william and mary sample essays

What are your chances of acceptance?

Calculate for all schools, your chance of acceptance.

Your chancing factors

Extracurriculars.

How to Write the College of William & Mary Essays 2023-2024

The College of William & Mary, located in the easternmost part of Virginia, is the second oldest institution of higher education in the country, just after Harvard. As such, the school has educated some of the earliest and most influential names in American history, including Thomas Jefferson, John Marshall, Henry Clay, and George Washington. It has since been designated a Public Ivy , signaling its exceptional academics.

Given the caliber of a William & Mary education, it’s no surprise that gaining admission here is competitive. On top of impressive grades and extracurriculars, you will also need unique and compelling essays to set you apart from the crowd. In this post, we’ll go over the essay prompts for the College of William & Mary and detail how to write effective responses to them.

College of William & Mary Supplemental Essay Prompts

All applicants (optional).

Prompt directions: William & Mary is a community that fosters deep human connection. We reflect on the lessons of history to meet the challenges of a rapidly changing world. We engage diverse perspectives and seek wisdom in bridging differences. Together, we are unceasing in our efforts to make a meaningful difference in our communities, the state, the nation, and the world.

To help us learn more about you, we invite you to share additional information by answering up to two of these optional short-answer prompts. Think of this optional opportunity as show and tell by proxy. (300 words each)

Option A: Beyond your impressive academic credentials and extracurricular accomplishments, what else makes you unique and colorful?

Option B: Are there any particular communities that are important to you, and how do you see yourself being a part of our community?

Option C: How has your family, culture and/or background shaped your lived experience?

Option D: Share more about a personal academic interest or career goal.

Option E: Tell us about a challenge or adversity you’ve experienced and how that has impacted you as an individual.

Option F: If we visited your town, what would you want to show us?

St. Andrews Joint Degree Program Applicants

As an applicant to the joint degree programme you are required to submit an additional 1500–2000 word essay outlining your interest in the particular academic area to which you are applying – classical studies, economics, english, film studies, history, or international relations; and what particularly interests you about the jdp in your chosen major. be as specific as you can. demonstrating that you are familiar with the jdp website—its policies and curriculum—will be helpful to your application, as will examples of your ability to take on a particularly challenging, as well as rewarding, educational experience that demands adaptability, flexibility, and an appreciation for other cultures and institutional practices., all applicants prompt, option a, beyond your impressive academic credentials and extracurricular accomplishments, what else makes you unique and colorful (300 words).

This prompt, similarly to the Common App Additional Information section , provides you with an opportunity to share something that the admissions committee wouldn’t find anywhere else on your application. Your response shouldn’t just be focused on academics or your favorite club you’re a part of. It also shouldn’t be extra information in the sense of extenuating circumstances that impacted you or your studies—it should be something fun, special, or quirky about you that sets you apart from others.

Below are some categories to spark your creativity and help you brainstorm:

• Hobbies: You might play the harmonica with your dad in your freetime. Or, maybe you upcycle clothes you thrift and host your own fashion shows in your backyard. You could belong to a rock-climbing gym and go every week. Or, perhaps you’ve cultivated your own butterfly garden on the rooftop of your apartment.
• Random talents: Can you name all the world capitals? Are you great at unicycling? Maybe you have a signature dance move you bring out at every party. You might have perfect pitch, which makes you a great (or really annoying) judge of your brother’s band.
• Skills: Perhaps you can play the piano with your eyes closed, since you’ve been playing for so many years. Do you know how to speak American Sign Language? Perhaps you know how to change a car tire in under a minute. Maybe you taught yourself how to DJ and mix music.
• Personality traits: Maybe you’re notorious for being chronically late. Perhaps your sarcastic sense of humor is a defining part of your character. You might be incredibly adventurous and down to take any risks. Or, maybe you’re incredibly empathetic and always offer your friends a shoulder to cry on.
• Accomplishments: Have you run a marathon? Did you code your own app on the App Store? Maybe you and your friends started a podcast where you talk about health and wellness tips. Perhaps you obtained a scuba diving certification.

As you can see from the examples above, you can have fun and share random facts with the admissions committee here. You have 300 words for this essay though, so make sure to tell a story along with your fun fact. Anecdotes are a great way to let your personality shine through in your writing.

Share how you first learned your talent, why you enjoy pursuing your hobby, what it felt like to finally accomplish the goal you had been working towards, how your personality manifests itself in specific situations, etc. This essay is all about the story you can craft to accompany your unique talent, skill, ability, or trait.

All Applicants Prompt, Option B

Are there any particular communities that are important to you, and how do you see yourself being a part of our community (300 words).

When it comes to a diverse community essay , many students feel like it has to be a racial or ethnic community, so they avoid choosing a prompt like this because they feel like they don’t have a valuable contribution. That couldn’t be farther from the truth though! Communities can take any shape or form, from extracurricular clubs to sports teams and from online communities to religious groups! Anyone can write a great essay if they just think deeply about some “nontraditional” communities they might be in.

A quick note if you intend to write about your racial or ethnic community: In June 2023, the United States Supreme Court struck down the use of affirmative action in college admissions. The ruling, however, still allows colleges to consider race on an individual basis, which is one reason many schools are now including diversity prompts as one of their supplemental essay prompts.

If you feel that your racial background has impacted you significantly, this is one place to discuss that. You might also consider writing the next prompt instead if you want to dig deeper into how your background has affected you.

For this prompt there are two crucial things you need to do.

• Describe a meaningful community you are part of, your role in it, and its impact on you.
• Explain how you will contribute to, and what you will gain from, the William & Mary community.

In order to better understand each component of the essay, let’s look at each in greater detail.

Describe an Existing Community

Your essay should start off by discussing a community that you’re currently a part of. The community you pick should be one that is meaningful to you. Meaningfulness can vary from person to person—you might think a community where you’re a leader is meaningful, while another person might think a community that connects them to their culture is more meaningful—so it’s important that you make it clear why you find your chosen community important in your essay.

The essay should include a thorough description of the community. For example, telling us, “Every January or February, the Chinese families in my neighborhood gather for a giant Chinese New Year celebration,” doesn’t provide us much imagery to understand the community.

Instead, these sentences provide a wealth of information with their use of imagery: “Crimson and gold dragons danced around the room, which was crowded with dozens of Chinese families hugging and wishing each other a lucky New Year. Crispy chun juan, sugary-sweet tang yuan, and steaming changshou mian adorned the tables, drawing the attention of hungry youngsters.”

In addition to describing the community, you should also establish the role you play in the community. This helps the admissions committee to better understand your involvement with the community and to think about the role you’ll play in the William & Mary community one day. 

Finally, explain the impact of the community on you . This part is extremely important because it allows for self-reflection and lets you demonstrate how you’ve been shaped by the community. The impact could be emotional (for example, feeling like you’ve found a home) or it could be more tangible (maybe you learned a new skill or got to try something you never had the opportunity to do before).

Connect to the William & Mary Community

Once you’ve established your existing community and the important role it played in your high school life, you need to turn your attention towards future you, and think about the William & Mary community.

There are a few ways you can connect the ideas from the first half of your essay to those in the second half.

Firstly, you might want to find a similar community at William & Mary to join. A student who was in their school’s marching band might want to join the marching band at William & Mary to continue playing their instrument and to connect with other students who share a passion for band.

Another option is to seek out a specific community at college. For example, maybe at home you were part of a large Jewish community and didn’t have to go out of your way to connect with others, but at college you plan to join Hillel to ensure you have that established community.

You might choose to instead discuss how you will engage with the William & Mary community more broadly. In that case, you could talk about how you will apply the lessons you learned from being in your community to college. Maybe you learned patience and negotiation from serving on the student government, and you will use those skills to handle disputes that might arise with your dormmates or classmates.

Or, you could describe how you will find ways to get the same impact from a college community that you had in high school. For instance, being a member of the multicultural club allowed you to explore and appreciate new cultures you were never exposed to before, so you are planning on taking language and anthropology classes to keep feeding your fascination with other cultures.

Another way to approach this option is to explain how you want to play a similar role in the William & Mary community. So, if you enjoyed being a leader on your sports team, maybe you want to join student government in college to continue growing your leadership skills.

Regardless of how you connect your previous experiences to a particular college community at W&M, keep in mind that you need to demonstrate both what you will get from the community at W&M and what you can give to it. Many students forget to explain the contribution they can make—whether it be teaching others, helping people as a leader, or something else entirely—so remember to include that in your essay.

All Applicants Prompt, Option C

How has your family, culture and/or background shaped your lived experience (300 words).

This is a fairly direct instance of the common diversity prompt . When colleges have a diversity prompt, they want to know about your own personal background and how it has influenced your worldview and perspectives.

As mentioned in the previous option, in June 2023 the United States Supreme Court struck down the use of affirmative action in college admissions. Nevertheless, colleges can still consider race on an individual basis, which is one reason many schools are now including diversity prompts as one of their supplemental essay prompts. If you feel that your racial background has impacted you significantly, this is a great place to discuss that.

In general, such a common prompt can be approached with a traditional answer. You might consider answering this prompt with what you think is the most important part of your identity, then a small discussion about how that aspect of diversity is relevant to you and your general life experiences.

Such a response might be written about one of the following scenarios:

• Using your fluency in another language to help members of a specific community.
• Interpreting a text in class differently from your classmates because of your ethnic culture.
• Having a friend of a different background who has changed your perspective on something important.
• Having an illness or disability that helps you view accessibility through a different lens than your peers.
• Taking on more responsibility in your family due to the illness or loss of a parent.
• Approaching a situation involving money differently than a friend from a different socioeconomic background.

Diversity encompasses all the above attributes, but you should strive for individuality and specificity in your response. This prompt, like the others, is an opportunity to showcase your unique life perspective. You don’t want to waste your essay by writing down bland dictionary definitions. Go beyond what makes you diverse and really think about the impact it has had on your life. How has that aspect of your identity contributed to your growth and development? How has it been a challenge?

Make sure your essay digs deep into how you have been impacted. A decent essay will explain a student’s unique background, but a great essay will describe how that background influenced their actions and personality.

All Applicants Prompt, Option D

Share more about a personal academic interest or career goal. (300 words).

Instead of a traditional “Why This Major?” prompt , this option allows you more freedom to discuss any academic interest or goal. While you can totally approach this essay by discussing your interest in your major, if you feel like you’ve already discussed that a lot elsewhere in your application, don’t be afraid to discuss a more niche passion that isn’t directly related to your major.

Also note that you are asked to share an academic interest or a career goal—you don’t have to squeeze both in. That being said, the two often go hand-in-hand, so if your essay naturally flows from your interest to your career goals, that’s completely fine.

In terms of writing the actual essay, the main thing you need to do is communicate your passion for the topic. The prompt doesn’t ask for you to discuss anything in particular, so you can choose from a variety of essay styles.

• You could talk about your first encounter with the academic subject or career.
• You could explain independent research you conducted related to the field.
• You could share your favorite memory related to the topic.
• You could describe your emotional connection to the interest or career.
• You could explain ways in which you’ve engaged with the topic or career outside of school.

However you choose to approach the essay, it’s crucial that you share new information with the admissions committee. This is an opportunity for you to demonstrate the depth of your passion and provide them with more information about yourself, so if you’ve already talked about volunteering at a hospital in your extracurricular section, either pick a specific anecdote from your time volunteering to highlight your love for it, or find a different way to show your interest in becoming a surgeon.

Let’s look at a sample response from a student.

“I’ve been fascinated with economics since I first heard of bonds and stocks. The market is a constant force that affects our lives in ways most of us never even think about. But what even fewer of us consider is how our own thoughts and decisions influence the market. This phenomenon is better known as economic psychology.

In 10th grade I was able to fully explore my passion for economic psychology when my history teacher assigned us an independent research project. I decided to look at the psychological factors behind the Black Friday market crash of 1929 and compare it to the factors at play during the 2008 financial crisis. Through countless hours of research, I learned about the complexities of economic psychology and my fascination only grew.

Looking to the future, I cannot wait to take my passion for economic psychology and apply it to organizations. Being able to truly understand the impact individuals have on a market can put a company miles ahead of its competitors and even make it easier to more accurately predict economic downturns.”

