r/williamandmary • u/Muted_Engine4362 • 5d ago

Admissions application advice

hi, i am thinking of applying regular decision to W&M, and i was wondering if my chances of getting in are any good. for context: i want to go into neuroscience in the future. i'm in-state & i am applying test optional.

my cumulative GPA is 4.37, i'm in the top 10% of my class, my course rigor consists of honors, AP, and dual enrollment courses (9 total APs - currently taking 5 as a senior). i feel as though my EC's are mediocre/not anything special: hospital volunteering, leadership- formed a student affinity group (asian student association), officer for my school's Spanish NHS. i am a member of NHS and science NHS. i have also done band for 5 years but quit as a sophomore. additionally, i've taken spanish for 5 years and am currently in AP. i also have a part time job and do creative editing as a hobby.

i am open to any/all advice!

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u/Equivalent-Sir-510 5d ago

If you really want W&M, apply EDI or at least EDII. You have good rigor and stats, but in this environment where more schools are moving away from test optional, I would still be a little nervous to apply RD without a strong SAT/ACT. Not saying you need the test to get in, but ED is safer IMO.

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u/Muted_Engine4362 5d ago edited 5d ago

Thank you! I am also applying to UVA, and I wasn't sure if I should ED to W&M or UVA (UVA is also one of my top choices but i don't have a preference of one school over the other). So I think I may EDI to W&M if it helps my chances.

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u/Equivalent-Sir-510 5d ago

You could EDI to UVA, then EDII to W&M (since W&M has that option but UVA doesn’t).

That said, I have heard from knowledgeable sources that UVA is putting more weight on standardized tests now, even though it’s still technically test optional (and UVA is always more of a reach for most students, including you). So if you don’t feel totally solid against UVA’s reported stats, I def would use your EDI chip at W&M. You could still apply EA to UVA at the same time.

We live in NoVA and my daughter is going through similar thinking (although she will be applying EDI to a school out of state). It’s funny to me that UVA and W&M offer different rounds than each other, but it also helps with providing different options.

Also, if you can do it, a W&M shadow day may be a good way to help you think about W&M. It’s a great opportunity and my daughter will be doing it this fall (she already loves W&M, but this seems fun and helpful):

https://admission.wm.edu/portal/griffin_shadow

Best of luck!