Optional Academic Paper:
While Williams College does not ask its students to write and submit any supplemental essays, the school does give students the option to submit an academic paper, providing the following instructions:
Williams does not require a writing supplement. However, some students feel they do their best writing in an academic context rather than through narrative pieces like admission applications. If you are interested in submitting an example of your academic writing from the last year, you may share a 3-5 page paper here. The paper may be creative or analytical, can cover any topic, and need not be graded. We ask that you include a description of the assignment or prompt. Please do not submit lab reports.
Explanation:
First and foremost, while Williams indicates that the submission of an academic paper is optional, we strongly encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity to demonstrate their academic skills.
The paper you choose to submit should generally meet the following three guidelines.
- Your paper exhibits college-level writing skills. Submitting a well-written, polished and professional piece of writing will demonstrate your preparedness for the rigors of collegiate study.
- Your paper is subject-specific, but showcases your interdisciplinary curiosity. As a top-ranked liberal arts institution, Williams’ curriculum is rigorous and encourages both breadth and depth. Students at Williams are encouraged to engage in interdisciplinary study, so while your paper should be rooted in one primary area of study, it should also demonstrate your ability to engage with your topic through multiple different lenses.
- Choose a paper whose topic is closely aligned with your field of interest and the area of study you indicate as your intended major. While you don’t necessarily have to submit a paper about Economics if that is your intended major, the paper you submit should be in the social sciences, mathematics, or another related discipline.
When in doubt, consider asking your teacher for feedback on whether the paper you are considering encapsulates the quality and depth of work Williams might expect. Before you submit, make sure that your paper has been edited by a teacher and that you have reviewed it for spelling and grammar errors.
Optional Academic Paper:
While Williams College does not ask its students to write and submit any supplemental essays, the school does give students the option to submit an academic paper, providing the following instructions:
Williams does not require a writing supplement. However, some students feel they do their best writing in an academic context rather than through narrative pieces like admission applications. If you are interested in submitting an example of your academic writing from the last year, you may share a 3-5 page paper here. The paper may be creative or analytical, can cover any topic, and need not be graded. We ask that you include a description of the assignment or prompt. Please do not submit lab reports.
Explanation:
First and foremost, while Williams indicates that the submission of an academic paper is optional, we strongly encourage students to take advantage of this opportunity to demonstrate their academic skills.
The paper you choose to submit should generally meet the following three guidelines.
- Your paper exhibits college-level writing skills. Submitting a well-written, polished and professional piece of writing will demonstrate your preparedness for the rigors of collegiate study.
- Your paper is subject-specific, but showcases your interdisciplinary curiosity. As a top-ranked liberal arts institution, Williams’ curriculum is rigorous and encourages both breadth and depth. Students at Williams are encouraged to engage in interdisciplinary study, so while your paper should be rooted in one primary area of study, it should also demonstrate your ability to engage with your topic through multiple different lenses.
- Choose a paper whose topic is closely aligned with your field of interest and the area of study you indicate as your intended major. While you don’t necessarily have to submit a paper about Economics if that is your intended major, the paper you submit should be in the social sciences, mathematics, or another related discipline.
When in doubt, consider asking your teacher for feedback on whether the paper you are considering encapsulates the quality and depth of work Williams might expect. Before you submit, make sure that your paper has been edited by a teacher and that you have reviewed it for spelling and grammar errors.
