<p>I love Amherst! But I have decided that I like Williams too. Can someone please elaborate on how they compare? They seem pretty similar to me in terms of size and location and academia. But of course, those are just a few of the factors I am looking at.</p>
<p>Oh, and as a side note: There are some funky stats on Princeton Review. It’s not a very reliable site, is it?</p>
<p>are you talking about these stats?</p>
<p>Student Body
Enrollment: 431
Female: 48%
Out of State: 87%
International: 23%
African American: 34%
Asian: 49%
Hispanic: 27%
Native American: 1% </p>
<p>I completely freaked out when I saw this too! But it's obviously not true... go check out collegeboard.com for the correct stats.</p>
<p>Amherst is less isolated, is in a town, is a smaller school, and is next to a lot of other good towns and colleges (5 College Consortium). Williams is more isolated, has a much prettier campus (in my opinion), is a bit larger, and is not near any other colleges. Certain departments are better at each school; Williams, for instance, has an amazing art history department.</p>
<p>SH--yes, the stats for Amherst on Princeton Review online are all messed up. they show total Amherst enrollment of something like 413 and the breakdown of ethnic groups %, etc is all wrong. I actually reported this to them a few days ago and they said they would look into it. Usually it's a pretty reliable site, but they definitely have a mix-up on Amherst! Also, being familiar with both schools here are a few differences I know of: size (A 1600+, W 2000+), W seems a bit more 'athletic', W located in relatively small town by itself, A is in a somewhat bigger town with several other colleges nearby, W has more 'course requirements' than A which has almost none, W has a more formal January 'Winter Study' term that I believe is required while A's 'Interterm' seems shorter and much less structured. </p>
<p>That's a start on some of the differences. How about more input from others on this subject?</p>
<p>does Amherst have a crappy campus?</p>
<p>No. I like it a lot. Not exactly picturesque but it's still very nice.</p>
<p>I wouldn't say the campus is crappy, but it isn't as nice as the campuses at a lot of other schools (like Vassar and Swarthmore). The campus isn't all that important to me, though.</p>
<p>Amherst does have that gorgeous view on that memorial..... but i still prefer williams (ducks to avoid tomatoes).</p>
<p>I'm hoping to be fortunate enough to have to choose between the two, and I have already decided that I will attend the student weekends at both if admitted. Presently, I am favoring Williams, simply because of the level of comfort I experienced there, though I fear it could become stifling by senior year. Thanks for the insight!</p>
<p>Becky, I'm in the same situation. I'm also favoring Williams over Amherst though I'm still hoping for some inspiration or information that will amke the decision easier in the end. I'm also waiting on rd from Dartmouth and Brown.</p>
<p>I pretty much agree with bhrwrh's view of amherst, so-so campus, but a good school.</p>
<p>Yeah, it seems as if there is some intangible aura surrounding williams, perhaps the famed "purple bubble" that makes it seem so comfortable and desirable... I stayed overnight with the track team and the image was further confirmed, however, to be fair, I did not stay overnight at Amherst.
