Applying to the Undergraduate Programs
Students must apply directly to the School of Education if they wish to major in education. This application process typically begins during the second semester of a student's sophomore year, or anytime after a student has earned 39 credit hours. Students must be admitted to the program in order to register for courses listed on the program of study beyond the Freshman/Sophomore years.
The application opens each year as follows:
For Fall admission - Opens January 1st of the year of application; closes on August 15th. (Ex. Application for Fall 2026 opens Jan 2, 2026 and closes August 15, 2026)
For Spring admission - Opens on March 1st for the following spring and closes January 15. (Ex. Application for Spring 2027 opens on March 1, 2026 and closes on January 15, 2027)
Our admissions process is holistic as well as competitive: we seek a diverse array of students who are committed to academic excellence, extracurricular involvement, and personal achievement.
Students must have a 2.0 GPA to apply to the undergraduate program; however, meeting this minimum benchmark does not guarantee admission. Applicants must supply:
- Online application
- WM unofficial transcript; Transfers should also supply an unofficial transcript from their previous school.
- Personal Essays
Successful applicants exhibit:
- Academic achievement to date as exhibited by grades, course load, and recovery from academic setbacks.
- Personal attributes and life experiences that illustrate resilience in the face of challenges, ethical character, openness to diverse perspectives, and collaborative ability.
- Strong communication skills as demonstrated by one's application essays.
Typically decision letters typically go out within three weeks of receipt of a completed application. The only courses you can register for without being admitted are EDUC 200, EDUC 301, EDUC 310 and ELEM 312.
Transfer students should apply to the School of Education after being admitted to William & Mary. The evaluation of any transfer credit will take place only after a student has accepted an offer of admission from the University.
Students transferring from the Virginia Community College System, Richard Bland or other institutions should consult the transfer credit guidelines available on the University Admissions website to determine how their coursework will transfer to William & Mary.