Early Decision is Just Around the Corner
We Admit It! October kind of snuck up on us. Hard to believe that one month from yesterday is November 1 – the Early Decision (ED) deadline. William & Mary uses Early Decision (the binding kind of early application). We do not offer early action. Early Decision is an opportunity for those who bleed green and gold, who yearn to be part of the Tribe, to express that sentiment and to receive an early response from us (Early Decision notifications are released in early December).
Last fall we wrote a series of Early Decision blog posts on everything from the Early Decision Agreement, to what decisions are rendered during ED, to which standardized testing results can be reviewed, to capturing senior year grades. These are a great resource to find answers to some of the most frequently asked questions regarding applying ED.
However, no doubt you have additional questions about the process. For example, yesterday we were asked if transcripts and recommendations can be sent before an application is submitted. The answer is yes. We were also asked if materials can come in after the deadline. The answer is also yes, but within reason. What other questions do you, our readers, have about applying early? Post them as comments and we’ll be happy to assist.
We hope many of you are putting the finishing touches on your ED applications. We look forward to receiving them in the weeks to come.
Wendy Livingston ’03, M.Ed. ‘09
Associate Dean of Admission
Comments are closed on posts older than one year, but we still want to hear from you. If you have a comment or question for us, please email admission@wm.edu.
Does a minor (17 years old) need parental permission to submit a binding ED college application? If divorced parents share joint legal custody, would she need permission from both parents?
@FCCDAD, regardless of age, all ED applicants need to complete the ED Agreement which requires the applicant’s signature, the counselor’s signature and a parent’s signature. This is to ensure that all parties understand what applying ED entails. The student is welcome to select whichever parent they wish to complete the parent portion of the agreement.
Do A.P and SAT 2 scores need to be submitted directly from the testing agency, or can we just self-report them on the common app?
@Ellen, you can certainly self-report them in the testing part of the Common Application. To be considered official and evaluated for credit, they must be reported directly from the testing agency. All SAT I and ACT scores need to be reported directly from the testing agency.
Dear W&M Admission Committee,
Thank you for your blogs and your responses to my questions about my application preparation since the summer! I now can really say, I submitted the ED application! I am really determined for it and found out the College has the plan of my regional dean (Ms. Maccagnan) will visit my school on the 15th! Should I prepare anything in particular for that? Also, I have one question about ACT score. I saw a blog approximately two years ago says October ACT score won’t arrive on time, but as I realized, ACT score delivery time shortened these year. Thus, will it make its way count into consideration in the reviewing process? (Because I only got a 28 on the last one, and I don’t want to switch to focus on SAT in such a short time.) Also, I am an international student, so I would like to ask, does the committee take TOEFL score into consideration for the standardized tests? I got a 107, which is not to bad in my view. Thank you for answering my questions, and I look forward to Ms. Maccagnan’s visit on the 15th!
David(My English name) Li
@DeterminED!, no need to prepare for Dean Maccagnan’s visit to your school. That meeting is just informational for you to learn more about W&M and/or ask any questions that you have. Generally speaking, October ACT scores do not arrive in time to be considered. If they do we will absolutely review them but it just generally doesn’t work out timing-wise. And yes, we do recommend that international students submit a TOEFL score.
Good luck with your application!
Thanks for your reply and encouragement!
Dear W&M Admissions Office,
I recently took the September ACT and listed William and Mary as one of my four free score reports. A few days ago, I received an email from one of the other universities I listed, and they informed me that they had received my score. I was wondering if W&M sends an email to inform us of score reports that arrive in their office, or if they simply send us an email once we submit a complete application? Thank you for your help!
@EagerED, we unfortunately do not send an email when we receive a score report for a student. As soon as we begin to process applications, we will provide a blog on our communication trail for applicants. You are always welcome to call us to see if we’ve received a particular score report.
W&M Admissions Office,
To apply early decision does the ED agreement need to be signed and turned in to my school counselor before my transcript is sent or will it be completed later?
@Jessica, it doesn’t matter to us in what order individual components are submitted. You can submit things all together or piece by piece. Just do your best to submit all components by the deadline.
Hi! I was wondering if William and Mary still offers an optional writing supplement. I can’t find it on common app.
@Julia, yes we do, it is optional. It’s in the Member Questions area. As long as you add W&M to your list of schools within the Common App, you will be directed towards that part of the application.
Does W&M require the College Report from the common app?
@J, it is recommended. If you don’t submit it with your transfer application, we will ask you to complete a similar form if you’re admitted.
Does W&M send applicants an email when their completed application is received by the college? Thank you for your help!
@NervousED, we do. As soon as that process is up and running (hopefully this week) we will blog about our communication with applicants throughout the process so you know what to expect.
What is the amount of the deposit
that you need to make within two weeks of early decision acceptance?
@Hj, the enrollment deposit is $350. It goes toward your first semester bill.