<p>So it's like this...Williams is the best school I can probably get into, for factors I don't feel like disclosing. Even though I know it is a great school and of Ivy League caliber, it isnt HYPS and doesnt have the fame of even a U-Chicago or Berkeley among common folk. But there is so much pressure from everyone to go to HYPS or at least another Ivy. Regular kids haven't even heard of Williams. I know reputation only means so much, but it does mean something. My question is, should I go with a probable admission early into Williams? Or should I try a big reach into HYPS or another Ivy? Is Williams good enough?</p>
<p>I know it might be hard but just try to ignore issues of whether or not your fellow peers have heard of Williams. Williams is an incredible school and a degree from there is well respected. </p>
<p>Go to the school that's the best fit for you.</p>
<p>If you aren't sure, then don't do it. If you can get into Williams, you can probably get into other great school, and then you can shop around a little.</p>
<p>If what you care about is what your peers think, don't go to Williams. Folks who go to Williams shouldn't care about those things, and there are more than enough eager folks who would be delighted to take your place.</p>
<p>Where I live, none of the Ivies other than HYP have any rep. Dartmouth would likely get you 15 seconds of dinner conversation, and no one would know where it is; Penn would quickly become confused with Penn State. Brown is moniker for United Parcel Service. Almost no one would know a Cornell from a Bucknell from a Grinnell.</p>
<p>Don't necessary assume that the rep of HYPS is universal either. In my community, a state capital, the only folks I know of who've gone in the past 5 years have been athletes. And since they never return to this community, there isn't much in the way of networking. Bosses might be impressed initially, and then will ask what you can do for them. After the first three years, it won't make a lick of difference. As someone with both a Williams degree and an Oxford degree, I can pretty much tell you that neither has made one iota of difference in my career opportunities in 30 years.</p>
<p>you're kidding right? if you think you're too good for williams, dont waste someone else's application spot. any grad school/big corporation in the country thinks of williams on the same level as the ivies.</p>
<p>it's not a question of whether it is good enough, obviously. if you are smart enough to get into williams, you are clearly intelligent enough to know how good of a school it is. your anxiety must be over something other than the caliber of the school... are your parents forcing you to apply or something?</p>
<p>Williams and Amherst are considered THE best LACs in the United States. I personally would not spend thousands upon thousands of dollars just to be recognized by "common folk". Any knowledgeable person will tell you, Williams is Ivy caliber.</p>
<p>Bottom line: yes. Williams is "good enough" :|</p>
<p>If you're sure you can get into williams (with no legacy and connections), then you have a good shot at HYPS. So I don't really see what's the deal here.</p>
<p>Most students who get into Williams these days got into several Ivies as well. Even legacy status won't get you in if you don't have the credentials they want, so I'm guessing you're a big donor legacy or something? If so, and you like the school, I'd say go for it. If Williams is "the best school I can probably get into" why worry about the others that you can't get into? If you don't really like it, and can get over the prestige factor, find a school that will take you on your own merits that you really like.</p>
<p>Williams is one of the best schools in the country, has one of the best alumni networks, has some of the best graduate placement, and is a top business feeder. I have seen my Williams friends do extraordinarily well, as well as any Ivy. Forget what random Joe in Cancun knows, for people in the know (recruiters and graduate adcoms) its absolutely top notch.</p>
<p>Where is Wesleyan/Swarthmore in comparison to Amherst and Williams? I always thought there was less stress academically, but basically the same prestige.</p>
<p>Williams is good enough if you really desire to go there. It's not about what others think of your school, but more so about what you think. You will be the one spending the next 4 years of your life there (unless you transfer). If Williams makes you happy, then by all means apply, and if you get accepted, attend.</p>
<p>Wow all you care about is how the common folk see you? You care more about impressing the "little people" who you won't even see again after high school and won't give you a second thought after graduating than you do about the quality of your education? People in academia really respect Williams. But I guess you care more about the opinion of people sitting next to you in math class than job recruiters. Williams might be the "best" school you could get into, but at the same time. maybe you are being narrow-minded and not seeing that there is more to a school than presttige--would you actually be happy there? You clearly don't know much about it if you are asking these questions. Why don't you find out more about Williams and THEN decide if you want to go there!</p>
<p>I have a very hard time believing a Williams alum's kid would ask this question. It's got to be another hook.</p>
<p>"Is Williams Good Enough?"</p>
<p>For what purposes, exactly? </p>
<ul>
<li>Grad school?</li>
<li>Career?</li>
<li>Reputation?</li>
<li>Education?</li>
<li>Alumni networking?</li>
</ul>
<p>In a word: absolutely - to all of the above.</p>
<p>You will get a first class education there, no question.</p>
<p>You may not in fact be good enough for Williams in the sense of being too concerned with what people will think rather than focusing on what makes it (and the other top LACs) so special. Williams is one of the finest schools in the country and certainly provides an undergard experience and education equal to or better than some of the Ivies. Indeed, many people who get in to Ivies do not get into Williams, because of its small size. I don't mean to sound patronizing or snippy, but it does not sound as though this is a school that you are a good fit for. It's sort of like offering great homemade ice cream to someone who really just wants the biggest ice cream cone on the block.</p>
<p>Everyone has great points...thanks for the advice.</p>
<p>If you care about prestige and name recognition (I'm not making any judgements), then I would avoid Williams. I would go for the Early at HYPS. You might surprise yourself. </p>
<p>Legacies at Williams get a huge boost whether the students apply early or regular. Unless there is something severely deficient with your candidacy, you'll get in.</p>
<p>Williams is a fine school. If you do well there, you will probabaly get into the top grad/professional schools</p>
<p>If you are accepted to Williams you will probably get into at least one Ivy. If you receive a Williams "early write letter" you may have multiple Ivy acceptances. Williams counts your personal statement heavily. You have to stand out.</p>
<p>rocky, if your title is meant to be provacative it worked: we are provoked! It's kind of a case of "if you have to ask. . ." </p>
<p>Basically, if you want a big school with a big name then Williams isn't the place for you.</p>