Williams College no longer requires a writing supplement. Instead, you have the option to submit a 3-5 page academic paper you’ve written within the last year. The paper doesn’t need to be graded and can either be analytical or creative.
Even though the Williams writing supplement is entirely optional, we strongly encourage you to submit one. Given Williams’ ranking as #1 among national liberal arts colleges, it’s no surprise their acceptance rate is just 8.5% for the Class of 2029. You’ll be competing with thousands of applicants who’ll likely have the same credentials, and your supplement could make all the difference.
In this blog, we’ll break down the Williams writing supplement and give tips on choosing the best paper to boost your chances of getting into Williams.
- The Williams Writing Supplement
- Tips for Choosing a Paper to Submit
- What to Do If You Don’t Have an Academic Paper
- Frequently Asked Questions
- Takeaways
The Williams Writing Supplement
Williams no longer requires a writing supplement on the Common App, or even giving the option to do one. Instead, they’re letting you submit an academic paper you’ve already written and (ideally) feel proud of.
Let’s check out the instructions Williams provides for the writing supplement:
| Optional: 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, you may share a 3-5 page paper written in the last year. The paper may be creative or analytical, can cover any topic, and need not be graded. Please include a description of the assignment or prompt and do not submit lab reports. |
Again, you have the option to submit an academic paper, but there are a few rules. Your paper should be 3–5 pages and written within the past year for a class (though it doesn’t have to be graded). You’ll also need to include a short description of the assignment or prompt. Williams is open to creative or analytical papers on any topic—just not lab reports. They specifically ask you not to submit lab reports, so please, don’t do it.
The prompt itself says “if you are interested,” which means it’s really optional. However, for a small, selective school like Williams, submitting optional materials is always a good idea. It’s another chance to show them more about who you are and why you belong on campus.
Now, let’s dig deeper:
Length
Some students see the upload option as a free pass to ignore the page limit. Don’t be that person! It’s important to show Williams that you can follow instructions. That means not shrinking the margins to squeeze in more words or using a tiny, almost unreadable font to make a longer paper fit.
Williams asks for a genuine 3–5 page paper, so make sure to submit something that meets that requirement.
Topic
Now that we’ve settled the length requirements, it’s time to choose the right topic. Don’t just automatically pick the paper with an A. Remember, your supplement doesn’t even need to be graded! Try to find something related to your potential major, or if your major isn’t writing-heavy, consider your minor or another academic interest.
If you’re into history, this will be easy. But if you’re planning to major in math, you might not have a lot of writing samples from that subject. In that case, it’s a good idea to submit an essay from a different class where you’ve done well with writing, like English or economics.
For example, if you wrote a strong junior-year English paper comparing 1984 and Brave New World, you could submit it and highlight English as a secondary interest. This shows strong writing skills, even if your main focus is math.
What you don’t want to do is submit a paper on a subject that isn’t reflected anywhere else in your application. Everything should tie together to clearly show your academic interests.
Style
The purpose of the Williams writing supplement is to highlight your academic writing skills, so choose a paper that really shows this off. It should have an authentic voice, logical structure, and well-supported arguments.
While the paper doesn’t need to be graded, it should be edited, proofread, and polished. Remember, this paper is where admissions can assess your academic writing skills, so you’ll want it to showcase your best work.
If you’re submitting a school assignment, make sure to incorporate any feedback from your teacher to strengthen your submission.
Up next, we’ll dive into specific tips to help you choose the best essay to submit.
Tips for Choosing a Paper to Submit
Now that you understand what the Williams writing supplement entails, how do you decide which paper to submit? Here are some tips to help you make the right pick.
1. Pick a paper with a strong thesis.
Obviously, you’ll want to pick a paper you’re proud of, which means it should have a unique thesis. A unique thesis sparks curiosity, so if the reader skims your introduction and immediately wants to keep going, that’s a good sign.
