William & Mary (W&M)

William & Mary is committed to affording all admitted students the opportunity to thrive in and out of the classroom. We cultivate creative thinkers, principled leaders and compassionate global citizens. When you’re ready to apply, our undergraduat ns. When you’re ready to apply, our undergraduate and graduate admission staff are here to help. We're the second-oldest institution of higher learning in the country, and a cutting-edge research university. Building on more than 300 years of innovation and excellence, William & Mary transcends the boundaries between research and teaching, teaching and learning, learning and living. As a "Public Ivy" — one of only eight in the nation — we offer a world-class education at an exceptional value. Our students are not only some of the smartest in the world, but passionate about serving others and serious about having fun. Our professors are teachers, scholars and research mentors, the cornerstone of a thriving intellectual community that produces experienced, engaged, successful graduates. Through their strengths, passions and knowledge, our faculty, students and staff are creating a new model of sustainability for higher education. We love our hometown of Williamsburg and the amazing Commonwealth of Virginia and we’re proud to be one of the reasons for their economic success. One of W&M’s core values is belonging. For five consecutive years, INSIGHT Into Diversity magazine has chosen W&M to receive the Higher Education Excellence in Diversity Award, a national honor recognizing U.S. universities that demonstrate an outstanding commitment to diversity and inclusion. William & Mary was also ranked #12 for race and class interaction by Princeton Review (2024). Not many universities can say they've canceled classes because 'the British invaded.' The W&M Difference W&M at a Glance W&M Rankings Administration Vision 2026 History & Traditions Traditions Cool Facts Historic Campus Jefferson's W&M W&M's Reconciliation Visit Campus William & Mary is the second-oldest institution of higher learning in America. While our original plans date back to 1618 — decades before Harvard — William & Mary was officially chartered in 1693. Founded by Royal Charter On February 8, 1693, King William III and Queen Mary II of England signed the charter for a "perpetual College of Divinity, Philosophy, Languages, and other good Arts and Sciences" to be established in the Virginia Colony as "The College of William and Mary in Virginia." Workers began construction on the Sir Christopher Wren Building, then known simply as the College Building in 1695, before the town of Williamsburg even existed. Over the next two centuries, the Wren Building would burn on three separate occasions, each time being re-built inside the original walls. That makes the Wren the oldest college building still standing in America, and possibly the most flammable. Alma Mater of the Nation William & Mary has been called the Alma Mater of the Nation because of its close ties to America's founding fathers. A 17-year-old George Washington received his surveyor's license through W&M and would return as its first American chancellor. Thomas Jefferson received his undergraduate education here, as did presidents John Tyler and James Monroe. W&M is famous for its firsts: the first U.S. institution with a Royal Charter, the first Greek-letter society (Phi Beta Kappa, founded in 1776), the first student honor code, the first college to become a university and the first law school in America. William & Mary became a state-supported school in 1906 and went coed in 1918. In 1928, John D. Rockefeller, Jr. chose the Wren Building as the first to be returned to its 18th-century appearance as part of the iconic Colonial Williamsburg restoration. Cool Facts Lots of firsts and some other interesting tidbits. History & Traditions Traditions Cool Facts Historic Campus Jefferson's W&M W&M's Reconciliation Harvard may have opened first, but William & Mary was already planned. Original 1619 plans for W&M called for a campus at Henrico. Only American institution of higher education to receive its charter from the Crown under the Seal of the Privy Council in 1693. Hence it was known as "their majesties" Royal College of William & Mary. We were also the first and only American institution of higher education to receive a coat of arms from the College of Heralds (1694). First institution of higher education in the country to boast a full faculty, consisting of a president, six professors, usher and writing master (1729). First institution of higher education to confer medallic prizes, which were gold medals donated by Lord Botetourt in 1771. First intercollegiate fraternity in the country, Phi Beta Kappa, was founded here in 1776. First institution of higher education to have the Elective System of study and an Honor System (1779). First institution of higher education to have a law school, which made us the first college in the country to become a university (1779). Thomas Jefferson had the idea. His mentor, George Wythe, was hired in 1779 as William & Mary's first "professor of law and police," and the great Chief Justice John Marshall was among the first lawyers Wythe taught. First university to offer programs in modern languages (1779), political economy (1784) and modern history (1803). Three U.S. presidents were educated at William & Mary: Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and John Tyler. Four if we count George Washington's surveyor's license. Although William & Mary retains its traditional title of "College," it’s really a cutting-edge research university where students can choose from more than 30 graduate and professional degree programs and 14 graduate certificate programs. William & Mary is one of only eight U.S. universities designated a "Public Ivy." A public ivy is a state-assisted institution that offers a superior education at a cost far below that of Ivy League schools. William & Mary's 13-to-1 student-faculty ratio is the lowest among top public universities, a factor that helps strengthen W&M's traditional commitment to teaching. Eighty two percent of William & Mary's classes have fewer than 40 students — nearly half have fewer than 20 students. Founded in 1842, the William & Mary Alumni Association is the sixth oldest such group in the U.S. The Wren Building is the oldest college building still standing in the U.S., and classes are still taught there. Named for its presumed architect, the iconic building was completed in 1699 and provided classrooms, library, dining hall and a chapel for generations of William & Mary students. William & Mary chancellors have included presidents George Washington and John Tyler, Chief Justice Warren Burger, Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher, Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger and Justice Sandra Day O'Connor. In 2012, former U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert M. Gates '65, L.H.D. '98 was installed as William & Mary's 24th Chancellor and he was re-invested in 2019. As of 2024, William & Mary is the #8 top medium-sized college or university historically producing the most Peace Corp volunteers. ...view more