Application Instructions
The Williams Supplement and The Common Application
All candidates are required to submit the Common Application, available at Common App Online or in paper or disk format from high school guidance offices. We encourage you to apply online and direct your attention to the Hand-in-Hand process, which is fully explained on the Common App site. PLEASE READ ALL OF THE INSTRUCTIONS CAREFULLY, AS DIRECTED ON THE SITE, AND FOLLOW THEM TO THE LETTER BEFORE CALLING OR EMAILING OUR OFFICE WITH YOUR QUESTIONS.
The Hand-in-Hand Process requires you to do the following 3 things:
- Complete the Williams Supplement.
- Complete the Common Application.
- Choose your payment option: credit card, debit card, or fee waiver. (No personal checks with online submission)
Your application will not be retrieved by the Williams Admission office until all three of these steps are completed.
The Common Application Supplement
All applicants also must complete the Williams Supplement to furnish our office with relevant information not included on the Common Application. Students submitting their Williams Supplement and Common Application in hard copy must also submit the application fee by check. We cannot accept Credit/Debit card or electronic checks with the hard copy Supplement and Common Application. Please use these links to download the forms if you would like to submit supplement and application in hard copy:
Common Application (PDF) Download the file by right-clicking (control-click on a Mac) and save it to your desktop.
Williams College Supplement (PDF) Download the file by right-clicking (control-click on a Mac) and save it to your desktop.
The Application Fee
A fee of $60 is required and nonrefundable. For those submitting the Common Application online, this payment must be made electronically by credit or debit card via secure server at the time of application submittal. (If your guidance counselor certifies that the application fee poses a serious economic hardship, this fee may be waived.) For those applying by paper, PLEASE NOTE THAT CREDIT CARD PAYMENTS WILL NOT BE ACCEPTED. Please make your check payable to Williams College. Students residing abroad may send a $60 foreign draft drawn on a U.S. bank and payable in U.S. dollars, or a check in local currency drawn on a local bank and equivalent to U.S. $60. Please do not write "payable in U.S.$" on your check.
The Williams Supplement and the Common Application, along with the $60 application fee, are due by November 10 (Early Decision) of January 1 (Regular Decision). The Williams Supplement does not require an additional essay. Please mail hard copy versions of the Supplement to Office of Admission, 33 Stetson Court, Williamstown, MA 01267.
The Secondary School Report and Mid-Year School Report
These forms are due January 1 (November 10 for Early Decision) and February 20, respectively. They must be filled out and sent by your college advisor, principal, or head of school.
Two Teacher Evaluations
These are to be completed by teachers preferably in academic subjects you plan to continue in college or of primary interest to you now.
The Optional Peer Evaluation
The Peer Evaluation Form may be completed by a friend or someone who knows you well. A paper version of this form is included with our application booklet. You may also download the Peer Evaluation Form here. (Save the form to your computer by right-clicking on the document, using the command "save as," and selecting your desktop as the destination.)
Evaluation of Additional Arts Materials
If you have well-developed talent in the creative or performing arts, including samples with your application may enhance your admission prospects. Use the Arts Evaluation Form, available to download here: Arts Evaluation Form here. (Save the form to your computer by right-clicking on the document, using the command "save as," and selecting your desktop as the destination.) Please send copies of your work only; we are unable to return supplemental material.
In order to give the various departments time to evaluate your submissions, please send your additional materials by October 27 for Early Decision and December 20 for Regular Decision.
Whether or not you send samples, you may include an arts résumé listing your training and experience, repertoire or roles performed, and honors received.
Music
Send a cassette or CDlabeled with your name and address, instrument (or voice), and the work's title and composer. The preferred format is in two pieces, each two minutes in length - one fast and technical, the other slow and soulful. Do not send a full orchestral, band, or choral recording unless you are a featured soloist; if so, please specify your solo. Describe with whom and for how long you have trained, any ensemble and solo experience you have, and your plans for musical involvement in college.
Visual Art
Send samples of painting, drawing, sculpture, architecture, photography, and other mixed media. Send 10 (up to 20) examples of your artwork on 35 mm slides or a CD. As part of the 10-20 images, you may include details and various views of the same objects.
For slide submissions: Encase slides in 9’’ x 11” plastic sleeves. Indicate the orientation of the image by writing “top” on the slide mount. On the mounts or on a separate page include your name and the work’s title, date, medium, and size. Please number each slide.
For CD submissions: Send a separate page that includes your name and the work’s title, date, medium, and size. Please number each image. Images must be saved on the CD in JPEG format.
For time-based media (videos and computer animations): Submit work on CD or DVD. The outside should be labeled with your name, title of piece, medium, total running time, and date of completion. Videos must be saved in Quick Time format.
Please ensure that CDs and DVDs work properly before you mail them to our office. We are unable to confirm upon receipt whether they are damaged so please keep this in mind when choosing whether to submit digitally.
Please note that submissions which do not conform to the above specifications will not be reviewed.
Theatre
Send a résumé or a videocassette or a DVD of a performance of two contrasting monologues (less than five minutes total). Introduce the tape with name and address, titles of works to be performed, and your training and experience.
Dance
Send a résumé listing your training, experience, repertoire and honors received. Provide detail on your performance history, the styles and techniques you've studied, the dance companies of which you are a member and how long you have performed with them. Please note whether your study is year-round or seasonal. Also helpful, are the names of your private study/dance intensives instructors. You may include a short video or DVD that demonstrates your range of technical skills and or abilities as a choreographer. Please do not send a tape/DVD of a performance within a group, unless you are the choreographer.
Evaluation of Additional Scientific Research Materials
If you have pursued significant scientific research or mathematical projects and are considering a research or academic career, we welcome descriptions of your work. Please send a cover sheet, noting your intended field of study, and an abstract. Provide a résumé of related activities: independent projects, summer study or research, and recognition received. Do not send projects in their entirety.