Amherst vs. Williams!!!!

College Search & Selection
1

<p>Anyone care to compare and contrast Amherst and Williams? I had the opportunity to visit Amherst, but didn't make it to Williams, and I'd like to hear more about both. I know they both have excellent academics, but I'd like to hear more about:
-campus life, things to do on and off campus
-beauty of the campus
-upkeep of the campus, dorms, grounds, etc.
-dorm options (singles/doubles/suites, are the rooms nice?, etc.)
-how's the food?
-things that are unique about each
-fun traditions
-classes (class size, cool profs?, etc.)
and anything else you think would be important to know about one or both schools. </p>

<p>Also, this is a dumb question (and it obviously won't be a deciding factor in the end, haha), but when I was at Amherst our tour guide said that there aren't any places on campus to get food that are open 24-hours (i.e. many schools have a snack bar, or the like, open 24-hrs./day). Does anyone know if Williams has something like this? Haha... I know it's dumb... but I can just picture myself studying at 2am one night, wishing that I had somewhere to go grab some coffee or something! Again... not a deciding factor, just wondering... as a means of comparison. :)</p>

2

<p>Alie, I'm sorry that you didn't get to visit Williams. They are both wonderful schools and there's a lot of overlap between them. Their physical environment is the biggest difference so it's best to experience both. Williams is located in a beautiful mountain valley. Williamstown is really a village; the college is the town. This sense of insularism is either the school's greatest strength or greatest weakness -- you either love it or hate it. Being isolated leads to a heightened sense of community, but for some, it's too remote. For my son, who is a rising Junior, it's been a big plus.</p>

<p>Williams is slightly bigger than Amherst (2000 vs 1500) though Amherst has the added complexity of the 5 college consortium. Academically they are very similar -- small, rigorous classes; accessible, teaching professors. I don't think you could go wrong academically at either and both have an excellent track records for graduate school placement and post-graduate networking.</p>

<p>I'd give Williams the edge in the arts -- with many performance opportunities in music and drama and three world class museums. Because of the consortium, the town of Amherst has a lively music scene, but not the college per se. </p>

<p>Sports are big at Williams; as a swimmer and a skier, you'd be well placed! The kids are in general physically active and multifaceted. Musician/Athlete/Scholar is a common combination. There are tons of events on campus -- sports, arts, social -- as I said these are very active kids and they all turn out to see each others' performances.</p>

<p>Since you mention food, Williams has five dining halls (plus several restaurants in Williamstown) and yes, you can get something to eat at all hours. My son says the food is great. The dorms are very nice and many first years get singles. A common configuration is one single and one double sharing a large common room and a bathroom.</p>

<p>Other points of differentiation at Williams are Winter Study, the tutorial program, the first year entry residential system and the orientation camping trip. For my son these have all been wonderful experiences. </p>

<p>Winter Study is a month long semester in January. Everyone takes one course in an unusual or fun topic and spends the rest of the time having a good time, mostly snow sports or parties. The Tutorial program is based on the Oxford model, pairs two students with one professor. The students write papers in alternating weeks and discuss them under the professor's guidance. The First year Entry system puts about 20 kids from all sorts of backgrounds together with two Juniors who act as advisors. Thus from the moment you arrive on campus you have a social group for meals and activities. The orientation trip takes a group of kids with sophomores guides on a four day back-packing or canoeing trip in the Berkshires. There are other non-wilderness options as well.</p>

3

<p>My advice is to not sweat it, unless you plan on applying ED. Otherwise wait and see where you get in, then decide. Pre-selecting between relatively similar schools before actually visiting is silly.</p>

4

<p>I'm sorry, but you seriously have to visit Williams to be the judge. Some believe Williams is the most beautiful thing since Princeton, in my case Stanford, other hate it's campus and say it's isolated. </p>

<p>What it comes down to between these two school, as I have learned, is academics. What ever you major in may have a strong, weak, or no program at all (a.k.a a certificate), you have to look at what you want to ssutdy and where you want to study it for four years.</p>

5

<p>I could not disagree more. Academics, as you will realize, are often secondary to overall reputation and these two are on par absolutely. Choose on which one you like more, which you honestly cant decide until "days on campus" when you get in.</p>

6

<p>I know someone who graduated from Williams. Said it was insanely preppy, people coming and going in limos, very very rich group of students. If you are comfortable with this, then go for it :) If you are not so high class, you might wanna visit and see if you can handle being the oddball in this environment.
My dad went to Amherst for a year and ended up in a major party dorm, he said he couldn't handle it, couldn't study, so he transferred out. That was a while ago though, so that may be different now:) Partying is okay but you don't wanna end up the babysitter for a drunk person/ someone with a hangover like my dad did. Just some words of caution. However I don't know much about these schools, only those two things, so maybe you know better than me :) Good luck in your choice!</p>