<p>I've always been looking for a strong emphasis on undergraduates, and that's why I was so ecstatic to get into both princeton and williams.
Williams students told me that they have no problem meeting up with professors in any courses and that they easily find research positions. I know that Princeton emphasizes its small size compared to other ivies, but how easy/hard is it to access the faculty members at intro courses?
any first-hand experience from current student would be extremely appreciated.</p>
<p>All professors hold regular office hours. Generally, even if you can't meet them during office hours, they will accomodate your schedule.</p>
<p>Princeton has great stats for premed admits and lots of opportunities to do research with profs, even starting in freshman year. If you major in molecular biology then you can stay on campus during your junior summer and get paid to do research. Overall my d's impression was that unless you want to be an art historian, Princeton had a similar vibe to Williams while being more convenient to NY, Philly and DC and having more to do and more variety. The small class sizes at Princeton are true but do not, in my d's experience, apply to introductory science classes, which are large lectures broken up into precepts (sections) though with lots of opportunity to connect with profs. This might interest you <a href="http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pwb/02/1118/%5B/url%5D">http://www.princeton.edu/pr/pwb/02/1118/</a></p>
<p>Both are great schools -- a big congrats to you!</p>
<p>williams is great but comon were talking about princeton here. princeton new jersey is kind a wasteland but im certainly willing to look past that. something i really like about princeton and schools like it is how they emulate a small college. 1100 is right inbetween and in this case, is the best of both worlds.</p>
<p>They are both great schools academically. My child had a choice between these schools and others last year and chose Princeton. One key point for my child was location. Williams is an hour from the middle of nowhere and Princeton is an hour from New York and Philadelphia. That makes a big difference in terms of what students can do, who comes to campus (the speakers who come to Princeton are unbelievable), what types of internships are available, etc. Winter is harder at Williams as well. If you like rural and winter sports Williams might be for you. Also, the financial aid package from Princeton was better. If you are undecided, visit both this month and see which one you like better.</p>
<p>As a Williams student it seemed almost everyone had a sibling visiting campus from Princeton at some point, so there must be some connection between the two. (Perhaps because many Ephs like myself hail from New Jersey.) I myself visited friends and siblings at Princeton. I knew a few classmates that chose Williams over Princeton (maybe because they didn't want to go where bro/sis went!), usually for a specific reason--e.g art, tutorial system, Oxford program, or the new science facilities.</p>
<p>Don't overlook the positive aspects of Williamstown. There is something special about the place - you literally grow up with your best friends in the middle of the astounding Berkshires. There are worse things. My attitude is, give me urban vitality or give me bucolic bliss: I wouldn't trade Williamstown for anywhere except for NYC or San Francisco (both where I have lived in my adult life) - certainly not for a suburb. I probably owe the longevity of most of my college friendships to the fact that we were together in Billsville, not Boston. You're glued to a common experience, one that not too many people out there share, and that means something down the road.</p>
<p>Having said all of this, I know many people who loved Princeton. You will find small classes there as well - that's not the main difference between the two.</p>
<p>hello123...My son is a freshman at Princeton this year who was also accepted (early write) to Williams. As he will be majoring in Art History
Williams offered the courses and studio art that he looked forward to.
When he was accepted to Princeton going to Williams pretty much left the table for him. We are 90 minutes by car from Princeton and he can always take NJT to Penn when he wants to go to the museums.
The course selection at Princeton is something to consider as there is something for everyone. </p>
<p>As far as professor access, my son has been invited for dinner by three professors already. One was a close friend of Einstein (not kidding). Also a good friend he met during OA had an encounter with John Nash in an elevator. The opportunities there are endless.</p>