oddly enough, I have recently been having these dreams in which I am accepted to amherst and not williams, so i guess its really dominating my mind;)</p>
<p>meltingsnow, good luck with your decision-you've been accepted so overwhelmingly that I'm sure you'll be a great success regardless!</p>
<p>I've already been accepted to Williams (by early write), and I might be in the infamous Amherst-or-Williams bind in a few weeks. I haven't been to Williams yet, but I will be attending their multicultual preview weekend April 9-12. I've visited Amherst already--in the fall for the Diversity Open House. I really enjoyed myself there. The first-year seminar ("Secrets and Lies" with Professor Sarat, arguably their most famous professor) I observed was intimate and stimulating. The parties were fun and inclusive. I met some people who were a tad snobby, but also plenty of down-to-earth ones. I really loved the campus: I could definitely feel at home there. If I do get into both schools, I will be forced to agonize all April.</p>
<p>You guys keep talking about Williams having a great atmosphere. Why is that? I mean, I don't think I will be able to visit either school for the rest of the year, so can you guys elaborate?</p>
<p>Williams, its literally a community in and of itself...I think what initially drew me to its size is that it is comprable to that of my high school. Although I feel as if I am outgrowing my present school, the transition to a college of a similiar size, a safe but significant distance away, and simply the personalities of the students, made the choice rather clear for me. I think it has a great deal to do with your preferences-for me, running is a lifestyle, and the track program at Williams was extremely appealing. </p>
<p>Also, while interacting with the students, I noted that they had similair priorities and goals, and I felt as if my parents could have left me there after my visit...perhaps that could have been a better strategy to gain acceptance lol...</p>
<p>I hope that helps, though my suggestions are pretty personal. Good luck!</p>
<p>Williams, its literally a community in and of itself...I think what initially drew me to its size is that it is comprable to that of my high school. Although I feel as if I am outgrowing my present school, the transition to a college of a similiar size, a safe but significant distance away, and simply the personalities of the students, made the choice rather clear for me. I think it has a great deal to do with your preferences-for me, running is a lifestyle, and the track program at Williams was extremely appealing. </p>
<p>Also, while interacting with the students, I noted that they had similair priorities and goals, and I felt as if my parents could have left me there after my visit...perhaps that could have been a better strategy to gain acceptance lol...</p>
<p>I also have to admit that I visited Amherst over the summer, when students were not milling about the campus, and it was the first school I visited, so I had little experience with comparisons, etc. Also, I had only one brief meeting with the track coach, so the program was less enticing. If I am accepted, I will definitely attend the admitted student days, to update my opinion and give the Lord Jeffs another shot!</p>
<p>I hope that helps, though my suggestions are pretty personal. Good luck!</p>
<p>in a post on that board-that-shall-not-be-named a williams grad posted that williams has a great support structure for freshman year, but after that, the college's quality drops off a little. Amherst has more balanced support through all the years, and he wrote that if he re-did college he'd chose amherst. You can find the post in the Amherst vs. Williams thread - search for it.</p>
<p>i also think that the amherst campus is gorgeous...</p>
<p>Ah, thanks Becky. The "personal" factors are very important to me actually, especially since I will be living on my own in Washington, D.C. after high school. So I guess what I'm wondering is where the sense of community is stronger. How do the atmospheres compare?</p>
<p>SaveHockey--As an Amherst first-year, I can't stress enough how much I feel at home and part of a community in the truest sense. Amherst feels like a family. You know a good portion of the entire school by name, and you recognize every face. The professors consider you important and interact with you. I have had a class with 14 students and a class with 9 students--first semester of my first year. I can't speak for Williams, but don't let anyone tell you that Amherst doesn't have the "aura" or doesn't envelop you in an idyllic college community--both are absurdly false and almost funny because the opposite is so true. </p>
<p>Moreover, not enough attention has been given to an objective comparison of locations in this discussion. Williams is in the northwest corner of Massachusetts in a town with a few stores and nothing notable nearby, and Amherst sits in a classic college town, with UMass' 30,000 people just down the road, and with Mt. Holyoke, Smith, and Hampshire colleges all a quick bus ride away. Come visit, and you'll see what I mean.</p>
<p>I think what colored my opinion of the atmosphere was the fact that students were on break during my Amherst visist, whereas the campus at Williams was buzzing with activity, so I'm sorry savehockey, i dont think i can give you an accurate image of both. good luck!</p>
<p>I've had the pleasure of visiting both Amherst and Williams while classes were in session. I loved both schools. They are both amazing schools of course. I have to say that Williams' facilities were top notch... I've never seen anything better when it comes to dorm rooms, classrooms, etc... however... it is MUCH more isolated than Amherst. Williams IS Williamstown. There is nothing else there except a street with some shops that runs right through campus. It's up curvy mountain roads... and honestly... would get a heck of a lot colder than Amherst in the winter. Amherst has the other colleges nearby which means more academic flexibility... more opportunity to meet people... and more job opportunities. It's also about 2 hours closer to Boston than Williams is. I know I'd LOVE Williams initially... but I'm afraid that by senior year I'll feel claustraphobic. Who knows? I've been accepted to both... but I don't know which I'd choose if it comes down to it. I'm still waiting on Brown and Harvard... oy.</p>