<p>Hello,</p>
<p>I had been recently accepted to the Williams Class of 2010. I am seriously considering majoring in economics as well as in mathematics.
I would like to know how the economics/business departments at Williams measure up with those of the ivies and UChicago. I was worried that the field I will most probably choose should be pursued in a university setting as opposed to a small liberal arts college.</p>
<p>Thank you in advance.</p>
<p>I think Williams has by far the strongest economics department among LACs.
Check out -<a href="http://www.williams.edu/Economics/">www.williams.edu/Economics/</a> </p>
<p>There are a few famous and influential profs there. </p>
<p>I am not sure, but i don't think there is a business department.</p>
<p>williams does not have a business department, but their economics programme is very reputed. you can go check out this link, which has a short list of famous ephs:</p>
<p>a lot of the people in the academics, business, state & govt. category were economics majors at williams, and they seem to have measured up just fine to ivy league grads :) </p>
<p>however, Robert F. Engle, who was joint winner of the Nobel Prize in Economics in 2003, majored in physics at Williams...just a fun fact i thought you might find interesting.</p>
<p>The president of the college is an economics professor, and still teaches one course.</p>
<p>Thank you much for your help, guys.</p>
<p>No prob. </p>
<p>Btw, ru ED or Early Write?</p>
<p>I am an early write, and a very confused one. I went through the application process pretty much very ignorant as to the caliber of schools I applied to. Although I was extatic to get the earlier acceptance (which never in the world would I think I qualified for), I need to learn something about the school.</p>
<p>I would advice you to visit Williams. Although i never visited Williams as i live kinda far away from US, i think visiting the college would be the best way to learn about it.</p>
<p>Polish, Williams doesnt offer a business degree per se but many Williams grads go on to successful business careers. The economics and math departments are among the best in the country (actually, I think the problem now is that economics has become TOO popular) and are well recognized by professional and graduate schools. </p>
<p>Williams has an excellent track record for placing graduates in the top MBA programs and law schools. The Office of Career Counseling is extremely active in helping students get internships and research positions (and providing funding for the same). All the major firms regularly on campus. The network of successful alumni/ae is also a potent force in business and most other fields as well. They take care of their own.</p>
<p>The style of education at a small, rigorous LAC is different from a large research university or a graduate focused ivy. The emphasis at an LAC is all on the undergraduate experience. Classes are small and they are for the most part taught by full professors. Although the professors may be experts in their fields, they are teachers first and when the time comes to ask for recommendations for internships or graduate schools theyre there for you. </p>
<p>Among the LACs Williams has a lot in common with Chicago in quality of education but is very different in environment which would be immediately apparent once you visit. Neither is better than the other, just different so try to visit and see which is a better fit for you.</p>
<p>How are courses set up. Are there lectures? Is it all discussion sections? Are all lectures and/or seminars taught by professors.</p>
<p>I know that in HYPS, the profs do the lectures while the graduate students teach the discussion sections where the interaction actually takes place.</p>
<p>Diamond, Heres a link to Williams on-line course catalog. If you click on an individual department you can see the courses offered each term and by choosing a course, you can see the course description, format and class size plus a link to information about the instructor.</p>
<p>Theres a variety of formats: largish (50-100 students) lectures with separate discussion groups, medium sized seminars (20-30 students), small seminars (10-20 students) and tutorials (2 students + one professor). Most are taught by PhDs. There may be exceptions as in the case of visiting lecturers or experts in creative or technical fields, but for the most part your instructors, including those leading the lecture discussion groups, will have attained a terminal degree.</p>
<p>Econ is the biggest and certainly one of the best departments at Williams. One other advantage of Williams is the math department (you mentioned you are interested in math, and if you want to go into economics, you are best served taking high level math classes as an undergrad), which is without a doubt the best of any L.A. college. A recent Fields medal winner attended Williams, and not by accident. Three profs in the department -- Adams, Morgan, and Deveaux -- have all won numerous national plaudits for their teaching. Deveaux will actually be at Princeton next year as a distinguished teacher fellow I believe. The Williams math department is widely known for its outstanding teaching across-the-board. Something to consider ...</p>
<p>A relative of mine has been a professor at Wharton and other good business schools. She says her department loves its Willams applicants and graduate students.</p>