Interested in learning about LACs. Chances?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Williams College
1

<p>I am a rising Junior. I am interested in exploring the possibility of Liberal Arts Colleges. I like the fact that there are small classes and a tight community. </p>

<ul>
<li>How does Williams compare to Swarthmore, Amherst and Wesleyan?</li>
<li>How do the top LACs compare to the Ivies? In other words, what is the reputation of the top LACs in relation to ivies?</li>
<li>How is the science program at Williams College?</li>
</ul>

<p>What are my chances to Williams if I apply ED? RD?
What do LACs look at most in an application?</p>

<p>Is there anything I should work on to make my EC's stand out more?</p>

<p>Chinese Male (living in HK)
Lived in London for 3 years
Not Applying for Financial Aid </p>

<p>Projected Cumulative GPA (Unweighted) 4.0/4.0</p>

<p>SATs: 2100-2300 (Depending on how much I prep, probably 2200+ if I invest time)</p>

<p>APs (All 5s):
Microeconomics
Macroeconomics
US Government and Politics
Comparative Government and Politics </p>

<p>Calculus BC
Statistics</p>

<p>Biology
Chemistry
Physics B</p>

<p>Chinese Language and Culture</p>

<p>Senior Year APs:
Physics C
Environmental Science
Psychology</p>

<p>Self Study: Multivariable Calculus</p>

<p>Should I self-study APES and AP Psychology and take AP World and AP Human Geo even though I may not get an A in AP World? Should I take AP English if I know I will not get an A or a 5 on the AP Exam?</p>

<p>ECs:
Math and Science Center (Leader - 2 Years)
TA</p>

<p>Sports:
Tennis (Recreational - Twice a week)</p>

<p>Music:
Piano (10 years...dropped Freshman year - Should I include this and just say 10 years?)
Violin (3 years...dropped Freshman year - Should i include this and just say 3 years?)</p>

<p>Service:
NHS
Cheshire Home - Elderly Home for the Disable (Hong Kong Hospital Authority) (Leader)
Z Club (Director - 2 Years)
UNICEF
Heifer (Leader - 1 Year)
Interim (One week long school service trips - incl. India and South Africa)
Teach Elementary School Students English (Bring a class of Freshman) (Leader - 4 years)</p>

<p>Job Experience:
Kumon Instructor (After I completed the program in Freshman year) of English and Mathematics - Twice a week for 3-4 hours each time</p>

<p>Internship:
Summer after Junior year</p>

<p>Awards:
COMAP High School Contest in Mathematical Modeling (National Outstanding)
Mathematics Department Award
Science Department Award
Bausch Lomb Award (Possibly - Partial Scholarship for Rochester University)
Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute Award ("")
AIME</p>

2

<p>Glad to hear you’re considering LACs, and Williams in general!</p>

<p>I would say that Williams and Amherst are regarded about the same (though I’d never admit that aloud, rivalry you know), then Swat, then Wesleyan. All of these schools have different atmospheres and academically they’re all very good. You should definitely visit to determine where you feel the most comfortable. If I had to categorize Williams, I would say that it’s full of very intelligent students who aren’t competitive except amongst themselves, they’re usually active and outdoorsy (not much to do in the Berkshires), they’re well-rounded and involved in a lot of things, and they love being members of a close-knit community. I would say even though jocks are the stereotype, lots of types of kids would be very happy here. It also has a reputation for having very good professors (not just brilliant professors, but professors that are both brilliant and good at translating that passion for knowledge into interesting classes, which is important) and having a strong, loyal alumni network, which is awesome for post-grad career prospects. A couple of other things that set Williams apart: Oxford tutorials and the Williams Exeter Programme at Oxord, and the freshman housing system, called the entry system. </p>

<p>Now, going to an LAC, even if it’s the #1 ranked LAC in USNWR and the #1 school in the country according to Forbes, you’re never going to get the same amount of name recognition as you would going to an ivy. (“You’re going to Williams? Uh, are you sure you don’t mean William and Mary?”) LACs are small and don’t have (or don’t have large) graduate programs, the latter being the reason why most universities are recognized, especially internationally. However, I think that the people who matter, employers and grad school adcoms, recognize that a Williams graduate is very well-educated. I wouldn’t necessarily agree, but some people have the opinion that Williams is better than Harvard–it sure isn’t as selective, but professors tend to win more teaching awards, and although both H and W advertise the same student/faculty ratio, Williams doesn’t have any faculty that only does research, and 37% of the student body at H are graduate students, compared with 2.6% of W (the vast majority if not all of whom are working in one department, Art History). If faculty interaction or opportunities for undergraduate research are important to you, Williams is definitely a place to consider. </p>

<p>I’ll let someone else talk about science at Williams, since I’m not very well-versed in it. However, I’m sure that like all of the other departments, science is very strong. If I had to choose, I’d say that Williams is famous for math and economics (Wall St. firms recruit on campus), art history is excellent, and so is English.</p>

<p>If you decide that Williams is the place for you, ED is always helpful, especially since you don’t have to worry about financial aid. The ED acceptance rate is much higher than the RD acceptance rate, but lots of recruited athletes and legacies apply during that period, so the decision is yours. I would say that applications are looked at very holistically at Williams; I had a correspondence with my admissions officer and she said that what’s really important to convey in your application is a passion for learning, a passion for doing, and willingness to be a contributing member of a community.</p>

<p>You’re a very impressive student, your grades are excellent, and you seem to be challenging yourself, wihch is very important. I wouldn’t say that taking the most APs you possibly can is necessary (I only have 5 under my belt, but my school only offers 6, and the one I didn’t take was AP Spanish, and I take Latin), but being as rigorous as possible within the context of your school. Are you taking the most rigorous curriculum? If so, that’s the best you can do. Your transcript is more important than your AP scores. If you had to ask, some of the most common ECs among Williams students are sports and music, but what’s really important is demonstrating your passion for your ECs. It’s better to have 3 ECs that you’ve been a part of throughout high school than to have 10 that you joined junior year. Work really hard on the written part of your application; even if you write it on a cliche topic, make sure you write it in an interesting way. Make sure your personality comes through in your application–prove to the adcom that you would belong at Williams, and you have a good shot.</p>

3

<p>Thanks! I really appreciate your lengthy reply. I will definitely try to research more about LACs and visit them in the summer.</p>

<p>Do many students apply to grad schools? Do most students who apply get in?</p>

<p>Most of the ivies’ prestige comes from the selective student body, the award-winning professors and the research linked with grad school and professors. But that does not always link to a better education. However, on the other hand, if I apply a job back in HK, Williams may not be well-recognized as an undergrad school. </p>

<p>But in terms of education, Williams will provide a solid foundation for grad school and I will really be able to establish a relationship with my professor and peers.</p>

<p>It is always something to consider.</p>

4

<p>I totally agree. Williams ended up being a better choice for me, so that’s where I’m headed.</p>

<p>I don’t have any figures, but I’m pretty sure that the students at Williams who want to go on to grad school are successful. There are lots of people who go on to top tier med schools and law schools, and some who go on to get doctorates right out of undergrad. Personally, I plan on double majoring in pure math and either English or Classics, and then going on to get a Ph.D. in math. I know that letters of recommendation are REALLY important in grad school admissions, and I think it will be easier to form close relationships with professors at Williams than at a state school. (There’re also lots of paid summer research opportunities on campus, for example, the math department has SMALL, with multiple projects per year.)</p>