While this student does share more about their specific interest in an academic subject, the reader doesn’t get a full sense of why this student is passionate about this topic. The essay is missing elaboration and excitement because the student is telling us everything, not showing us.

To fix this essay, let’s zoom into the research project the student did and use that to explain their interest in economic psychology.

“‘You can’t predict the market!’ ‘History repeats itself!’ Well, which is it? If history repeats itself, shouldn’t market trends be somewhat predictable? This question consumed my every thought during my monthlong 10th grade research project. However, my approach differed from the opinions of erudite academics—understand people to understand the market. Assuming the role of an economic psychologist, it was time to learn how people can influence financial markets.

To most people, the 1920s and early 2000s bear zero resemblance. Velvet tracksuits and hip hop convey a very different aesthetic from that of flappers and the jazz age, but to an economic psychologist, those two decades are like twins separated at birth. The financial crisis at the end of each decade could have been predicted if you look at people’s underlying motivations in markets and their attitudes towards risk. It might make Adam Smith roll in his grave, but economics has far more to do with people than it does with math.

It was this realization that got my blood pumping. Suddenly, there’s a new way of looking at the world—a way that builds people back up from the raw numbers economists strip them down to. Understanding the mechanics of economic psychology in the past opens the door to predict market trends in the future. You could call it sorcery; I call it science.

The future of economic psychology is as limitless as our imaginations. I can feel my mind start revving up to pick apart market trends every time the Dow swings. Who is at the root of that downturn? Is the general public experiencing a sense of security right now? Not only have I come to understand economics in a new light, but my perspective on people has also blossomed through my fascination with economic psychology.”

Notice the huge improvement in the level of detail, and thus the interest in the subject, that the student is able to convey by focusing on a specific example? That’s what you should aim for in your essay.

All Applicants Prompt, Option E

Tell us about a challenge or adversity you’ve experienced and how that has impacted you as an individual. (300 words).

This prompt is similar to the second Common Application prompt on overcoming challenges , so if you already picked that prompt for your Common App essay, maybe don’t choose it again for your supplement. If you haven’t written about a challenge yet though, this prompt could be a good choice.

Whereas most prompts asking about a challenge will ask you how you overcame it, this one does not. Instead, it simply wants to hear about the impact adversity had on you. While you can definitely write about the impact in terms of overcoming the challenge, you aren’t limited to discussing a challenge that you conquered. You can just as easily choose a challenge that persists in your life and explain how you’ve learned to cope with it.

If you are choosing a challenge that you didn’t overcome, just be mindful not to make your essay totally negative and hopeless. No one wants to read an essay where a student complains about the adversity in their life and doesn’t do anything to fix it. It’s okay to discuss how you were negatively impacted by adversity—if anything, that can bring more emotion to your essay—but spin it in a positive light or show your growth from the experience.

The most important part of this essay is demonstrating how the adversity you faced impacted you. The majority of your essay should be centered around this, rather than describing the challenge in detail. But how can you make sure you show the impact?

You might consider drawing a comparison between the before and after of the challenge:

“The balance beam was my home. On that four-inch-wide plank my feet had eyes of their own. With a running start, a springboard, and a half twist in the air, I could land one foot miraculously in front of the other, perfectly posed a meter off the ground. But what once came so easily is just a memory. My broken ankle is like a lead ball chaining me to the ground, even years after the cast came off.

Where I once used to flip through the air like a coin debating between heads and tails, I now sit on the side and get to watch other girls feel the exhilaration that used to be mine. I watch their smiling faces after sticking a landing or the sharp jolt of pain cross their features when they fall off the beam, and my expressionless face hides the agony deep down that there will always be a part of me missing.”

You could include your inner monologue to demonstrate the impact adversity had on your thought process:

“The horrifying crimson 60 across the top of my pristine white paper caused my stomach to lurch. ‘HOW?! I worked so hard for this one. Mr. Andersen has no idea what he’s talking about.’ Content with shoving the blame off myself, I stuffed the crumpled paper into my bag and stormed out the room. ‘What do I do with three failing grades in one quarter? Should I talk to him after school?’ The thought of asking for help felt like a betrayal to my independence, but what other choice did I have?

‘It’s just one conversation. How bad could it be?’ Pushing my stubbornness aside, I reluctantly turned around and slinked back into the classroom. After all, facing Mr. Andersen would be easier than facing my parents.”

Another strategy is describe the impact adversity had on your actions:

“No way was I prepared to take no for an answer. Immediately getting to work, I scribbled out a rough petition to increase funding for the drama department. Turning to my friends in the musical, I got my first signatures. In between classes and bites of cafeteria pizza, I collected signatures like they were my oxygen. Before I even hit 200, I began creating slides with pictures from past productions and testimonials from students.

Every night before bed I practiced my speech in the mirror, stressing different phrases to determine the best way to deliver each line to my audience. At last, the night of the board meeting came. Strolling confidently to the center of the room, I felt the familiar heat of lights in my face and expectant faces ready for me to speak.”

You can also choose to focus on your emotional impact:

“Returning from the hospital at 3am, there was a gut-wrenching loneliness that shrouded every object I looked at. But it was her half-finished crochet blanket that caused white hot tears to sting my eyes. It was too small to fully envelop myself in, and it would forever remain that size. With a blanket unable to warm me from the cold numbness spreading through my fingers and toes, I stared at nothing and surrendered myself to the all-powerful grief at last.”

As you can see, there are many ways to demonstrate the impact the challenge had on you. However, challenges can also have multiple impacts. For instance, the last example shows the negative impact of losing a loved one, but the essay could go on to discuss how the student found ways to remember their family member and to harness their grief to think about happy memories. This would be a good example of discussing a sad challenge but not letting the essay itself turn into something overly depressing to read.

All Applicants Prompt, Option F

If we visited your town, what would you want to show us (300 words).

This option is the most lighthearted of all, but just because it isn’t strictly academic doesn’t mean it doesn’t reveal a lot about the student. The purpose of asking this question is to see what types of things you value, based on what you want to show someone about your hometown.

A student who takes the admissions committee on a food crawl of their town would probably be a big foodie. Someone who shows off a historical monument and tells an interesting story about the history behind it likely enjoys history and storytelling. Similarly, someone showing off the soccer field by their school might want to demonstrate their determination by showing the place where they’ve spent countless years practicing.

It’s important that you include explanations about why you’re choosing to show this in your essay to help the admissions committee understand its importance to you and your values.

For example, the student showing a monument shouldn’t say, “I’d show you the statue of Teddy Roosevelt in the park because he was an influential president.” Instead, they should say something like this: “Looking up at Teddy Roosevelt’s figure, I’d explain how his model of diplomacy changed the landscape of international relations in the 20th century, making him a key figure to understand in a postcolonial world.”

You aren’t limited to just showing physical locations or places. If someone came to your hometown you might want to show them the solar-powered toy car you and your friends built because it isn’t easily transportable. Or maybe you want to take the admissions committee to your chorus concert so they can see the hard work that went into the five part harmonies.

Perhaps you would even want to show them something that has changed dramatically or that doesn’t exist anymore, like the corner where you opened your first lemonade stand or your favorite restaurant that went out of business a few years ago.

Here are a few more tips to help you approach this essay:

• Keep your list relatively short. You might be tempted to show off a few different places, but try to keep it to three or fewer. It’s a better idea to give more background and depth for an individual place than to create an itinerary that lacks detail and is full of different stops.
• Have a central theme connecting your places. If you decide to include multiple places, make sure they are all related in some way. For example, you could show the two dance studios and describe your growth in dance as you progressed from one to the other. Or you could pick the three cafés in your town that have the best coffee that gets you through your day.
• Try to avoid generic places. While you might like to show people your house, school, or local mall, there are far more unique options for you to pick that will excite the admissions committee more. Take your time brainstorming to come up with something that is personal to you and won’t be overdone.
• Include anecdotes. The best way to show the reader why the place is important to you is to tell a story about its significance. Bring the reader into one of your memories at the place to show why this is one of your favorite places in your hometown.

This prompt is asking a few different things. First, it wants to know why you’re interested in the particular subject you’re applying to. Second, why the Joint Degree Program? And third, what experiences have you undertaken that prove you want to learn more about other cultures and institutions?

While this prompt isn’t exactly either archetype, it may help you to look at CollegeVine’s guides to the “Why This Major?” prompt and the “Why This College?” prompt .

You can begin the essay by talking about your interest in, and experience with, the major you are applying to. If it’s film studies, for example, open with the story of when you first fell in love with film. Maybe watching Birdman , uniquely filmed to look like a never-ending shot, made you want to learn more about camera angles and the science of cinematography. This is a good way to lead into how you have pursued this interest (i.e., your experience in film studies). Prove that you have lasting passion for the academic area, rather than choosing one on a whim.

Next, you need to demonstrate that the Joint Degree Program is the best way for you to study this topic. That’s going to require specificity, and in order to get there, you need to extensively research the program both at William & Mary and at St. Andrews . As you research, take notes on what makes both institutions unique in this area of study.

Continuing with the example of film studies, here’s an example of some things to note at both schools:

At William & Mary:

• WMTV is a student-run television show at W&M
• Students can submit their films or volunteer at the W&M Global Film Festival

At St. Andrews:

• The Film Studies boardroom has unique virtual reality facilities
• The Byre conference room has 3D projection
• St. Andrews’s library has one of the best cinema collections in the world, with over 9,300 pieces of AV material

You’ll want to note specific characteristics at each school, but you have to make it clear that simply attending one of the institution’s programs is not sufficient to help you reach your goals. This is an important point to stress in your essay to make sure that your interest in the fusion of the two schools is clear. For help with this, be sure to check out the majors page to read up on your chosen subject through the lens of the Joint Degree Program.

As an example, the film studies major in the JDP has students work on an independent research project. Perhaps you are fascinated by the influence of national identity on mainstream media and hope to research this by using W&M and St. Andrews as contrasting case studies. Whatever your story may be, make it clear that the JDP is a fit for your interests and goals, and show that you have done research on the program.

Finally, the third part of the prompt asks you to validate your interest in learning about other cultures and institutions. Perhaps, in the case of film studies, you created a short film in which you interviewed first-generation immigrants in order to study global perspectives and the impact these perspectives have on living and working in America. Show your interest in acquiring a global perspective.

If you haven’t had the opportunity to explore this interest concretely, discuss ways in which you hope to study it in the future. Conclude your essay by tying this back to your aspirations for the future and to how the JDP will help you achieve them.

Where to Get Your William & Mary Essays Edited

Do you want feedback on your W&M essays? After rereading your essays countless times, it can be difficult to evaluate your writing objectively. That’s why we created our free Peer Essay Review tool , where you can get a free review of your essay from another student. You can also improve your own writing skills by reviewing other students’ essays.

If you want a college admissions expert to review your essay, advisors on CollegeVine have helped students refine their writing and submit successful applications to top schools. Find the right advisor for you to improve your chances of getting into your dream school!

Related CollegeVine Blog Posts

Choose Your Test

Sat / act prep online guides and tips, william and mary supplemental essay: 3 key writing tips.

College Essays

The College of William and Mary in Virginia is the second oldest university in the country, and it's consistently ranked in the top colleges in the nation. Their acceptance rate reflects that: every year, only 36% of students who apply are admitted.

That means that if you're interested in applying to William and Mary, you'll want your application to shine. Simply having good grades and test scores isn't enough on its own—in fact, 75% of accepted William and Mary students were in the top 10% of their high school class .

This is where the optional William and Mary essay comes in. This is your chance to make your application stand out ! So what is this optional essay, and how optional is it ? This article will tell you everything you need to know about the William and Mary supplement essay, including:

• Explaining the William and Mary supplemental essay prompt
• Walking you through how to answer the prompt
• Going over what admissions counselors are looking for in an excellent supplemental essay

We have a lot to cover, so let's get started!

What Is the William and Mary Supplemental Essay?

The William and Mary supplemental essay is an optional essay that you can choose to submit as part of your overall admissions packet . The goal of the essay is to help admissions counselors get to know you a little better...and to showcase your writing skills one last time. Since this essay is optional, you don't have to write it in order to submit your application. (We'll talk about whether you should write it a little later, though!)

