Amherst vs. Williams?

College Search & Selection
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<p>Gavroche, Congratulations on your acceptances! You really can’t go wrong whichever way you choose. My son, you may know, is a junior at Williams, so to say that I am prejudiced in that direction would be an understatement. :) He did, however, seriously consider Amherst so I’ll try to give you an impartial comparison.</p>

<p>Location
The town of Amherst has a lot going for it. (I’d like to live there myself.) Whether or not it would be a plus or minus for you to be in your home territory is something only you can judge. </p>

<p>For my son, who had only ever lived in big cities all his life, being in a small New England village was a concern. As it’s turned out, however, he’s enjoyed the insular community that Williamstown offers. He’s an outdoorsy kind of guy, though, so being surrounded by profound natural beauty is a positive. Bottom line, the kids have PLENTY to do – academically, extracurricularly and socially – so boredom hasn’t been an issue. He usually manages to get to New York or Boston once a term either as part of class related field trip or on a personal visit and he’s always happy to get back to sleepy Williamstown. 5/8ths of the way through his four year experience and he has not a single regret (except that it’s going too fast).</p>

<p>As far as the drive goes, I don’t think you’d be doing it on a regular basis (if you are, then there’s your answer right there). </p>

<p>Architecture
Here I’d give Williams an extreme advantage. Art history and art studio are obvious strengths of Williams and to me, real weaknesses of Amherst. </p>

<p>Although the 5 college consortium would provide a wider range of courses I don’t see any reason to go to Amherst with the intention of focusing on courses offered by Smith or UMass. (Why not just go to Smith?) Once in while okay, but as a major strategy this just seems upsidedown. Again this is just my opinion, others may think differently, but to me the whole point of an LAC is to get to know your professors and classmates and if it doesn’t offer what you’re interested in, then it’s not for you. </p>

<p>Williams has some great architecture offerings both in studio and in art history. This is one of my son’s area of interest as well and 3 out of 4 of his courses this term are architecture related. The energy level is exciting and stimulating. The interaction with the three museums on or near campus also offers a dimension that you couldn't get in Amherst.</p>

<p>Language & study abroad
You can’t get too obscure with language study at Williams. The existing departments are good, but the choices are narrow. </p>

<p>Many kids study abroad either for the whole year, half year or for Winter Study month. I don’t know the actual percentage but among my son’s close friends, most are either abroad or Junior Advisors this year. Williams encourages travel and makes it easy to do. Williams in New York is another option for an arts-related study away.</p>

<p>Academics
You will have no problem filling up 8 semesters of eclectic interests. In fact, kids who are interested in a wide range of subjects could do two or three four year stints and still not take all of the fascinating courses. Winter Study, the tutorial program, the first year entry system (and hopefully the new house system) are also major pluses. </p>

<p>Food
Don’t worry there are many vegetarians at Williams and lots of healthy choices. You wouldn’t be alone.</p>

<p>Atmosphere
I’d really make a point of trying to get to Williams for an overnight between April 1 (after Spring break) and your departure date. This is an important life decision and something that you need to do as it’s the only way to get a true comparison. Williams is not for everyone, but those who choose it are generally happy that they did.</p>

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<p>Williamssssss</p>

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<p>Ehhh thank you all for the input. I'm still really really torn! I think the tutorial system at Williams, the Oxford exchange, and the art history courses seem really wonderful. And the campus was sooooo gorgeous. I love hiking and being outdoors in the Spring/Summer/Fall as well, but meeh. :-/ I also see the 5-college consortium as a mixed blessing. I think right now I'm leaning a bit towards Amherst, but I'm worried that I would miss out on something wonderful if I didn't attend Williams. It does seem like a really lovely place. I think if the drive there felt safer to me (I can't imagine it when there is ice on the road!) I would consider it a lot mor. That seems like a really silly reason to rule a college out. I also really like independent study and volunteer work and such, and was looking forward to the ability to spend my January vacation volunteering abroad, which I guess would be an option with Amherst but not with Williams (at least Freshman year). I'm just really worried because Williams has sooo many special things about it. I wish I could make a hybrid school. :(</p>

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<p>of course, UMass offers tons on classes that a small LAC does not have the resources for....but, that is the point of a LAC or a Uni. Moreover, if you are in-state, why pay Amherst tuition for UMass classes?</p>

