Middlebury vs Williams

<p>My son is torn between Williams and Middlebury. He is quiet - not into partying but really into outdoors - hiking, climbing etc. How easy is it to get involved in activities at Middlebury? Is there a built in network for Freshmen at Middlebury - similar to entry system at Williams. We were unable to attend accepted student event at Middlebury and visited on a weekend - it didn't seem like there were many people around but it could have been because the campus is spread out. Any other insight between the two would be helpful. He is interested in the natural sciences and music. Thanks.</p>

<p>I hosted a student this weekend who had just crossed Williams off his list. He was put off by the heavily athletics-based social scene and his "obnoxious football jock host" who ignored him while he was there. Now, I'm not trying to bash Williams with this, just repeating what a prospective student who wasn't into athletics and tons of partying told me. In terms of a network for Freshmen... there are the commons, and Freshmen activities by commons (there's a lot of organization and support from commons directors, CRA's [commons residential advisor], JC's [junior counselors] etc.). As for the lack of life when you visited... What time was it? I'd say most college campuses are fairly dead in the morning and early afternoon on weekends. You should have seen this weekend though; everyone was outside because of the spectacular weather. What else...? Outdoors options are relatively equal at both schools I'd think. Midd has a slight winter advantage. Sciences and music are departments that Midd is traditionally known for (such as English, Foreign Languages, and Int'l Studies), but they are both strong areas overall. Well, hope that helps a little.</p>

<p>Our younger son is at Midd as a feb. Our middle child and older son went to Williams. He liked Williams very much and made good friends while there. After giving his younger brother grief for going to Middlebury, reminding him repeatedly of Williams' higher ranking and ofrten better sports teams, except M's hockey, of course, and how Williams students weere smarter than Midd's, he finally admitted to us, his parents, that, in essence, these two schools are the same school, just in differrnt towns and with Williams having a better art history program. This perception came this year ( he is Williams 2004) after seeing all kinds of graduates from other schools at his work and in his first year in professional school.
the younger one likes M very much and is pleased with it . The students at both schools work hard, appear to limit their parties to friday and saturday and are smart. Just go to the campuses and see which appeals the most. both of theser schools have wonderful outdoor groups . Our Williams son said that if he had not played a varsity sport ( a walk on but 4 yr varsity) he would have done a lot w/ the outdoor group there. the m outdoor group seems equaally strong and students at each school can borrow equipment easily and both are in gorgeous places.
If he cannot be happy at either school then he deserves to be misersable. as to the footballl people some of that is certainly attributable to the helmet sport mentality but both my sons have met some football players at each school who are very bright and good people with social consciences.</p>

<p>How else would you compare these two along:<br>
1) intensity of academics,
2) general happiness of student body,
3) interest profs take in students?</p>

<p>both schools offer the 4-1-4 academic calendar; so the intensity is probably not that different. the other factors you said--happiness of student body and interest profs take--are probably not that different as well. for reputation though, it's clear williams has a better reputation than middlebury these days.</p>

<p>These schools have different personalities. Whether one will be happy at each school will depend on the individual's personality. It's really important to visit both schools and get a sense of the students and dynamics of the schools.</p>

<p>As to reputation, when you get up into the stratosphere of elite LACs, it's like counting angels on the head of a pin. Both schools are terrific, each has its strengths, it's not like comparing a tier 3 school with a tier 1 school. There are no bad choices to be made here and it comes down to personal fit.</p>

<p>Williams hands down</p>

<p>Out of the two, I'd pick Bowdoin</p>

<p>Then why are you fretting over Williams' wait list protocol?</p>

<p>I think from a job/grad school placement perspective that Williams does a fair bit better, maybe because there are, on average, smarter students there. I've found from meeting grads of both in work and grad school that I've liked Middlebury people a lot more.</p>

<p>arcadia - Actually I was accepted at Williams RD, just prefer Bowdoin. Regarding Williams waitlist, I just don't like the convoluted explanations the school gives.</p>

<p>Congrats on the Williams acceptance. I think you made a refreshingly smart (yet unorthodox) decision to choose Bowdoin over Williams. You went with your gut, not prestige, which is what more people should do.</p>