So where can you find the optional essay? Within the online application itself, there is a separate drop down box labelled "Optional W&M Essay." If you expand this box, you'll see the prompt. If you choose to submit the supplemental essay, you'll have to turn it in as part of your overall application packet. In other words, you can't go back later and submit the supplemental essay—once you turn in your application,

The text box itself allows for 650 characters, but you'll notice the prompt states that they're looking for 500 words or less . They're allowing you a little leeway so you won't get cut off in the middle of a sentence, but you should follow the instructions and try to limit yourself to under 500 words.

6 Steps to Writing the Perfect William and Mary Supplemental Essay

Now that you've been introduced to the William and Mary essay, it's time to talk about how to write one that makes admissions counselors sit up and take notice.

Here are six simple steps that will help you develop your essay into the exact thing the admission committee might be looking for.

Step 1: Read the Prompt

To help you get a handle on what the prompt is asking for, let's take a closer look at it:

"Beyond your impressive academic credentials and extracurricular accomplishments, what else makes you unique and colorful? We know nobody fits neatly into 500 words or less, but you can provide us with some suggestion of the type of person you are. Anything goes! Inspire us, impress us, or just make us laugh. Think of this optional opportunity as show and tell by proxy and with an attitude."

At its core, this prompt is all about you. Admissions counselors want to learn about what makes you unique and different from everyone else around you. In other words, admissions counselors are going to use this essay to get to know you better!

More importantly, this prompt specifically asks you to "show and tell," which is a sneaky way of saying that admissions counselors want you to tell them a story. Instead of providing a laundry list of your best qualities, pick one thing that makes you unique and then write a story around it. We recommend that you choose a specific event from your life that showcases your unique personality, then use that as a springboard for the rest of your essay.

Keep in mind that you're still writing an essay for a college application— just because the prompt asks you to inspire, impress, or amuse the admissions committee doesn't mean you shouldn't take the assignment seriously . More importantly, your job is to show admissions counselors that you're a great fit for William and Mary.

Step 2: Choose Your Unique Attribute

You've probably realized that 500 words is not a lot of room to write an essay. It turns out that 500 words is about one typed, single-spaced page of text. So even though there are hundreds of things about you that make you unique, if you tried to write about them all, you'd run out of room!

In order to write a great essay, you'll have to choose one or two attributes that make you unique. That way, you'll be able to tell a story that captures your readers' attention while still showcasing the special person that you are!

But how do you pick the unique quality you want to write about? We recommend that you start your writing process by brainstorming about twenty or thirty things that make you unique. Once you have that list, choose the one that you feel is both A) individual enough that you wouldn't expect someone else to choose it, and B) important enough to you that you could easily convey a lot of passion about it.

If you're having trouble picking a quality to write about, try talking to your parents, teachers, and best friends. Show them your list and ask them which traits stand out. They may even suggest some attributes of their own! Sometimes an outside perspective can help you narrow down your choices.

Keeping your focus narrow helps you write a more compelling essay.

Step 3: Narrow Your Focus and Choose a Story

Once you've chosen your most unique qualities, you'll need to figure out how to talk about them. Like we said earlier, we recommend that you use a story to help readers understand you better. A good story is specific and allows you to include unique and interesting details. If your story is too long or too broad, you'll need to summarize the events or aspects, which will make them unexciting and bland.

Here's what we mean: let's say Bryan has decided that his most unique attribute is that he's the first male soprano in his school's history. He decides he wants to tell the story of how he tried out for choir and discovered he could sing high notes. If Bryan tried to tell the story from the first moment he learned he could sing soprano, then he'd need thousands of words to write his essay! By narrowing his focus down to the actual audition, he can share more details...which will help the admissions committee get to know him even bette r.

Once you've narrowed your focus to one specific moment, it's time to craft your story. Good stories help readers feel like they're watching a movie. As you write, include sensory details , including sounds, sights, smells, etc. so that your essay is as vivid to the reader as the memory is to you!

Step 4: Remember Your Audience

Even though the William and Mary supplement essay is an informal prompt meant mostly to help the admission committee determine what type of person you are, keep in mind that it is still a college application. That means there are certain values about yourself that you want to emphasize. You want the people reading this essay to think of you as an intellectually curious, genuine, and thoughtful potential student.

While you may have an entertaining story that involves illicit or illegal behavior, this isn't the place to share it. Additionally, make sure you're not using off-color, racially charged, or potentially offensive language. At the end of the day, you want to show admissions counselors that you're a good fit for William and Mary's values !

Also, remember that your audience is reading over 14,000 of these essays between January and March every year, and many of them have been doing it for several years. Don't lie in your William and Mary application essay! We guarantee that admissions counselors will be able to tell. Trust us: with a little effort, you'll be able to tell a story that is both truthful and compelling.

You're unique! Letting that shine through in your essay is a good way to catch the admission committee's attention.

Step 5: Explain Why You're a Good Fit for William and Mary

While this definitely isn't a "why this school" essay , you still want to tie your William and Mary application essay into the rest of your application.

To do this, use the last two sentences of your essay to explain how your unique qualities will help you fit into the William and Mary campus . Even better, you can tell admissions counselors how you plan to use your unique personality to help support William and Mary's mission!

Take Bryan's topic that we talked about before. He knows what it's like to feel different, and he's learned how to be comfortable in his own skin. That means he can't wait to join William and Mary's choir , where he hopes to both share his talent and support others as they share theirs, too. Ending the essay like this shows admissions counselors that Bryan is ready to become a central part of William and Mary's vibrant campus community.

Step 6: Revise, Revise, and Revise

After you've chosen your topic and have written your essay, y ou need to reread it . If you have enough time, wait a few days before starting the revision process so that you can bring a fresh perspective to your essay. You'll likely find that there are places where you can add more detail, clarity, or explanation

Once you've finished your revisions, choose one or two people whose opinions you trust to read the essay and offer their criticism . Don't choose someone who loves everything you do and already thinks you're brilliant—that's not going to help you make your essay better. Choose someone who you think will offer you honest feedback on how you might improve your essay. If you have a good relationship with your English teacher or high school counselor, you should definitely ask them to read your essay and offer feedback!

If this sounds like a lot of work...well, it is. Creating a great essay takes time and effort. That means you'll need to plan ahead . We recommend starting your essay more than a month in advance so you have plenty of time to write and revise.

What Are William and Mary Looking for When They Read These Essays?

What do William and Mary essays that worked include? Usually, you just have to guess at what the admissions committee wants. Not this time! Brad Harlan, the Assistant Dean of Admission at William and Mary, wrote a helpful blog post about what William and Mary's admissions counselors look for in a good optional essay. Harlan explains:

"How does this individual articulate themselves? What is this individual genuinely passionate about? What motivates this individual. These, and countless other questions, can be answered by your essays. They provide us with meaningful insight into your personality, and give you a chance to "speak" directly to the admission committee. We see essays that cover a wide array of topics and which employ many different tones and styles. Some are funny, some are serious, some are quirky, and all of them provide for engaging and enjoyable reads as we review our many impressive applicants…

"No matter what approach you take, just be sure that your essay covers something that excites you, and that it adds a new dimension to your application. If you write genuinely, enthusiastically and carefully, no matter what the subject, then I can pretty much guarantee that we will very much enjoy reading your work."

Note that the word "genuine" is used twice in two paragraphs. That tells you that admissions counselors are looking for you to express yourself honestly and sincerely. They're not looking for a formal answer that you think they want to hear; instead, admissions counselors want to read an essay that lets them see why you would be a good choice to add to their student body .

Another William and Mary Admissions blog post gives more tips for tackling the optional essay. Wendy Livingston, the Senior Assistant Dean of Admission, writes:

There is something about you that isn't commonplace. Find that thing and write about it. If it's something big like growing up in a foreign country, write about it. If it's something small like you always wear socks with stripes for a particular reason, write about it. If it's something in between like your life-long hobby of collecting McDonalds Happy Meal toys, write about it. The key is to find a topic that few others can write about. There are most definitely fairly generic college essay topics: death of a relative, parents' divorce, traveling abroad, a service/mission trip, a sports injury, your epic love of Harry Potter books (that one has come on strong in recent years). It's not that these experiences/interests aren't salient or important; they are. But they are also fairly commonplace for 17-year olds and the ways in which you write about them will be incredibly similar.

In other words, make sure you're writing about something that is truly unique !

If you're one of ten siblings, practice oil painting in your free time, or spend your weekends playing guitar in your family's 90s cover band...write about it! While it's certainly not bad to like popular things or share common experiences, those don't always give readers true insight into your character.

Instead, choose a topic or quality that might take the admissions committee a bit by surprise (in a good way). That will help you show readers how your unique personality makes you a great addition to William and Mary's student body.

Should You Submit the William and Mary Supplement Essay?

After reading through the steps you'll need to take to create a killer supplement essay, you're probably wondering whether you really need to write it. Couldn't you skip it and save yourself a bunch of time and effort?

If you're serious about getting into William and Mary, then you absolutely need to write the William and Mary supplement essay. Put yourself in the admission committee's place. Imagine a scenario in which you have room for one more student and you're choosing between two candidates. They each have similar GPAs and test scores. However, one of them has a remarkable optional essay and the other didn't even fill in the box. Which student you choose to admit? Probably the one who went the extra mile!

Here's a different scenario. Imagine a candidate who has a pretty average GPA and an unexciting SAT score, but that candidate has a breathtaking optional essay that allows the admissions committee to see that the mediocre grades and SAT scores aren't a fair reflection of the candidate's potential. If you were in the admissions committee's place, wouldn't you be tempted to give the candidate a chance to show what they can do as a student?

As you can see, the essay may be labeled "optional," but it's actually a key piece of your application packet if you really want to get in. The William and Mary application essay is an opportunity to differentiate yourself from thousands of other applicants and make yourself more attractive to the admissions committee.

Granted, if you wrote a very poor essay it may harm your chances a little, but have no fear—after reading this article, you will have the tools you need to write an excellent William and Mary essay!

Analyzing an essay that helped a real student get admitted to William and Mary can help you figure out how to make your supplemental essay even more compelling. ( Ken Lund /Flickr)

Analysis of a Real William and Mary Supplement Essay Sample

Reading other people's successful William and Mary essays can help you write your own. He's an actual William and Mary supplement essay posted to an online forum :

"I've read this prompt seventy-six times. The number is actually much higher, but I only started counting recently. My backspace key is almost worn out from my attempts to conquer this essay. I've tried everything from Poe quotes to inspirational sport tales, but none of them seem to fit. Why is that? I think it's because for the first time, I am not writing to fit some sort of outline. From 7th grade through 9th grade I had the same English teacher. While comical, she did not teach me how to write very well. To her, good writing involved two things: MLA format and the hated five paragraph essay. As a middle schooler, the five paragraph essay seemed like God's gift to sub-par English students. Was I naive or what? Fast forward to 11th grade, and my AP History teacher is having a breakdown from reading so many of these manufactured abominations. She put me on the right track. Unfortunately, now instead of five paragraph papers, I write class response essays, that must contain three examples and a thesis statement. You see the pattern?

Paper after paper, and none of them written under the pretense that I can run wild with it. I no longer associate free expression with writing. They all fit some format and come with a set of rules that would make the creators of Monopoly jealous. Which is why, this essay means more than just acceptance to college. It took me enough attempts to realize it, but for the first time, the rule book has been thrown. I can write about whatever I want in whatever way I want. I don't have to turn this in for a grade. Long words no longer carry points or increased chances at success. I could talk about soccer, Stop Hunger Now or even my acting stint (in the role of Tupac). There are no longer cords that are holding me back from showing who I am. This must be what revolutionaries feel like. As I said before, I've tried quotes and anecdotes. However, all of them were intentionally generic. For once, I want to use one that is not restrained and, to be completely honest, really cool. It's from the book Fight Club:

"One minute was enough," Tyler said. "A person had to work hard for it, but a minute of perfection was worth the effort. A moment was the most you could ever expect from perfection."

After almost fourteen years of writing, I have yet to write one thing that I would consider close to perfect. This paper is different. Whether it's perfect or not, this essay is my moment, and all I needed was for the rule book to be thrown out to reach it."

Let's break this down and see why this supplemental essay helped the writer get into William and Mary.

What Makes This a Strong Example Essay?

