Is the jock scene really big as people say?
How is the social scene for non-athletes? Are they somewhat marginalized by athletes?
I did some research and found out that athletes refer to non-athletes as “nonners” which I find to be quite condescending.
I love everything about the academics at Williams, but I think I will be a misfit at the college because I am very very far from being athletic.
I am a Williams alum who is as non-athletic as can be. Seriously-- back in high school, I was picked last every time in gym class! I had a wonderful time at Williams, never felt left out of anything, and never felt that athletes were a separate or dominating group. The freshman entry system at Williams does a great job of bringing people together from all walks of life. One of my best friends from an older class at Williams was on crew but his closest friends were from his dorm and his classes, not crew. He and I met in biology class. Freshman entrymates of mine who were on varsity teams went into the housing lottery for sophomore year with other entrymates who were not on teams. I also knew a ton of nonathletes, like myself, and every one of us had a great time at Williams! There is so much to do there, and there are not big divisions among segments of the population. Most people have diverse interests and diverse interactions.
Athletes on a team may get to know one another first, due to preseason tryouts. But they also are quickly integrated into freshman entries, clubs, and classes.
@TheGreyKing
Are you a parent? I saw that you made several threads about intramural tennis teams.
A lot of things could have changed since TheGreyKing was in college so keep that in mind, OP.
I was in the position of choosing between Williams and my current school, and one of the reasons I didn’t quite feel at home on the Williams campus was exactly this. There is a focus on sports and athletics, and it’s clearly an influential factor in admissions, which is something I’ve always found disappointing in an school’s admissions game. The tour covered the athletic components and facilities of the school quite heavily, actually. It certainly wasn’t the main reason I chose my school instead of Williams, but I feel your concerns are legitimate.
The academics at Williams are just amazing and I still have those times where I think about how cool it would’ve been to take such a concentrated course load of four classes and have access to tutorials and all of that. But honestly I fit in at my school much better and I think this could be part of the reason - the athletic guys were sitting almost in cliques in the dining hall when I was there so it was just an off putting experience from that perspective. But that was just my feeling, personally. If you haven’t already and have the ability to, I would definitely visit. It’s worth the pretty drive at least, and you’ll have a better sense of the community at Williams.
Yes, if you can visit, that would be great. Or ask to speak with a current student or two. Explore how current students feel about their school.
Yes, I am older now. Williams was rumored to be overly sporty in my day, too- usually by people who either preferred other schools or were rejected, not by actual students. I found it the most wonderfully welcoming of environments, and I was far from an athlete. I was also a complete nondrinker. There is room for all types at Williams, and the freshman entry system, which still exists and is a key part of Williams, ensures you interact with a wide variety of people.
We visited with my son in April and had a very positive impression of an inclusive and friendly environment from all our interactions. We wandered all over the campus chatting with people and asking questions. People were really nice, even inviting my son in to see their dorm room!
http://williamsrecord.com/2014/11/12/on-athletic-arrogance/
Yeah this quote from this williams article was really off putting…
Do Williams athletes think they are superior to “nonners” because they play sports? Sigh…
The author of the article continues on and says,
@YoLolololol - Kudos for making it through that entire article. Talk about overwritten drivel.
I’m not an athlete. I can count on one hand the number of times I’ve ever gone to the gym. I personally have always wondered where Williams’ jock reputation comes from. I’m almost a junior and I have not really noticed it…
I have a handful of friends who are athletes. I also do have many friends who are not athletes. I’m satisfied with my social life. No one has ever called me a nonner. My non-athlete friends don’t complain about being marginalized. That’s my experience.
The thing I love about Williams is that you CAN find your niche because it is a pretty diverse (in terms of citizenship, geography, race/ethincity, non-academic interests, etc) campus for its size.
I honestly don’t think Williams “jock” reputation is as important a factor as it’s made out to be in the college admissions universe. There are many other factors you should be considering when choosing Williams: what are your academic interests, do you want professors to actually know and care about you, do you like the outdoors, do you like literally being in the boonies, do you like the small college feel, etc etc.
There IS a place for non-athletes at Williams. I have 2 kids there. Kid #1 (science kid) happened by accident into a non-varsity club sport, recruited on club day because he knew the rules to an arcane game and expressed interest in watching, and most people don’t! Suffice it to say it’s not taken all that seriously. 
Kid #2 (humanities kid) does no sports other than hiking. Beyond the swim test, 4 credits of PE classes is a graduation requirement for those who don’t play on teams, but there is such a huge variety of “PE” that you don’t have to do anything you don’t want to. Kid #2 has hiked, taken first aid, etc.
Do teams function like greek life on campus? Yes, to the extent that they have the money and people to throw the bigger parties and there’s an active effort between teams to fraternize. But Kid#2 is very active in the performing arts community and those are students are her friends, colleagues, and social world. It’s a much bigger group than the admissions reputation gives it credit for. Music is a big deal at Williams and Kid #2 loves the program and its extracurriculars there. She found her people.
The fact that both my kids ended up there, with no athletics, no legacy and from a public school across the country, demonstrates both an effort in admissions for a well-rounded student body and the ability to live there and make your way happily as a non-athlete.