I love the LAC feeling, great running program, great academics in both colleges. I have a good chance in getting into both w my academics + running recruitment.
However, It seems Williams has a better:
- alumni network (especially for running)
- rural beautiful setting (I’ve always wanted to live in a rural area)
- I like the close community feel with story-time
But I may not like the harsh winter since I’ve been in California all of my life.
Pomona on the other hand
- is a two hour drive away from home
- has a stronger young team for XC + TF
- has slightly better food + diversity
- has the Claremont Consortium to talk with different people
But I’m tired of the dry weather, although I don’t mind the warmness. Also I want to go on an adventure into the middle to Williams, but I know I’ll be pretty homesick. But, I probably won’t have a chance to live in a rural setting until retirement, if I want to avoid long commutes and not so great jobs.
I most likely want to have a career in finance/consulting in the LA area back home after college. Is the Williams Alumni network strong enough that It’s likely for me to get a job in LA on on the west coast ?
Tough choice. My son was football recruit at Claremont McKenna and Bowdoin. He loved the CMC campus and weather. Was a little worried about Maine. Wants to settle ultimately on the East Coast, so he was also concerned with CMC’s strength on the East Coast. He end up committing to CMC. Williams is very well established all over the country. I don’t think you would have any trouble getting a job in LA.
Unless you are trying to decide between these two for an ED application, don’t worry about this until you have actually been accepted and the financial aid packages work out to be equivalent.
One does not have to go far to get that “away” feeling. I too had a sense of wanderlust when I was applying to colleges and ended up attending a school in-state, three hours from home. Believe me, it was plenty far. Once you are at school, immersed in academic and social life (and this might even be more intense at an LAC, where most students live on campus and eat in the cafeteria for all four years), you won’t feel like you are trapped in CA.
That said, there is a very real benefit to shaking things up and moving to a part of the country that is entirely different from what you are used to. There are no bad choices here, as both Williams and Pomona are excellent, and they both have their very serious pros (Pomona being part of the Claremont consortium is a biggie to me). Ultimately, you should feel the pull toward one or the other.
Finally, @happymomof1 is correct. I’m not sure how certain the OP’s recruitment is at these two schools, but she/he says that she/he has “a good chance” of getting in. Perhaps, OP, you’re putting the cart before the horse a bit? Also, aren’t recruits sort of required to apply ED because that’s the period where coaches have most pull?
You really cannot go wrong. These are both great colleges, with similar benefits of academics and community.
I love Williams, but the homesick thing could be real. I felt a little bad for a California kid I spoke to on Family Weekend, who was not going to see her parents until Thanksgiving; it is not as easy for parents and kids to visit one another when they are an expensive and lengthy plane ride apart.
If you are okay with using Skype or Facetime to communicate with family while you are away, and you welcome the adventure, then it is a matter of which college seems to suit your personality and interests better. Trust your gut.
Both are excellent choices, comparable academically. Other factors may affect your choice, Williams is in the middle of no where and Pomona is in Los Angeles. If you are in CA, it may take a day to go home from Williams. Please visit both to decide.
Please tell us that you have actually visited the Williams campus, ideally for more than a few hours and during term time…
@Verbalist, Two good choices. It’s difficult to know in advance how far to push the comfort zone envelope. Putting yourself in a new and unknown situation can be exhilarating and a little frightening at first, so it’s human nature to worry about making the right decision.
First, are both choices equally affordable?
My son is a Williams grad. For him, Williams insulated mountain village environment was a big positive. He had only ever lived in mega-cities and the beauty and serenity of Williams’ surroundings spoke to him. He’s back in the city now earning a living, but if he could figure out a way to live and work in Williamstown he’d do it in a heartbeat.
I think the kids who are happiest there are those that choose Williams because of its rural setting not in spite of it. The gut reaction you have when you visit the actual campus is a good indicator. For my son, it was an immediate “This is the place.”
Separation from home and family can be hard. For my son, travel time from home was some 30 hours (we live in Asia) not to mention getting from JFK to Williamstown. But, for sure, the Williams community was warm and welcoming on all levels – the kids, the junior advisors, the faculty. A sizeable portion of the student body will also be far away from home and the atmosphere is friendly and inclusive.
Williams itself is fairly diverse; Western MA not so much. Students do get to Boston and/or New York once or twice a term.
Winters in the Berkshires are long and cold, but also very beautiful and full of snow sport opportunities. Fall and Spring are glorious and would be a nice experience for someone coming from California.
Williams has an excellent reputation among investment banks and consulting firms. During your undergraduate years you’ll be building a resume of summer internships and a network of professional contacts. You may even want to work in at their New York or Boston headquarters for a couple of years, all of which will only reinforce your value to west coast firms.
As a distance runner it may be important to compare air quality differences.
If offered the opportunity to attend both schools at equal cost, Williams College may provide the better growth experience in your situation due to location.
If you have never experienced Fall in New England, then you should do so. If you have experienced Fall in New England, then you would not have posted this question.
I just googled the 2018 schedules for each school. At Williams College you will get to visit Saratoga Springs (Skidmore College), Tufts (Boston area), Amherst, Connecticut College & Oshkosh Wisconsin (site of national at which both of your targeted schools will participate). At Pomona, you will visit places with which you are already familiar.
Since you will be competing in two sports, cross country & track and field, I think that you should go to New England & enjoy Williams College & the surrounding states. The breathtaking beauty found throughout this region should amaze you.
Also, you should consider cross country snow skiing during the Winter. (Much easier to do at Williams than at Pomona.)
The Pomona ED date is Nov 1. You have to decide quickly!
Yes, I visited during the fall for 2 days. I loved the nature and cool temperature! I felt like I really belonged in Williams.
The air and scenery are much more beautiful and new to me. I’m going to ED Williams. Thanks for the advice everyone!