<p>I absolutely concur with Haon's assessment of Williams, regarding its music department, and musical offerings. We kicked the tires at more than a dozen LACs, and several Ivies as well, and there are very, very few colleges that come anywhere close to Williams' range of offerings, and musical life. (Neither Swarthmore nor Amherst are in the same league; I can only name 3 or 4.) My D., a legacy, was admitted, recruited by the music department, and chose to go elsewhere, but not without careful thought.</p>
<p>I also agree with Haon's point that Williams is likely the best liberal arts college in the country for the student-athlete. Hey, they've (we've!) got Sears trophies to prove it!</p>
<p>There are now about 23% fewer male students at Williams than when I graduated in 1971. It does, on cursory examination, feel very, very much more "athletic" than when I was there, which is perhaps (as Interesteddad suggests) a result of having to field all of those teams, and successfully, with a reduced male population.</p>
<p>As for the admissions department and the advice they gave to jrpar's kid, I think that's sick.</p>