<p>I've decided on going to Williams College, but I don't know why I feel I won't like it. I keep having doubts that it's the school I should go to. It's the best school I got into by far (others were CMU, Rochester, Case Western, U miami, Union, and others). I did like Rochester and CWRU, but I think Williams is a lot better academically. I was very surprised to be accepted, but I think being recruited for football helped me. As far as what I want to study, I would like to do pre-med. One reason I am worried is because I feel under-qualified to study pre-med, especially at a rigorous school. I struggled greatly with math and chemistry in high school and I know I have to improve for college. My SAT's were: 620 Math, 650 CR, 690 Writing. I did visit Williams and the area is very nice with the mountains and all, but I am concerned that I won't fit in with the school. I am coming from a fairly small high school in the big city of Miami. I don't know if I will enjoy the rural lifestyle. One of the biggest things is the small classes: I know that because Williams is small, I will have opportunities to get to know people (especially professors) better. I know this will probably help me be more engaged in academics, but I feel like a medium sized/large class would suit my personality better. I did get a fairly good financial package; I am turning down a Umiami(too expensive), U Rochester or CWRU would be my next choice, I feel like I fit in at U R. I may be just worrying unnecessarily, but let me know what you think. Thanks</p>
<p>BP, Two separate issues here: Will be able to do the work? Will you like the environment?</p>
<p>If Williams accepted you they must feel that you’re equal to the academic challenge. They have a strong academic support system. If manage your time wisely and take advantage of help when you need it, you’ll be fine.</p>
<p>Only you can answer the question of how you will like the culture and environment. </p>
<p>I’m a bigtime Williams fan, but I can appreciate your position. I think your concerns are valid; Williams and Williamstown are not for everyone. </p>
<p>You have to probe deep into your anxiety. Are you worried because you’ll have to step outside of your comfort zone? Are you worried because it’s just not the right fit? </p>
<p>Perhaps you could concentrate on some of the postives – other than excellent academics. One thing that’s indisputable about Williams is that they do tend to turn out confident and successful graduates. For many, it’s a transformational experience.</p>
<p>The entry residential system provides a good social safety net. Again, though, if you need help you have to be willing to reach out for it.</p>
<p>Their medical school admissions record is very good. But, wherever you study, math and science (especially science) are part of med-school preparation. </p>
<p>Time is tight, but if you can try to communicate with a current Williams student from a similar background. I would think that the admissions people would help you with this.</p>
<p>Good luck and let us know what you decide.</p>
<p>I didn’t talk about the numerous great things that I like about the school. I think it will be very good for me overall, which is why I am going. I just seem to be having concerns about some things (that I mentioned). I don’t think I will be bored on campus; hopefully I will be involved enough and have a good group of friends that will keep things entertaining. I just feel like a medium-sized school/ suburban area might have been better for my taste (I’m moving from a busy city area). I didn’t get into some of the other really good schools I wanted that are more like that. Who knows, maybe I won’t mind the difference too much and it will benefit me even more to be in a smaller environment. Either way, I’m going. I just seem to be having trouble picturing myself there; I pretty much blame it on my short visit( didn’t get a chance to see everything) and indecisive personality haha.</p>
<p>BP, The thing that I always say about Williams and Williamstown is that you have to want to be there. The kids who seem the most dissatisfied are those that use Williams as a consolation prize to a first choice Ivy, mostly because of it’s #1 LAC reputation. </p>
<p>Just out of interest what was your first choice (that you didn’t get into)? A friend ours who was disappointed by Brown and Penn, chose CMU because the physical environment was more to his liking. I will say however that he worked his tail off. It sounded like more of a pressure cooker than Williams. </p>
<p>You have some excellent choices. Follow your heart.</p>
<p>Well, my #1 choice would have been Dartmouth. Honestly, I am not close to being qualified for acceptance for Dartmouth or a school of that level. I’m not using Williams as a consolation prize, it’s the best school I got into. I’m just concerned about living in such a small, rural environment; although I like that the atmosphere is a helpful one. I don’t know if i was able to get a good feel on my visit because it seemed a bit short. In some ways I think it is a good fit for me but I still have my doubts that I will be happy.</p>
<p>“Well, my #1 choice would have been Dartmouth. Honestly, I am not close to being qualified for acceptance for Dartmouth or a school of that level. I’m not using Williams as a consolation prize, it’s the best school I got into.”</p>