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<p>Gavroche, do you know about this program?</p>

<p><a href="http://www.arch.columbia.edu/index.php?pageData=54/%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.arch.columbia.edu/index.php?pageData=54/&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

<p>This would serve your academic needs and interest in architecture and would be a nice escape for a year from either Amherst or Williamstown.</p>

<p>Momrath's post was pretty convincing! She's right. You can't go wrong.</p>

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<p>Gavroche, you'll soon be leaning towards Brown.</p>

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<p>I'm afraid Brown won't accept me. They gave me the hardest time about certain things (I never took the new SAT, had to have it waived, etc etc etc etc). Brown was a dream for a long time, though.</p>

<p>bluebayour; neither of my parents are able to work, so while I am in-state, Amherst College, at least, gave me amazing financial aid. I haven't seen the package Williams offered me yet, but if I attended Amherst, my parents wouldn't have to pay a dime and I would graduate completely debt free. I would pay far more if I were to attend UMass. Obviously that will be another thing to consider, depending on the aid that Williams offers me (I was late getting some financial forms to them, so they weren't able to make a package for me yet). </p>

<p>Ack, I still haven't come to any sort of decision yet. :-/ Thank you all for the wonderful help.</p>

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<p>gavroche, I'd bet on Brown for you as well. :)</p>

<p>If Williams continues to be a serious contender for you, however, do try to get back to campus for a second look. Instead of going over the mountains, go across on Route 90 and up Highway 7. </p>

<p>Now that you've explained that you love the outdoors, Williams seems like an even better fit for you. The Williams Outing Club is an amazing organization. My son is spending his spring break at the Grand Canyon with a Williams group. They have wonderful activitis all year round.</p>

<p>There are a lot of opportunities to volunteer in the Williamstown/North Adams area, during the year and during Winter Study as well. Have you looked at the Winter Study course list? Talk about eclectic.</p>

<p>Kelly, that Columbia New York/Paris program is very cool. My son did a summer architecture program there which he greatly benefited from.</p>

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<p>Congrats, gavroche! I also got early writes from both Amherst and Williams, as well as their financial deals. Interestingly, I would have to pay more than twice as much to go to Amherst than Williams (though neither amount is very much). But since you seem to be getting a full ride from Amherst, I don't know that financial aid will be a factor. But I'm leaning towards Williams anyway. :)</p>

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<p>If you were leaning towards Amherst, perhaps you could go to them with Williams' offer and see if they could match it?</p>

<p>momrath, thank you very much for all the advice and input, you've alleviated most all of my concerns about Williams. I think I will continue to be torn about it but perhaps I will wait things out until I receive my financial aid offer from Williams and see what other acceptances I get?</p>

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<p>Also, may Williams students study abroad every year during Winter Study (with a Williams program, of course) except Sophomore year? Is it possible that as a Williams student, I could study abroad for Winter Study Sophomore and Senior year...as well as spending the entire year abroad as a Junior?</p>

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<p>gavroche, you'd best check with Williams for the Winter Study rules as there are some special circumstances involving language sustaining programs, senior theses and some departmental major requirements. Williams encourages students to stay on campus and in fact, most kids really enjoy the period, which is social and fun as well as intellectually challenging.</p>

<p>The general rule is that you must stay in Williamstown first year only. After that you can choose one of the Williams travel courses or devise a study program of your own that takes you wherever you need to go to accomplish your objective.</p>

<p><a href="http://www.williams.edu/admin/registrar/winterstudy/index.html%5B/url%5D"&gt;http://www.williams.edu/admin/registrar/winterstudy/index.html&lt;/a&gt;&lt;/p>

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<p>Thank you. :)</p>

<p>I keep flip-flopping!</p>

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<p>Williams!!</p>

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<p>This thread is more than two years old, ffs.</p>

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<p>whats the main difference btw amherst williams and dartmouth?? in which one do I have more chance of getting accepted?</p>

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<p>They are very comporable schools. You should visit each and spend the day. This may be the best way to get a good feel for where you fit in.</p>

<p>Both are outstanding colleges with great programs.</p>

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<p>Please don’t resurrect long-dead threads.</p>