<p>I am currently deciding whether to attend Williams and the University of Pennsylvania. One of the concerns I have about Williams is the location. Does it ever feel like there is nothing to do, especially when it gets to your junior and senior years? Do you feel that the small size and relative isolation of the school is limiting?</p>
<p>No; there is always so much more to do than you would ever have time for. (Keep in mind you’re spending ~90% of your time doing academic activities or sleeping.) When I peruse the social calendars for the weekend goings-on on campus, I’m never thinking, “Oh, I wish there were more to do around here…” Rather, I’m often forced to choose two or three out of many more fun things to do on the weekend. </p>
<p>Frankly, I’ve never heard anyone complain that the location was limiting. Any Eph would reply that the small community only opens more opportunities to connect with some of most fascinating people you’ll ever meet. A larger city school (paradoxically) can inhibit that level of intermingling because students (and faculty) may tend to isolate themselves into small social groups; however to be honest I simply don’t know whether that’s the case at UPenn. </p>
<p>If you do feel clausterphobic junior year, then study abroad! But I’m staying here all four years because there are just too many opportunities that I would miss if I left campus for a year or even for a semester. :)</p>
<p>Can I help you with any other questions while I’m checking these forums?</p>
<p>I recommend if you can checking out the full-size version of this poster (this is just the top portion) … </p>
<p><a href=“http://magazine.williams.edu/files/2013/03/Ephropology.png[/url]”>http://magazine.williams.edu/files/2013/03/Ephropology.png</a></p>
![http://magazine.williams.edu/files/2013/03/Ephropology.png[/url]](http://magazine.williams.edu/files/2013/03/Ephropology.png%5B/url%5D){kind=link}
<p>There are a ton of really fun things to do in Williams and its environs. Also check out the sheer volume of events on the campus calendar in a typical week. You will never feel like there is nothing to do, although of course you’ll have fewer options to choose from than if you are in an urban environment. But it really depends on what YOU like to do. If it is important to you, for example, to have a vibrant bar or club scene or a huge number of restaurant options or tons of different shops to persue, then Williamstown and the Berkshires are just not going to be able to provide what you are looking for. If you are looking for an endless variety of interesting outdoors activities, regional cultural / artistic events and excursions, or music / theater / film / lecture events, then you’ll be fine. I’ve lived in urban areas since Williams but I’ve never had my social calendar as full as it was as when I lived in college. It’s just that social calendar revolves more (although not exclusively) around what is happening on campus than at many other places.</p>
<p>I think you’re indecisive because you have two excellent choices.</p>
<p>Philadelphia is clearly a more vibrant location than Williamstown, though I suspect both campuses are equally vibrant places (though the winters will be easier to bear in Philly!). Rather than using the urban vs. rural axiom on which to base your decision, I’d suggest trying to differentiate the schools in other ways. For example, which educational approach resonates more with you? Penn is much larger and that scale brings with it more educational resources (such as the interaction with graduate students and the ability to take graduate school level classes in your senior year; a first class university hospital system if pre-med is at all important to you etc.). However, the downside of Penn’s scale may a more “corporate” feel to the learning environment, where TA’s play a more prominent role and building an intimate relationship with your professor may be more difficult. I think that Williams tutorial approach is pretty cool but hey, that’s me. If that doesn’t appeal to you then I’d stike that from the decision equation. Another difference may be sports. Like all the NESCAC schools, Williams has a much higher percentage of student athletes than Penn - is that a “+”, “-” or “neutral” for you?</p>
<p>In the end, you may just have to go with your gut. Hopefully you were able to visit both places. Which felt better to you? Don’t underestimate the importance of the non-conscious brain at this point in the process. Bottom line, posters on this site will recommend Williams while posters on the U Penn site will recommend Penn. They’re both right, so how can you really go wrong?</p>