UChicago vs. Williams (vs. Amherst)

College Search & Selection
1

<p>I'm not sure what I'd like to major in, but I know I will continue my creative writing and slam poetry - as activism, which will require understanding across many different fields. I've also been involved in theater, visual arts, and music in high school, but I'm not sure how much I'd like to continue these since I do want to focus on my writing in my "free time."</p>

<p>Academics: I love UChicago's Core (see above). Williams is a college and might have more focus on the undergraduates, but I'm a little disappointed by the lack of options in majors (namely, linguistics, international studies, public policy, etc) and weak language department. The tutorials are appealing, though! It also seems that the level and intensity of analysis at UChicago is greater than that at Williams, but this could be a misconception.</p>

<p>Location: Chicago > Williamstown. It seems that Chicago provides so many more learning opportunities in terms of culture, art, politics, civil engagement/community service, journalism, business, employment etc.</p>

<p>Culture: I seem to fit in the UChicago persona better. Quirky, intellectually curious, and nerdy. Williams is known to have more athletes and heavy drinkers; I don't exercise (except in gym, don't hate me), and I don't plan on drinking (I've been a part of a substance-free organization since my freshman year, and I plan on being a staff member in college as well).</p>

<p>Housing: I love the entry system. The house system at UChicago is pretty neat, too.</p>

<p>Student Life: This is a bit fuzzy. I'm under the impression that Williams students are spread thin and are able to be involved with multiple organizations, but I have no idea what UChicago students are like in terms of extracurriculars. I'd love more insight on this.</p>

<p>The catch?
Williams is about $18k cheaper. Uchicago offered me a merit scholarship but no grants. I'm torn. I fell in love with UChicago, but their financial aid officers broke my heart.
I suppose I do plan on attending grad school, but I have no idea what I want to do, and whatever I have in mind will likely change within my first year of college. It seems that Williams has more fellowships and programs to help students beyond college, but this is unclear.</p>

<p>(I was also accepted to Amherst, but I haven't yet received my finaid package. It's not so much on my radar at the moment, but any insight on Amherst is welcomed!)</p>

2

<p>It seems like Williams would be the financially smart choice here. The question really is, can you realistically afford to pay for UChicago?</p>

3

<p>Williams is one of the few colleges that can straight up takes cross admits away from HYPSM and now you have the big difference in financial packages.</p>

<p>This is a Williams decision</p>

4

<p>I attended Williams undergrad, and UChicago for grad school. (The level/intensity of analysis is certainly not lower at Williams, by the way, and Williams has plenty of quirky people – though less than at UChicago – but most of your other perceptions are roughly accurate). </p>

<p>For me, Williams was much more my scene, but it sounds clear that UChicago is an environment you prefer, so you should do everything possible to attend the school you love. Given that, have you talked to the financial aid folks at UofC and shared the offer Williams gave? If you let them know it’s your top choice and the only thing that is stopping you from attending is the dramatic differential in aid, they may be able to tweak your aid, particularly if they are high enough on your candidacy to offer you a merit award.</p>

5

<p>Haha, as far as I can tell, UChi’s been taking plenty of HPYSM cross-admits as well.</p>

<p>I spoke to the financial aid office today, and I will try to appeal my aid package. The preliminary aid offer was only $5000 more than Williams’. I think there was a bit of a misunderstanding when they calculated my final aid package, so hopefully the appealed package is better…But UChi doesn’t match other schools’ offers :(</p>

<p>Another thing: Williams admitted me early write, which gives me the idea that at least the admission office believes I’ll fit in there well. And I can’t imagine that they’d be too wrong.</p>

6

<p>Good luck, hope it works out. If possible to visit the schools during prospective weekend, that certainly might help you get a better sense of whether you’d be a good fit, also …</p>

7

<p>Yes, I will be at Williams Previews in mid-April!</p>

<p>If anyone could offer more insight on programs/opportunities either school might offer, I’d still love to consider it!</p>

8

<p>little, Could you please clarify the financial comparison? How much debt (including loans provided by the college) would you end up with at the end of four years at each? This is the key comparison. All undergrads, and especially writers/poets/artists, need to avoid piling up debt.</p>

<p>Have you visited Williams? The difference in environment between Williamstown and Chicago is 180 degrees. If you yearn to be in a city, then you’re not going to like Williams, period.</p>

<p>As Ephman says, there’s no shortage of intellect at Williams. The emphasis on the arts is also profoundly good, surprisingly so for a college of its size. You would be able to continue your involvement in theater, visual arts and music even if you major in something else.</p>

<p>The English department is excellent with several very good writers on the faculty.</p>

<p>Williams distribution requirements are minimal and experimenting across disciplines is encouraged. You will not be disappointed by “the level and intensity of analysis.” No linguistics major, but I wouldn’t call the language offerings weak; they are just narrow. Williams definitely prepares you for a career in international relations or public policy. [Williams does have an international studies concentration.]</p>