The student who wrote this was accepted into William and Mary , so we can consider this a successful essay. The choice of topic is a bit unusual: the student writes about their experience writing the William and Mary supplemental essay.

The topic is fairly narrow, but it doesn't exactly recount an episode from the author's life. Rather, the author places the audience in the experience of writing the essay in real time. They give vivid descriptions, like wearing out their backspace key, which makes readers feel like they're writing the essay, too.

The strength of this essay is its voice , meaning the way the choice of words and the pace of the events helps to develop the character who is speaking. It helps readers experience the writer's frustrations and triumphs, and it also tells readers a lot about the person writing the essay. We learn this writer is a creative person who wants to push boundaries. They're also dedicated—it takes a lot of time to read the prompt over sixty times! Finally, it's clear this person is persistent. Setbacks and frustrations aren't enough to keep them from reaching their goals.

This essay uses a very unique approach to address the prompt, and it succeeds in helping the admissions committee get to know the writer better. Mission accomplished...and student admitted!

3 Key Tips for Writing the William and Mary Supplemental Essay

Now that you know what admissions committees expect from your William and Mary essay, here are our top tips to help you succeed.

Tip 1: Write Passionately

It's easier to write passionately when you're writing about a topic that you care about. Luckily, this William and Mary supplement essay prompt asks you to do just that! Find the topic that most excites you , and use language that conveys your passion to your audience. Allow your excitement about your topic to come out, and readers will be blown away!

Tip 2: Be Yourself

The point of the William and Mary essay is to show the admissions committee that you're a strong, well-rounded candidate. That can be intimidating to lots of students. But don't worry: you're unique and special just because you're you . Don't try to exaggerate to make yourself seem like the type of person the admissions committee is looking for. Remember: the admissions committee is trained to sniff out falsified essay. Just be genuine and authentic, and you'll set yourself up for success.

Tip 3: Have Fun!

The William and Mary essay is unique because it's open ended. You have free reign to express yourself however you see fit! Take the opportunity to stretch yourself and to grow as a writer. (Just make sure you're not being vulgar or offensive!)

Ultimately, the admissions committee wants to see your potential and your personality . If you use this prompt as a way of allowing your creativity to flow, the selection committee will see your willingness to challenge yourself. If you're having fun, then there's a good chance that will come across in your essay. And guess what? Fun essays stand out from the crowd, too!

What's Next?

Like we mentioned earlier, William and Mary is a selective college . Make sure you get all the details about the school, its admissions criteria, and application information before you start writing your supplemental essay.

Most students who are admitted into William and Mary graduate in the top 10% of their high school class. Make sure you understand the class ranking system so that you can set yourself up for success. Heck, you may even decide you want to be your class valedictorian or salutatorian !

Finally, you'll need to knock your test scores out of the park if you want a shot at getting into William and Mary. Learn what it takes to get a 1600 on your SAT or a 36 on your ACT so you can study smarter and harder.

Ashley Sufflé Robinson has a Ph.D. in 19th Century English Literature. As a content writer for PrepScholar, Ashley is passionate about giving college-bound students the in-depth information they need to get into the school of their dreams.

Student and Parent Forum

Our new student and parent forum, at ExpertHub.PrepScholar.com , allow you to interact with your peers and the PrepScholar staff. See how other students and parents are navigating high school, college, and the college admissions process. Ask questions; get answers.

Ask a Question Below

Have any questions about this article or other topics? Ask below and we'll reply!

Improve With Our Famous Guides

• For All Students

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 160+ SAT Points

How to Get a Perfect 1600, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 800 on Each SAT Section:

Score 800 on SAT Math

Score 800 on SAT Reading

Score 800 on SAT Writing

Series: How to Get to 600 on Each SAT Section:

Score 600 on SAT Math

Score 600 on SAT Reading

Score 600 on SAT Writing

Free Complete Official SAT Practice Tests

What SAT Target Score Should You Be Aiming For?

15 Strategies to Improve Your SAT Essay

The 5 Strategies You Must Be Using to Improve 4+ ACT Points

How to Get a Perfect 36 ACT, by a Perfect Scorer

Series: How to Get 36 on Each ACT Section:

36 on ACT English

36 on ACT Math

36 on ACT Reading

36 on ACT Science

Series: How to Get to 24 on Each ACT Section:

24 on ACT English

24 on ACT Math

24 on ACT Reading

24 on ACT Science

What ACT target score should you be aiming for?

ACT Vocabulary You Must Know

ACT Writing: 15 Tips to Raise Your Essay Score

How to Get Into Harvard and the Ivy League

How to Get a Perfect 4.0 GPA

How to Write an Amazing College Essay

What Exactly Are Colleges Looking For?

Is the ACT easier than the SAT? A Comprehensive Guide

Should you retake your SAT or ACT?

When should you take the SAT or ACT?

Stay Informed

Get the latest articles and test prep tips!

Looking for Graduate School Test Prep?

Check out our top-rated graduate blogs here:

GRE Online Prep Blog

GMAT Online Prep Blog

TOEFL Online Prep Blog

Holly R. "I am absolutely overjoyed and cannot thank you enough for helping me!”

William and Mary Supplemental Essays 2023-24

September 27, 2023

Founded in 1693, the College of William & Mary is the second oldest institution of higher learning in the entire United States. With an acceptance rate that was 32% for the Class of 2027, W&M is a very selective school. It is even more challenging to gain admission into for out-of-state students. With that in mind, it’s important to put maximum effort into every aspect of your application. Of course, this includes the William and Mary supplemental essays.

 (Want to learn more about How to Get Into W&M? Visit our blog entitled:  How to Get Into William & Mary  for all of the most recent admissions data as well as tips for gaining acceptance.)

When applying to an institution like the College of William & Mary that rejects roughly two-thirds of those who apply, you’ll need to put maximum effort into every area of the application, including the Common App and supplemental essays. Below are William and Mary’s optional essay prompts for the 2023-24 admissions cycle. Additionally, you find our advice for composing strong essays.

Should I answer an optional essay?

In such a  hypercompetitive college admissions environment , not filling out an essay would be a suboptimal decision for a prospective applicant. With such cutthroat competition at a highly selective school like William & Mary, it would be foolish not to avail yourself of every opportunity to make a strong case for admission. Applicants applying to a dozen or more schools may be exhausted after already plowing through countless other supplemental prompts. However, this is simply not the place to cut corners.

Unfortunately, skipping an optional essay of this nature could hurt your candidacy at William and Mary, as this institution only offers non-evaluative interviews with current W&M seniors. As such, there are limited ways to connect with an admissions officer, and the supplemental essay(s) will be one of your very best opportunities.

William and Mary Supplemental Essays – (Optional)

William and Mary gives applicants the option to choose one or two of the six available prompts. Additionally, you’ll have 300 words of space for each prompt.

1) Beyond your impressive academic credentials and extracurricular accomplishments, what else makes you unique and colorful?

In W&M’s own words, “You are not a number when you apply to or attend William & Mary. You are a three dimensional person who has initiative, spirit and ideas.” Showing the admissions committee who you are at the core of your being is no easy task at this school. As such, here are some ideas of how you can most productively utilize these 300 words of space:

• Talk about your deepest passions and the various ways in which you pursue knowledge in those areas.
• Say more about your role in a particular community of which you are a member. This could be your family, your circle of friends, a religious organization, a job, a sports team, etc.
• The college admissions process can feel very heavy and serious; telling a humorous story can help forge a personal connection, even via an otherwise dry application.
• Be open about your idiosyncrasies and anything that makes you uniquely  you .
• What ideas excite you? Where do you see limitless possibilities in the world?
• Lastly, what moves your spirit? Discuss any art, movies, music, and books that you find deeply moving and personally important.

2) Are there any particular communities that are important to you, and how do you see yourself being a part of our community?

Keep in mind that William and Mary has already seen the President’s Volunteer Service Award and the impressive number of hours you volunteered at multiple nonprofit organizations. They know that you have been an active member of your high school/local community. The admissions committee now desires to understand precisely how you will contribute to  their  community of undergraduate students. Highlighting the link between your past efforts and future aims is critical here. For example, if you dedicated many hours to volunteering at your local animal shelter throughout high school, it will be more impactful when you now express your commitment to joining William and Mary’s Animal Rights Club.

The strongest William and Mary community essays show evidence of meaningful school-specific research. This research process will actually give you a better idea of how you would sincerely like to become engaged at each prospective school on your list. Admissions officers will appreciate a William and Mary-centric answer far more than a generic (often recycled from app to app) response.

3) How has your family, culture and/or background shaped your lived experience?

Take note of the wide-open nature of this prompt. You are essentially invited to talk about any of the following topics:

• A perspective you hold
• Your upbringing
• Your cultural background
• Your religious background
• Your family background
• Your race/ethnicity
• Your sexual orientation or gender identity

William and Mary Supplemental Essay Prompts (Continued)

Although this prompt’s open floor plan may feel daunting, a good tactic is to first consider what has already been communicated within on other areas of your application. What important aspect(s) of yourself have not been shared (or sufficiently discussed)? The admissions officer reading your essay is hoping to connect with you through your written words, so—within your essay’s reflection—be open, humble, thoughtful, inquisitive, emotionally honest, mature, and/or insightful about what you learned and how you grew.

You’ll then need to discuss how family, culture, and/or background has influenced your life and perspective, and in what ways.

4) Share more about a personal academic interest or career goal.

Out of everything on this Earth, what makes you tick? What keeps you up at night? What subject makes you read books and online content until your eyes bleed? Immerse the reader in your intellectual journey of choice. Share what made you interested in the topic and how you’ve pursued knowledge. Finally, be sure to address what you’ve learned about yourself and how you hope to continue pursuing this interest in the future (tip: this is a great place to incorporate William and Mary specifics).

Alternatively, if you happen to have clear-cut career goals, such as becoming a physician, attending law school, or addressing coral bleaching, you can take this opportunity to tell the admissions committee more about it. How did this career goal develop, and what have you done to pursue it so far? Moreover, how do you intend to work toward your goal at William and Mary in particular?

5) Tell us about a challenge or adversity you’ve experienced and how that has impacted you as an individual.

Of course, some teens have faced more challenges than others, potentially related to an illness or medical emergency, frequent moving, socioeconomic situation, natural disaster, or learning disability, to name a few. However, you don’t have to have faced a significant challenge to write a compelling essay (and even if you have faced a significant challenge, you don’t have to write about it if you’re not comfortable doing so). Writing about a common topic like getting cut from a sports team, struggling in a particular advanced course, or facing an obstacle within a group project or extracurricular activity is perfectly fine.

Any story told in an emotionally compelling, honest, and connective manner can resonate with an admissions reader. The bottom line here is that there are no trite topics, only trite answers. The important thing to keep in mind is that the challenge/story itself is  less important  than what it reveals about your character and personality.

Given the 300-word limit, your essay needs to be extremely tight and polished. In all likelihood, getting this one precisely right will involve a round or two of revision, ideally with some insight/feedback from a trusted adult or peer in the process.

6) If we visited your town, what would you want to show us?

No matter where you live, local spots of interest abound, so take this opportunity to show admissions something you genuinely love or appreciate about where you’re from. Perhaps it’s your local farm stand, a museum, a restaurant, a public art installation, the beach that you run on in the mornings…regardless of your answer, the most important part of this response will be why. Why do you want to show this particular location to an admissions officer, and what do you hope they learn about you in the process?

How important are the William and Mary supplemental essays?

W&M lists 12 factors as being “very important” to the admissions committee: rigor of secondary school record, class rank, GPA, standardized test scores, essays, recommendations, extracurricular activities, talent/ability, character/personal qualities, state residency, volunteer work, and work experience.

So, we know that the  Common App essay  and the optional supplemental essays are among the top dozen factors in what is a genuinely holistic admissions process. It is fair to say that the essays will be read carefully. Further, they can be a separating factor between two comparable “on the cusp” applicants.

Want Personalized Essay Assistance?

In conclusion, if you are interested in working with one of College Transitions’ experienced and knowledgeable essay coaches as you craft your main Common App essay and William & Mary supplemental essays, we encourage you to get a quote  today.

