What are you looking for?

<p>Most students applying to W&M this year have outstanding SAT scores, stellar grades, leadership positions, and a host of AP scores.But I am curious, with so many qualified applicants, what sets those who are admitted apart from the others?
Does w&m prefer to see an applicant with excellent grades and scores, but with a somewhat generic application, or a unique application that sets the applicant apart from the crowd, but with less impressive scores and grades?
If an applicant has an exceptional talent or unusual circumstance, but lower numbers, would they still be competetive next to applicants with a 2200 SAT and a 4.0?</p>

<p>W&M prefers that you are “beyond the numbers” if you will… they look for people who will bring unique skills and backgrounds to campus. They look for people to fill out the football team, soccer team, music groups, and theater presentations. That said, something like 80-90% of accepted students are in the top 10% of their HS class, so obviously most of the students have good numbers also.</p>

<p>It really depends on the student as to what distinguishes an admitted application from a waitlist or a deny. For some students, their incredible academics and intellectual curiosity will set them apart. For others it will be a unique talent as demonstrated through athletic recruitment, a fine arts submission, or an extracurricular activity. For some students, it will be an exceptional background or perspective which might come through in an essay or letters of recommendation. So it’s different for every student. Some students will get in with a “generic” resume because another part of their application is so stellar. And some students who may fall a bit short of our academic expectations (but who are nonetheless great students) will be admitted due to a unique personal quality. </p>

<p>We’re not looking for anything specific…many different factors can set you apart. We just encourage students to make their application the best representation of themselves as possible. Review of academic credentials is fairly objective and students need not focus their efforts on those parts of their application. Focus on the essay, the optional components, the extracurricular sections, etc. In essence, focus on the parts of the application that let you show us who you are.</p>

<p>Thank you, both SoccerGuy and W&M admission.
As application deadlines steadily approach, I am trying to determine what could set my application apart. It is reassuring to know that W&M is not looking for one specific type of student, but rather, a variety of students. </p>

<p>At this point, I am focusing the majority of my energy on my essay and art portfolio in effort to add to the personal qualities of my application.</p>

<p>The application process is starting to seem like a poker game. I just hope i am holding the right cards in my hand.</p>

<p>Skydancer, good plan to focus your energies on your essay and your art portfolio. I assume you plan on submitting the portfolio to our art faculty via the creative arts submission. These components, if done well, are great ways to show any admission committee your more intangible qualities and to set yourself apart.</p>