William & Mary Merit Scholarships are financial awards given to William and Mary students with proven scholastic ability. There are three merit scholarships offered by William and Mary; each is handled through the Admission Office. The William and Mary Scholar Award is presented each year to a small, select group of students who have overcome unusual adversity and/or would add to the diversity of the campus community. All applicants are considered for the award and no separate application is needed. The James Monroe Scholars Program is a designation offered each year to the top 10-15% of all admitted students to the College of William and Mary. All first-year applicants are considered for this program and no separate application is needed. The Murray Scholars Program is William & Mary's most selective scholarship. Finalists typically rank in the top 1% of their class, score a 1500 and higher on the SAT (Critical Reading plus Math) and take the most demanding curriculum available to them. While some of the variables that influence Murray Scholar designations are quantitative, others are more subjective. These include students' application essays, extracurricular involvements, leadership, letters of recommendation, and evidence of intellectual engagement. Other scholarships available also -- see website for criteria and deadlines.