Amherst vs. Williams?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Amherst College
1

Having an extremely tough time deciding. I realize there are threads devoted to this already, but I’d like to describe my own situation. Posting this on both Williams and Amherst forum so as to balance out bias.

I will be as concise as possible to get the most possible traffic/responses. *PLEASE FEEL FREE TO JUST SKIM OVER THIS haha

FINAL GOAL: recruitment to an investment bank
INTENDED MAJOR: physics; I prefer theoretical, but this isn’t imperative
SPORTS: xc, track (will walk on); horseback riding
GENERAL PROFILE: White, upper-class female from CT. Went to prep school.

*note: my parents would prefer that I get into Williams because it’s “#1.” Please consider the school’s ranking as you evaluate this haha

Description of visits
–AMHERST-- went twice
First time, previews: Felt extremely at home. EVERYONE liked me and wanted to talk to me, from pre-frosh to football boys. I liked everyone. Didn’t go to any classes. Met a pre-frosh boy I really, really like. Hung out with him and another kid all night. It was really fun. My host girl was really nice, too; she even invited me to go on a sunrise seniors-only hike with her. Was ready to sign all the paperwork and commit afterward.
Second time: Was afraid my liking the prefrosh boy (a definite Amherst commit) was influencing my decision, so I went back to take classes today. I loved the classes I went to; physics (just above intro level) and colloquium can only be described as amazing. Also felt ready to commit.
LIKE:
-have never felt more like I belong
-unlimited food swipes (lol) and I like to eat small meals
-could take a class at Hampshire or use resources from UMass
-open curriculum
-could live in a substance-free dorm
-school allocates $1,000,000/year just to student groups, so it would fund travel abroad (like with a club). It would also fund internships, from what I’ve heard–all without regard for my non-aid status. My parents will not be paying college a dime more than tuition lol.
-already know a few pre-frosh and some current students (met at previews)
-has the least autistic, funniest physics professor I’ve ever met

DISLIKE:
-must have a roommate
-UMass people around on weekends
-campus isn’t as pretty
-the diversity might be a little overwhelming

–WILLIAMS-- went once
Previews: Host girl kind of ignored me. I ate lunch on the steps with her and her entrymates, and they didn’t say much to me. Interpol (teacher talked whole time, and she was annoying) and econ (only 5 kids/20+ said anything) were terrible. A 300-level phys class was absolutely amazing.
LIKE:
-get a single
-facilities nicer; everything is much prettier
-astrophysics program is better
-library better

DISLIKE:
-the entry system seems overbearing…like, I don’t know if I want essential cliques to dominate my and my peers’ lives so much
-I didn’t meet any people I liked

I will be returning to Williams to see if the first visit was a fluke haha. Maybe I was just in a bad mood or something.

2

“-UMass people around on weekends
-the diversity might be a little overwhelming”

Wow.

3

With regard to ranking, it is important to understand how arbitrary the rankings are. There is an excellent article in the New Yorker (http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2011/02/14/the-order-of-things) that should help convince your parents that the difference in ranking between Amherst and Williams is not “real.”

I don’t know Williams, but your goal of “recruitment to an investment bank” is definitely a match at Amherst based on what I have read. Coincidentally (or not) during our visit to Amherst a couple of weeks ago, two of the students we met mentioned that they were going to do summer internships at investment banks.

“The diversity might be a little overwhelming” - I’m sure you know intellectually that diversity is a major plus. I suspect this comment reflects that emotionally it may feel like a bit of a risk. Coincidentally (again) the day we arrived at the cafeteria, my D noticed that she was in the vast minority - for whatever reason, people of color at the cafeteria seemed about 80% of the crowd. It gave her pause to consider, “Is this my group?” During the rest of her stay, including another trip to the cafeteria the next day, she was able to meet (as you have) many people that she connected with. Having been accepted to Amherst as well, she is looking forward to the opportunity for personal transformation that diversity will provide. I hope you can celebrate this as a gift as well. The following US News article may help put the benefits of diversity into perspective http://www.usnews.com/education/blogs/professors-guide/2009/08/12/why-does-diversity-matter-at-college-anyway

Good luck with making your choice and congrats for being accepted to two great schools.

4

Nice response, @rmsdad ! The commitment to diversity at Amherst is a major plus for my D as well.

5

Regarding Diversity: Amherst and Williams are both devoted to diversity. Williams C’2018 accepted 49% students of color (all groups combined) Amherst C’2018 45% students of color. Amherst puts their $ where their mouth is and covers transportation for diverse groups that might not otherwise be able to afford to visit during accepted students weekend. This is probably what you experienced during Open House. I applaud Amherst and Williams commitment to economic, gender, social, geographical an ethnic diversity. Afterall, it’s interesting to note, that without diversity you would not have been able to attend Amherst nor Williams, both historically all male schools; as was Harvard, which boast 47% accepted students of color for the C’2018.
https://www.amherst.edu/system/files/media/SSR%2520Class%2520of%25202018_0.pdf
https://college.harvard.edu/admissions/admissions-statistics
http://communications.williams.edu/news-releases/3_27_2014_admission/

Academics: Amherst academics and professors are second to none.
http://www.bestcollegereviews.org/50-schools-best-professors/
“It’s well known that there are many other colleges where students are much more satisfied with their academic experience,” said Paul Buttenwieser, a psychiatrist and author who is a member of the Harvard Board of Overseers, and who favors the report. “Amherst is always pointed to. Harvard should be as great at teaching as Amherst.”
http://www.nytimes.com/2007/05/10/education/10harvard.htmlpagewanted=1&_r=2&sq&st=cse&scp=2%22you%20come%20to%20harvard%20to%20be%20around%20some

Roommates: You can request a 2-room double as a 1st year; you and roommate each have your own bedroom. After your 1st year you can request a single, double, 2-room double, suites, etc. during room draw.

Investment Banking: The road is paved with yellow bricks from Amherst to Wall Street. Great internships and recruitment regardless of your major.

Congratulations and the best of luck with your decision!