<p>Hi! I'm an international student, so I really don't know how the multinational companies see the students from a LAC or a university. Would a small LAC like Williams be a down when getting hired by JP Morgan, for instance? On the other hand, Williams' numbers (such as the mid SAT scores range) are much better than those of JHU's. If I go to Williams, I'll study econ plus math. At Johns Hopkins, I'll be double majoring in Applied Math and Econ and will be doing a minor in Entrepreneurship and Management. I might also do the concurrent degrees program and get a MSE in Applied Math or Computer Science and a BA in econ. </p>
<p>Some say that a LAC experience is a plus when getting into top MBA programs. Others say that big universities are advantageous because big companies hire graduates of these big universities. </p>
<p>What are your thoughts on Williams and JHU, bearing in mind what I'm going to do after graduation?</p>
<p>I'm a dad and for the 15K difference I'd say go to Williams. But Williams is in a tiny town in western Massachusettes not near much besides a ski area while JHU is in a major city. Both are excellent schools.</p>
<p>Both are excellent schools. JHU is about double the size of Williams. It has more course offerings. JHU is a true research university. Williams is not. JHU faculty sometimes teach graduate students as well as undergraduates. This means a higher quality faculty. JHU has an international reputation. Williams has a good reputation among academics. Williams has only one campus in another country, JHU has several. Williams is located in an isolated area where it is often very cold and snowy. JHU has more variaions in seasons. JHU is located in a part of Baltimore that is very nice but is close to areas that are not so nice. Williamstown has a few good restaurants, but Baltimore has some of the best restaurants in the world. Williams is extremely sports oriented. JHU is not as sports oriented except for Lacrosse. However, JHU's teams are better overall than Williams' teams. Williams attracts students with unusual northeastern accents. JHU attracts more Asian Americans. Neither attracts many African Americans or Latinos. A significant portion of Williams students drink and party heavily. You will certainly find those at JHU, but there is a broader range of student activities. JHU has one of the best career placement offices in the country. I don't know anything about Williams placement office. </p>
<p>If money is the issue, then you can't go wrong with Williams. Without considering money, JHU offers more opportunities and is more likely to satisify all of your interests rather than just some of them. If weather affects your studying or satisfaction with life, you should avoid Williams like a heart attack. It's beautiful for a few months and then it gets miserable in Williamstown.</p>
<p>Wow, JhuRocks, what a balanced evaluation you gave there. </p>
<p>To the OP, the biggest difference between the two, both great schools, is that Williams is a purely liberal arts school. It's what the ideal college undergrad experience should be like. JHU, on the other hand, is a research university, and is more preprofessional. One of the best advice I can give is that no matter what you study in undergrad, as long as you are well educated overall, smart, and know what you're talking about, you will do well (even in med school) in anything in choose to do later on.</p>
<p>Yeah, money matters, and both are great schools. JHU obivously has a better reputation in my country. If I choose JHU over Williams, I think I'll be buying a brandname for 80k for four years.</p>
<p>But, since I'll do MBA anyways, maybe going to a liberal arts college not much known worldwide would be advantageous. </p>
<p>On the other hand, Vanderbilt has gave me a 38k grant. I might also consider this school, but it doesn't have much reputation I guess. </p>
<p>Here is a question: JHU is a research university. How about research done in economics for instance? For an Applied Math and Econ student, what are the opportunities?</p>
<p>Thanks to every one who have posted a reply.</p>
<p>Do you plan to return to your country after grad school? I think that is the only way that I would choose JHU over Williams. Williams is a much more enjoyable complete college experience that is more respected in math and econ than JHU would be. I know from my class and the class above and below at business school that there were many people from Williams and none from JHU. Williams also has a fair amount more of a party environment than JHU, so that may not appeal to you. Also, I would disagree with whoever said that the JHU athletics are better than Williams. With the exception of its Division I lacrosse, JHU is probably worse in every sport than Williams. How else does Williams win the Sears cup as the most successful D-III school every year otherwise?</p>
<p>"JHU is probably worse in every sport "--uh, i don't think so Gellino--
in the sports that people regard as "most popular" (baseball, football, swimming, etc.) Hopkins actually is better than Williams.
besides that fact</p>
<p>"more respected in math and econ"-- i doubt that.
Johns Hopkins has arguably more recognition and prestige--econ program is highly ranked compared and math is also highly respectable. </p>
<p>but money is the issue here and you won't go wrong with Williams...</p>