Thank you for your interest in Williams College and the WOW program. If you’re in the high school graduating class of 2015 and from a low-income, first-generation or traditionally underrepresented background, we encourage you to apply for WOW.  During the three-day WOW program, students have the opportunity to attend sessions that shed light on admission and financial aid polices, interact with faculty and staff, stay in a student dormitory, and enjoy performances by student groups.  Williams covers all program expenses for WOW, including all travel to and from campus (by plane, train, bus, and hired car) meals, and overnight accommodations in a dorm with a current student. Due to the short duration of the program, we are only able to invite students who are attending school in the United States and Puerto Rico. Also note that preference is given to applicants who demonstrate financial need.

Please note that the last Priority Deadline to apply to WOW has passed. Williams Admissions also offers our Overnight Visit program for students during the fall of their senior year. When you register for the Overnight Visit program, we will arrange an overnight host for you for one night, and you will have the opportunity to eat in the dining halls and attend classes. Travel is not funded by Williams for the Overnight Program. For more information about the Overnight Program, please go here.

Before beginning your WOW application, please read the following instructions in their entirety.

WOW applications cannot be saved prior to submission so it is imperative that you gather the information and items listed below before beginning an application. Once you've completed your WOW essay, the application should take no more than 20 to 30 minutes to complete.

• High school transcript (you can either self-report your transcript or upload an electronic copy)
• Completed WOW Application Essay (see prompt below)
• High school counselor phone number and email address
• Community-based organization counselor phone number and email address (if applicable)
• Estimated family income
• Estimated noncustodial parent income (if applicable)

WOW essay prompt: Please describe your neighborhood and how it impacts who you are. Please limit your response to 300 words.

If admitted to WOW, you will be able to choose between two program dates:September 25-27 and October 16-18. 

Whether you are hearing about Williams for the first time or have had us in mind for several years, we hope that you will check out our website and be in touch with the admission staff if you have any questions at all.