UC Berkeley v.s. Williams

College Search & Selection
21

<p>liyang, I'm a graduate of Michigan, a big State U much like Berkeley, academically and socially. My son is a graduate of Williams. We were both in the arts, not sciences, so I don't have personal experience with the disciplines you're interested in, but I can say without doubt that you can get a wonderful education at either type of school and go on to be healthy, wealthy and wise.</p>

<p>My son's friends who were in the sciences are wildly enthusiastic about the opportunities Williams afforded them -- in internships, research, summer travel, graduate and professional schools, post-college jobs, in research or public service. One of his best friends was a physics major (with a solid sub-concentration in astronomy). He's now in the Peace Corps in Africa. Hard to say where that experience will lead him, but without doubt, Williams helped him get to where he wants to be, geographically and intellectually.</p>

<p>The key question to me is the college experience and the type of education that fits you personally. I don't 100% buy into your statement "I do not care about the size or environment." You should care. The size, the environment, the character, the personality, the teaching style of the professors, the learning style of the students -- all will impact your overall experience. Bottom line you will do best at the school where you are happiest.</p>

<p>For me, the mega-U was the wrong place at the wrong time. Everything is there for the asking, but you have to speak up and jostle a bit and I was too young and introverted to take advantage of a fraction of what was available. Nevertheless, I fully acknowledge that those who stepped up got what they wanted and then some.</p>

<p>The opportunities afforded by an institution like Williams on the other hand are like an embarassment of riches, served up on a silver platter for your choosing. From the day you arrive you are guided and mentored to achieve your best both in and out of the classroom. You'd have to be willfully perverse to fall off track.</p>

<p>So, do think harder about the environment that suits you. Both are energizing and stimulating, but offer very different routes to the prize.</p>

22

<p>As many folks know, I am a Williams alum, and NOT a great Williams fan. (My d. turned down W. to attend Smith, which is significantly stronger in her academic areas of interest, and it was clearly the right decision - for her.) But in the particular areas of interest the OP has, I cannot imagine a better place in the world to get an undergraduate education that also fulfills his research needs and his hopes for future graduate school entry.</p>

23

<p>How about Williams for undergraduate and UCB for graduate school because you can't do the reverse. This way you get to experience both institutions. A win win situation!</p>

24

<p>If you like a small environment with more care and feeding, choose Williams.
If you like a larger, more diverse environment, and you have an independent streak, go to Berkeley.</p>

<p>You applied to very different schools. Did you visit both? Which environment did you like better?</p>

25

<p>I like small places. So i think I will choose Williams....<br>
Thanks to all of you</p>