<p>So, I'm somewhat foolishly pretending that I will get into these schools come April 1 and feel that I have a good grasp on their comparable academics and locations and such...but not on their social atmospheres. Any thoughts? Or are the three that difficult to differentiate?</p>
<p>In terms of on-campus social atmosphere, I suspect that the similarities between these three schools would be more striking than the differences. Socially, the real contrast would be with a school like Dartmouth, which has a strong Greek system. Bowdoin, Middlebury, and Williams have all eliminated frats.</p>
<p>None of these schools are large, but Middlebury is the biggest, some 40% larger than Bowdoin. Williams is in the middle.</p>
<p>Obviously none of these schools are urban, but there may be differences in the extent of off-campus social and recreational opportunities. Bowdoin is perhaps the most “metropolitan” of the three schools: the town of Brunswick is larger than Middlebury or Williamstown, and is relatively close to Portland. </p>
<p>Middlebury is somewhat more isolated. The town of Middlebury is smaller, but is not too far from Burlington, which is often regarded as a fun college town. </p>
<p>Williams is perhaps the most isolated. Williamstown is the smallest community of the three, and the closest cities are Pittsfield and Albany/Troy, which are less likely to be perceived as fun road-trip destinations.</p>