Williams Class of 2013 From 49 States, 59 Countries02:42PM / Monday, September 14, 2009
WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass. — Williams College welcomed 549 freshman to the campus last week, including students from every state in the union except for North Dakota.
Fifteen are local, from the Berkshires or Bennington, Vt., area.
While it's unclear why no North Dakotans made it in, of the 6,017 students who applied, 1,229 were accepted, resulting in a 20 percent admit rate. Some 224 students, or about 18 percent of those accepted, were admitted through the college's Early Decision Program.
The student body for fall 2009 also includes students from 59 countries — from Afghanistan to Zimbabwe. The largest numbers of U.S. students come from New York, Massachusetts, California, Connecticut and New Jersey.
"Among these fine scholars, a wealth of talented young scientists artists, musicians, actors, and athletes promise to make the class of 2013 as dynamic as it is bright and diverse," said Richard Nesbitt, director of admission. Seventy-eight of the students said they were interested in pursuing a doctorate in science, 47 received top ratings in music, 26 in studio art and 16 in theater.
By all standard measures of academic talent, including test scores and previous academic performance, this year's entering class is impressive. SAT's for the cohort averaged 709 for critical reading and 699 for math and 707 for writing. The average ACT composite was 31. Eighty-eight percent of the class was ranked in the 10 percent of their graduating classes.
The 254 men and 295 women who make up the class of 2013 began their first day of classes on Sept. 10, when the college opened for the 2009-10 academic year.
Fifty-eight percent come from public high schools, 31 percent from independent schools, 7percent from parochial schools, and 4 percent were otherwise educated.
Thirty-four percent of the class self-identifies as American students of color, including 56 African-Americans, 72 Asian-Americans, 56 Latinos, and one American Indian. The class has 32 international students.
The traditional introductory First Days took place Sept. 2 through Sept. 9. During this time, first-year students move in, explore the college and its resources, are introduced to academic departments and their advisers, and take placement exams and the mandatory swimming test.
Students also participated in one of a number of Ephventures, orientation programs designed to give students an opportunity to "explore, embark, experience, engage, examine, and expand." The ventures included exploration of the arts, cross-cultural interests and the Berkshires, community building; leadership development; athletics and outdoor orientation.
Factors cited by students who elect to come to Williams are academic reputation, size of the college, personal attention, attractiveness of the campus, academic facilities, and extracurricular opportunities.
The college's strong financial aid program is critically important in encouraging outstanding students to apply.
Admission decisions are made regardless of a student's financial ability, and the college provides grants and other assistance to meet the demonstrated need of all who are admitted. Fifty-three percent of the class received aid. The average financial aid package (scholarship and work/study) was $39,350. The expected load debt owed by graduating seniors is zero. The range of family income of those assisted is zero to $233,000.
"Even in these turbulent economic times, Williams is committed to meeting the full demonstrated need of all its financial aid applicants," said Paul J. Boyer, director of financial aid. "Williams provides its students with some of the most generous financial aid awards, applying its long standing need-based and need-blind policies to both domestic and international students. "
The application deadline for early decision for the class of 2014 is Nov. 10, 2009; regular decision is Jan. 1, 2010. |