<p>Are you kidding me? (no pun intended with the kidding) Williams is arguably BETTER than Dartmouth - but at least on par with it. The other schools on the list don’t COMPARE. I think you need and attitude adjustment and open your eyes to the TREMENDOUS opportunity you have to go to one of the top schools in the WORLD let alone the nation. The glass is more than half full my friend, the sooner you wake up to that fact and let go the “woe is me” attitude the better off you will be. There are tons of kids on this site that would be ecstatic to go to Williams. BUCK UP!</p>
<p>Williams is part of the Triumvirate – Williams, Amherst and Swarthmore.</p>
<p>The triumvirate is one the same level as Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford and MIT. </p>
<p>“Honestly, I am not close to being qualified for acceptance for Dartmouth or a school of that level. I’m not using Williams as a consolation prize, it’s the best school I got into”</p>
<p>… Williams is on the same level as the top ivy league institutions, and the top national universities. The Triumvirate of the LACs compete with HYPSM for students every year and, there are a large portion of students which turn down HYPSM to attend one of the Triumvirate schools. Williams also ranks as the #1 LAC in the country currently. Williams isn’t a ‘consolation prize’ it’s FANTASTIC and BETTER than Dartmouth…</p>
<p>It’s completely normal to second guess your choice. </p>
<p>Give Williams a chance. If it doesn’t work out (and I bet that it will), you can transfer. It’s not the end of the world.</p>
<p>Choosing Williams just because it’s more highly ranked than Rochester or Case is not a good idea. I think you should do a gut check on this one. Obviously Williams is a great school, but if it’s not for you, you’ve got other great choices. You’re not obligated to accept a place because it admitted you. </p>
<p>I also don’t think that Williams is “much better” than your other choices for what you want to do with your life. If you wanted to be an art history major, maybe; but if you want to be a doctor, not really. It certainly won’t be “much better” for you if you don’t like it, or go reluctantly because you think you somehow should. </p>
<p>Good luck to you.</p>
<p>What NJSue said. Williams is not the “best” school on your list if it’s not where you want to go. Momrath has provided some good food for thought, as well. These are all fine schools, terrific schools, places where you could get an exceptional education. Where do you want to be for the next four years? Where do you see yourself flourishing? Figure that out and go there! Please don’t choose a school simply because it is at the top of a rankings list if it’s not the school for you.</p>
<p>Thank you NJSue as the father of a CMU CS grad I really don’t think Williams is “by far” better than Carnegie Mellon (and the comment that the other schools ‘don’t even compare’ to Williams?huh?). What I do think is they are very different schools. Last time I checked CMU’s CS, engineering, fine arts,architecture, psychology, even business are among the tops in the country. As a matter of fact, CMU fits more of OP’s criteria (larger school, urban) than Williams, and it’s D3 football too. Perhaps you visited and didn’t like it…that’s fine, altho I’d be curious why Case clicked and CMU didn’t.</p>
<p>OP, it looks like Carnegie Mellon is the best fit for you. Don’t be fooled by all of these CC posters telling you to go to Williams; the top public universities and LACs in this country are not in the same league as the top private universities. I would say Williams and Dartmouth are comparable in prestige and CMU is not too far behind depending on what you want to study.</p>
<p>Have you visited URochester or Case Western?</p>
<p>Williams would be a good football environment for you. How badly do you want to play?</p>
<p>CMU did not work out because of financial aid. I liked rochester when i visited and liked what i have read of cwru. I think i may have sounded too harsh in my choice of words. I like what williams has to offer me, dont get me wrong. My concern is that i would prefer an urban medium size school, but i dont even know if it would matter all that much. I know that the other schools are good and its best to pick which is right for me.</p>
<p>Go to URochester then; it’s a pretty solid school and would fit your “urban middle size” school comparison.</p>
<p>Williams is a wonderful school though I would not compare it to the top ivies in terms of selectivity. Most would kiss the ground to get in. Yet your issues are real. It may be hard for you to do well enough to get into med school if you’ve always struggled in math. Yet, that might be the case at most schools.</p>
<p>If you already feel you’d be bored on campus choose another school. Williams is what it is and it’s not going to become anything but a small, rural school without a lot going on beyond the campus. Comfort and fit are important.</p>
<p>I know people who have gone to both Williams and Rochester. I wouldn’t believe that Rochester–or some of the other schooks on your list would be any less challenging academically than Williams. So don’t turn down Wiliams becomes you think it would be harder.</p>
<p>I feel a bit better about going to Williams now. I think it’s a good fit for me. I’m not used to living in a rural area but I don’t think it will be a big issue. I think there will be enough activities so I don’t get bored. The classes are small and I will take advantage of getting to know my teachers and peers. The other schools I was accepted to can provide me with a great education as well, but I think Williams is the best place for me to go</p>