<p>UNC Chapel Hill
Williams College
Amherst College</p>
<p>A little about me:</p>
<p>I want a school where students are generally happy and friendly. I wish to pursue a career in law or businees; more the former. In addition to having a strong community, it is important for me to go to a school that is well-known and will help me enter a decent grad school or garner a great position after graduation. On a level of 1 to 10, my prestige factor is maybe a 6 or 7. I'm not too athletically geared and I like intellectual conversations. I'm a bit of a home oriented person, but sometimes I'll be outgoing (usually when i have friends around). I want a school that's technologically up to date and has lots of culture. Basically, I want to feel like a scholar...lol. Oh! I also want a school that is very welcoming, where it will be easy for me to participate in clubs and such.</p>
<p>I would suggest Amherst, considering you want a good name and you're not very athletically-oriented. From what I know, you'll spend more time in intellectual conversation at Amherst, while Williams might have more activities, especially athletics.</p>
<p>Reputation-wise the two schools are identical. Your chance of getting into grad/law/business school won't be affected by whether you go to Amherst or Williams. Your nextdoor neighbor, grocer, etc won't have heard of either school, but potential employers and grad schools will be incredibly impressed by either.</p>
<p>Students seem very happy and friendly at both schools. My personal experience was that students were both friendlier and happier at Williams, but even if that's the case, I doubt it's really a significant difference.</p>
<p>Both schools have good communities. My experience was that the Williams community seemed a bit more coherent and vibrant, but once again--that's totally subjective. You'll have tons of intellectual discussions at both colleges, and with the high quality of academics each offer you'll definitely "feel like a scholar."</p>
<p>Basically, you should visit both schools (preferably doing overnight visits at each), and see which one you "feel" best at. They are far more similar than they are different (especially academically). You'll probably find upon visiting that one is better for you. Williams was right for me and I think that it's about as good as any school could be. Don't take my word for it, though--visit and decide for yourself.</p>
<p>I was just reading up on Williams... is there really a swim test required?? And a bunch of physical education credits required? Because... there are 32 academic credits required with 4 each semester right? So how does the physical education fit in if you're not on a sports team or whatnot??</p>
<p>j2k5, Congratulations on the acceptances. I followed your financial dilemma on the Parents Board and hope that this query means that you were able to work things out satisfactorily with Williams (and Amherst). Two good choices. I have nothing bad to say about Amherst. It wasnt right for my son (whos at Williams, now) because its weak in the arts, but its still a fine school in many other areas. Without doubt youd get an excellent education and emerge healthy, wealthy and wise from either, so the key is really to analyze the different environments and decide which feels right for you.</p>
<p>I dont have to read any further than your first sentence I want a school where students are generally happy and friendly, to respond, Williams! Williams is not a household name (Amherst fares slightly better here) but it is very well known to graduate schools and Williams kids perform very well in law and business school admissions. The intellectual intensity is definitely there. I just spent 10 days with my son and believe me his brain is exploding! The sports thing has been debated ad nauseam. Williams is NOT a jock school, but in general the kids are active and healthy. The Berkshires are cold and snowy so if your inclination is to hibernate then its going to be a long winter. It is not only easy to participate in clubs and such but highly encouraged. There are tons of activities to get involved in and Williams kids all seem to do two or three simultaneously.They really support each others interests. They go to sports events, but also concerts, plays, art openings, dance performances, you name it. Theres a wonderful sense of community.</p>
<p>My son tried some activities that were new for him and ended up really liking them. It's very low key; you don't have to be a good athlete to enjoy the classes. </p>
<p>Basically, Williams kids are energetic and like to get out there and do something. As I wrote above, the weather is severe and you'll fare better if you find a physical activity that you can do in the winter, both for fun and to let off steam. The swim test is fairly elementary (and common at many schools).</p>
<p>"Where can I buy a Williams T-shirt?
Williams paraphernalia of all sorts can be purchased at The Williams Shop, 15 Spring Street, adjacent to Morgan Hall. You can stop in or call for a catalog (413-458-3605), or shop online.</p>
<p>If Williams and Amherst were parts of the body, they would be your left and right hands. They are basically the same, except some people are left handed and some are right handed. Now, if you wanted to use your head, then you would go to UNC Chapel Hill. The people are friendlier and it is not so blasted cold and depressing. Some of the students have that horrible North Carolina accent, but then again the New England accent is worse.</p>
<p>In my opinion, PE class is one of the things that makes Williams awesome. I'm a freshman, and I've taken four PE classes here. There's so much variety and opportunities to take advantage of. Last quarter, I learned how to play squash. (We have top-notch multi-million dollar squash courts...Conveniently, they're across the street from my dorm) Next quarter, I'm going to take Irish Folk Dance! It's one of those things that I thought would always be cool to learn. Also, there's always the outing club PE activities such as rock-climbing and kayaking, as well as the golf course. </p>
<p>I'm not a varsity athlete, and I don't believe that Williams is jock. I would say that Williams students, as a whole, are physically active people who take pride in many of the activities that they're involved in.</p>
<p>hmm...bigmain, I'm ambidextrous, and I prefer the term "cold and cozy." :-)</p>
<p>I've done canoeing, fencing, and led a frosh orientation trip--those were my "PE courses." They were all things I would have done otherwise, and are all extracurriculars (you cannot take PE in lieu of academics). The swim test is easy and takes about 5 minutes--you have to make it a quarter of a length of a pool without drowning. All the frosh take it together on one shot. If you don't know how to swim, you can take the swimming PE course instead of the swim test.</p>