Hello there,
I have been recently admitted to Cornell University as well as Williams College. I am visiting Williams soon and I have already visited Cornell (and loved it).
All other factors aside, what is the comparison or the differences between the English/Writing programs at each school? Since Williams is the number-one-ranked liberal arts university, am I doing myself a disservice as an aspiring writer by not going to Williams?
I didn’t really get a feel for what the programs at Cornell were like, but I loved the size, the campus, the feel, and the people. I think I could potentially enjoy a small school like Williams, though, since I do come from a small town.
Please let me know what all of you think.
Cornell’s good for English/Writing (Thomas Pynchon went there, after all!), but the tiny classes (especially tutorials!) set Williams apart, imo. Jim Shepard is a standout professor (and a fine writer).
(I was an English major, specializing in poetry back with Louise Gluck was still at Williams, fwiw, and I thought the department was terrific)
In addition to Jim Shephard, Williams’ faculty also includes writers Andrea Barrett and Karen Shephard, who in addition to being outstanding fiction writers, are wonderful teachers.
I’m sure Cornell has some respected writers as well, but the academic experience will be quite different from Williams’ small classes, one-on-two tutorials and personal nurturing attention. Williamstown and Ithaca both offer scenic, outdoorsy environments, but the social atmosphere is also quite different. You’ll get a better idea which you prefer after you’ve visited Williams.
Williams’ small classes would be a definite benefit to a writer.
However, both choices are good.
Do get back to this thread after you visit Williams.