<p>An "Arts Evaluation Form" is pretty much standard with applications to colleges that offer majors in the arts....it's not anything new at Williams. All it means is that if you want to apply as a music major, they want to hear a tape, for a painting student, a portfolio, etc. It's just different than applying in any other area. For science majors, the admissions folks are just going to want to see how you did in AP Physics and Calc and the like, and your test scores. Your science awards, if any, will appear on your list of accomplishments, but they're not going to sit down and evaluate your project they way they might if you're applying to grad school. Anyway, I don't think they've changed their approach to offset an athletic image, although I'm sure they want lots of students to take advantage of the new performance center.</p>
<p>Sybbie's right about the Dartmouth/Williams split. It seemed like nearly every student or parent I met at Williams shared the same story about agonizing over which one to choose, after acceptances. My daughter made the choice, literally, at the last possible moment before matriculation deposits were due.</p>