• College Essay

Kelsea Conlin

Kelsea holds a BA in English with a concentration in Creative Writing from Tufts University, a graduate certificate in College Counseling from UCLA, and an MA in Teaching Writing from Johns Hopkins University. Her short fiction is forthcoming in Chautauqua .

• 2-Year Colleges
• Application Strategies
• Best Colleges by Major
• Best Colleges by State
• Big Picture
• Career & Personality Assessment
• College Search/Knowledge
• College Success
• Costs & Financial Aid
• Dental School Admissions
• Extracurricular Activities
• Graduate School Admissions
• High School Success
• High Schools
• Law School Admissions
• Medical School Admissions
• Navigating the Admissions Process
• Online Learning
• Private High School Spotlight
• Summer Program Spotlight
• Summer Programs
• Test Prep Provider Spotlight

“Innovative and invaluable…use this book as your college lifeline.”

— Lynn O'Shaughnessy

Nationally Recognized College Expert

College Planning in Your Inbox

Join our information-packed monthly newsletter.

I am a... Student Student Parent Counselor Educator Other First Name Last Name Email Address Zip Code Area of Interest Business Computer Science Engineering Fine/Performing Arts Humanities Mathematics STEM Pre-Med Psychology Social Studies/Sciences Submit

The Admissions Strategist

How to write the best william & mary supplemental essay 2020-2021: a complete guide.

William and Mary has an acceptance rate of 36% — higher for in-state applicants and lower for out-of-state applicants. It is the second oldest college in the United States, dating back to 1693.

A public school, located in Williamsburg, Virginia, William and Mary is a relatively small university with just over 6000 undergraduate students. It sells itself to prospective students by proclaiming, “We’re smart. We’re fun. We’re diverse.”

W&M is one of the eight “Public Ivies.” Both Forbe s and US News and World Report place it among the top ten public schools in the country. With 81% of the Class of 2021 ranking in the top 10% of their high school peers, it is important to make yourself stand out when applying.

Like many colleges and universities across the country, W&M uses the Common App and, starting in the fall of 2018, will begin accepting the Coalition App.

But, like many selective schools, it also offers students the opportunity to make their application stand out by writing a supplemental essay.

Always write the W&M supplemental essay .

So, here’s our guide to help you write the best William and Mary supplemental essay.

Click above for a video on how to write the William and Mary supplemental essay.

William and Mary’s supplemental prompt is:

Beyond your impressive academic credentials and extracurricular accomplishments, what else makes you unique and colorful? We know nobody fits neatly into 500 words or less, but you can provide us with some suggestion of the type of person you are. Anything goes! Inspire us, impress us, or just make us laugh. Think of this optional opportunity as show and tell by proxy and with an attitude.

There are no other restrictions on what the “essay” can be.

For example, it can be a standard essay, poem, haiku, crossword puzzle, secret code, or decorated social media profile. Make sure that you do not focus too much on being creative in your presentation and forget to focus on what makes you unique and original.

If your “essay” is creative but the admissions committee learns nothing about you in the process, it will come across as all show and no substance.

Here is some advice from the William and Mary admissions office:

• The essay is limited to 500 words so stay focused on what you are trying to communicate.
• Try to avoid topics that are commonplace for 17- and 18-year-old high school students like sports injuries, service trips, divorce of parents, or a death in the family.
• Avoid overkill . Unique is good but outlandish is not better unless you are providing genuine insight into your personality or achievements.
• Review your application and try to find aspects of your life or personality that are not illustrated elsewhere in the application. Do you have a hobby or talent or quality that is not listed anywhere else on the application but is an important part of your life or self-image?
• Make sure you proofread your essay . William and Mary uses this essay as an opportunity to assess your writing abilities, so make sure that you pay attention to grammar, punctuation, spelling, and usage.
• Don’t pander to the admissions committee by writing what you think that they want to hear . It is best to keep sordid details to yourself, but if your essay is too intent on demonstrating how you are the “ideal” (in your mind) William and Mary student, you are not really helping the admissions committee get to know you as much as you are showing them that you have made some effort to get to know them. They already know about their school. They want to know about you.

Choosing the Best Topic

You have probably been told a hundred times to “think outside the box,” and this prompt certainly encourages you to do that. But what does that mean?

Try to come up with something that nobody else could or would write about. Hone in on anecdotes or personal qualities or experiences that nobody else you know seems to share.

Brainstorm by asking yourself questions and evaluating your experiences. Think about your values, personal themes, challenges, and hobbies.

For example:

• Do you have a fear of mashed potatoes? Speculate as to why you do and discuss how this phobia has impacted your life.
• You could write about the time you made pizza and put the cheese on the crust before the sauce and didn’t realize your mistake until after you had baked it.

Other essay examples include:

• Have you done unique service work? William and Mary emphasizes community service .
• If you have done some service work that demonstrates your commitment to service but it is not something that other students have done, this might be a good avenue to pursue.
• Was there a time when you stood up for someone who was being bullied or treated poorly by others and ended up getting picked on as a result?
• Why did you do it? How did it affect you?

Another similar choice might be focusing on an experience that involved risk. For example:

• You auditioned for the high school musical although you had no previous acting, singing, or dancing experience.
• Whether or not you made it, there is probably something entertaining and potentially uplifting about your story.
• What lessons did you learn from taking this risk?
• You volunteered for a school project that nobody else wanted to do. What was it?
• Why did you do it when nobody else would?

You can discuss your interests and passions that were not mentioned on the Common App. Examples include:

• Do you enjoy inventing and designing physical products? Why?
• What have you invented?
• What do you want to invent and bring to the world?

If you have already mentioned the Engineering Club on your application, go further:

• How else do you act on your engineering passions? Do you build things?
• Think of what drives your interest in engineering. What else does this motivation push you toward?
• Remember, this interest does not have to be academic.

Is there something you do at home that you did not include on your college application? For example:

• Do you enjoy gardening or botany? Why?
• What sensations do you gain from growing things?
• Is there a memory with botany that stands out?
• What do your parents think of your botany?
• What plants do you love growing? Why?

Discuss a side hustle that demonstrates your curiosity and drive. For example:

• Do you enjoy coding or making websites on the side?
• Have you designed any websites?
• Are there plug-ins that spark your curiosity?
• What about learning coding languages appeals to you?
• Why do you code?
• How do you learn from online tutorials?

Discuss activities that give you joy or invoke a certain feeling of pride within you. For example:

• Do you love martial arts?
• What about competition or art inspires you?
• When do you feel silence?
• Is there a thread of philosophy that you follow or strive to learn more about?

Stories that are fun or funny are usually good choices. People instinctively warm to those who are self-deprecating. For example:

• Perhaps you’re not good with cars. Maybe you once had your car towed out of your driveway to the repair shop, only to find out that it was out of gas.
• Stories like this give you the opportunity to demonstrate your sense of humor, talk about lessons you have learned from your mistakes, and stand out from other applicants.
• Can you think of other incidents in which you made a decision that you felt was a good one, only to have it blow up in your face?
• What did you learn from this experience?

William and Mary’s admissions motto highlights its commitment to diversity. Most people instinctively think of racial, ethnic, or religious diversity.

Some think in terms of gender or sexual orientation.

But diversity can come in a variety of forms. Can you think of any ways in which you have stood out from others?

• This might be the result of decisions that you have made or skills you have acquired.
• Perhaps you are the only one of your peers who has specialized in fencing or rowing or playing the oboe.
• Maybe you have stood out for characteristics that you have no control over but have shaped or affected the way that you have interacted with others.
• Has your family adopted children from overseas?
• Have you been affected by being atypically large or small or have some other distinguishing characteristic which has led to you being noticed?

Get personalized advice!

Major tips for the w&m supplemental essay.

• Don’t be afraid to be funny. Don’t necessarily try to be funny, but let your writing speak for itself.
• Don’t take yourself too seriously. Of course, you are trying to impress the admissions committee, but you are also trying to make yourself stand out and most of the 15,000 other applicants will have impressive credentials as well. If you want to get noticed, don’t be a robot. Be a person.
• Be personal. The admissions committee wants to know about you. Don’t be afraid to express your thoughts about you and your experiences.
• You might be nervous about this because maybe you have not expressed these thoughts to many people, including friends and family.
• You might feel unsure about them, but the thoughts that you have about yourself that you don’t often express to others are probably the ones that make you most interesting. For this essay, appearing out of the ordinary is beneficial.

William and Mary Supplemental Essay Examples

W&M Supplemental Essay example 1:

The rite of passage for any adolescent boy is to find a girlfriend. In my freshman year, as my friends were slowly falling in love and eating lunch with their significant others, I realized that I HAD to act fast. I devised a plan to find a girlfriend of my own. My only problem was that I was a nerd, Pokémon aficionado, and politics buff who had never spoken to a girl outside of asking for the next day’s homework assignment. Rather than buying flowers or chocolates like any rational person would do, I decided to do something so impressive that the girl I had a crush on would fall in love with me. As the girl I liked happened to be Chinese, I decided that mastering the world’s most difficult language, Mandarin, would be the ticket to her heart. Although my motives were misdirected, this prompted me on a journey that not only exposed me to a new culture, but also challenged and inspired me to take future chances. Schedule change in hand, I marched into 4th period Chinese ready to master the language. I was unaware that 95% of the class already spoke Chinese at home so this was merely a review class for the ‘easy A’. I was surprised to learn that people of Chinese descent often have one name in their native tongue and an alternate Americanized name that is easily pronounced. During the first session, our teacher asked all of us for our Chinese names to be used throughout the school year. Because I couldn’t understand what was going on, I asked the classmate behind me to suggest a Chinese name. I should have known that this was a disaster waiting to happen. I bellowed out my new name when called on, and to my embarrassment, the whole class howled in laughter. Confused, I turned around to see the person who gave me my name giggling uncontrollably. Unintentionally, I named myself “Sum Ting Wong” which would stick with me for the rest of the year. It was only after I said my name out loud that I finally understood the joke. At that moment, I realized I had lost my chance of impressing my crush.     My Chinese name turned out to be a metaphor for my classroom struggles. Each time I would learn a new character, I would forget it by the next week. I unintentionally learned dozens of new Chinese curse words because depending on how you pronounce it, each word can have five different meanings. My class project videos on YouTube went viral throughout the school for their impeccable acting and obviously unsuccessful attempts at mastering the world’s most difficult language.  As it turns out, instead of conquering the language in a few months like I had expected, I was, and still am, awful at all things related to the Chinese language. Initially I would beat myself up for every mistake, dreading my name being called. However, as I learned to laugh at myself each time “Sum Ting Wong” was cold-called in class, I began to not fear being ridiculed. As high school progressed, I went from being the only Indian student in my Mandarin class to becoming the first guy to take gender studies and the only person who didn’t know how to sing in Choir. Socially, I went from only interacting with virtual Pokémon to twerking onstage in front of a thousand delegates as I campaigned for the California Boys State Supreme Court.  I learned to embrace the “odd man out” persona and my idiosyncrasies rather than shy away from them. While I started my quest of learning Chinese in the hopes of getting a girlfriend (spoiler alert: I didn’t), I gained something so much more powerful. I learned to believe in myself and not let the stereotypes of my mind hold me back from trying new things.   

W&M Supplemental Essay example 2:

I was just trying to buy a Sprite and pay my hundred rupees. The cashier was starting to look as hassled as I felt, speaking urgently in a language I couldn’t understand. We were both frustrated and the cashier stormed off to another counter and grabbed a plastic plate from under it. At this point, I’m thinking “Why would I need a plate for my Sprite?” Normally at shops, the employees know enough English and I can understand the gist of the Tamil words with my own Telugu background. This time, however, we were both extremely confused. Eventually, after a lot of non-verbal communication and pointing, I realized she was supposed to offer me a free plate with my Sprite because of a deal written on the packaging.  Most people are surprised to learn that moving to India when I was thirteen was a huge adjustment for me even though I’m Indian. Yet, considering I was moving to a country I never lived in, a state whose language I didn’t speak, and a culture I wasn’t fully a part of, it was a definite challenge. From the language barrier to the culture change, and even the conservative manners and customs, I had to adapt to a new way of living. All of that and living in a country that is different culturally and socially from the United States has given me a new perspective of viewing my place in the world.  Back in elementary and middle school, I remember hiding the fact that I ate curry. As if it was something to be embarrassed of, something that would make me less American. I remember trying to distance myself from my Indian heritage and fit in so I could be, in a way, more white. It didn’t change much when I first moved to India. I was still working to seem American because I never really embraced my native culture. The heritage was always there in festivals, poojas, parties, and the language I spoke at home, but tellingly when someone asked me, “Hey, where are you from?” I’d always respond, “I’m from the USA but I live in India.” Because of this struggle, the most meaningful aspect of my experience of living in India has been accepting and embracing my cultural background. While I have always celebrated religious occasions, holidays, festivals, and other aspects of being Indian, living in India taught me to be proud of who I am as a global citizen. I am a multicultural student who has spent their time living abroad and entrenching themselves in their native culture. I am just as much Indian as I am American, and I’m proud to be able to bring a diverse background and perspective to the table at William & Mary.

