<p>I visited Williams about a month ago and loved it... the small size, the people I met, the tutorials, winterstudy, the beautiful Purple Valley and campus, the Oxford program... yet I've heard the drinking is out of control. I have no problem whatsoever with alcohol use, but I definitely don't want the social scene to be dominated by it. Is this true of Williams? Thanks!</p>
<p>Ladylazarus, In a word, no, the drinking is not out of control and the social scene is not dominated by drinking.</p>
<p>Williams has struggled with alcohol related issues that are both real and perceived. This is a hot-button issue which along with athletics always gets an impassioned response, I guess because how much drinking is too much drinking is somewhat subjective. Basically Williams kids drink more than students at some colleges, less than those at others.</p>
<p>My observation as the parent of a Williams sophomore is that while alcohol is a normal and accepted part of the Williams culture, abuse of alcohol is much less widespread and much less problematic than is perceived. Many, many Williams students drink moderately or not at all. There are scores of activities available -- theater, dances, art, movies, lectures, plus the whole gamut of sports and outdoorsy pursuits -- that are not alcohol centered.</p>
<p>The positives that you've listed are accurate. It's a wonderful school. In other words, although there are many reasons not to chose Williams -- too isolated, too small, too cold, too active/athletic, too many purple cows (really this was mentioned by someone!) -- excessive drinking is not one of them.</p>
<p>there was an excellent thread on this topic (I think it was "class of 2009" - OP mellowjello) though I can't find it now...probably has been shifted to the archives - check it out.</p>