College of William & Mary
The second-oldest college in the United States, a public with the character of a selective liberal arts college.
- Next deadline
- Nov 1, 2026Early Decision
- Essays
- 1Prompt
- Supplement
- Required2026-2027 cycle
- Platform
- Common AppAccepted platform
- Selectivity
- 33%Less selective
- Enrollment
- 6,783Mid-size undergrad
Build your College of William & Mary application plan
Track the deadline, review every supplemental essay prompt, and shape each response around one clear admissions story.
Application deadlines
Supplemental essay prompts
- Supplement300 words2026-2027
Beyond your impressive academic credentials and extracurricular accomplishments, what else makes you unique and colorful? We know this is a fun question, but keep in mind that your response will be evaluated as a writing sample.
How to approach College of William & Mary's supplemental essays
Choose a role before you draft
Decide what this essay should add to the application: evidence, range, bridge, or a new window into your life. Avoid repeating the Common App essay in miniature.
Use this as a blank structure for a College of William & Mary supplement response, then replace every bracket with your own specifics.
- Open on [specific scene, object, problem, or conversation].
- Show what [choice/action/constraint] reveals about how you think.
- Connect that trait to [school program, community, lab, class, or value].
- End with the contribution you want to make at College of William & Mary, not a compliment.
Need more help with this application?
Use our guides to plan your supplement, sharpen your Why Us research, and review your draft before you submit.
Frequently asked questions
How many supplemental essays does College of William & Mary require?
College of William & Mary has 1 supplemental essay listed for the 2026-2027 application cycle, in addition to the shared application essay.
Does College of William & Mary accept the Common Application?
Yes — College of William & Mary accepts the Common Application.
What is College of William & Mary's acceptance rate?
College of William & Mary's most recently reported acceptance rate is 33.0%.
When is College of William & Mary's next application deadline?
College of William & Mary's next listed application deadline is the Early Decision round on November 1, 2026.
What does College of William & Mary's supplement essay prompt ask (300 words)?
Beyond your impressive academic credentials and extracurricular accomplishments, what else makes you unique and colorful? We know this is a fun question, but keep in mind that your response will be evaluated as a writing sample.
Sources and verification
We prioritize College of William & Mary's official admissions pages for school-specific prompts and deadlines, then use application-platform and federal sources as cross-checks. This record is labeled for the 2026-2027 cycle but still needs a fresh verification pass.
Review official source →