Comprehensive Standard #3.4.3 (Admission policies)

The institution publishes admissions policies consistent with its mission.

Compliance Certification

The College of William and Mary is in compliance with this comprehensive standard.

Explanation

The College of William and Mary

The College of William and Mary subscribes to the following non-discrimination policy: "Within the limits of its facilities and its obligations as a state university, the College of William and Mary opens the possibility of admission to all qualified students without regard to sex, race, color, age, religion, national origin, sexual orientation, or disability." (See the College of William and Mary 2004-2005 Course Catalog.)

Undergraduate Studies in Arts and Sciences

The Admissions section of The College of William and Mary 2004-2005 Course Catalog describes the general policies on admissions for undergraduates, undergraduate transfers, nontraditional students, unclassified undergraduate and graduate students, for readmission, and for audit and summer session students. The policies reflect the College's commitment to full-time, residential study in a small, liberal arts campus environment. That commitment is articulated clearly in the mission statement.

Graduate Studies in Arts and Sciences

The College of William and Mary Graduate Catalog provides the following general policy on admissions: "The College of William and Mary does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability or age in its programs and activities." The more specific requirements for admissions are described on pages 18 and 19 of the catalog. (See 2004-2005 Graduate Arts and Sciences Program Catalog, Graduate Regulations, Section II). William and Mary has chosen to offer a limited number of high quality graduate programs, consistent with the mission of a residential, liberal arts university. Offering high quality graduate and professional programs is a specific goal within the mission statement. All of the Arts and Sciences graduate programs are within traditional fields of study. The selectivity of the admissions process supports the goal of retaining the face-to-face quality of faculty and student relationships.

School of Business Administration

The Undergraduate BBA Admissions webpage presents the policy governing admission to the Bachelor of Business Administration program. Consistent with the College's mission, admission to the undergraduate program requires completion of two full years of study in arts and sciences. Further, the program is structured to allow and to facilitate continued study in arts and sciences fields. The Admissions Process for Graduate Study website presents relevant policies and considerations for graduate school applicants. The policy encourages students from all academic disciplines, consistent with the College's commitment to liberal arts education. The application form contains the following statement regarding non-discrimination: "The College of William and Mary does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, disability or age in its programs and activities. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies: Susan Grover, Associate Professor of Law and Director of Equal Opportunity."

School of Education

Undergraduate Studies in Education: The webpage Undergraduate Admissions presents relevant policies and guidelines. Consistent with the College's liberal arts mission, the guidelines emphasize and encourage a background in an arts and sciences discipline. In fact, students cannot have a primary major in education in Virginia .

Graduate Studies in Education: Please see the Graduate Admissions webpage for policies and criteria governing admissions to the School of Education graduate programs. The admissions process is competitive, ensuring that the College will retain the small size emphasized in the mission statement.

School of Law

The Admission and Applying webpage describes the Law School 's policies and guidelines. Consistent with the College's liberal arts mission and its emphasis on the link between knowledge and public service, the Law School admission process favors those applicants who are likely to make the most significant contributions to society. Further, the process and criteria emphasize general academic abilities over narrowly defined skills.

School of Marine Science

The policy on non-discrimination in admissions is presented on page two of the School of Marine Science 2004-2005 Graduate Catalog. Detailed information about admissions policies can be found in the section on Graduate Regulations. As in true in the other arts and sciences graduate programs, the School of Marine Science contributes to the intellectual engagement envisioned in the mission statement's characterization of a moderate sized research university. The highly competitive admissions process that is supported by the School's policies supports the College's goal of remaining small to facilitate close interaction among faculty members and students.

References