<p>TOTALLY TRUE about Bowdoin food!!! It’s so hard when our son comes home–home does NOT measure up! Second best in the nation. (And see above, I had a hard time with Maine being so far up there, and we live in New England for goodness sake, but it is not as bad as one would think). Bowdoin is ranked #6 in the country for LACs on some rankings, and is almost as selective as Williams (diff. of 1-3 percentage points I think). Reasonably good comparisons though in #20. I think Williams and Bowdoin have equally “white” student populations, and Macalester as mentioned has a wonderful international flavor which the other 2 cannot match–though they do have noticeable international students as well.</p>
<p>OK.</p>
<p>I can offer (unbiased?) advice from the perspective of someone who’s been to all three schools and is affiliated with none.</p>
<p>My 2 cents - all very personal impressions:</p>
<p>All three schools have student bodies generally very happy with their experiences, no one more so than another. Just remember about self-selection. YOU obviously may well be happier at one than another. For your interests, I think academics will be very strong at all three. Student body strength and general reputation - give a small advantage to Williams.</p>
<p>Williams is the most (and very) isolated, small-small townish, and, in its immediate environs, offers the most beautiful setting. Lots of hiking, skiing opportunities, etc. Don’t know if too isolated for your taste.</p>
<p>Bowdoin is pretty, but measurably less so in my view. Flatter campus topography, lots of historic buildings with character but very updated 21st century interiors (a good thing), great dorms and food, a more uniformaly “preppy” looking and feeling student body c/w others. Town is larger than Williamstown, but the whole place feels much more connected to civilization. Shopping outlets (if that’s your thing) are nearby and Portland not much further afield. The vast majority of your weekends will still definitely be spent on campus.</p>
<p>Mac’s campus is nicely manicured but indeed very small. It sits in a attractive but not college student exciting St. Paul residential area. The rest of St. Paul and Minneapolis are, however, very easily accessed. The profile of a student body more liberal and more international is legit. Weekends expect to leave campus to use the city - a fair amount.</p>
<p>Mac would be my first choice, then Bowdoin, then Williams…</p>
<p>Another site says:</p>
<p>"The Ten BEST Things About Bowdoin
- The warm atmosphere and amazing faculty
- The dining hall food and service people; Super Snacks is great, too!
- Cooks Corner, Freeport, Portland, and Boston
- The huge Outing Club program
- The awesome housing available to students
- Ivies Weekend
- Taking classes on the 16th floor of Coles Tower
- Being close to amazing outdoor activities
- It’s easy to get a campus job and make money at school
- The greatest mascot in our league: the Polar Bear</p>
<p>The Ten WORST Things About Bowdoin
- The long winter
- The administration seems very bureaucratic at times
- Being towed without warning
- Brunswick goes to bed at 8 p.m.
- Watson Fitness Center
- 25% of the campus claims to be from Boston
- Hooking up can be awkward on such a small campus
- The football team
- Res Life can be very uncompromising
- The cliquey student body"</p>
<p>My son’s experience would say that 100% of the BEST Bowdoin things list is true, and 50% of the WORST Bowdoin things list is true. I’d also concur with post #22, except that Bowdoin has a “quad” center of the campus (even though it is flat), and as I recall Williams does not have that same sort of center. </p>
<p>Both Williams and Bowdoin would give you access to wonderful outdoors areas and activities that will be a big change from your LA experience (and closer than the wonderful national parks of CA). Surfing only in wetsuits however–they do surf in Maine actually.</p>
<p>Wow. Thank you so much everybody! I didn’t expect to receive so many replies!
