<p>Hello everyone. Thank you for looking and helping me. I am having trouble deciding between the two and can't seem to decide. My career aspirations are in finance (banking). However, I know my preferences can change. I know they are totally different schools, and each of them are on the opposite side of the spectrum location wise. I don't have a preference for a small liberal arts school vs a large research institution. I have already went to Chicago's accepted students day, and it was very good. I will be attending the accepted students day at Williams as well. I am not a hardcore academic. However, based upon my own observations, not everyone at UChicago is either. Nevertheless, I do have a lot of respect for people who pursue academia in general. Besides quite a bit of weightlifting, I do not play sports. I would enjoy attending and watching sporting events. As far as future employers in the finance industry, which would they prefer to see I attended? Which has better connections? Will Williams be seen as less "prestigious", as superficial as that sounds? I know this year, UChicago had an 8% acceptance rate and Williams had roughly 17%. Does that have any significant meaning? I am very fortunate to be int this position and will appreciate any input one has to offer. Also, any other comments about the environment and types of people at these schools would be great!</p>
<p>One of the students from Chicago who did not pick Williams is that Williams is in the middle of no where and Chicago is in the middle of everywhere.
Academically, the two schools are similar, so are the prospects of jobs. Its your life style that counts.</p>
<p>Disclosure: my DD is enrolled in Chicago</p>
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I’d say equal. Williams has excellent connections and name recognition in finance – on Wall Street and among the big consulting firms. Internships and summer jobs play a big role in future employment and Williams is good at securing opportunities and also good at getting its students into top graduate schools.</p>
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In general no, but it depends on where you are when you ask the question. Williams is well known on the East Coast and among all graduate schools and financial hiring managers. As you get farther away from New York and Boston, fewer people – your relatives, your neighbors, man-on-the-street types – will recognize the name.</p>
<p>[I know this year, UChicago had an 8% acceptance rate and Williams had roughly 17%. Does that have any significant meaning?
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I think the significance is that the highly selective mid-sized privates have become impossible admits. Chicago has been “discovered.” Williams has been more or less steady.</p>
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<p>You’ll get a better idea after you visit Williams. Urban vs rural is, to me, the major point of differentiation. Second would be the size and impact of graduate programs/no graduate programs.</p>
<p>For my son, Williams’ insular location surrounded by profound natural beauty was a big plus. It’s easy enough to get away for a weekend to New York or Boston once or twice a term, but, really, you shouldn’t choose Williams unless you react positively to its location.</p>
<p>Athletics do have an impact on campus ambiance, and although the majority are not varsity athletes, there’s a pervasive culture of sporty-outdoorsy activities – a kind of get-out-and-do-something attitude, even if it’s broomball or tobogganing. You’ll find the students are optimistic, energetic and multi-faceted: many are involved in both the arts and sports – as well as being academically accomplished.</p>
<p>Chicago Chicago Chicago Chicago. I can’t stress this enough. UChicago is the place you want to be if you’re studying economics. I don’t think you’d find a better program anywhere in the world (except for maybe at Harvard). The opportunities are endless and besides, finance is an industry where prestige matters, so U Chicago would be the best bet. Williams is better for the softer, humanities trained subjects like art history. It might also be better if you want to have a typical college experience (like making tight-knit communities, cheering on your sports teams, etc.) But if you’re looking primarily from an academic/out-look standpoint, then go with Chicago.</p>
<p>Congratulations on you acceptances. Both schools are quite excellent and you can’t go wrong with any of the two schools.
That being said, you have not shared other factors here other than prestige.
Things like the financial package, location, environment, student body, grad school plans etc. can also help you narrow down between these two schools.
Chicago is know for its great business connections and finance but not as Penn Business school, Williams is a great feeder for all IVY’s for grad school, and in most cases, smaller class size compared to UChicago.
It would be wise to put all these factors in perspective and go from there.
Best of luck to you.</p>
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Softer? Absolutely not. Williams does have an excellent art history department, but it also has excellent math and sciences as well as excellent social sciences like economics, sociology and political science.</p>
<p>I was in your place 4 years ago and I chose Williams, a decision I am pleased with. I am an econ major and while I loved the idea of learning from Chicago’s top econ faculty, I am at Williams as I realized that I will be able to have the relationships that I am interested in with those profs only if I go to Chicago for grad school. The close relationships you have with profs at Williams and similar liberal arts colleges is a once in a lifetime opportunity, and the opportunities that accompany those relationships convinced me to attend Williams.
Williams alumni network is legendary and very well represented in finance. I am joining a bulge bracket bank once I graduate and I cannot think of a senior who was motivated and interested in finance who has not secured a job at a good bank or investment manager.
I like debating in class and engaging with professors, but that is not for everyone. For me, that is what has made Williams special. </p>
<p>Thank you very much for all your comments! Please continue commenting…it is really beneficial for me to read your comments/perspectives.</p>