<p>I know this question has been asked many times before, but I suppose it can't hurt to ask again. </p>
<p>What's the Williams social scene like? I'm not much of a drinker nor a partier NOR an athlete. Is there any chance I'd ever fit in at Williams?</p>
<p>What do people do for fun, given the lameness of Williamstown/surrounding area?</p>
<p>Williamstown is not lame. It is a wonderful college town with lots of character. It is surrounded by mountains and if you love the outdoors you couldn't find a better place. The nature of your question leads me to believe that you would not appreciate the Williams experience. I love every inch of the place!</p>
<p>Agree with beach. If you've visited and found the environment lacking whatever it is that you're seeking, then cross it off your list.</p>
<p>Well, I already applied, so I'm certainly going to consider it.</p>
<p>I live like 10 minutes from Williams, and, quite frankly, don't consider Williamstown or any part of North Berkshire County to be a very favorable college environment. It's isolated and there exists little in the way of entertainment, culture, etc. In applying to Williams, I considered the academics moreso than the social scene.</p>
<p>But nonetheless, I'm still interested as to some insight into how non-athletes, drinkers, etc., the stereotypical Williams students, fit in?</p>
<p>It's been my experience through visiting my brother and when I was up for Trivia that the Odd Quadders, at the very least, find ways to entertain themselves through their a cappella groups, big group games ("Apples to Apples" especially), exploring the outdoors and just doing whatever strikes their fancy. </p>
<p>Not too long ago a huge group of students made a music video to "What a Feeling (Theme from Flashdance)" during winter study, too. It was really, really amazing. =D</p>
<p>kev;
I can't resist the thought that Williams is not for you.
As in anywhere you go in life, we all gravitate towards those that share similar interests.
If you go to college, and don't want to hang out with athletes, and don't want to drink; then don't. You'll find your own social peers.
Likewise, even you live 10 minutes from Williams, you don't live there.
So, I have 2 observations;
1. Those who are a good fit for Williams embrace their environment and thrive and excel at meeting the academic and social challenges.
2. Leaving the Wiliamstown area may be good for you. Spread your wings and leave the Berkshires! You may appreciate the area more when you return.
A larger, more urban campus may be more to your liking, like NYU, Princeton, Harvard, Yale or Stanford.</p>
<p>I actually like Williams to a degree. I like lots of things about it, but was just curious about the social scene. I think the Williams campus itself is quite beautiful and the academics couldn't be better.</p>
<p>Williams seems to have a more "artsy" group in it, a minority, but given MassMoca, Clark Art, Williamstown Theatre Festival, etc., could anyone elaborate on this group at Williams?</p>
<p>kev, the "artsy" group at Williams is not a minority. Many, many students are involved in one of the arts, be it studio, museums, theater, dance, writing, music of all kinds; the contradiction is that these same kids may also be involved in some kind of athletic, outdoorsy activity. One doesn't preclude the other.</p>
<p>Williams has one of the best (arguably THE best) art history + art studio programs in the country, certainly among small liberal arts colleges. Opportunities to take advantage of the three wonderful museums (those you mentioned plus the Williams College Museum) abound. You can be a specatator or a participant. Through exhibits, seminiars, classes, field trips you will be exposed to some of the most exciting thinkers in art today. </p>
<p>Same goes for theater, dance or music -- you can be in the audience or on stage. </p>
<p>I guess the question is what are YOU looking for? If it's an urban environment with trendy shops, clubs, galleries, restaurants, subways, crowds and big city caffeinated buzz, then for sure Williams isn't the place for you. If its a warm, cohesive environment in a profoundly beautiful natural environment with intelligent, energetic, multi-faceted kids, then you'll have no problem finding your group at Williams.</p>
<p>Well spoken momrath!
Kev; you'll find your own space no matter where you go.
BTW, Kev;
Do professors siblings get free tuition at Williams?</p>
<p>My older brother goes to Williams. He wasn't (and still isn't) an athlete of any sort, a partier, or an "artsy" person. He has found a group to fit in with, though. (though I don't really know the details of what he does for fun) When I have gone up to see him, it doesn't seem lame to me, which may be because it is a contrast to where I live now.</p>
<p>rskibum -</p>
<p>About seven years ago, someone on the staff told me that the children of staff members who have served the college for a certain number of years get an educational benefit from the college. I can't remember whether it is tuition-only or tuition plus room and board, but it is for four years at any accredited college (not just Williams) up to the amount of the equivalent (i.e., tuition or full package -- whichever it covers) at Williams. Don't know what the minimum service requirement is or whether there is a G
PA requirement, but I do know that the man who told me about this was a very happy long-term dining services employee who was deeply grateful to te college for the start it gave his kids by helping pay for their education. At one time, the benefit extended only to faculty children, but it was expanded to the whole staff. </p>
<p>I would imagine that, due to their Berkshire County residencies and college connections, these students also get a bump up in admission preferences, but I know that some students from the area who can qualify for admission at Williams decide it's better for them to leave the Purple Valley.
[On the other hand, there are at least two Mount Greylock students in the ED Class of 2011 -- I don't know whether they have parents who work for Williams.]</p>
<p>I've never heard anyone else mention this program but I would imagine it is still in place.</p>
<p>For the above post, yes, that is true. A family friend, who graduated from my school in 2004, currently attends Williams. His mother was an employee at Williams (secretary or something of that nature), and he does receive full tuition, although I'm unsure of room & board.</p>
<p>Free tuition is a common perk for staff working at many colleges, and like any scholarship, it is tax free. I believe that many private primary and secondary schools give the same kind of benefit to their staff for their equivalent level of education as well.</p>
<p>Sweet deal and especially nice that it is portable and not just for the faculty kids.</p>
<p>Yes, Williamstown is lame; extremely lame. That said, the surrounding area does have a lot of outdoor stuff (and there's good skiing nearby in Vermont). But, if you're from around here, you already know that.
The artsy students are a minority, but there are a sizeable number. If you enjoy that kind of thing, you can definitely find it. However, if you are casually interested in music or drama, it's difficult. Acceptance into a-capella groups is very competitive, and the theater group is small and people don't really attend the shows (I enjoyed participating in musicals in high school and was disappointed to be unable to do them here). Although there is Frosh Revue, which is usually good and always well-attended.
There's the Odd Quadders, who are generally quieter and hang out together. If that's what you'd prefer, they're quite welcoming.
A large number of people drink (probably a majority, although the "drinking problem" isn't anywhere near as serious as the administration would like people to believe) and a significant portion of the social scene is centered around drinking. However, I know non-drinkers who seem to get on just fine.
Another issue is political interest. A LOT of students here are apathetic to/unaware of national and international issues (we have what's called the "purple bubble"). If you want a school where students have a strong interest in goings on outside of campus, then Williams would not be a good fit.
What ARE you into? That would probably enable people to get a better idea of how good a fit it would be.
In my opinion, if you're from right near here, it might be a good idea to check out a different area, even if it's only a few hours away.</p>