected load debt owed by graduating seniors is $0. The range of family income of those assisted is $0 to $233,000.
"Even in these turbulent economic times, Williams is committed to meeting the full demonstrated need of all its financial aid applicants," said Paul J. Boyer, director of financial aid. "Williams provides its students with some of the most generous financial aid awards, applying its long standing need-based and need-blind policies to both domestic and international students."
The application deadline for Early Decision for the Class of 2014 is November 10, 2009; Regular Decision is January 1, 2010.
END
Founded in 1793, Williams College is the second oldest institution of higher learning in Massachusetts. The college's 2,000 students are taught by a faculty noted for the quality of their teaching and research, and the achievement of academic goals includes active participation of students with faculty in their research. Students' educational experience is enriched by the residential campus environment in Williamstown, Mass., which provides a host of opportunities for interaction with one another and with faculty beyond the classroom. Admission decisions are made regardless of a student's financial ability, and the college provides grants and other assistance to meet the demonstrated needs of all who are admitted.
To visit the college on the Internet: www.williams.edu/ Williams College can also be found on Facebook:http://www.facebook.com/williamscollege and Twitter:http://twitter.com/williamscollege
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