<p>Excellent internship opportunities and career and graduate school counseling. For my son, the entry system was a big plus. </p>

<p>I wouldn’t worry about the sports and drinking reputation. Williams kids are interested in a wide range of activities. I would characterize them as energetic. </p>

<p>At the end of the day you have to weigh the money against the physical environment. You’d get an excellent education at either one.</p>

9

<p>the solution has been found:</p>

<p>undergraduate: Williams
graduate: Chicago</p>

<p>voila!</p>

10

<p>I’d just like to reiterate:</p>

<p>

</p>

<p>Thanks :)</p>

11

<p>Thanks, momrath!</p>

<p>At the moment, Chicago’s $57-58k with no loans, but as I said before, I think UChicago miscalculated my finaid, so I’m appealing. Williams is $40k, which includes a $4k loan and a work/study.</p>

<p>“Williams distribution requirements are minimal and experimenting across disciplines is encouraged.” Would you say that Williams students can have intellectual conversations about any topic, even if they studied two very different majors? That’s something about UChicago I especially loved, fostered by the Core.</p>

<p>As I said earlier, I don’t intend on majoring in visual arts/theater/writing, but I will likely pursue these in college. I do have the impression that Williams has strong theater and music programs, but I haven’t heard as much about Williams’ publications/newspaper groups. I don’t have as much information on UChicago’s groups.</p>

<p>In terms of cities - I’ve heard that Williams has strong connections with nearby cities, such as Boston, NYC, etc. Does anyone have more specific information on this?</p>

<p>classicgirll - are you deciding between these colleges, too?</p>

12

<p>My husband was told when our son went to U Chicago interview in January they do not negotiate financial aid packages in comparison to other schools. Don’t know if your appeal will help you or not.</p>

<p>Figured most of it was loans from what they pulled from our paperwork.</p>

13

<p>

Difficult to generalize, but I can tell you that I found that my son’s friends had a wide range of interests and a far-reaching intellectual curiosity.</p>

<p>

I’m not sure what you’re looking for here. I wouldn’t say that Williams is a journalism or media studies destination, but the emphasis on communication skills, both written and oral, is tremendous. </p>

<p>

Sorry I’m still not following your financial comparison. Do you mean that after four years at Williams you anticipate that you would be $40K in debt? Or that Williams yearly package is $40K including a $4K loan? The former would be severe. The latter would be a very appealing offer.</p>

14

<p>

</p>

<p>Williams, at one time, owned a townhouse not far from New York City’s Grand Central Station that was used for alumni activites and college trips. That facility, however, is slated for sale, due in no small part to the financial crunch of four years ago. Boston is likewise four hours away. Basically, if you are looking for big city diversion, Albany is your only bet.</p>

15

<p>

jw is correct; the Williams Club in New York is no more. Though I think Boston is closer to two, two and half hours away.</p>

<p>My son usually went to New York or Boston once, sometimes twice a term, sometimes as part of an academic “field trip”, sometimes on social occasions. There are buses to both places and friends will have cars. </p>

<p>But visits to New York or Boston are exceptional events. The heart and soul of the college is the campus and the surrounding country side. If you crave the buzz of city life, Williams may not be for you.</p>

16

<p>I’m not appealing my UChicago aid package in comparison to Williams’s. Rather, there’s a huge difference between my preliminary package and my final package even though my family hasn’t gained any money, so I’m appealing to clear up some information that might have been misinterpreted. For Williams, it’s $40k in family contributions with an additional $4k loan (an appealing offer indeed).</p>

17

<p>

The $57-58K is your expected family contribution?</p>

<p>

littlepenguin, didn’t you post somewhere that Chicago accepted you as a “University Scholar”? Back in the day, that title came with money attached. I thought it was full tuition for a small number of students. A larger number (~100 students) got $10K.</p>

<p>How much did they offer? Full COA is about $62K.</p>

18

<p>Well, at the end of the day the key figure is what you end up owing. The debt is going to be your parents’ not yours so your decision will depend on their individual situation.</p>

19

<p>@littlepenguin,</p>

<p>No, but I was admitted to Amherst, and would love to see what other people have to say about it. What are you leaning towards as of now?</p>

20

<p>One more thought, littlepenguin. It’s probably a long shot to find a way to get in touch with her before you make your decision, but Mayda Del Valle, Williams Class of 2000, definitely sounds like someone you would want to talk with (if not now, then certainly if you end up attending Williams):</p>

<p>[Mayda</a> del Valle at the White House Poetry Jam (2 of 8) - YouTube](<a href=“Mayda del Valle at the White House Poetry Jam (2 of 8) - YouTube”>Mayda del Valle at the White House Poetry Jam (2 of 8) - YouTube)
[Mighty</a> Mouth | Innovators | Smithsonian Magazine](<a href=“http://www.smithsonianmag.com/specialsections/innovators/del-valle.html]Mighty”>http://www.smithsonianmag.com/specialsections/innovators/del-valle.html)</p>