<p>Hey everyone. I love Amherst and I love Williams, and they certainly seem similar in many ways. Can you guys give me your thoughts on how these schools compare?</p>
<p>Just Fyi, I have already asked the Amherst board, and am posting here for a more balanced review (great idea momrath :)).</p>
<p>SaveHockey, after I posted on the Amherst board, Ephman added a heartfelt and eloquent description of life at Williams. Theres not much more I can say but Ill give my impressions. My son is a sophomore at Williams. He was just home for Spring Break so his enthusiasm is very fresh in my mind. </p>
<p>At the outset, Amherst was high on his list. After visiting, it completely fell off the list. The ostensible reason was his personal interest in art and art history: Williams is the best in these areas and at Amherst theyre non-events. But there were other significant differences that are more difficult to articulate. For the most part, the atmosphere at Williams was overwhelmingly warm, nurturing, vibrant whereas Amherst felt cool, distant and disengaged. Granted, these are very subjective and personal reactions. I really have nothing negative to say about Amherst, but I have so much positive to say about the Williams and I think the contrast is telling.</p>
<p>Academically (aside from a few specific disciplines) Williams and Amherst are equal. Williams has general distribution requirements which has been a very good thing for my son as hes been motivated to experiment. Classes at both are small. The faculty at Williams are extremely accessible, so although the course load is rigorous, you get a lot of reinforcement from your colleagues and instructors. The kids are very smart, very driven, but at the same time supportive and non-competitive. This may also be true of Amherst, but at Williams its a credo.</p>
<p>Socially there is also a lot more overlap than difference. What you said yourself Williams . . . is an intentional community. The people who go to Williams are there because they WANT to be there with the people who are also attending the school and they do not really need stimulation away from Williams life. This is absolutely to the point! </p>
<p>Much has been written about the isolation of Williams, but in fact its the isolation that makes Williams Williams. The kids love being in the Purple Bubble. It reinforces the sense of community. Theres plenty to do and the surrounding countryside is profoundly beautiful. Two or three times a year my son has gone to New York on a school organized outing. He loves the city but is always relieved to get back to sleepy Williamstown. (Right now as I write this he is journeying -- a 30 hour flight! -- back to Williamstown. I know that there is truly no other place on earth that hed rather be heading.)</p>
<p>Winters are long and harsh in the Berkshires so it helps if youre involved in some kind of activity that lends itself to cold weather. In general Williams kids are very active and there is an emphasis on health and physical well being. This is often interpreted as a jock-focus, but in actuality it is very different. My son is not a team athlete but he is outdoorsy and loves the natural beauty of the Berkshires. Also, the kids support their friends: they no only go to sports events, but they also go to music and dance performances, art openings, plays, poetry readings, debates. . . </p>
<p>Other points of differentiation that make Williams special are Winter Study, the tutorial program, the five dining halls, the freshman entry system. The career counseling service is extremely aggressive and user friendly and as noted on the other thread Williams kids do very well in graduate and professional school placement. Each of these is a serious plus, but without doubt the best part of Williams is the kids. They are smart, active, friendly, exuberant, talented, multifaceted and most importantly, resounding happy.</p>
<p>I posted on the Amherst thread talking about intentional community, pretending to be a deciding student... the truth: I am a Williams EDer. Just a little scared of posting pro-Williams in an Amherst thread... :)</p>
<p>Williams is awesome. Check it out during the accepted kids overnight and you'll fall in love</p>
<p>hahahahaha good job eas ;)</p>
<p>The Williams vs Amherst thread is leaning more toward Williams then Amherst on their own thread! ....if they can't even defend themselves on their own territory... well you get the picture;P</p>
<p>Ah, thank you guys. Now I reallllly want to visit!</p>