Program Overview

Introduction to the 1693 Scholars Program

The 1693 Scholars Program is a highly selective scholarship offered by the College of Arts & Sciences. This program is designed for students who demonstrate exceptional academic achievement, leadership, and a commitment to enriching their educational experience.

Selection Information

Students selected as finalists for the 1693 Scholars Program typically achieve the following:

• Successfully pursue the most demanding curriculum available to them
• Rank in the top 5% of their graduating high school class (if high school provides a rank)
• Score above 1500 combined on the Math and Evidence-Based Reading and Writing sections of the SAT and/or score above a 33 on the ACT
• Are successful student leaders in their schools and local communities who seek out and embrace opportunities to enrich their educational experience

Application Review and Selection

• All first-year applicants are reviewed as potential 1693 Scholars; there is no separate application.
• The committee selects applicants as potential finalists (semi-finalists) and requests that they submit one additional essay and one short video that will be used to select the finalists.
• Finalists are required to complete a virtual interview with two alumni as well as a virtual presentation to a faculty panel.
• Subsequently, a smaller group of finalists (about 15) will be invited to William & Mary for an expense-paid weekend in April.

2026 Application, Nomination and Notification Timeline

• January 5: Application deadline for William & Mary first-year admission. Students should apply to W&M using the Common Application.
• February: Approximately 200 semi-finalists will be notified (via email) and asked to submit one additional essay and one short video for consideration as a finalist.
• March 12 - March 21: Virtual Finalist Interviews
• March 18 - March 21: Virtual Finalist Presentations
• Friday, April 10 - Saturday, April 11: 1693 Scholars Finalist Weekend (on-campus)
• April 13 - April 20: Nine 1693 Scholars will be selected and notified.

Additional Submissions

In February, potential 1693 Scholars (semi-finalists) are asked to submit one additional essay (200-300 words) and one short video submission (3 minutes maximum).

2026 Prompts

• Prompt #1 (Video Submission): Graduating 1693 Scholars often leave things like books, trinkets, and art at the Murray House (our on-campus home base). What is something you'd leave behind at the Murray House?
• Prompt #2 (Essay): Apologize.

Departments and Programs

The College of Arts & Sciences offers a wide range of departments and programs, including:

• Africana Studies
• American Studies
• Anthropology
• Art & Art History
• Biology
• Biochemistry
• Business
• Chemistry
• Center for Geospatial Analysis
• Classical Studies
• Computational & Applied Mathematics & Statistics
• Economics
• Education
• English
• Environment & Sustainability
• Film & Media Studies
• Gender, Sexuality & Women's Studies
• Geology
• Global Studies
• Government
• Health Sciences
• History
• Integrative Conservation
• International Relations
• Judaic Studies
• Linguistics
• Marine Science
• Mathematics
• Medieval & Renaissance Studies
• Military Science
• Modern Languages
• Music
• Neuroscience
• Philosophy
• Psychological Sciences
• Public Health
• Public Policy
• Religious Studies
• ROTC (Army)
• ROTC (Navy)
• Self-Designed
• Sociology
• Speech
• Theatre & Performance
• All Majors and Minors