<p>I know that the college abolished the Greek System many years ago, but I was just wondering are there any sort of exclusive "houses" at Williams? Is what the administration says (that everyone pretty much gets along) really true? Also, is there anything else you can think of that the administration doesn't like to tell prospective students? Any possible downsides (other than the isolation) of going to Williams? I really loved Williams and just want to make sure that there are no glaring problems with it. Finally, how is the housing situation at Williams? Specifically, what can a freshman expect in terms of room size?</p>
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<li><p>Nope, no exclusive houses at Williams. Every house has a gender cap (i.e. no house can be above 60% of any given gender), and there are no restrictions as to who can pick in where. At least, that used to be true until the cluster system was implemented. As it stands, one can only pick into a house located in one's cluster. Unless you haven't already heard, Williams' cluster housing system splits all campus housing into 4 clusters (Currier, Spencer, Dodd, and Wood). In theory, this was done to instill a certain amount of "cluster pride" amongst the student body (i.e. via inter-cluster competitions, parties thrown by specific clusters, etc.). I</p></li>
<li><p>The cluster system was also implemented in order to eliminate a perceived sense of self-segregation amongst the students. Under the free agent system, it became apparent that certain students were sticking to certain locales on campus. For example, Currier cluster was once known as the "Odd Quad" because many students living in it were seen as being a little off-beat. The student makeup of Currier cluster is now vastly different from that of prior years. That said, I would say that most students on campus get along fairly well. You'll always find some malcontent, and one does not necessarily expect an extremely studious introvert to mingle with heavy drinkers. But for the most part, kids socialize across athletic, organizational, or affiliative boundaries.</p></li>
<li><p>Freshmen get a pretty nice deal in terms of housing. If you live in the freshmen quad, sharing a double can get tight, but that's offset by the fact that common rooms are huge. Moreover, all frosh quad JA common rooms have been newly furnished w/ couches, flat-panel TVs, and DVD players. If you live in Mission, you are virtually guaranteed a single (and the few doubles scattered throughout are sizable). Mission singles are not enormous, but they are more than spacious enough for the needs of most freshmen.</p></li>
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<p>jota, First years live in exclusively firstyear dorms. They are assigned to a group of about 20-24 called an entry (because some of the rooms are arranged vertically and share an entry).</p>
<p>This year Williams changed their dorm assignments and the result is that an overwhelming number of firstyears will have singles. (I forget the percentage). Within the entry there are sub-groups of 2-4 rooms that share a common room which becomes the social meeting point.</p>
<p>For my son, who is now a senior, the entry system was one of the great pluses of Williams. It gives first years an instantaneous social group for hanging out, meals, parties. The entry is shepherded by two Junior Assistants – one male, one female – who provide all kinds of advice -- academic, social, practical, emotional. These are unpaid and highly competitive positions and involve extensive training.</p>
<p>Williams has implemented a new system this year for sophomores onwards. Bascially, at the end of your firstyear you will choose to live in one of four neighborhoods each of which includes several dorms and houses. You will stay in that neighborhood for three years (though you can change buildings within the group). You can choose your specific room assignments with up to 5 of your friends so it's not entirely random.</p>
<p>I wouldn’t say Williams has glaring problems, but it’s not for everyone. The people who tend to do best are those who really want to be there. Winter is long and severe and it helps to take an interest in something you can do in the snow. </p>
<p>I would describe Williams as insular rather than isolated. Between the campus and the village you can get to everything you need, but maybe not everything you want. It’s highly personal – not for the person who wants to shop at Gap or go to a different restaurant every weekend.</p>
<p>Thanks for both your responses. In terms of the long winter, I love the snow so I actually really liked that aspect of Williams. I love skiing and other winter activities so the cold winter isn't a problem at all. Also, I hardly go clothes shopping at all (except when my clothes are too small or falling apart), so the lack of Gap or designer clothes stores isn't a problem either. Thanks again for your comments! </p>
<p>Another question: Do either of you know anything about the overnight visits Williams does? I am doing one in a few weeks and I was just wondering what to expect. Any recommendations for places to go/people to meet/things to do? </p>
<p>Thanks again!</p>
<p>Honestly, your overnight stay will be dictated entirely by the personality of your host. I myself did not do one before deciding to attend, but I have friends who have done so and have also hosted pre-frosh. Sometimes, you will be taken out to a party and provided with (probably even expected to) alcohol to drink. Likewise, you might be assigned to a less party-oriented student who will have you play a boardgame all night. It's really a coin-toss.</p>
<p>I hope I get a good host. I am staying over on a Sunday night so maybe there won't be too many parties.</p>
<p>If your Sunday night experience was like my daugher's four years ago--she spent the night with some future teammates--you had better bring a good book. Her hosts were too busy studying for class the next day to give her much time.</p>
<p>Haha, I will make sure to do that driver! Did she at least get to go to some classes with the kids?</p>
<p>Oh yeah, and loved it. The kids were really nice to her, they just had to get their work done, and Sunday is a busy night there. She gave herself a self-guided nightime tour of campus.</p>
<p>Sounds cool, did she end up going there for college?</p>
<p>Yes, senior year. I'm going up for my last fall visit next month (sniff).</p>
<p>Does she happen to know any freshmen/sophomores that I might meet while I am up there?</p>