Amherst or Williams?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Williams College
1

<p>Yes, another one of these threads, sorry! But I've actually spent ages going through the past threads, and since I'm an international student and won't be able to visit and get a feel for these colleges, I hope I'd get some advice more suited to me! I can't apply both because my school limits the number of applications, but I'm really struggling to make a decision.</p>

<p>First of all, I'm interested in the environment, but I'm not sure exactly what field (policy/science/studies). Amherst only offers Environmental Studies whereas Williams offers Policy OR Science, so I'm completely torn. Since Amherst has an open curriculum, I'd like to cover more courses and approach more Environmental Studies comprehensively, but Williams appears to have more options in the whole Environment field.</p>

<p>Furthermore, I'm absolutely in love with Williams campuses (as well as the outing club I have to admit), because I'm easily a 'nature person'. Not an ostentatious tree-hugging hippie, but I do love spending time outdoors. But I'm worried that, unlike Amherst, it'll be too rural.</p>

<p>Lastly, I'm a rather liberal, Chinese-American, kind of quirky girl. I enjoy the occasional partying as much as I enjoy reading quietly for the night. I'm a bit concerned about the rumored lack of diversity in Williams. </p>

<p>Both these colleges are absolutely amazing in terms of their academics, resources, and opportunities, so it's down to the little things like environment and social scene that are my deciding factors.</p>

<p>Thank you all so much for your time!</p>

2

<p>You have already missed the ED deadline for both schools. You should apply to both (plus others) and see which, if either, accept you in the spring and then compare any/all offers on the table…</p>

3

<p>I don’t know where you heard about Williams’ lack of diversity, but I can assure you that rumor is completely false. I am amazed by the diversity of the students I have met there–both socioeconomically and culturally. Being “quirky” will certainly not make you feel out of place, either!</p>

4

<p>running, Try to put this decision in context of a balanced list. What other colleges are you applying to? </p>

<p>Western Massachusetts is not an especially diverse place. Within the colleges themselves the percentages of non-Whites are similar, though the town of Amherst offers a larger community. </p>

<p>I doubt that you’d notice a big difference in social scene or the personality of the students. Both are full of smart, energetic, multi-talented kids. Liberal, yes, but not in-your-face. I’d say Amherst students are somewhat more politically active. “Quirky” is hard to pin down, but for sure the level of intellectual curiosity is high at both.</p>

<p>I’d give Williams the edge for any arts related activities. I don’t know if this is a factor for you, but it was a deal breaker for my son (Williams07). Lots of opportunities to participate in art, music, theater.</p>

<p>The rural environment of Williamstown was a huge plus for my son, but I wouldn’t recommend it unless you feel strongly about it. Being surrounded by nature is significant if you’re outdoorsy and intensely interested in the natural world. The Outing Club is very active and accessible.</p>

<p>My son wasn’t especially drawn to the concept of the consortium. He liked the insular atmosphere of Williams and made close and enduring friendships, both with his peers and professors. I’m sure you would find this element an any academically rigorous LAC. </p>

<p>My son’s international high school also limited applications. I think this is a disservice to foreign students applying to selective colleges, more so if financial aid is a factor. The statistics of acceptance are variable for international students, so you need a wider list. I’d ask your parents to talk to your counselor and try to add one more. Push the decision forward to when you have your acceptances.</p>

5

<p>Thanks for the advice!</p>

6

<p>about the diversity on campus, or the quirkiness. I felt, and still feel in years of meeting alums of both schools, that both student bodies are VERY similar and VERY hard to distinguish from one another, but if one has more quirky students than the other, my sense is that it’s Williams. Williams has a quirkier, less traditional campus, the relative isolation tends to attract strong, interesting personalities, and a ton of quirky traditions (everything from the Purple Cow mascot, to Mountain Day, to the Log, to the Moo Cow Marching Band, to the Green Chicken, to end-of-semester trivia, to Free University at Winter Study). Even in how the schools brand themselves, I find Amherst to take itself a bit more seriously, and portray a more serious image, than Williams, which is a little bit goofier and more fun. These differences are very, very slight, but as someone who is a bit on the quirky / goofy side myself, that feeling is what attracted me to Williams in a close call over a few other liberal arts schools, and I continue to find myself meeting quirky alums.</p>

