Applying as a Transfer Student

Williams has a very limited number of places available for transfer candidates, and this number has been decreasing over the last several years. (See the chart below for transfer admission statistics.) Since Williams has a two year residence requirement for graduation, only candidates who have accumulated two years or less of college credit by the time they matriculate at Williams are eligible to apply for transfer. We do not accept applications for transfer from International, non-US citizens, only from U.S. citizens and permanent residents.

In reviewing transfer applications, the Committee on Admission considers carefully the applicant's academic record in college work (a 3.5 average within a strong course program is usually expected of successful transfer applicants). In addition to materials from an applicant's current college and the required recommendations, we expect an official copy of the secondary school transcript and SAT scores.

Up to two years of Williams credit may be awarded, upon entrance, for quality work completed at an accredited college or university. Grades of D+ or lower will not provide transfer credit. The Registrar will send a listing of approved credits to all successful transfer candidates at the time of their admission.

TO APPLY FOR TRANSFER

Application: Transfer candidates should submit the Common Application transfer application by March 15 for September entrance. Students are strongly encouraged to submit their application and the required Williams Supplement via Common App Online. The Common Application should be completed to represent fully your interests, abilities, and activities to the Committee on Admission. Your personal statement will become an integral part of your application. Our Committee intends that you will include in your essay your rationale for leaving your present college as well as your specific reasons for attending Williams. A non-refundable application fee of sixty ($60) dollars must accompany your application.

Transfer applicants should follow the same application instructions as first-year applicants, with additional requirements below. For those applying online, please note that Williams uses the Hand-in-Hand process via Common App online, which requires you do the following:

• 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)

For those applying by paper, please submit the Common Application via mail to Office of Admission, Williams College, 33 Stetson Court, Williamstown, MA 01267. Please note that credit card payments will not be accepted for paper application submissions. Please make your check payable to Williams College.

Decision letters will be mailed to all candidates by late May for September entrance.

The Common Application Supplement: All applicants 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 can use the forms included with the application booklet. A non-editable version of the Williams Supplement can be downloaded to your hard drive by right clicking here and using the command Save Target As to save a copy to your desktop or hard drive. Please note that this version cannot be submitted online. Reminder: hard copy submissions require payment by check.

School record: Ask the secondary school you attended to provide our office with the official transcript of your academic record for grades 9-12.

College Board Scores: All transfer applicants must submit an official report of results on the Scholastic Aptitude Test (SAT I). Achievement Test (SAT II) scores are not required, but if already taken, please forward results. Contact the College Entrance Examination Board (Box 592, Princeton, NJ 08540, or Box 1025, Berkeley, CA 94701) to forward score reports. If you took any Advanced Placement tests in high school, we would appreciate receiving those results as well.

College record: Arrangements should be made with your college Registrar to forward us an official transcript of your complete college record no later than March 15 for fall entrance. We require similar official records from any other colleges you have attended if applicable.

Supporting recommendations: The Dean of Students Report should be given to either your college Dean or faculty advisor for completion. The Report should be mailed directly to this office. In the same manner, two of your college teachers (one preferably in the area of your intended academic concentration) should respond to the Faculty Report forms. In addition, you may choose to submit the Optional Peer Reference, to be completed by a close friend or other appropriate person. Please impress on all parties the necessity to comply with our March 15 deadline.

Interviews: A personal interview is not required for admission. We feel, however, that it is important for applicants to visit Williamstown and to see the campus. Opportunities to meet with an admission officer or a faculty member are available from June 5 through November 30. Campus tours are available throughout the year.

Additional materials: In some cases the Committee on Admission may request additional information from a candidate when it feels that normally required documentation is not sufficient to reach a decision. Also, transfer applicants may wish to submit additional information on their own to supplement or amplify portions of the application.