When a bell rings at William & Mary, it usually marks the culmination of a student’s educational journey at the university.

This weekend, bells will be ringing across campus to mark the beginning of that journey for the Class of 2029.

Around 1,300 of William & Mary’s newly admitted undergraduate students will gather at the university on Saturday for the annual Day for Admitted Students. The event will allow the students to explore the university’s academic offerings, connect with others and experience campus life. In total, around 4,000 visitors are expected on campus for the event.

Admitted students who submit or have already submitted an enrollment deposit will receive a miniature bell with a cypher engraved on it, representing the Wren Bell – traditionally rung on the last day of classes by graduating students. The memento is just one of the many things attendees can look forward to. 

“They’ll get exposure to everything from study abroad to club sports to internships and research opportunities, and they’ll have the opportunity to meet university leaders including the dean of the new School of Computing, Data Sciences & Physics,” said Associate Dean of Admission Kate Perry.

Other highlights include numerous sessions, featuring insights on student life, campus living, academics and research. One such session is a popular neuroscience lecture, “From Wren’s Brain to the Wren Building,” wherein participants will have the opportunity to touch a brain.

The day also includes a Sunken Garden party that will feature department chats and showcase the university’s many student clubs and organizations. More than 215 – nearly half of all at the university – will be represented at the event. 

The day culminates with a social in Zable Stadium so that admitted students can connect with one another and maybe even meet a future roommate.

“Meeting their people and finding their community is definitely going to be a key factor of the day,” said Perry.

For admitted students who are unable to attend, William & Mary offers a few additional opportunities to explore the university: You Belong on April 11 and Green & Gold Days on April 7, 21 and 25. Both programs are open to all admitted students.

An impressive group

A total of 6,136 students were offered admission to the university for this fall’s entering class. They were selected from a total of 16,890 applicants – an admission rate of 36%. The university’s total applications are up nearly 20% since 2020.

William & Mary has also seen an increase in Early Decision applications over the past few years. The university received a total of 1,478 through its two rounds of Early Decision this year – the second-largest pool ever, almost matching last year’s record number. Ultimately, the university made 735 admission offers to Early Decision applicants this year.

The quality of this year’s group of admitted students is outstanding, according to admission officials.

Of those with a class rank, 91% are in the top 10% of their class. The SAT middle-50th percentile for the group is 1410-1520, and the ACT middle-50th percentile range is 33-35.

“William & Mary has always attracted the best and brightest students, and this year’s group of admitted students follows in that tradition,” said Associate Provost for Enrollment and Dean of Admission Tim Wolfe. “In addition to being academically talented, this group is also extraordinarily engaged and service-minded, making an impact in the classroom and in their communities.”

The admitted students represent all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands and the Northern Mariana Islands plus 41 different countries. After Virginia, the top 10 states for admitted students include New York, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California, North Carolina, Connecticut, Texas and Illinois.

In recent years, William & Mary has continued its efforts to expand access for limited-income and first-generation students, offering to cover full tuition and fees for in-state Pell students and launching the Commonwealth Impact Partnership Program, among other efforts.

Last fall, the university reached its goal of ensuring that at least 20% of in-state students were Pell Grant recipients. This year, the university saw a 3% increase in the number of in-state, first-generation students offered admission.

While the financial process is still underway and it’s too early to determine how many Pell Grant recipients may be included in the Class of 2029, early signs point to continued progress in the university’s efforts, said Wolfe.

“This is an exciting moment for all of William & Mary,” he said. “We look forward to celebrating with our admitted students this weekend and welcoming many of them back to campus this fall as part of our community.”