Conclusion: Writing the William and Mary Supplement

Relax and have fun. Your best ideas and your best work will come when you are enjoying yourself, not when you are going through the motions to get something done.

Be enthusiastic. While you want the admissions officers to like you, it is your own personality and experiences that form your individuality. Don’t be afraid to be authentic.

Proofread, proofread, share with someone else to proofread, and proofread again.

Take risks while you are choosing your topic and writing your essay, but make sure you have done the necessary work to ensure that your essay is written well.

Learn how we can help you with college and career guidance! Check out our YouTube channel!

Click Here to Schedule a Free Consult!

Stay on track and ease your anxiety with our second-to-none college application assistance.

• Ethics & Honesty
• Privacy Policy
• Join Our Team

(732) 339-3835

[email protected]

Mastering the William and Mary Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

When crafting your supplemental essays for the College of William and Mary, remember that they offer a valuable opportunity to provide a richer picture of who you are, beyond your grades and SAT scores. For the 2023-2024 admissions cycle, William and Mary have provided a couple of unique prompts that require thought, self-reflection, and a dash of creativity.

The first prompt asks you to explore a topic, idea, or concept that makes you lose track of time. How do you learn more about this thing that engages you so deeply? In essence, it wants to delve into your intellectual curiosity. As an institution known for its strong commitment to student-faculty interaction, William and Mary wants to see applicants who are passionate and curious.

When tackling this prompt, start by identifying a subject that you genuinely love. Discuss how you've explored this interest - it could be through books, projects, internships, or even heated discussions during dinner. Most importantly, demonstrate how this passion shapes your perspective and future ambitions.

Prompt 1: Explore a topic, idea, or concept that makes you lose track of time. How do you learn more about this thing that engages you so deeply? (500 words)

Ever since I first read "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea" by Jules Verne, the mysteries of the ocean depths have captivated me. Time disappears when I delve into the latest marine biology research, watch documentaries on underwater exploration, or explore tide pools during family trips to the coast.

My fascination extends beyond casual interest. I've sought out every opportunity to learn more. I've spent countless hours at the local aquarium volunteering and learning about marine life from experts. I enrolled in advanced biology classes in school, transforming my room into a study center strewn with textbooks, articles, and documentaries about ocean life.

This passion has shaped my worldview, making me an advocate for ocean conservation and climate change awareness. It has also charted my future path. I dream of studying Marine Biology in college, and my ultimate goal is to contribute to the scientific understanding of our oceans, perhaps discovering unknown species or innovating ways to protect our marine ecosystems.

The second prompt requires you to illustrate a community to which you belong. This prompt aims to understand your social context and your place within it. Here, William and Mary are looking for your ability to contribute positively to their diverse campus community.

While approaching this prompt, remember that "community" does not only refer to a geographic location or cultural group. It could also mean a group of people united by a shared interest or goal, like a sports team, a book club, or a volunteer group. Discuss your role within this community and the impact you've had on it.

Prompt 2: Describe a community to which you belong. How did you come to belong to this community? (500 words)

I belong to a unique community: a high school debate team called "Debaters for Change." Our mission extends beyond winning tournaments; we aim to raise awareness on social issues through informed discourse.

Joining was intimidating at first. I had no prior experience, and the team was filled with seasoned debaters. However, with their encouragement and mentorship, I slowly found my voice. I learned to craft logical arguments, challenge opposing views respectfully, and most importantly, listen.

Through the team, I've not only developed my public speaking and critical thinking skills but also found a group of passionate, driven individuals who share a commitment to make a difference. Our heated discussions often extend beyond practice, turning lunch hours into impromptu debates about everything from climate policy to educational reforms.

Being a part of this community has shaped me as an individual. It taught me the power of informed discourse and has ignited a desire to be part of solution-making processes on a larger scale. I hope to continue this journey in college, contributing to the vibrant intellectual community at William and Mary.

Additionally, there is an optional prompt which encourages you to discuss a time when you’ve built bridges between cultures. As an international university with students from diverse backgrounds, William and Mary values individuals who can foster an inclusive environment. If you choose this essay, highlight experiences that demonstrate your empathy, understanding, and ability to connect people from diverse backgrounds.

Optional Prompt: Describe a time when you’ve built bridges between cultures. (500 words)

During a summer exchange program in Spain, I lived with a host family whose customs, language, and daily life were very different from my own. Initially, the cultural differences were overwhelming, and communication was challenging due to my limited Spanish. However, I saw this as an opportunity to bridge the cultural gap.

I taught my host family how to prepare some classic American dishes, while they showed me how to make traditional Spanish cuisine. We exchanged stories about our home countries, breaking stereotypes and gaining a deeper understanding of each other's cultures.

When the annual 'Fiesta de la Ciudad' occurred, my host family encouraged me to participate. I donned a traditional Spanish dress and danced the flamenco with locals, feeling a deep sense of connection and acceptance.

This experience taught me the power of empathy and mutual respect in building bridges between cultures. It was a small-scale example of what I hope to do throughout my life, fostering understanding and acceptance among diverse groups of people. As a student at William and Mary, I hope to continue these cross-cultural interactions, enriching the campus with my experiences and learning from others.

Finally, remember to keep your writing concise and personal. Authenticity beats grandiosity every time. Ensure that your essays capture your unique voice and highlight experiences that have shaped you.

Related posts

Mastering the Tufts University Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

Mastering the Boston University Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

Mastering the University of Rochester Supplemental Essays 2023-2024

Calculate for all schools

Your chance of acceptance, your chancing factors, extracurriculars, william and mary essay advice.

I'm getting started on my college applications and I want to apply to William & Mary. Any tips or advice on writing a strong essay for their admissions? Would love to hear your experiences or suggestions.

When writing an essay for William & Mary or any other college, the key is to create a thoughtful and well-crafted piece that showcases your personality, experiences, and perspectives. Here are some tips to help you create a strong essay:

1. Understand the prompt: Make sure you carefully read and understand the essay prompt. William & Mary may have specific questions or themes they want you to address, so be sure to answer them directly.

2. Be authentic: Your essay should truly reflect who you are as a person. Don't try to write what you think the admissions officers want to hear. Instead, share your genuine experiences, thoughts, and ideas.

3. Stand out: Many applicants will have similar academic profiles, so use your essay as an opportunity to differentiate yourself. Highlight unique experiences, qualities, or areas of expertise that make you memorable.

4. Show, don't tell: Use vivid, descriptive language and specific examples to illustrate your points. Avoid general statements and clichés. Instead of saying you are a dedicated student, share a story that demonstrates your commitment to your studies.

5. Be clear and concise: Write in a clear, straightforward manner, and avoid using unnecessary jargon or overly complex sentences. Make sure your essay is well-organized, with a clear introduction, main body, and conclusion.

6. Revise and proofread: Once you have completed your essay, set it aside for a day or two, and then come back to it with fresh eyes. This will help you spot any errors, inconsistencies, or areas that need improvement. Make sure your essay is free of grammar and spelling mistakes, as these can detract from your overall message.

7. Seek feedback: Share your essay with a trusted teacher, counselor, or mentor who can provide constructive feedback and suggestions for improvement. Incorporate their feedback as needed to ensure your essay is the best it can be.

Remember, the essay is your opportunity to give William & Mary a glimpse into who you are beyond your academic and extracurricular achievements. Focus on sharing your unique story, and ensure that your essay is well-written and engaging. Best of luck with your application!

About CollegeVine’s Expert FAQ

CollegeVine’s Q&A seeks to offer informed perspectives on commonly asked admissions questions. Every answer is refined and validated by our team of admissions experts to ensure it resonates with trusted knowledge in the field.

College of William & Mary 2022-23 Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

Regular Decision Deadline: Jan 2

You Have: 

College of William & Mary 2022-23 Application Essay Question Explanations

The Requirements: 1 essay of 500 words or less

Supplemental Essay Type(s): Topic of your choice

Why hello, you lucky devils. William & Mary only has one supplemental essay! And it’s optional! Actually, the second part is kind of a lie. William & Mary may refer to this essay as an “optional opportunity,” but take a closer look. The prompt is all about the things that make you stand out — and there is no way a bare minimum application is going to stand out to admissions. So, buckle up. You’ve got one more 500-worder to go.

Beyond your impressive academic credentials and extracurricular accomplishments, what else makes you unique and colorful? What aren’t we seeing elsewhere in your application? We know nobody fits neatly into approximately 500 words, but you can provide us with some suggestion of the type of person you are.  Think of this optional opportunity as show and tell by proxy.

In short, this prompt is asking you to do what we would have told you to do anyway: reveal something that doesn’t appear anywhere else on your application. Although it may seem totally open-ended, this prompt includes a few keywords that should help guide your thinking. The College of William & Mary doesn’t want to know just any random fact about you. They have specifically asked about what makes you unique and colorful, and they have invited you to have fun. So, get personal! What are your favorite funny stories about your life? You can talk about chess games with your grandma, lake trips with your friends, or the time you thought you could time travel. Pick a fun story or anecdote that says something concrete about your spirit, strengths, resilience, or character. 

If something hasn’t already sprung to mind, you should set aside about an hour for a solid brainstorm sesh. Use whichever technique feels most natural to you and see where it leads. You’d be surprised by the gems you can uncover when you take some of the pressure off and give your mind a little space to play.

About Kat Stubing

View all posts by Kat Stubing »

Contact us for a review!

Contact us for information on rates and more!

