I applied and was accepted at all of these colleges, however, I am unsure which one I should pick. I am looking to study political science or economics. Any help appreciated!
Consider picking your favorite school from your three NESCAC options, then comparing that choice to the relatively dissimilar W&L.
If you’d like resource for comparing economics departments, this resource can be useful: https://ideas.repec.org/top/top.uslacecon.html. I’d recommend, however, that you consider proximate schools to be equivalent.
All will provide an excellent education in the areas you favor… and overall. Some key differences to consider:
Washington and Lee: All colleges will have a range of student types, but this group will lean the most conservative. Add fraternity culture and southern setting.
Middlebury: most beautiful campus, matching buildings, spacious greens, ringed by mountains, famous for language study.
Amherst: completely open curriculum- study whatever you like; part of a five college consortium.
Williams: lovely mountain setting, two person tutorials, freshman “entry” (dorms) form strong bonds among students, active alumni.
Congratulations! You can’t go wrong. If cost or course catalog do not determine it for you, then, if you visited, pick the one that “felt” best. If you did not visit, read the Fiske or Princeton Review or Ultimate College Guides and judge which sounds best to you.
Every happiness to you at college!