<p>can anyone compare the schools in terms of student body, area, admissions, ect. won't you please help me? thanks in advance!</p>
<p>I lived in Amherst and the surrounding area for 15 years, and traveled around the state quite a bit. Personally, I think Williams is very remote. Amherst and Northampton, just up the road, are fairly lively as small college towns go. Both schools are in beautiful settings, but Amherst just seemed to have more going on outside of school. </p>
<p>I would definitely visit before I made a decision.</p>
<p>I should add that I am not trying in any way to be negative about Williams. One of my son's best friends is headed there in the fall; I am curious to see what he thinks about it.</p>
<p>Obviously many students with great options are not bothered by the relatively isolated setting.</p>
<p>Personally I prefer Amherst just because the town is more active and there are other colleges nearby.</p>
<p>Admissions and student body would both be very similar - Williams may be a bit preppier and more focused on athletics, perhaps slightly wealthier...I didn't really notice any big differences between the students at either school, though.</p>
<p>Williamstown is a beautiful little village set in the Berkshires, but the town itself felt (to me) like a ghost town. Absolutely lovely for outdoor activities, but not much else.</p>
<p>Amherst is the perfect size for me, with great bookstores, cafes, restaurants, an independent cinema, a Whole Foods nearby...;) It has its own small town charm, but the setting is not quite so naturally beautiful (though, you can get to spectacular areas and it wouldn't take so long by bus). </p>
<p>As someone who had to make this decision, I prefer Amherst, but I'm sure I would have been very happy at Williams, as well. Try to visit them both!</p>
<p>
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can anyone compare the schools in terms of student body, area, admissions
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The student body is very similar and there are a lot of overlaps. Students at each school will tell you that students at the other are more "preppy." In my opinion this has become a fairly meaningless term as even the prep schools aren't preppy anymore. Both schools lean left with a fair balance of moderates and even some conservatives.</p>
<p>Sports are influential and physical activity is encouraged at both schools. What this means is that most everyone gets out and does something active. It doesn't have to be varsity sports; it can be skiing, hiking, dancing, etc. Maybe a little more so at Williams because of the accessibility of nature.</p>
<p>Williamstown is a pristine New England village surrounded by stunning mountain scenery. Williams students in general are a close knit group. They love the Purple Valley and miss it when they leave. The insularity becomes a strong positive. A person's individual reaction to this environment is subjective. Visit!</p>
<p>Both schools are extremely selective and consider the applicant holisitically, i.e., essays, recommendations, extracurriculars, life experience are all considered -- with, of course, excellent academics and intellectual prowess.</p>
<p>I would give Williams the edge in the arts -- art studio, art history (wonderful museums, music of all kinds, theater, dance, creative writing -- are widely supported.</p>
<p>I guess I'd say that the focus at Williams is inward -- with the college and the campus community as the center point, while the focus at Amherst is outward -- with the town and the five college consortium.</p>
<p>I wouldn't agree with that last sentiment, though - Amherst is a very close-knit community, and any student could feel that. I don't think the consortium detracts from the close, small community feel of Amherst, though it can be nice to have options outside of the college - lectures at UMass, performances at Smith, exhibitions at Mt. Holyoke, parties at Hampshire... I would agree that Williams has an edge in arts, but if one is not opposed to utilizing the 5-college consortium, Smith has a fantastic arts program. </p>
<p>I had no idea that Williams students called us "preppier"!</p>
<p>thanks everyone!</p>
<p>Kids just seem to know whether they are Williams kids or Amherst kids. On an earlier thread I read that cross admits go 50% to Williams and %50 to Amherst.
It is the oldest college rivalry.</p>
<p>There is no doubt that Williams is more remote, but my son was lured by music program and warmth of music department. I'm sure many would say the same for Amherst.</p>
<p>Bear in mind more of Williams class comes in early because many more apply early. Amherst's class is smaller. Amherst has slightly higher SAT's I believe.
This year admit rate was almost identical; Williams yield slightly higher. Amherst receives more applications; lower yield. Obviously, both schools are highly desirable.</p>
<p>I think anyone lucky enough to get into either would receive a wonderful education in a cohesive, supportive environment.</p>
<p>I think they have a pretty comparable RD yield, am I wrong? Amherst's this year was notably high. sgtpepper, can you say more about yourself/what you're looking for in a college?</p>
<p>Well, I'm a good student and I love to learn but
I'm not ultra-competitive, so I really don't want a college where students are excessively competing for grades but trying to help each other succeed. I want a really relaxed atmosphere with small classes and people are close to their profs. i also want a school that's diverse and not full of rich, preppy people but some is okay lol.</p>
<p>Williams is significantly less diverse than Amherst, but that doesn't mean it has plenty of social options.</p>
<p>Have you already limited your choices to these two schools? What about Swarthmore, Pomona, Carleton...other top LACs? And also, smaller Uni's can provide a similar atmosphere.</p>
<p>I don't find the atmosphere at Amherst to be so competitive - I don't know any of my friends' grades or test scores, we don't talk about them, though I'm sure some students do. I have no real basis for comparison, though.</p>
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Williams is significantly less diverse than Amherst
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<p>Not so. The diversity figures are quite similar. Williams is also about 20-25% bigger than Amherst (I don't remember the exact figures) so in acutal numbers you get more of everything.</p>
<p>Williamstown may well be less diverse than the town of Amherst, but in any case Western Massachusetts is fairly white, middle class.</p>
<p>You might take a look at Smith.</p>
<p>What about the financial aid at these two schools?</p>
<p>Pretty comparable.</p>
<p>You talk as if both have admitted you.</p>
<p>Perhaps neither are a good fit.</p>
<p>Perhaps both are a good fit.</p>
<p>Do you know if you are a good fit and where?</p>
<p>Why do you want to think about Wiliams or Amherst?</p>
<p>Perhaps Barnard or Tufts?</p>
<p>Let us be frank.</p>
<p>Who are you. What are your needs?</p>
<p>Are you able to assess yourself well enough to understand the type of environment that will narrow your choices?</p>
<p>What are your goals?</p>
<p>What environments do you do well in?</p>
<p>Do a project management list enumerating your strenghts, weaknesses, personality type, character, assets, financial needs, extra-curriculars and then weigh them against the numerous schools that would comparatively fill those needs against your profile. </p>
<p>Be honest and straightforward. Be realistic.
Pick assiduously. Pick a number of them and wish for the best.</p>
<p>Swarthmore</p>