• I am a * Student Parent Potential Partner School Counselor Private College Counselor
• Name * First Last
• Phone Type Mobile Landline
• Street Address
• Address City State / Province / Region Afghanistan Albania Algeria American Samoa Andorra Angola Anguilla Antarctica Antigua and Barbuda Argentina Armenia Aruba Australia Austria Azerbaijan Bahamas Bahrain Bangladesh Barbados Belarus Belgium Belize Benin Bermuda Bhutan Bolivia Bonaire, Sint Eustatius and Saba Bosnia and Herzegovina Botswana Bouvet Island Brazil British Indian Ocean Territory Brunei Darussalam Bulgaria Burkina Faso Burundi Cabo Verde Cambodia Cameroon Canada Cayman Islands Central African Republic Chad Chile China Christmas Island Cocos Islands Colombia Comoros Congo Congo, Democratic Republic of the Cook Islands Costa Rica Croatia Cuba Curaçao Cyprus Czechia Côte d'Ivoire Denmark Djibouti Dominica Dominican Republic Ecuador Egypt El Salvador Equatorial Guinea Eritrea Estonia Eswatini Ethiopia Falkland Islands Faroe Islands Fiji Finland France French Guiana French Polynesia French Southern Territories Gabon Gambia Georgia Germany Ghana Gibraltar Greece Greenland Grenada Guadeloupe Guam Guatemala Guernsey Guinea Guinea-Bissau Guyana Haiti Heard Island and McDonald Islands Holy See Honduras Hong Kong Hungary Iceland India Indonesia Iran Iraq Ireland Isle of Man Israel Italy Jamaica Japan Jersey Jordan Kazakhstan Kenya Kiribati Korea, Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Republic of Kuwait Kyrgyzstan Lao People's Democratic Republic Latvia Lebanon Lesotho Liberia Libya Liechtenstein Lithuania Luxembourg Macao Madagascar Malawi Malaysia Maldives Mali Malta Marshall Islands Martinique Mauritania Mauritius Mayotte Mexico Micronesia Moldova Monaco Mongolia Montenegro Montserrat Morocco Mozambique Myanmar Namibia Nauru Nepal Netherlands New Caledonia New Zealand Nicaragua Niger Nigeria Niue Norfolk Island North Macedonia Northern Mariana Islands Norway Oman Pakistan Palau Palestine, State of Panama Papua New Guinea Paraguay Peru Philippines Pitcairn Poland Portugal Puerto Rico Qatar Romania Russian Federation Rwanda Réunion Saint Barthélemy Saint Helena, Ascension and Tristan da Cunha Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Lucia Saint Martin Saint Pierre and Miquelon Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Samoa San Marino Sao Tome and Principe Saudi Arabia Senegal Serbia Seychelles Sierra Leone Singapore Sint Maarten Slovakia Slovenia Solomon Islands Somalia South Africa South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands South Sudan Spain Sri Lanka Sudan Suriname Svalbard and Jan Mayen Sweden Switzerland Syria Arab Republic Taiwan Tajikistan Tanzania, the United Republic of Thailand Timor-Leste Togo Tokelau Tonga Trinidad and Tobago Tunisia Turkmenistan Turks and Caicos Islands Tuvalu Türkiye US Minor Outlying Islands Uganda Ukraine United Arab Emirates United Kingdom United States Uruguay Uzbekistan Vanuatu Venezuela Viet Nam Virgin Islands, British Virgin Islands, U.S. Wallis and Futuna Western Sahara Yemen Zambia Zimbabwe Åland Islands Country
• Which best describes you (or your child)? High school senior High school junior College student College grad Other
• How did you find CEA? Internet Search New York Times Guidance counselor/school Social Media YouTube Friend Special Event Delehey College Consulting Other
• Common App and Coalition Essays
• Supplemental Essays
• University of California Essays
• University of Texas Essays
• Resume Review
• Post-Grad Essays
• Specialized Services
• Waitlist Letters
• Private School Essays
• General College Counseling
• School list with priorities noted:
• Anything else we should know?
• Comments This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.
• Agnes Scott College
• Alvernia University
• American University
• Amherst College
• Babson College
• Bard College
• Barnard College
• Baylor University
• Bennington College
• Bentley University
• Berry College
• Bethany College
• Bishop’s University
• Boston College
• Boston University (BU)
• Bowdoin College
• Brandeis University
• Brown University
• Bryn Mawr College
• Bucknell University
• Butler University
• California Institute of Technology (Caltech)
• California Lutheran University
• Capitol Technology University
• Carleton College
• Carnegie Mellon University
• Catawba College
• Centre College
• Chapman University
• Claremont McKenna College
• Clark University
• College of Mount Saint Vincent
• College of William and Mary
• College of Wooster
• Colorado College
• Colorado School of Mines
• Columbia University
• Cornell University
• Culver-Stockton College
• D'Youville University
• Dartmouth College
• Davidson College
• Drexel University
• Duke University
• Earlham College
• Elon University
• Emerson College
• Emory University
• Flagler College
• Fordham University
• George Mason University
• Georgetown University
• Georgia State University
• Georgia Tech
• Gonzaga University
• Harvard University
• Harvey Mudd College
• Haverford College
• Hillsdale College
• Hofstra University
• Illinois Institute of Technology
• Illinois Wesleyan University
• Indiana University Bloomington
• Ithaca College
• Johns Hopkins University
• Kalamazoo College
• Lafayette College
• Lehigh University
• Lewis and Clark College
• Linfield University
• Loyola Marymount University (LMU)
• Lynn University
• Macalester College
• Malone University
• Manchester University
• Marist College
• Mary Baldwin University
• Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT)
• Meredith College
• Monmouth College
• Moravian University
• Morehouse College
• Mount Holyoke College
• New York University (NYU)
• North Park University
• Northwestern University
• Occidental College
• Oklahoma City University
• Olin College of Engineering
• Pepperdine University
• Pitzer College
• Pomona College
• Princeton University
• Providence College
• Purdue University
• Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute
• Rice University
• Saint Elizabeth University
• Santa Clara University
• Sarah Lawrence College
• Scripps College
• Seattle Pacific University
• Smith College
• Soka University of America
• Southern Methodist University
• St. John’s College
• Stanford University
• Stonehill College
• Swarthmore College
• Syracuse University
• Texas A&M University
• Texas Christian University
• The College of Idaho
• The George Washington University
• The New School
• Trinity College
• Tufts University
• Tulane University
• University of California
• University of Central Florida (UCF)
• University of Chicago
• University of Cincinnati
• University of Colorado Boulder
• University of Florida
• University of Georgia
• University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
• University of Maryland
• University of Massachusetts Amherst
• University of Miami
• University of Michigan
• University of Minnesota
• University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC)
• University of North Carolina at Charlotte
• University of North Carolina at Greensboro
• University of Notre Dame
• University of Oklahoma
• University of Oregon
• University of Pennsylvania
• University of Pittsburgh
• University of Richmond
• University of San Diego
• University of San Francisco
• University of Southern California (USC)
• University of Texas at Austin
• University of Tulsa
• University of Vermont
• University of Virginia (UVA)
• University of Washington
• University of Wisconsin-Madison
• Vanderbilt University
• Vassar College
• Villanova University
• Virginia Tech
• Wake Forest University
• Washington and Lee University
• Washington University in St. Louis
• Wellesley College
• Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI)
• Yale University

Want free stuff?

We thought so. Sign up for free instructional videos, guides, worksheets and more!

One-On-One Advising

Common App Essay Prompt Guide

Supplemental Essay Prompt Guide

• YouTube Tutorials
• Our Approach & Team
• Undergraduate Testimonials
• Postgraduate Testimonials
• Where Our Students Get In
• CEA Gives Back
• Undergraduate Admissions
• Graduate Admissions
• Private School Admissions
• International Student Admissions
• Common App Essay Guide
• Supplemental Essay Guides
• Coalition App Guide
• The CEA Podcast
• Admissions Stats
• Notification Trackers
• Deadline Databases
• College Essay Examples
• Academy and Worksheets
• Waitlist Guides
• Get Started

• Application Requirements
• Student Experience Q&A
• Business Analytics Certificate
• Finance Certificate Programs
• Tuition & Financial Aid
• International and Transfer Students
• Military Friendly
• How to Apply
• Accreditation
• Leadership Development Resources
• MBA Career Outcomes
• MSBA Career Outcomes

Grad School 101: Tips for Writing Your Admissions Essays

Like any business professional knows, planning ahead and being prepared are key factors that contribute to whether or not a graduate student’s application is strong enough to potentially earn them a space in a rigorous and respectable program.

You’re not an undergraduate student anymore, and putting off all of your application materials until the night before simply won’t cut it in graduate school—especially not when it comes to those most frightening of application materials: your admissions essays .

Thankfully, regardless of how many essays you need to complete for your application, there are several steps you can take to ensure your essay is as strong as it needs to be.

Essays can play a major role in the university’s admissions decisions, so any way to give yourself the advantage can make all the difference. By following our steps above, you can ensure your essay is in stronger shape and is better able to differentiate you from the pool of other candidates applying to the program as well.

But, if you’re still in doubt, remember to reach out to your Admissions Advisor or school coordinator with any questions or concerns!

If you’ve submitted your graduate school essay already, you might want to get ahead in the game by reviewing how to prepare for the video interview for admissions.

And if you want to learn about the William & Mary’s online business degrees from someone in the program already, hear from some of our current students as they discuss the rigor of the W&M program and the flexibility of earning an MBA, MSBA or MSM online .

Return to Online Business Blog

William & Mary has engaged Everspring , a leading provider of education and technology services, to support select aspects of program delivery.

William and Mary College Undergraduate College Application Essays

These William and Mary College college application essays were written by students accepted at William and Mary College. All of our sample college essays include the question prompt and the year written. Please use these sample admission essays responsibly.

Join Now to View Premium Content

GradeSaver provides access to 2359 study guide PDFs and quizzes, 11005 literature essays, 2764 sample college application essays, 926 lesson plans, and ad-free surfing in this premium content, “Members Only” section of the site! Membership includes a 10% discount on all editing orders.

• Browse College Application Essays
• Undergraduate

College Application Essays accepted by William and Mary College

Ready for the future because of my background anonymous, william and mary college.

I never knew when I was speaking Farsi, Chinese, or English. After all, I would flit back and forth from my Taiwanese mother to my Persian father, rapidly translating words between them. Then, I'd settle into bed for my regular Dr. Seuss bedtime...

Lost In (which is "en" in Greek, "in" in Latin, but "en" again in Latinates) Thought Shannon Maene

I have been told I am a thinker: one who is commonly lost in thought - which arises as a result of the interactions between the various parts of the brain, according to one theory, as the logical center in the front left hemisphere attempts to...

A Battle for Insight Shannon Maene

"Kai houtos manthano."* To most, they are meaningless words, incomprehensible and bizarre. But to me, their meaning is legion: secrecy, silence, concealment. They are Greek, and they mean subversive. I am a subversive, of the Greek persuasion,...

"All That Matters" Anonymous

No matter how old I grow, the meaning of friendship has always remained the same - loyalty, sympathy, understanding, and unwavering support. I learned this lesson early in life, back when my best friend's trampoline was the cornerstone of my...

I Am: A French-American Charlotte Amanda Martin

Had someone asked me my nationality four years ago, I would have said American.

My father, unlike many fathers, is a stereotypical French man. He emigrated to the U.S. three years before I was born, yet worked hard to retain his culture, the same...

My Passion for Literature Anonymous

I stood on my tiptoes, clapping furiously, my mouth open in a joyous scream. The White Sox, my favorite baseball team, had won a critical game while I was in the audience. As the furor of victorious shouts died down, I noticed my friends’ faces;...

A Man of Convictions Eric Tracz

I am well known for having many strongly held personal convictions. Whether people look fondly on my convictions or harness utter disdain for them is a completely different story. Some are seen to be outrageous, such as believing that dipping...

Unique Eyes Grace Sheridan

Eye color was evenly divided in my family before I was born: two sets of blue eyes and two sets of green eyes. My birth would have traditionally tipped the scales, but I was born with one blue eye and one green. This anomaly was originally...

Artist Megan Zhu

The fan is chugging away overhead, desperately fighting off the heat that Jinhua’s summers are infamous for.

But I am oblivious: I’m finishing my drawing of Mickey Mouse. With pencil in hand, markers sprawled about, and a new book of cartoon...

My Grandmother's Influence Megan Zhu

Zhu Qin, a peasant girl who had been isolated from civilization her entire life, knew nothing of the world that existed beyond the mountains. Not a single person in her family had had any prior education whatsoever; nobody was able to even write...

Entering Musicianship Anonymous

When asked how to get to Carnegie Hall, a wise musician replied simply, “Practice.” Although I did plenty of practicing leading up to playing at Carnegie Hall, it was performing in New York that launched me towards true musicianship. The first...

My Life as a Third Culture Kid Grace Kim

My family faced tragedy shortly after we arrived in Afghanistan. We struggled through our first six months, but my parents were new missionaries filled with excitement for God's work. Even when we timidly bought food from strangers who spoke Dari...

A Transformative Experience Anonymous

As the sunlight began to dim, my panic rose. The street signs were incomprehensible, and any request for assistance only resulted in a barrage of unfamiliar German. I found myself hoping for a rapid rescue, yet I knew that I needed to find my own...

First Love Affair Carlos Holden-Villars

My first love affair was longer than thirty pages; it had no thirty-point font; it did not include any colorful illustrations. In the summer of third grade I read Matilda , by Roald Dahl. I was awed at the size of the thing; I mean, I could barely...

A Fairy Tale Anonymous

It was 2 AM. As my fingers moved across the keyboard, words sprang onto the surface of my laptop screen like drops of tar. Word count revealed that I had only written 500 words today. Unacceptable. Stephen King averaged 2000 words a day. I had to...

Resilience Jacob Isler

If I had to describe the culture of my family in one word, it would be "resilient." Every year, my father gets a new assignment... fight in the skies above Iraq, train future pilots in Mississippi, advise a four star general in Hawaii, and now,...

Modeling Maude Evelyn Marie Torsher

As a child, I worried about everything. Things that most kids enjoyed like school, roller coasters and junk food made me nervous and uncomfortable. I became used to having a persistent stomach ache; I was always anxious and reluctant to try...

