Hello! I have applied to and toured both Middlebury and Williams. I love both schools, but I was wondering if anyone could give me some advice that could help me figure out which one I want to apply to ED next year. Can anyone offer any first-hand or second-hand accounts of the schools? What do you feel the social atmosphere is like? Is one known to be more competitive than the other? What are the cons of each school? Feel free to answer some of the questions I listed or to share any experiences that don’t specifically answer my questions. Anything that differentiates the two would be really helpful!!!
Post your questions in the college-specific forums.
They are both great LACs; you’d be very fortunate to attend either. Further, they have so much in common. I suspect “conventional wisdom” suggests Williams is marginally more selective, but the difference is most slight. Which college did you feel offered YOU the better “cultural fit?” That – assuming the finances are about equal – might be your most essential decision factor.
Williams has a very unique, seminar-based teaching-style. Honestly, I think that is the biggest difference between the two schools. They’re both fantastic and in beautiful locations; you really can’t go wrong. Really think about what you prefer and what style of teaching best compliments your learning style, and make your decision from there.
Both are work hard, party hard schools, probably because they are both in remote locations. If you’re deciding which to apply to, I’d apply to both, as they are similar enough, and both are hard to get into.
While tutorials are a unique method of learning and receive rave reviews from Williams students, only about half of the student body takes advantage of them during their four years at the college, and a very small percentage take more than one. I wouldn’t choose a college based on the possibility that you’ll take one or two tutorials.
I’m not sure I agree, @arcadia, especially when there are so few other substantive differences between the two schools. First, over half of Williams students take a tutorial. Second, I took one and it was the single most meaningful academic experience of my life. They’re remarkable, and unlike anything else, even the tiny classes schools like Williams and Middlebury are usually known for.
@dornob–what is your intended major?
While both are in small towns, Williams at least has North Adams and Bennington close if u need a change of scenery.
Our daughter had applied to both. She was accepted at Middlebury and waitlisted at Williams. Middlebury is the most beautiful campus that our family visited. She preferred Middlebury because of the sense that she had about the campus and the kids that attended there. She also is a very strong language student and Middlebury is exceptional in that area. From a parents perspective we didn’t find Middlebury to be as stuffy as Williams. Middlebury kids (Middkids) had the sense of being bright, outdoor oriented and environmentally conscious.
They clearly are both wonderful schools!
If you can’t decide between the two of them and neither is a clear first choice, you could always just applying regular decision to both schools.