Just this past week I was deferred to my number one choice for schools: Williams College. I have been progressively looking for schools in Williams caliber, but with my deferral in the ED cycle, I am skeptical of my chances at similar colleges in the RD cycle. What schools would you recommend that are similar to Williams College (not in a big city, less than 10k undergrads) that would be less competitive? I can post stats if needed. I would be looking for a degree in economics/finance/business or law/political science. Thanks.
Sorry about the deferral. As a swimmer, have you considered Kenyon or Denison? Also, there are so many great LACs in the top 50 or so (and beyond). Schools like Union, Oberlin, Hamilton, Sewanee, Reed, St Lawrence, etc offer such great academic experiences, with your scores you should have no problem finding the right fit.
@MidwestDad3 Thank you! I will research some of those colleges.
Bucknell should be on your list.As should Claremont McKenna.
Just because you were deferred at Williams, doesn’t mean other competitive schools will do the same. Remember, it is just one school and one admissions committee and every school is likely to have a different take on your app. Plus for a small school like Williams, in the ED round, a big % is taken up by athletes and hooked applicants. They may very well take you in the RD round.
Amherst is very competitive but would have some similarities to Williams. Hamilton, Bates, Holy Cross, Conn College,Trinity also good choices.
@MrTongueTie Was Williams the only school you applied to? I agree with @menloparkmom I would apply to Bucknell as well as Lafayette and Gettsyburg.
If you apply to another NESCAC school now like Bates, Middlebury, Bowdoin, Hamilton, etc they will sniff out they weren’t a first choice school. Its obvious right? However, if your times would add to the team and be a real asset for the coach you can go that route. I know its late but filling out the recruiting questionnaire might be an option.
Outside of Conn College and Trinity, NESCAC acceptance rates are well below 20% in RD.
Take a look at Grinnell too. If you had the stats for Williams, then you are probably eligible for merit aid. The school has one of the largest endowments of any LAC which they use for state-of-the-art facilities, generous financial aid, the smallest class sizes of any of the top LACs that we visited, and lots of funding for student activities, events and initiatives. But it differs from Williams in that it is not preppy at all, so if that’s one of the attractions for Williams, then it might not be a fit. More the midwestern vibe - that quirky, understated, individualistic and egalitarian.
For the serious study of economics, schools that place within the top 20 or so in this analysis, and which also meet your other criteria, may be particularly suitable for you: “Economics Departments at Liberal Arts Colleges” (from IDEAS, available online). For pre-law, colleges that emphasize the development of writing skills (e.g., Kenyon, Carleton, Hamilton) may be beneficial . For political science, be aware of the various names that study in this field can be included under. Colleges with acceptance rates of 25-30% will be somewhat less competitive than Williams in terms of admission; colleges with acceptance rate of 30% or higher may be fairly certain for you, provided you show interest. Colby, not mentioned thus far, is another good option.
I would suggest all of the NESCAC schools plus Holy Cross, Colgate, Kenyon, Swarthmore, Haverford and Vassar. I know that’s a long list, but it gives you something to start with. What in particular did you like about Williams (apart from it obviously being a great school in so many ways)? Was it the rural, bucolic setting, or balance of strong academics and athletics, etc? Your particular interests could help winnow down the choices.
“Just because you were deferred at Williams, doesn’t mean other competitive schools will do the same.” (4)
This is worth emphasizing. There’s no reason you will have to go from Williams to “safety.”
Yes. There’s no reason you have to go from Williams to “safety.” Admissions at selective schools are way to idiosyncratic for that. But you should also HAVE some safties that you like.
It is worth noting to the OP the politics and potential pitfalls that my might come into play with rival schools given the timing. Application deadlines are in about 2 weeks with peer schools.
I don’t see any safety schools suggested and we don’t know this applicant’s stats.
Find your best fit and a school where you are in the top 1/4 of the applicant class.
Tons of other excellent schools. If you were deferred (not rejected) at Williams I’m sure you are a very qualified candidate so no need to jump to a safety. If you like LACs, you can look at Middlebury, Bates, Bowdin, Colby, Bucknell, Haverford, Colgate, Lafayette, URichmond, Hamilton, Wesleyan, Vassar to name but a few. Many of these schools do like applicants with demonstrated interest so be careful about that.
@TurnerT If you apply to another NESCAC school now like Bates, Middlebury, Bowdoin, Hamilton, etc they will sniff out they weren’t a first choice school. Its obvious right?
Why would it be obvious? I don’t think OP applied as an athlete. The majority of kids don’t apply ED anywhere and at LACS 50%-60% of the class is filled at RD. There will be NESCAC schools and others thrilled to have him - His stats look very good from another thread.
From the other thread:
“The majority of kids don’t apply ED anywhere” (14)
This is both true and indicative of how the OP’s applications will be viewed going forward – no negative bias will be attached to them. Nonetheless, @MrTongueTie, ED II is an option worth considering should your further research lead you to a school that would fit you exceptionally well.
@wisteria100 I never said not to. It is prudent however two weeks before the deadlines right about the time ED results are coming out to be aware of politics. Besides, several peer schools take visiting and interviews seriously. Why would they want to be the rebound school?
He didn’t get deferred due to stats and likewise he won’t get accepted to peers due to stats.
I would spread my risks at this point outside of NESCAC.
Being deferred means you were definitely in the running. You should have the usual mix of reach, match and safeties. With your stats you should have some very good choices come spring. You can probably find several safeties that will offer nice merit scholarships.
OP, my daughter’s friend was deferred from Williams ED this time last year. In the RD round she applied to Amherst, Bates, Bowdoin, possibly some other NESCAC schools but those are ones I know for certain. Her safety was UVM. In the RD round she got into Bates and Amherst, rejected from Bowdoin, and waitlisted at Williams. Ultimately Williams offered her a position off the wait list in April (maybe May) which she embraced with a hearty yes indeed.
You have no idea how your application would have fared in the ED round at any of the peer schools. You have such strong stats and you will have choices this spring. Adcoms are tasked with admitting well rounded classes so your application might be a home run at schools who are looking for kids with your ECs and interests. How does your application come across as a whole? What state are you from? Is there a compelling underlying story that ties your academic interests to some of your extra curricular interests? If your application was good enough to be deferred I wouldn’t make any dramatic changes but I would sure assess how it comes across, and if you are emphasizing what it is you will bring to college (how did that EC/activity section look).
If you have a good college counselor I am sure you will receive excellent advice. All the schools mentioned upstream are worth serious consideration but only apply to ones where you would be happy to attend (and do find a strong safety). Good luck moving on, you owe it to yourself to keep putting your best foot forward and to pursue schools where you think you could thrive. Don’t give up on Williams but do wrap your head around some other possibilities. There are many fantastic schools out there that would welcome you with open arms.