The Tap Shoes Anonymous

On my first day of third grade, I wore tap shoes to school. The majority of my elementary school years was a blur, but I vividly remember this occurrence as it is the earliest memory I have of going decisively against the crowd. They were a creamy...

A Summer Away From Home Patrick Stephen O'Connell

I stared at the inmates crowding the courtyard in front of me and began to wonder what I was doing in a prison. My visit was for three weeks during which I was tasked with helping teach computer code to inmates in San Francisco’s San Quentin State...

My True Colors Patrick Stephen O'Connell

Walk into my room and you will immediately notice blue draped across the walls and blanketed over my bed. This is not just any tone of blue; it is the Tennessee Titans’ baby blue. My infatuation with the Titans took root during my childhood....

Personal Statement Anonymous

In my hometown, Nanchang, China, the Gan River divides the city into two worlds. One side of the river has enjoyed much government investment: skyscrapers are adorned with beaming neon lights, and beacons are announcing the economic prosperity of...

Square-dancers Anonymous

“Honey, do you mind teaching my friends and me to dance?” Asked my grandmother in a thoughtful tone.

“Ok, no problem,” I answered without a second thought. Confident in my experiences, I became a dancing instructor in her “elderly dancers’...

Storytime Vielka Ebadan

When my great-grandmother was on her deathbed, I heard her speak for the first time. Through her shaking words and glittering gaze, she transported me to her teenage years. Describing living during the era of Rafael Trujillo, a time of harmful,...

Craftsmanship Anonymous

On the farm, Grandpa squatted down in front of the fence, saying little and observing the cage-free chicken for a few minutes. He then picked the one he thought to be of the right portion of fat for a certain dish.

I cut the pork in half, first...

Recent Questions about William and Mary College

The Question and Answer section for William and Mary College is a great resource to ask questions, find answers, and discuss the novel.

• Our Bloggers

The William & Mary W&M Blogs

Eeeek…It’s the Essay

Admit It! Writing application essays stresses you out.  You would describe them as anything but fun.  Time-consuming; sure.  Frustrating; most definitely.  Nightmare-causing; gosh we hope not but we admit it is a possibility.  Not sure if this makes you feel better or worse but we actually do read your essays.  Does that make you feel better or worse?  And we enjoy doing so.  So no pressure now…right?

So why do we require an essay (and we only require one so that’s no soooo bad)?  There are two primary reasons; the first of which is to get to know you better – more three-dimensionally so to speak.   Think of your essay as a personal statement; that will help ensure that you are the primary subject of your essay.  You may be able to write a wonderfully eloquent essay about your grandfather.  And at the end of reading it, I may want to admit your grandfather.  But I haven’t learned anything new about you; you are the applicant.  What makes you tick?  What makes you unique?  Who are you as a person?  Why would I want to share a classroom or a residence hall with you?

Great, that’s probably not as helpful as you hoped right?  It’s hard to write about yourself; we get it.  But the essays are a great way for us to learn about you from your own perspective.  The essay is the one part of the application where you are using your own words and your own voice to communicate directly with the admission committee. Write about you; you’re what you know.  And you are in fact unique.  There is something about you that isn’t commonplace.  Find that thing and write about it.  If it’s something big like growing up in a foreign country, write about it.  If it’s something small like you always wear socks with stripes for a particular reason, write about it.  If it’s something in between like your life-long hobby of collecting McDonalds Happy Meal toys, write about it.  The key is to find a topic that few others can write about.  There are most definitely fairly generic college essay topics: death of a relative, parents’ divorce, traveling abroad, a service/mission trip, a sports injury, your epic love of Harry Potter books (that one has come on strong in recent years).  It’s not that these experiences/interests aren’t salient or important; they are.  But they are also fairly commonplace for 17-year olds and the ways in which you write about them will be incredibly similar.  This makes an essay generic.  When an essay starts with describing an athletic injury, I can tell you the content of the remaining 1.5 pages without reading it; that demonstrates how many times (and I’d wager in the thousands) that I’ve read that exact same essay during my career.  So as you ponder a topic, think about whether or not any of your friends could write a similar essay.  If a few of them can, multiply that by 100 – at least – and that’s how many essays on that topic we’ll receive.  In other words, pick another topic.

The second reason we require an essay is that it’s a writing sample.  You probably noticed in the standardized test blog from a few weeks ago that we do not focus on the writing standardized test component.  We feel an essay topic that you’ve picked, that you’ve had ample time to write, is the best measure of your writing ability.  Your essay should be polished and proofread, I use the analogy something you’re willing to turn in for a grade.  Do not run spellcheck at 11:59 p.m. when the application is due at midnight and consider your essay proofed.  A few years ago an applicant meant to talk about t-shirts but he left out the letter “r” [insert reader’s pregnant pause here and then a chuckle when he/she gets what happened].  That significantly changes the tone of an essay.  So make sure your essay is not only proofread (and yes you can ask a friend, parent or teacher to proofread your essay), but make sure it uses complex and varied sentence structure, paragraph breaks, strong diction; in other words show us that you are ready to write for college professors.

Let me tell you, an essay can really make an impact on your application.  Yes it’s one part of many just like all the other application components but it’s the part that comes from you.  It’s your heart; it’s your mind; it’s your soul.  Great essays (whether great in topic or great in style or both) can help me remember your application three months after reading it.  As I present it to the committee, I’ll say, yeah this is the person who wrote this essay.  And we’ll actually stop committee to read the essay.  We’ll grow to like you (and that never hurts if you’re looking for a thick envelope in the mail).  Likewise, a bad essay can also be very memorable; but not in a good way.  Something that’s poorly written or makes a questionable value judgment might also stop committee and act as a tip factor in the other direction.

So how do we put essays in context?  We know that most 17-year-olds (in fact most people) are not poet laureates.  We do not expect Pulitzer-Prize winning essays.  That would be unreasonable.  Although when we get them we are super excited and generally run around the office showing it to all of our colleagues (I’m speaking to you author of Skin ).  We also know that finding a unique topic is hard, and so even those more generic essays are read and considered because we know that whatever you wrote about is clearly meaningful enough for you to write about it.  We also consider any learning disabilities and language abilities (i.e. if English is not your first language) when reviewing an essay’s style and grammar.

As a side note, don’t write what you think we want to hear.  We have no preconceived ideas about what we want to hear.  Plus it’s painfully obvious when you’ve picked a topic based on what you think we want to hear (I’m talking to the hundreds if not thousands of applicants who write about how great W&M is…I know that; you don’t have to sell me on W&M and that essay generally tells me nothing about you).

Next week, this blog will provide opening lines from good essays and the not-so-good essays and help you distinguish one from the other.  So this is a part deux blog again.  But we know that our applicants are incredibly interested in what we have to say on this subject matter and if helps even one student decide not to write about traveling to Paris but to instead write about their family road trip to the Corn Palace than I have done my job and I’ll be a happier reader for it (and you’ll be a more competitive applicant for it as well).

Wendy Livingston ’03, M.Ed. ‘09 Senior Assistant Dean of Admission

PS: For more blogs on essays, visit our application process web page and click on the second of the two boxes on the right (the Essays Made Easy widget).

About Author:

Fascinated by the college admission process? Intrigued by how it can seem complicated, mysterious and confusing? Read past blog posts for musings, recollections and insights into William & Mary the institution and William & Mary’s admission process. Some posts are silly. Some are serious. Some are sentimental. All of them are designed to help you navigate your way through the college search and application process. Learn more about Undergraduate Admission.

Elsewhere on W&M Blogs

A student points to their name on a William & Mary banner during last year's Day for Admitted Students. (Photo by Alfred Herczeg)

The future of William & Mary is here — and it is bright!

This Saturday, more than 1,200 newly admitted undergraduate students and their families will visit campus and experience some of what makes the Alma Mater of the Nation so unique, including the most personal education of any public university in the United States.

William & Mary’s annual Day for Admitted Students (DFAS) provides an opportunity for attendees to explore living and learning at the university, while also connecting with current students and other members of the admitted class. 

“This is always such an exciting time of year as the entire campus is preparing for Day for Admitted Students,” said Associate Dean of Admission Kate Perry. “It is in great celebration that we come together to showcase all that is exceptional about our community as we welcome the newest members to their future home.

“This year promises a chance to meet their fellow classmates and connect with faculty and staff, figure out which new clubs and organizations they may wish to join, the opportunity to touch a brain during a lecture and even a bounce house or two.” 

An impressive group 

Approximately 5,800 students were offered admission to the Class of 2028 from a pool of 17,787 – an overall admission rate of 33%. Since 2020, the university has experienced a 25% increase in total applications.

For the third consecutive year, William & Mary saw a record number of Early Decision applicants, with a total of 1,586 applications for both rounds of the process. Early Decision notifications were sent to applicants in December and January, and Regular Decision notifications were sent out on March 22. The Class of 2028 is expected to include about 1,650 students when it starts at the university in fall 2024.

This year’s group of admitted students is diverse and academically accomplished, boasting an SAT middle 50th percentile of 1430-1530 and an ACT middle 50th percentile of 33-35. Additionally, among those with a class rank, 90% were in the top 10% of their classes. William & Mary continues to offer a standardized test-optional process, and 30% of admitted students applied without standardized test scores this year. 

The students hail from locations across the country and around the world. Altogether, the students represent 65 countries and 49 states, plus Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico and Northern Mariana Islands. 

“There is much to be impressed by from this group of admitted students when you consider all that they’ve accomplished in and out of the classroom,” said Tim Wolfe, associate vice president for enrollment and dean of admission. “However, what really stood out to our team went beyond that. Their voices, their stories and their experiences illustrated why they will be an outstanding fit for the William & Mary community and immerse themselves in all this university has to offer. We can’t wait to welcome them to campus soon.”

Expanding access

William & Mary has a long-standing commitment to meet 100% of the demonstrated financial need of in‑state Virginia residents and has been working in recent years to expand access and increase the socioeconomic diversity of the student body. 

Last year, William & Mary launched a program to guarantee scholarship aid to cover at least the cost of tuition and fees for all in-state, undergraduate Pell Grant-eligible students. The university also announced the Lighting the Way Scholarship, which will support selected out-of-state, Pell Grant-eligible students starting with the 2024-2025 academic year.

In addition, the university last fall launched the Commonwealth Impact Partners Program (CIP), which partners with select Virginia high schools to identify high-achieving, limited-income and first-generation students for the W&M Scholars Program. 

As a result of those and similar efforts, the university offered admission to 6% more in-state, first-generation students this year than last and 10% more in-state students who used an income-based application fee waiver. The university also made 47% more W&M Scholar award offers this year than last, including 70 to students who were nominated by their schools as part of the CIP program.

Additional opportunities

This year’s DFAS festivities kick off in the newly renovated Kaplan Arena and include a number of sessions on the university’s academic and extracurricular offerings, from scientific research to the fine and performing arts. William & Mary is currently celebrating the Year of the Arts and recently opened two facilities as part of the new Arts Quarter.

Admitted students who are unable to attend DFAS will have an additional opportunity to visit campus before the enrollment deadline of May 15, which was extended this year in light of national delays impacting the FAFSA and financial aid. The university’s Green & Gold Days for admitted students are scheduled for April 19, 22 and 29. 

While the Office of Undergraduate Admission is looking forward to welcoming the admitted class to campus over the next few weeks, they are already meeting potential members of the classes of 2029 and 2030. Between March 23 and April 5, the university welcomed more than 6,000 visitors to campus, many of them being high school students and their families taking advantage of their spring breaks to tour institutions of higher education as they begin their college searches. 

“We’re excited to welcome these immensely talented students and their families to campus,” said Jeremy P. Martin, vice president for strategy and innovation. “For many, this will become their college home with DFAS the first meeting of faculty who become mentors and classmates who become lifelong friends. The enthusiasm is palpable as they discover they belong here at William & Mary.”

Erin Jay , Senior Associate Director of University News

Related Stories

A return for Willie Anne Wright ’45

William & Mary selects Brian Earl to lead men’s basketball

$30M gift to honor former U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates

Transforming W&M’s living and learning spaces: Construction projects move forward