Choose a paper that takes a stand on a literary theme, historical event, or philosophical question—topics you’ve likely covered in class. Maybe you analyzed how power corrupts in Macbeth, explored the key causes of the French Revolution, or debated whether it’s ever morally acceptable to break the law.
Whatever you choose, make sure your argument is well-structured, easy to follow, and backed by solid reasoning. Avoid papers that simply summarize a book or restate common knowledge. Instead, pick one that shows you can think critically and build a strong case for your perspective.
2. Showcase your research skills.
Strong research skills show you’re comfortable working with different sources and forming your own conclusions.
If your paper pulls evidence from books, journal articles, or historical documents, that’s great! Williams wants to see that you can engage with complex material, interpret it thoughtfully, and present your findings in a structured way.
Have you written a paper comparing multiple viewpoints or analyzing conflicting evidence? Perhaps you explored whether the Electoral College should be abolished or debated the effectiveness of the New Deal. If your paper relied on credible sources and solid facts, then it’s definitely worth considering.
3. Get a second opinion.
Ask a teacher or counselor for feedback if you’re unsure which paper to submit. They can help you decide which showcases your writing abilities best and adds the most to your overall application.
Sometimes, an outside perspective can highlight strengths you didn’t even notice. A teacher might point out that one paper demonstrates stronger analysis, while another better reflects your voice. Their input can help you pick the paper that fits what Williams is looking for and highlights the kind of student you are.
What to Do If You Don’t Have an Academic Paper
If you don’t already have a paper that fits the requirements, don’t panic! There are still ways to submit a strong piece of writing.
Since Williams doesn’t require the paper to be graded, you have some flexibility. One option is to revise an old assignment. Maybe you wrote a solid essay in the past that could be improved with stronger analysis or better organization. Take some time to refine it, incorporate feedback from a teacher, and make it submission-ready.
Another option is to write something new. If your classes haven’t assigned many analytical papers, consider asking a teacher if they’d be willing to give you a prompt that aligns with what Williams is looking for. This way, you’ll still complete a structured assignment with the added benefit of having a fresh, polished piece to submit. Don’t consider it extra work; it’s about making sure you’re presenting your best academic writing.
After writing your new piece, consider going back to the teacher for feedback. Since they gave you the prompt, they’ll immediately know if your response is well-written or needs more revisions. Their suggestions can help refine your argument and ensure it meets college-level expectations.
If you want an extra layer of polish, you could also work with an editor to fine-tune your essay before turning it over.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. What is the Williams writing supplement?
The Williams writing supplement is an optional 3–5 page academic paper that applicants can submit to showcase their writing skills. The paper may be creative or analytical and could be about any topic. It doesn’t need to be graded but should be a strong example of your academic writing skills.
2. Does the Williams writing supplement have a word count?
No, the Wlliams writing supplement doesn’t have a specific word count. However, 3–5 pages double-spaced is generally around 1,500 to 2,500 words. Don’t forget to proofread your work to avoid common mistakes and make sure your submission stays within the page limit.
3. How important is the Williams writing supplement?
Extremely important! While optional, the Williams writing supplement is a great opportunity to showcase your writing skills and intellectual interests. Williams makes it clear that submitting a supplement can only help you, not hurt you. So even if your paper isn’t perfect, if it’s something you’re passionate about and it makes sense to submit, go for it! Just make sure your essay is tailored to Williams’ guidelines.
Takeaways
- Williams doesn’t require a writing supplement, but you can submit an optional paper that showcases your abilities and skills.
- Your paper should be 3–5 pages and doesn’t have to be graded, but it should have been written within the last year.
- You can submit a creative or analytical paper on any topic, but Williams specifically asks that you do not include lab reports.
- If you don’t have a suitable paper, consider revising an old one or writing a new piece with guidance and feedback from a teacher.
- Working with a private admissions consultant can help you choose the best paper, refine your writing, and ensure your submission strengthens your application.
