Hello Adaanists,

So, you’re looking at Hobart and William Smith Colleges and thinking: “Okay, small liberal arts school, great campus, tight community - but what about the price tag?” Fair. HWS isn’t cheap. The total cost of attendance is well over $80,000 a year.

But here’s the thing: you can get a full-tuition scholarship - and no, you don’t have to win a Nobel Prize to do it.

We know because someone from the Adaanist Team actually did it. And he is going to walk you through exactly how.

🔭 What is HWS Really Looking For?

HWS isn’t about perfect scores and flawless résumés. They’re looking for smart, curious, driven students who show up - in the classroom, in their communities, and in how they talk about themselves.

To land the biggest merit awards (including full tuition), here’s what you need:

• Strong academics

• Leadership or impact

• A compelling story

• A thoughtful application

• Clear alignment with HWS values

💪 Academic Strength

You don’t need a perfect GPA, but you do need to be a strong, motivated student who took the most challenging courses available to you.

Here’s the GPA breakdown for all enrolled students:

• 25.7% had a 4.0 GPA

• 15.0% had between 3.75 - 3.99

• 25.7% had between 3.50 - 3.74

• 15.2% had between 3.25 - 3.49

• Only 7.2% had below a 3.0

If you’re sitting at 3.75 or above, you’re solidly in the running. Even a 3.5+ GPA is competitive, especially if you pair it with rigorous courses - AP, IB, Honors, or dual enrollment.

✍️ Test Scores

HWS is test-optional, but submitting high scores can seriously help - especially when you're aiming for big merit aid.

Here are the most recent test score ranges for admitted students:

SAT

ACT

If you’ve scored above 1390 on the SAT or 33+ on the ACT, you’re in an excellent spot for full-tuition scholarship consideration.

Let’s be clear: test scores won’t get you the scholarship alone, but combined with strong academics, leadership, and essays, they push you into top-tier territory.

🏆 Leadership & Extracurriculars

This part matters more than people think. HWS wants students who go deep, not wide.

They’re looking for:

• Initiative

• Commitment over time

• Real leadership (formal or informal)

• Unique contributions to your community or school

Whatever you do - own it and make it count.

👑 Essays: Your Story Matters

This is where you separate yourself from other applicants.

Your essays should:

• Tell a real, personal story

• Highlight your values, voice, or growth

• Show how you think and what matters to you

• Make the reader remember you

Your Common App and HWS supplement are your chance to stand out - take the time to get them right.

🦴 Apply Early (Seriously)

I applied Early Action (EA) and highly recommend it. It let me show strong interest without locking me into a binding commitment - and may have helped with scholarship consideration.

But if you know HWS is your top choice? Go Early Decision (ED). Whether ED I or ED II, here’s what you get:

• Priority registration for classes

• Priority first-year housing

• Increased odds of merit aid, including full tuition

If you’re sure, hit the ED button. Just be ready to commit.

🔍 What HWS Actually Cares About (Based on Their CDS)

According to HWS’s own Common Data Set, these are the most important admissions factors:

They’re looking for students who challenge themselves, write well, lead intentionally, and bring strong personal qualities to campus.

🧠 Underrated Tips That Could Give You an Edge

Here’s some inside knowledge I picked up during the process:

👉 If you're a woman applying to Computer Science, you could stand out. As far as I heard, HWS had no women majoring in CS until 2023. So if you apply as a woman in a male-dominated field, especially something like CS or Physics, you could help HWS build a more balanced, diverse class - and they care about that.

👉 HWS also has a comparatively new Robotics major - and very few people know about it. If that’s your thing, this is a great opportunity to stand out. Apply to something unique and actually be excited about it - that kind of authenticity shows up in your application.

👉 Now about the interview: technically, it’s listed as only “considered” in the 2024-2025 Common Data Set. But from my experience, it made a huge difference.

I was frank, honest, and enthusiastic in my interview - and it paid off. My interviewer ended up personally advocating for me and highlighting my strengths to the admissions office. So yeah, don’t underestimate the interview. Treat it like a real opportunity to show who you are.

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