<p>How difficult is it to get in from California? My s has over 2200 SAT's and 4.5 GPA lot's of EC's and leadership positions. We heard it was very difficult getting in from oos especially Cali.</p>
<p>Hello. I'm from California and had lower SATs and slightly higher GPA and just got in ED.</p>
<p>It is pretty tough, definitely write the optional essay and make sure you show that you're a leader.</p>
<p>An admission officer told me that they generally only accept 20% of OOS applicants as opposed to about 40% of IS applicants.</p>
<p>I got in with lower scores from Florida</p>
<p>About 2/3 of the W&M student body are VA residents, as required by the Commonwealth. So the % issues as noted mean nothing. More data may lend some insight.</p>
<p>Guys definitely have the admissions advantage, and being from California will also help. I think your son will get in. My daughter had 2220 and was waitlisted last year (did not get in). We are from NYS.</p>
<p>I think that admissions at W & M are a remarkably holistic process, considering Whistle Pig's point above that 65 percent of the student body must be VA residents, and that it's a competitive school trying to fulfill the same enrollment goals as other competitive schools (geographic, ethnic, and now economic diversity, academic interests, sports and EC participation, etc.) So I think it's hard to predict chances based solely on test scores and GPA. I also don't think that it ever hurts to be male when applying to W & M.</p>
<p>I suggest that the OP's s submit all the optional stuff he can (teacher rec and, for sure, the optional essay). He sounds like a strong candidate, but a lot of outstanding kids were rejected or waitlisted last year - for, I'm sure, reasons entirely out of their hands. All he can do is his best - good luck!</p>
<p>Your S should be a competitive applicant but at a school like W&M nothing is ever a certainty. Good luck.</p>
<p>OOS applicants must have good scores/gpa, but I think they also new something different or exciting to push them over the edge into the admit pile...something that makes the admissions committee chose them over an in-state kid.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your advise. We just have to sit and pray until April comes around.</p>
<p>Generally,OOS apps don't bump instaters. VA law requires 2/3 be Virginians, so locals compete against locals and OOSers vs. OOSers.</p>
<p>DOes being a NMSF help OOS students get accepted if they also have a great GPA and good EC?</p>
<p>hope ... if you are such, you should know the answer. :confused:</p>