Is an invite to apply to Williams WOW program a mass generated invite?
Also, is it intended to recruit only those with FA needs, or would Williams really consider my S21 for the fly in visit program? (We won’t be eligible for any FA when he applies to colleges later this summer.)
Bumping…b/c I’m restless at home (like everyone) and ready to hit “delete” if it’s pointless. But I’m happy to nag my teen if it’s something worthwhile. 
If interested in attending Williams College, then it is worthwhile.
D attended and really enjoyed her visit. She was so impressed with the faculty and the friendliness of the students - and it was a very well planned weekend. The event helped her decide she wanted a smaller LAC with more personal attention and closer relationships with profs.
Re: the FA question, I did get the sense that they were looking for students who wouldn’t be able to visit otherwise. However, my D is not URM nor do we qualify for QuestBridge, etc. so I think they looked at the application holistically.
If selected, the students also have an excellent shot at getting in RD, so that’s an added bonus.
Thank you @TrendaLeigh. That is helpful information. Do you have any idea how they generated a list of students to invite to apply? (I’m assuming via College Board registrations?)
S21 has been looking at more city schools for poly sci or IR but…the appeal of an outstanding LAC is always present with small classes and attention to writing, etc. (He really likes Davidson and Wake Forest and we had plans to visit W&M, but he also really liked DC schools.)
Thanks again. ?
I don’t have personal experience with it, but I know that the WOW program is intended to give low-income or URMs the ability to visit the school when they otherwise might’ve been unable to afford it. Students who participate in the weekend typically have a great time and a significantly higher Williams admit rate, so yes, I’d say it’s definitely meaningful. No idea how the list is generated.
Thank you for replying. All f/b helps.
S21 continues to tell me he really doesn’t care where he attends school (city, suburb, rural). He just wants a superb education. He emailed WOW with a couple questions and waiting to hear back from them.
Does one apply to WOW or do they buy a list from the College Board based on PSAT scores?
Never mind. Application is on the website, so no need to be “invited” to apply:
https://myadmission.williams.edu/register/WOWApplication2020
Our S19 (full pay, white suburban student) was invited to WOW when he was a senior. We never figured out why either. Wouldn’t bring any diversity at all to Williams. He didn’t end up going because he had a XC meet that weekend. Always thought it was odd he was invited.
Thanks, @homerdog for the f/b. The passage of time is like a perpetual dream state lately and I completely blanked on f/u with this with S21.
“S21 has been looking at more city schools for poly sci or IR but…the appeal of an outstanding LAC is always present with small classes and attention to writing, etc. (He really likes Davidson and Wake Forest and we had plans to visit W&M, but he also really liked DC schools.)”
If WOW is virtual, that may limit how much of a feel you’ll get but it does sound like a great program. If he’s visited in person the DC schools and felt those could be a good fit, you may want to prioritize city schools as you put it, they pretty different from Williams.
does anyone know if they accepted more people this year? since it’s virtual?
That would make sense; however, the concept is to invite students on a selective basis so that they can get concentrated attention (virtual or otherwise). The programming is basically a virtual version of the in person experience including all of the discussion groups and even the entertainment (dance jamboree, etc.).
The AO’s i’ve emailed have said they are keeping the same selectivity as any other year. This applies to WOW, DiscoSwat, Explore Bowdoin, Pomona, and Amherst. IDK about the less selective fly-in’s however.