Windows on Williams Response

Hi! I just got the below response to my application to Windows on Williams and I wanted to know if it is a good sign for admission to Williams in the fall. I am not a URM and do live in a relatively well off household so I was not accepting to be admitted but would appreciate any feedback on the response.

The response:
I’m writing to let you know that, unfortunately, we’re unable to include you among the 2019 WOW Scholars, but I want to be sure you understand why. The WOW program was developed to provide students the chance to visit Williams if they wouldn’t otherwise be able to afford the cost of a visit to campus. Because the WOW applicant pool includes so many students who have never been to Williamstown, we prioritize those students when determining how to distribute our funding for the program.

Before you delete this email, I want to be sure you know that this decision is in no way a reflection of how impressed we are by your application. In fact, we think you’re a terrific candidate for the Williams Class of 2024 and very much hope you’ll apply. If it would be helpful for us to waive your application fee and the fee for submitting the CSS PROFILE, please refer to the instructions on how to take advantage of application fee waivers at the bottom of this email.

If you have any questions about the college application process, or if I can help in any way, please don’t hesitate to be in touch. I wish you all the best for a wonderful senior year and I look forward to reviewing your Williams application this winter.

Sincerely,

Stephanie Gonzalez (she/her/hers)
Associate Director for Diversity Recruitment
Williams College

That’s a generic response and in no way indicates that you will get into Williams.

not too generic. this is what I got:

"Thank you for your interest in the Windows on Williams (WOW) program. This year’s WOW applicant pool is among the largest and strongest in the program’s history, and unfortunately, we cannot accept all of the fantastic students who applied. I’m sorry that we’re unable to include you in the program.

If you have any questions about the college application process, or if I can help in any way, please don’t hesitate to be in touch. I wish you all the best for a wonderful senior year."

They have multiple generic responses that they send out. It means nothing.

Agreed that is a generic response (as is post #2). Note also that anyone can request and receive an application fee waiver https://admission.williams.edu/affordability/. However, I would not request a fee waiver, if for example, the applicant is not going to apply or qualify for financial aid.

IIRC, the Williams has in past years offered phone/skype interviews for certain applicants that were not selected to attend WOW…so, if not accepted to WOW, this would be the next most desired outcome.

I got rejected but was offered the phone call. They said in the email that the admit rate for applicants who were offered the phone call was almost double the regular admit rate. Does anyone know if this is true or if this is a good sign?

My D got the same email as the OP minus the fee waiver offer last year. We had already toured the campus before she applied to WOW, and we did not qualify for FA. D did not end up applying there due to an ED acceptance. I recall reading 3 or 4 different responses that people had received on CC last year that you can search.

@sugarbearbench What were your stats?

@nikom814 I’m looking back at the application trying to remember what I put on there.
-SAT: 1430, or 1450 superscore (this was before I got my June SAT score)
-a couple of 4s on some APs (not from junior year because I hadn’t gotten them yet)
-I’m taking 4 IB classes my senior year, but I’m not pursuing the diploma
-my writing sample was a theatre research paper (I had to go ask them to approve it)
-My activities were ITS (International Thespian Society) and other theatre involvements, I also write for an online magazine, and I run a couple of blogs for fun.
I’m white but also low-income, and this year has been rough for me financially, which I explained.

Honestly, I emailed WOW a lot about updates to my financial situation so they probably saw that I was pretty committed to the program. I have my phone call on Monday so I guess I’ll see then!