Hi,
I’m deciding between Williams and Pomona and really like both schools. Williams appeals to me because it is further from home, but when I visited Williams the students did not seem as happy as those at Pomona. Would you say this is true? What is the current campus climate like at Williams?
Thanks!
If you went during Previews, midterms were happening and likely portrayed a polarized stress level climate.
Well, I don’t know how happy the students at Pomona are, so I can’t compare, but my son and his friends are very happy at Williams and having the time of their life!
Any college student will have good moments and bad moments, at any school. The work is intense, and it is a challenging time of life to go through, separating from your family and being independent and hoping you’ll find love in a major, a career, and a significant other.
That said, the camaraderie at Williams helps the kids get through all that.
When I visited earlier this month during Previews, a current student told me that they were having midterms which was why everyone was stressed.
Generally, it seems like people are pretty happy at Williams. According to the most recent common data set, Williams has a retention rate of 99%, which is ridiculously high.
It seems that all is not well on the Williams campus. This recently came from the Office of the President:
https://president.williams.edu/letters-from-the-president/creating-a-healthier-campus-culture/
Interesting letter from Maud, seems she has her work cut out for her. As her letter alluded to, it seems there is much going on. I spoke with a local mom with a kid there, and she directed me to various news sources including the student newspaper (Williams Record), ephblog and anonymous political scientist blog (a blog by a former Williams prof).
Small rural LACs can be a tough environment. Especially in cold weather areas.
I understand the attraction. Beautiful campuses, small classes, the student is known to all. Profs teach all classes. Easy to join athletic teams (as opposed to D-1 universities). But it just ends up with a lot of highly visible cliques & lots of alcohol. And a lack of privacy.
Williams College is a very wealthy school with brilliant, athletically & artistically talented students.
Pomona College has the significant advantage of the 5 school consortium.
I echo TheGreyKing’s comments. My daughter is also a current student at Williams, and she loves it there. She feels challenged, but supported by professors and friends. It’s her happy place. Many of her friends feel similarly.
@Mwfan1921 The “anonymous political scientist” blog is written by a person who used to teach at Williams years ago but was denied tenure and, as a result, has spent a lot of time misrepresenting Williams as an institution. Similarly, Ephblog has a heavy political bias and as a result, the reporting is highly opinionated. The Williams Record is probably your best source for more nuanced coverage of current controversies.
I want to add that as a prefrosh who has talked with current students, nearly all were satisfied with their experience at the college. Many elite colleges have troubles trying to balance perspectives in the student body, and Williams isn’t unique in that regard. However, characterizing the college as an unhappy place is inaccurate, as statistics show.
Good info on the backstory of those blogs. I for one did not characterize Williams as an unhappy place, and don’t perceive it that way at all.
@Mwfan1921 I didn’t mean for that statement to be targeted at you specifically, although I see why it may have come off that way–sorry! I just wanted to make sure that Williams was being portrayed accurately.
I am a big fan of Williams, and I highly recommend it to prospective students. I think it is the most wonderful place to go to college!
But there is definitely truth that campus politics can be a little nuts and it takes real courage to take a public stand on any issue where the loudest student activists have a different opinion. Even if you agree with the activists over 90% of the time, when you find the one issue on which you disagree, it can be hard. That said, these are important points:
(IMO, we are experiencing a crisis in college education and in democracy overall, where we can no longer disagree civilly, listen to and accommodate different viewpoints, arrive at compromises, etc.)
I am a current junior and prospective student and I have been following the campus news about free speech, CARE NOW, affinity housing and other controversies. Williams has been my top choice but I have been concerned about the social disorder on campus and how I as a conservative would be treated on campus. Can anyone comment on whether the situation is exaggerated and is focusing on minority opinions or is representative of the campus atmosphere as a whole?
@nikom814 I’m an incoming prefrosh who has spoke with many current students there. According to them, the majority of students are politically apathetic, and there’s a small and loud contingent of activists. If you are getting your campus news mostly from right-leaning or alt-right media sources, then you’re most certainly seeing a highly exaggerated version of campus events. Students aren’t yelling and marching on campus every day. Most students just don’t really care—they’re focusing on other things.
BTW, there is a Society for Conservative Thought that you may be interested in joining. A couple weeks ago, they held a panel on free speech that went well.
Williams is a school with excellent academics and top-tier graduate/career outcomes. It’s also incredibly well-resourced. It’ll get you where you want to be, whether that’s Wall Street or medical school. Don’t let biased news articles dissuade you from applying; however, it’s good that you’re aware of the controversy on campus currently.
Yep- this just happened there (at Williams). Kinda disturbing: https://www.insidehighered.com/news/2019/05/09/williams-college-student-government-rejects-pro-israel-group?utm_source=Inside+Higher+Ed&utm_campaign=537ba42d2a-DNU_2019_COPY_01&utm_medium=email&utm_term=0_1fcbc04421-537ba42d2a-228265881&mc_cid=537ba42d2a&mc_eid=3f3aa17c1c
@jym626 I recommend that you (and @nikom814 if they’re interested) read President Mandel’s letter condemning CC for their decision. WIFI is being allowed by the administration to operate like any other student organization, and the President says that “we are guaranteeing them exactly equal resources”.
This is the letter:
https://president.williams.edu/letters-from-the-president/college-council-vote-on-williams-initiative-for-israel/
@writingpumpkin03 Thanks a lot for the information! This helps dissuade some of my concerns
Yes,@writingpumpkin03, read the letter already linked above. I still find the student government’s vote unacceptable.
@nikom814 Glad to be of help! Remember that Williams isn’t unique in this regard; you can and will find similar controversy at its peer elite schools. You can message me with any questions that you have about the school and my impressions of it, and I will try and answer them.
@jym626 Personally, I am disappointed with the vote as well; I just wanted to add that there is pushback from the administration, for the benefit of anyone following the issue. Wasn’t trying to attempt to argue. Hope you have a great day!
Thanks, @writingpumpkin03. The rising antisemitism in many places is upsetting and frightening.