ED to Williams?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Williams College
1

I am am from Asia and I was planning to apply early decision to Williams. However, my October SAT scoters were worse than I expected and I am not sure if I should apply ED with a superscore of 2040. My intended majors are economics and maths and I will need a lot of financial aid (almost full aid). Williams is my first choice, but should I really apply ED with the stats below? Also, if my ED application gets rejected, will I be able to apply RD with my december SAT scores (which WILL be better)?

GPA: 3.95/4 unweighted

IB Classes:
Physics HL - 7
Chemistry HL - 7
Math HL - 6
Economics HL - 7
Bangla literature SL - 7
English Language and Literature SL - 7

May SAT I: 1960 (650 CR, 600WS, 710 MR)
June SAT 1: 1980 (600 CR, 680 WS, 700 MR)
Superscore: 2040

SAT II: 800 Math II, 740 Physics, 730 Chemistry

EC’s
Debate and MUN (a few best speaker/debater awards)
Environmental club at school for four years
I work in an organisation that arranges campaigns to raise awareness about environmental issues
I teach English language at a local school for street children (since grade 10)
I started a school newspaper that highlights students’ academic and extra-curricular achievements
I will serve as an advisor in the student government in Senior year
I play cricket for a local team
Co-founded a voluntary organisation the teaches computing skills to underprivileged children

On a scale of 1 to 5, 1 being the highest and 5 being the lowest, I would rate my teacher recommendations 1 and my application essays 3.

2

Edit: My second SAT I scores are from October, not June.

3

I don’t think you have much of a chance with those SAT scores, I’m very sorry to say.

4

^ Perhaps, but the OP’s IB exam scores are outstanding at 41 out of a possible 42. In light of this student’s performance on what is arguably a more difficult set of exams, it would be disappointing if Williams Admissions dismissed his application out of hand due to a “low” SAT score.

5

I don’t know, were I you, I’d wait. If you want to put an ED bid somewhere, there’s a few very fine institutions that have ED 2 – Vanderbilt and Swarthmore spring to mind.

6

Yeah your SATs aren’t ideal, but applying ED helps a lot, especially when you consider the 0% acceptance rate of those who don’t apply. I say just go for it.
:slight_smile:

7

Why are you applying to Williams ED? It’s one of the most expensive schools in the US, which is why pretty much no one is applying ED to Williams…

8

Total semester cost at a select few top private schools:

Yale: $65,725 (http://admissions.yale.edu/financial-aid-prospective-students)
Harvard: $60,659 (http://www.harvard.edu/about-harvard/harvard-glance)
Stanford: $64,477 (http://financialaid.stanford.edu/undergrad/budget/)
Princeton: $63,420 (https://admission.princeton.edu/financialaid/fees-payment-options)
Amherst: $62,940 (https://www.amherst.edu/offices/financialaid/international_students/costs_amherst)
Pomona: $62,870 (http://www.pomona.edu/financial-aid/cost)

Williams: $63,290 (http://admission.williams.edu/affordability/)

Other top American schools are similarly expensive, so price really isn’t an issue at Williams if you’re set on going to a school that many people consider to be “elite”.

9

Zuh? Williams gets no shortage of ED applications every year, @Mminjjae

10

One consideration is that Williams is not need-blind for international applicants. So the fact that you need financial aid will be considered. Very few schools are, perhaps 5.

11

Yep. Harvard, Yale, Amherst, Princeton, MIT. But Williams does give significant FA to internationals every year (as do many other need-aware schools).