Is Williams worth the extra expense over Carleton and Bowdoin?

My D was admitted to 9 colleges and she has narrowed it down to Williams, Carleton, and Bowdoin. After all is said and done, Williams will be at least $3,000/year more that Carleton, and Bowdoin will be at least $1,500 more than Carleton. The difference could still increase a little since Carleton is reviewing their package. It is tempting to just take the best offer given that these are all excellent colleges, but we are wondering if the Williams name (and stellar rankings) are worth the extra money. After reading many reviews and threads it is hard to find any reason to believe that Carleton or Bowdoin are going to give her a lesser degree or college experience. She wants to do science and is focused on getting a graduate degree. She is about to visit all three schools and right now has no clear favorite.

I don’t think Williams is superior to the other two. Academics aside which are stellar at all three, I think Bowdoin’s location is the best of the 3 and the vibe at Carleton is the best of the 3, IMHO. They are all great but different schools. On the other hand, the financial difference is relatively small in the scheme of things, so if your daughter thinks Williams is the best fit, it might be worth that few thousand more.

If you live in New England, the Williams name will carry more weight. If you live in the midwest, people will know Carleton.

For a difference of $3000, I’d have my D pick the one she likes best. Transportation may also figure into it, as all are remote.

Speaking from an East Coast perspective, Williams has more weight than Bowdoin and Bowdoin has more weight than Carleton. Just to throw geographic bias into the mix.

Just want to throw in some info re: the transportation angle and Carleton. The college is a mere 45-60 minutes south of Minneapolis/St. Paul International airport. From our visits to Bowdoin (and having lived in the Twin Cities for 30+ years), I know getting in/out of Carleton will be much easier than the same at Bowdoin. Just wanted you to know - Northfield is not THAT far out of the city, if transportation is a major factor in the decision making.

If you are down to splitting hairs about a thousand or two, work line by line in the COA estimates and be sure you are comparing apples to apples. Replace the transportation costs in the COA with closer estimates from your location to get a more accurate COA. Are the personal allocation the same or if different is there any reason for that? Also buying used books or renting can save hundreds of the book estimate which may be generous anyway.

Is a p/t job in the package? She may be able to pick up one for 10 hours a week. And a lot of people don’t need the personal expenses.

These suggestions are meant so that she can pick the one that suits her best without regard to the relatively smaller cost differences. I understand if the money just isn’t there, but if it is I wouldn’t pick based on that factor. That’s nice you are able to send her to visit each.

Is a few thousand dollars a big deal to you and your family? If not, I’d let the D choose the school she likes best. I’d say that Williams probably has more cachet among people who know LACs. What are her goals?

The few thousand dollars will imply student loans since we are a bit stretched already, with Carleton being the one closest to meeting our need. I think we will manage one way or the other, but the difference seems to weigh heavier on her than on us and could bias her decision in a significant way. She is interested in doing something like a Cognitive/Neuroscience type of major with the goal of continuing on to graduate school. Having access to research experiences as an undergrad is important to her. I have heard that Carleton has a very impressive track record as a PhD feeder college, particularly in science. That is one thing she should look closely at during visits, which by the way, are being mostly covered by the schools. She is very lucky to have that chance without breaking the bank.

Carleton offers a very fine education and experience, and I would choose it over Bowdoin. The difference for Williams is not that much, respectively; however, for your daughter’s proposed field, I feel she would do very well placing in an excellent graduate program at Carleton. If she feels Carleton is a good fit, then I would probably choose it in her case. If it were a different major or circumstance, I’d be more inclined to give Williams the edge.

3 best lacs in the country.
Carleton is very good in the sciences, but the other two are certainly not bad by any means.

Carleton is definitely a big (per capita) science PhD feeder. The Williams cachet (and it’s only a small bit more) would matter more if she changes her mind and works after graduation.

A few thousand dollars in loans isn’t going to hurt her.

PhD feeders: http://www.reed.edu/ir/phd.html

My DH is a neuroscientist and his favorite college is Carleton. He’s had amazing colleagues and graduate students come out of there. He was sad that DS was waitlisted because he wanted an excuse to go visit at admitted student days! He had no particular interest in DS applying to Williams (BTW, DS is not into the sciences but that’s what DH knows best).

Lilodad…Williams meets full need for ALL acceoted students as they calculate it. When you say that Williams didn’t meet your full need, are you saying that they didn’t give your kiddo as much aid as YOU calculated you needed? The school has excellent need based aid for all…as they calculate it.

At this level I’d set name and rankings aside. She should revisit, spend time attending several classes (first-year and upper level) and meet with as many professors as she can. The best choice will emerge.

The Bowdoin campus is a 45 minute drive via interstate highway to the Portland Jetport, which has major airline service. The Brunswick Amtrak station, with service to Boston, is practically on campus. Same for the bus station. Granted, Portland isn’t the Twin Cities, but it’s not like Brunswick is only accessible by sled dog.

MiddKid is correct. Very easy access to the Portland Airport. Lots of choices, and Southwest flies there too…if you are a SW fan.

Williamstown is extremely small (pop approx 7000.) The nearest airport is in Albany, NY - about an hours drive and it’s not highway driving until you reach Troy.

I expect after visiting, she will have a preference.
I know more students who chose Carleton for science,
Students who chose Bowdoin were tipped by the strong Hillel community, and don’t know anyone who opted for Williams when they had comparable choices.
( from a west coast perspective)

’ Lilodad…Williams meets full need for ALL acceoted students as they calculate it. When you say that Williams didn’t meet your full need, are you saying that they didn’t give your kiddo as much aid as YOU calculated you needed? The school has excellent need based aid for all…as they calculate it. ’

thumper 1… Williams starts out about 2k higher than Bowdoin and 1.2k higher than Carleton in Tuition, R&B. They also include subsidized student loans as part of the financial aid. The concept of “need” seems a little fuzzy and different colleges seem to be coming to different conclusions. In any case I am using the FAFSA EFC as the definition of “need”.