I read the previous thread by @geekgurl about engineering @ Williams. I’m an international who definitely needs FA, so I was excited when I read that Williams is one of the best LACs when it comes to FA because they describe themselves as need-seeking too. However, the engineering program(3-2 or 4-2 Columbia combined plan) makes me wonder… should I really do ED at Williams?
See I’m havjng difficulty deciding because I know there aren’t many schools that can give me good FA like williams. So my situation is “I should probably do ED Williams because the aid is good(so better for me), and I’ll just have to endure whatever follows” AND ALSO, “maybe I should take my chance with Penn Engineering ED, I mean, I could finish in 4 years and could actually hang out with engineering students, etc, but then they might not accept me because they’re need-aware for internationals like me, and I need a large amount of FA”
I know 3 people (internationals) from Africa who all got 100% aid (full ride) to Columbia(1 of them) and Dartmouth (2 of them)…which are both need-aware admission for internationals too. so they’re also inspiring me to take my chance with UPenn ED rather than Williams ED. But again, I know that we can’t predict what will happen In admissions, and that’s why my mind takes me back to Williams ED which favors me in FA.
But In allllll honesty? I really don’t like the Williams engineering plan. I really don’t. The fact that it could take 5 years or 6 years and the fact that you actually don’t dive into engineering sooner, turns me down. I really like Williams though, I really love it as a college, but not when it comes to its engineering program.
Please help, should I go ahead with UPenn ED(as an international asking for huge amounts of aid) or I go for Williams ED or any other suggestions?
Hey! looks like we have the same situation 
I changed my plan from Williams ED to Cornell ED (most likely, chose this over Dartmouth). Williams is very generous in FA for internationals but they’re still need blind, just like Penn. I don’t think aid will make much difference between Williams and Penn because they’re both need-aware. Dunno the stats but Penn is probably more competitive even for ED. Try looking into Williams’ pre-engineering program though, it’s 4 years and you get a BA but you could go to a grad school for engineering.
If you want to be an engineer, my recommendation is to start out as a freshman in an ABET accredited engineering school and finish your undergraduate engineering degree in the standard manner in four years. Forget 3-2 programs. The additional liberal arts BA degree you may get from a 3-2 program from Williams or another LAC isn’t going to make any difference to engineering employers. They will look at your engineering degree coursework and GPA.
Go to a school with engineering if you want to be an engineer. Don’t take a detour, no matter how attractive.
@geekgurl I’ve already read all about Williams Engineering Program, and that’s why I said I don’t like it. And that really disappointed me because I was so ready to make it my first choice 
Williams is such a great college though. plus I really don’t want to get that BA and then masters, it’s not recommended by engineers as I’ve seen with @ engineer80
Thank you @Engineer80 , advice straight from an engineer is great for me…
@intparent your words are exactly what I was thinking whenever I thought of going to Williams. I was really thinking of how great a college it is…
If anyone knows any other good colleges that offer engineering and are good with FA for internationals, please help and comment here. Because I need that combination : good intl FA + Engineering
Amherst is need blind for Internationals and meets full need. They have 2-1-1-1 program for Engineering with Dartmouth. You spend your junior year at Dartmouth, come back to Amherst for senior year to graduate and then do a 5th year back at Dartmouth
I think the OP needs to decide whether they want a 5 year program. These are intended for students who want BOTH an engineering and liberal arts degree. They aren’t designed as a way to get an engineering degree with the burden of fulfilling the requirements for a liberal arts degree.
I echo all of the above.
Williams is not need blind for international students, only for domestic students.
The choice to go to a liberal arts college and do a 3-2 or 3-1-1-1 program or a graduate school in engineering afterwards is a choice that should be made only if you really, truly want a pure liberal arts experience as part of your education.
@gardenstategal is right. There would not be a point in going to Williams if you view it as a delay in when you can take engineering courses. You would be better off going to a college that offers engineering. There are some Ivy League schools, MIT, and others that are need blind and meet full need for international students and that offer engineering. Their aid is just as generous as the aid at Williams! Why not apply to those universities instead?
Williams provides an amazing undergraduate liberal arts education. But it does not offer engineering courses on campus. From your post, I think it may not be the right school for you.
Look at the financial aid sections and course catalogs on the websites of a variety of colleges and universities. Pick ones that will meet your financial need AND offer engineering.