Each year approximately 124 students are offered admission to Williamson College of the Trades. Admission is open to all qualifying young men, but special consideration is given to those who come from families of financial need and would otherwise not be able to further their education.

Applying for admission may begin as early as August 1st between the junior and senior year of high school. In any case, it should be completed no later than the middle of January preceding the fall semester for which the applicant seeks entrance (contact the Admissions Department for the exact date). To be considered, candidates must submit a completed application and attend an Admissions Event. Selection decisions are provided to applicants in early March.

1. General Requirements
   Applicants must be able to meet the physical demands of the College’s curriculum, which focuses on developing both a strong mind and body for work in the trades. Applicants must also not have reached their 21st birthday prior to the first day of June of the year they wish to enter the college. All applicants must be legal residents of the United States. Williamson does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, creed, religion, or ethnic background.
2. Education
   A high school diploma or GED is required. Candidates must provide their high school transcripts.Williamson College of the Trades evaluates the validity of each applicant’s high school credential to assure it is from an accredited or valid source. Intuitional Transcripts: Williamson’s Office of Admissions will reference all high school transcripts obtained from respective candidates to a list of accredited secondary institutions. Questionable transcripts are forwarded to the Registrar for verification. The Registrar will compare the high school transcript with the list of valid high schools available at https://www.accreditedschoolsonline.org/k-12/online-high-school/ and http://www.education.pa.gov/K-12/Private%20Schools/Pages/Listing-of-Schools.aspx. Foreign School Transcripts: The office of the Registrar evaluates foreign transcripts based on the American Association of Collegiate Registrar and Admissions Officers (AACRAO) guidelines and resources available at: http://www.aacrao.org/, in consultation with the Dean of Education.
3. Family Financial Condition
   Preference is given to young men who would not otherwise be able to pursue a college education due to their family’s financial circumstances. All interested candidates may apply, but preference is given based on the results of a family financial evaluation conducted by a third-party service.
4. Academic Evaluation and Personal Interview
   The evaluation of academic ability is determined via a composite of several factors, to include the evaluation of a candidate’s high school transcript, and performance on a Williamson Writing Sample (please note that Williamson no longer uses the ASVAB – Armed Services Vocational Aptitude Battery – to determine academic ability). The Selection Committee, which is comprised of faculty members, staff members and administrators, evaluates family income, academic ability, interview performance, and other application materials in order to make the final selections, which are presented to the Board of Trustees for approval.
5. References
   Three optional letters of character reference may be supplied from someone other than a family member, such as a pastor, guidance counselor, teacher, scout master, or employer.

On Applicant Day, candidates rate the trade programs according to their first and second choices; the first choice is granted whenever possible.

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