<p>How is the physics program at Williams?</p>
<p>pretty much awesome.</p>
<p>Not to hijack or anything… but how is the Spanish department and Chinese department at Williams?</p>
<p>Chandler, as an ED applicant, I find that it’s not the best idea to second guess your decision…</p>
<p>The Spanish department at Williams is so-so. Every school has certain well-known departments that also factor in heavily for applicants deciding whether or not to attend. Spanish is not one of them at Williams. It’s not that the program is particularly weak, but it certainly does not hold a candle to the Spanish program at say Middlebury. </p>
<p>Chinese, on the other hand, is fantastic at Williams. The program has become much more competitive over the last few years in terms of student demand and rigor. There are full-time language fellows every year from Taiwan and China, and the head of the department, Professor Cornelius Kubler, is a BIG DEAL in the world of Chinese pedagogy. He used to run the State Department program for Mandarin training, and during my time in Taiwan at National Taiwan University, his name was well-known amongst faculty.</p>
<p>I’m not second guessing… I just want to know how students perceive those two departments.
Can’t I post without suspicions of second-guessing/regrets/etc?
I’m elated about my decision, and really just don’t want to discuss it anymore lol… it’s Eph 100% of the way.</p>
<p>crnchycereal: Thank you for that AMAZING post! That was exactly what I was looking for :)</p>
<p>Yeah, I suspected the Spanish department as being not a standout department for Williams. I wonder if then I should be a Chinese major and take Spanish on the side, rather than the other way around.
How is Japanese at Williams?
I’m much more interested in Spanish LANGUAGE rather than Spanish LITERATURE, and Williams is heavy on the lit. I’ll definitely take a Spanish Lit class, but not 5.
Pre-med is definitely going to be a focus, but maybe I should take up Anthropology? How’s that department perceived?</p>
<p>I definitely know the pre-med piece, but the choice of major is becoming a blur!</p>
<p>Back to the OP re: Physics</p>
<p>I know Williams program is unusual because it also offers the option to major in Astrophysics.</p>
<p>Take a look at the Dept’s web page - [Williams</a> College Department of Physics](<a href=“http://www.williams.edu/Physics/]Williams”>http://www.williams.edu/Physics/)</p>
<p>Click on “People.” There are links about graduates & faculty. As I recall, a few students have won a highly prestigious award from the American Physical Society.</p>
<p>If you’re interested in Physics, you might also be interested in the math dept, which is extraordinary. It’s very impressive to have about 50 students per class with this major. You should check information about the math program & faculty.</p>
<p>Physics and mathematics are just about the only two subjects I’ll try to avoid during my time in college (except pre-med requirements, of course).
;)</p>
<p>Seriously? Pre-med is so sciencey, strange that you don’t like math and physics…: )</p>
<p>Anyone want to talk about other stand-out departments at Williams? All I really heard about when I visited was that Art History is amazing, haha.</p>
<p>Hmm, well I absolutely LOVE physiology/anatomy and can’t wait to take more of it!
Biology is another favorite, too.
Chemistry’s okay, I can deal with it.
Orgo is probably going to be okay too, I didn’t mind the org chem unit we did 2 years back in good old Honors Chem.
Physics on the other hand… least favorite. Gah!
I’m not liking Linear Algebra either.</p>
<p>But yeah, I love knowing about diseases and how to treat them as well as symptoms, so I’m definitely interested in medicine. Math and physics… not so much.</p>
<p>totally agree with you chandler. im probably going to go into premed, and i love physiology and bio, but i cant do physics to save my life. math is ok, but physics just makes me feel lost. sooo glad i didnt take the ap test this year! i heard it was awful, but fortunately i sold mine to a classmate like the week before :P</p>
<p>Yeah, the AP was NOT fun at all… in fact, I got completely wrecked haha.
Oh well.
Physics is just not my cup of tea.</p>
<p>Econ tomorrow might be passable?</p>
<p>I’m the exact opposite. Physics was awesome, way better than chemistry, and I’m loving the linear algebra!</p>
<p>How do Williams graduates in physics do in admissions to graduate school? Do many go onto top 5 PhD programs in physics?</p>
<p>Here is some info on post graduation plans for the past few years</p>
<p>[Williams</a> College Department of Physics](<a href=“http://www.williams.edu/Physics/]Williams”>http://www.williams.edu/Physics/)</p>
<p>Chandlerbing: You say the following</p>
<p>Hmm, well I absolutely LOVE physiology/anatomy and can’t wait to take more of it!
Biology is another favorite, too.
Chemistry’s okay, I can deal with it.
Orgo is probably going to be okay too, I didn’t mind the org chem unit we did 2 years back in good old Honors Chem.
Physics on the other hand… least favorite. Gah!
I’m not liking Linear Algebra either.</p>
<p>But yeah, I love knowing about diseases and how to treat them as well as symptoms, so I’m definitely interested in medicine. Math and physics… not so much. </p>
<p>You sound just like my daughter who will be in class of 2013. She is into neuroscience. You might be in some of her classes.</p>
<p>BTW she is also big in Spanish having taken 7 years of it.;</p>
<p>Hahaha, yeah that would be cool meeting a few people who are like me and don’t exactly love math/physics.</p>
<p>I actually think I want to go into dermatology… the more I think about it, the more I’m fascinated with the myriads of skin diseases out there: and how certain “internal medicine” diseases actually cause skin problems. It’s just a really fascinating branch of medicine.</p>
<p>Spanish is awesome, too. I can’t get enough haha.</p>