<p>As for diversity, Williams’ reputation on that front is severely outdated. The school has grown in diversity in recent years by leaps about bounds, to the point where now, under 60 percent of the incoming classes are composed of American-born caucasian students. Moreover, Williams has placed a big premium on economic diversity, and it typically (along with Amherst) leads liberal arts colleges in terms of percentage of first-generation college students and percentage of Pell Grant recipients. </p>

<p><a href=“http://admission.williams.edu/files/2010/01/Student_Profile_2016_PDF_8.27.12.pdf[/url]”>http://admission.williams.edu/files/2010/01/Student_Profile_2016_PDF_8.27.12.pdf&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p&gt;

<p>(17 percent first-generation, over ten percent each Asian, Latino, and Black students, 6 percent international in this year’s first-year class, e.g.). And believe me, there are a huge number of quiet, talking / reading for the night kind of kids on campus … the big partiers are more visible since they are louder, but they are not more prevalent. </p>

<p>Given your love for nature and your other self-described attributes, you’d be a great fit for Williams, I am confident. Of course, most people who are a great fit for Williams are also a great fit for Amherst as well, so I recommend, if at all possible, applying to both (as well as probably Middlebury, given its insanely beautiful natural setting and tremendous strength in environmental sciences, although I would say it is less diverse and quirky than either Amherst or Williams), and see where you are accepted, which may of course narrow things down a bit.</p>

7

<p>Thanks Ephman, I think I’ll be applying Williams after all :)</p>

8

<p>My S’s experience echoed Ephman’s. We went to massive open house days at both schools on the same day. Amherst’s was in a grand room with plush carpet, swivel leather chairs and stadium seating. Left overs sat on stairs. We had to walk across campus to get there.</p>

<p>Williams was in a modest hall right across the street from Admissions. We sat on folding chairs on a highly polished wood floor. He preferred the lack of pretension.</p>

<p>He also felt that some distribution requirements would be good for him. One of the classes he took to meet distribution requirements decided his career, and he is in grad school in a discipline he would never have pursued but for distribution requirements.</p>

9

<p>Wow, I am also Chinese. I applied Williams for ED. As usual, I’d like to say that if you are looking for FA, go for Amherst! If not, go for Williams! I am seriously a Williams fan.</p>

<p>However, I think diversity in Williams is kind of a worry. Last year only 8 Chinese pass-port holders were sent congratulation emails by Williams, but over 10 by Amherst. Maybe it’s because a Chinese-American woman is now on board of Amherst.</p>

10

<p>Let me give my own personal spin on this. I’ve applied to both as part of the QB match process, and can decide to pursue either one via ED if I don’t get matched. </p>

<p>I visited both campuses (Amherst - Divoh program; Williams - overnight visit) and just found myself falling in love with both of them. The academic environment is truly amazing for both colleges, you’ll find energetic students who really have a passion for what they learn in class. Additionally, there’ll be no shortage of diversity. It’s a regularly sight to see multi-racial friend groups and dining tables. </p>

<p>The biggest difference for me was the sense of community I felt at Williams. Williams makes a big effort incorporate their students, evidenced by the dorm system they have (20 freshman together who are paired to do activities together) – and social events like Mountain Day (which my host kept raving about). There is that feeling of clique-iness (for lack of a better term), but the “jocks” here are amazing people. They’re smart, engaging, and welcoming of all types of people. Another aspect I noticed was just how few students there are. I swear, I was there for a day and started to recognize around 40% of the faces I saw. I love that! People immediately noticed me when I was hanging out with my host, and made an effort to introduce themselves and ask about me as well. Everyone really knows everyone else here, provided you make the necessary effort. I also loved how the prof’s live less than 5 miles from campus, and you can literally have class in his home! With alcoholic beverages on the side! (His words not mine). Also, Williams College (for me) is superior aesthetically than Amherst. Amherst does have that nice bucolic feel, but the buildings were aging, the dorms (at least the one I was in) weren’t all too nice, and I didn’t see myself enjoying the 5 College Consortium as much as I thought I would. Williams has an ice rink on campus, coupled with a golf course, and an amazing theater. I just got the feeling that Williams had more to offer. and more experiences to foster. Students did tell me that Williams was isolated, and I found out firsthand how long the bus rides are to the nearest “big” town. But they said being at Williams was an experience that one could only enjoy once in his life, to be in a secluded area with bright and talented scholars and athletes, and they were willing to give up four years of their lives to enjoy that. </p>

<p>But, in conclusion – I’d be happy with both. LAC for the win!</p>