As the second oldest institution of higher education in the United States, the College of William & Mary has been admitting students since the 17th century. As is often the case with the nation’s oldest and most prestigious schools, William & Mary is highly selective — but not as selective as many of the other dinosaur schools out there. Indeed, William & Mary has carved out a niche as an alternative to the Ivy League, where students can still receive the full experience of a liberal arts education backed by a rich history and legacy of excellence without succumbing to the stress of a cutthroat admissions process.

The history of William & Mary’s acceptance rate is available online through their Common Data Set, stretching back all the way to the Class of 2002. Read on to discover how its acceptance rate has (or hasn’t!) changed over nearly three decades:

College of William and Mary Acceptance Rate Over 25+ Years

William and Mary Class Year	Overall Acceptance Rate
Class of 2029	Not Yet Released
Class of 2028	32.72%
Class of 2027	33.50%
Class of 2026	37.00%
Class of 2025	42.16%
Class of 2024	37.68%
Class of 2023	36.92%
Class of 2022	35.92%
Class of 2021	36,52%
Class of 2020	34.46%
Class of 2019	33.02%
Class of 2018	33.21%
Class of 2017	32.17%
Class of 2016	34.57%
Class of 2015	31.73%
Class of 2014	33.51%
Class of 2013	34.08%
Class of 2012	33.68%
Class of 2011	32.34%
Class of 2010	31.03%
Class of 2009	35.04%
Class of 2008	34.33%
Class of 2007	34.64%
Class of 2006	37.42%
Class of 2005	40.62%
Class of 2004	44.93%
Class of 2003	45.15%
Class of 2002	46.02%

We’ll provide some context before we unpack William & Mary’s unexpected data. Acceptance rates at elite institutions have been dwindling over the last three decades as more and more students apply for the same number of admissions slots. Across the Ivy League, for example, fewer than 10% of applicants have earned admission in recent cycles. 

While this trend is relatively ubiquitous among the top schools in the country, slightly less prestigious schools aren’t necessarily subject to the same trends. Case in point: William & Mary. Their acceptance rate has remained remarkably stable, hovering between 30% and 45% over the last 26 years. Just as other schools have been admitting a smaller and smaller proportion of students, this Williamsburg, Virginia-based institution has been admitting around the same number for quite some time.

We at Ivy Coach won’t even speculate as to why this is the case, but no matter what, it should be a promising sign for those who want to bypass the college admissions stress associated with applying to most other elite schools.

Ivy Coach’s Assistance with Acceptance to the College of William & Mary

When the data finally arrives for the Class of 2029, Ivy Coach’s famously accurate crystal ball predicts that there won’t be a significant dip or increase in acceptance at William & Mary. However, this doesn’t mean you should take for granted that your child will get in without a problem. After all, a 33% acceptance rate still means that two out of every three applicants are rejected (math majors here!). This is a lower acceptance rate than most schools across the United States!

However, by enlisting the help of Ivy Coach’s team of former elite college admissions officers, you can significantly enhance your child’s chances of admission to William & Mary. Our approach focuses on developing a competitive singular hook for your child, a unique pursuit, passion, or cause that informs every aspect of their application and reassures admissions officers of their potential to make the most of their college experience.

To begin the journey towards securing your child’s admission to the College of William & Mary, fill out our complimentary consultation form. We’ll then be in touch with an outline of our services.