Hobart and William Smith Colleges

Applying to HWS

HWS is highly selective in the admissions process. Successful applicants will have:

• Challenged themselves with a rigorous high school curriculum
• Applied their talents to the betterment of their school and community
• Met with an HWS admissions staff member for an interview
• Demonstrated a propensity to be curious, resourceful, persistent and conscientious

Early Action

Sail into the spring of your senior year confident in your future. Apply to HWS by Nov. 15 and receive a decision by mid-January. 

Early action (EA) is a non-binding process allowing applicants to review admission and financial aid offers from other schools. Students receive their admissions decision by mid-January and have until May 1 to respond to their offer of admission.

Early Decision

Early Decision applicants do well academically, become leaders on campus, build school spirit, study abroad in high numbers, and participate in internships and research opportunities. We know that Early Decision applicants inside and outside the classroom make HWS a dynamic and vibrant place. 

If you make HWS your first and only college choice, we will honor your commitment by committing to you.

Benefits of Applying Early Decision:

• If applying ED I, receive a decision notification by mid-December and by mid-February if applying ED II.
• Priority registration for first-semester classes and first-year housing.
• Early access to our virtual event series, a pre-collegiate program that facilitates group and one-on-one conversations with HWS faculty and staff, allowing you to get a head start on adjusting to college.

When applying Early Decision you must submit an Early Decision Agreement Form.

Regular Decision

Regular Decision (RD) is the most popular of HWS' application plans. Students have until March 1 to gather their materials and perfect their application. Similar to Early Action, RD is non-binding, and accepted students have until May 1 to decide. 

Application Requirements

To be considered for admission, please submit the following:

• Common Application or Coalition Application – There is no fee to apply 
• Personal essay 
• Official high school transcript  
• One teacher or counselor recommendation

Optional Materials

• Standardized Test Scores
• English Proficiency (Required if English is not your first language) 
• Arts portfolio – if interested in a merit-based art scholarship 

Dates and Deadlines

Application Round	Application Deadline	Decision Notification	Enrollment Deposit Deadline
Fall 2025 Early Decision I	November 15, 2024	Mid-December	January 15, 2025
Fall 2025 Early Action	November 15, 2024	Mid-January	May 1, 2025
Fall 2025 Early Decision II	January 15, 2025	Mid-February	March 1, 2025
Fall 2025 Regular Decision	March 1, 2025	Late-March	May 1, 2025

Additional Important Dates

Early December 

• Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) online registration begins 
• HWS recommends students interested in need-based financial aid submit their FASFA application quickly after it becomes available.