Keep 'em coming!</p>
<p>You can go icefishing in Minnesota…</p>
<p>Just be sure the ice stays attached to the shore, not like on the Great Lakes this year and others!</p>
<p>To piggyback on momrath’s post…</p>
<p>Just went to visit Williams last week and it still remains one of my favorite schools (I actually cried when my D turned them down to go elsewhere). </p>
<p>Their admissions and FA staff still remains one of the best group of people you will ever have to encounter.</p>
<p>Williams does a 3+2 program in engineering where you do 3 years at Williams and the other 2 years at Columbia. At the end of five years, the student receives both a B.A. from Williams and a B.S. in engineering from Columbia</p>
<p>[Pre-Engineering</a> Program](<a href=“http://www.williams.edu/Physics/programs/eng.html]Pre-Engineering”>http://www.williams.edu/Physics/programs/eng.html)</p>
<p>If during the long range money should be come an issue, Williams philisophy is that there are no hidden costs and they live this philosophy, which extends to from everything their study abroad program, purchasing book (actually if you receive FA, you can borrow books for the whole term). Since Williams knows that they are in the middle of no where, they work really hard to bring a variety of concerts and different events to campus. In addition to the oxford exchange, Williams is known for thier Oxford based tutorial system where 2 students and the professor meet together once a week for class. If one finds Williamstown too isolating there are plenty of opportunities to travel as Williams has an extensive study abroad program and are part of the 12 college exchange, Williams based programs in NYC, Africa, Mystic (where you live on a boat) along with short study aboard programs that are part of their winter term.</p>
<p>The people are still pretty laid back and friendly. Academically you will get one of the best educations out there. If you are undecided, don’t worry, with a little work, you can even create your own major.</p>
<p>Yeah, they did tear down the old student center to build a new one, which opened in 2007, but it is a really nice one with a number of dining options, and spaces totally dedicated to students 
.</p>
<p>Contact Williams, try to work something out, but don’t easily give up the opportunity to attend.</p>
<p>Bowdoin is actually one of the more diverse LACs. Minority enrollment is around 35% or so.</p>
<p>I so was pulling for Bowdoin for my daughter. I just love a rocky coastline. And the lobster rolls in town were so good!</p>
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<p>Kirkman, Read through the thread on the Williams board titled “Previews!”. I’d say there a good chance that Williams would want to help you visit.</p>
<p>Would Williams be too isolated for you? Only you could say. I have noticed that the physical location is never neutral: it’s either a strong positive or a strong negative. Those who say that it doesn’t matter, often find out that it does. </p>
<p>Growing up my son only ever lived in big cities and he’s living in a city now; however, his experience at Williams was so appealing that he chose another rural college, Cornell, for graduate school. </p>
<p>My conclusion after reading everyone’s comments: I would kill for a lobster roll.</p>
<p>I’ve heard that Bowdoin has great campus food, but so does Macalester—all campus food provided by Bon Appetit, a high-end, award-winning sustainable catering service. I’d find it difficult to choose between the two schools on the basis of food. For urban, I’d say definitely Mac. On the other hand, I love the Maine coast, to my mind Bowdoin’s strong suit. Take your pick.</p>
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<p>Does this mean the social life tends to revolve around sports? Is there a rugby clique, a lacrosse clique, etc., that shows up in the dining hall?</p>
<p>This is something my S discovered on a visit to another selective, rural New England LAC. He found it very unappealing. I have no idea whether this is the case at Williams or not, or whether it would matter to the OP, but it is an example of the kind of thing that can show up on a visit and affect your impression of the place. Could be good or bad – depends on you.</p>
<p>If you really cannot visit, you can continue to ask questions to probe for likes and dislikes. Many schools have an “Ask a student” feature on their admitted students page. Don’t be shy about using that. </p>
<p>This whole process by the way is a good exercise in building self-knowledge. You’ve probably been focusing a lot on academics. Now is an opportunity to focus on personal preferences and how you are likely to respond to the environment you are in.</p>
<p>Here is how I see the difference.</p>
<p>Williams alums tell you how prestigious Williams is. </p>
<p>Bowdoin alums tell you how much they enjoyed Bowdoin. </p>
<p>But rather than listen to us, do some networking and reach out to kids actually in these schools. Through others at school or through your parents people can network you into a phone call with someone who can give you their perspective. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>I went to Williams. I’d go to Macalester.</p>
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<p>Perhaps you could share why …</p>
<p>The campus location is wonderful!!! and Williams is really isolated, and hence isolating. One result being much less drinking, much more community participation. Greater international focus. MUCH better foreign language departments (Williams wouldn’t make the top 30). More international presence, more socio-economic diversity. Less athletic orientation.</p>
<p>Mini, do you have some direct association with the Macalester community, or are you reporting based on what friends have shared? Seems like your opinion might carry a little weight here.</p>
<p>I have spoken near Macalester three times in the past 8 years, and I have lots of friends who are parents of students attending or who attended. I also know several of the faculty.</p>
<p>Don’t get me wrong: Williams (and Bowdoin) are great schools. But, for me, I’d go to Macalester.</p>
<p>id prolly end up going to bowdoin, just because of the combination of superb academics and happy students. might pick williams, but i’d want to know more about what students dislike.</p>