<p>Hi I'm from Oregon and would love to go to Williams if I get accepted (I think). I'm a typical laid back West coast kid, so one of my apprehensions about Williams, and any SLAC in the NE, is that the student body will be very intense, competitive and snobby. I'm sorry if this sounds outright but it is the stereotype here in the West. So, am I wrong? Are we westerners misinformed about NE people? I'd appreciate anyone shedding light on the student body of Williams, and even of other SLACs in the NE. </p>
<p>Don't get me wrong, I am very driven, passionate, and--for lack of a better word--intense academically, but overall I'm very chill and easy going.</p>
<p>What attracts me to Williams is the academic focus (as opposed to large, social, sports-crazed universities), the intimacy with professors, and the record of PhD production (I want to teach college history or classics). So I really hope Williams is also a place I will feel at home!</p>
<p>Also, I understand a visit would be the best way to learn this. Living in Oregon, I haven't been to Williams yet, but I plan to this year. </p>
<p>I’m a parent of a Williams freshman and went to visit a few weeks ago. My D is also driven, passionate, and intense academically. From what I can tell by talking to other parents, students, and D, the student body, in general, tends to be similar. All the students assure me that Williams is academically intense but not competitive. D is in study groups for her classes which she finds are a necessity rather than a option. D states “there are a lot of rich kids here but they don’t act it.” The student body was very polite and friendly towards even a gray-haired middle-aged woman. </p>
<p>There is a big athletic culture at Williams as there are a lot of kids involved with a sport and their teams are very successful. Those who are not on a team tend to “work-out” and I’ve never seen a campus with such a “fit” looking student body.</p>
<p>My S is fit; just genetically blessed. He is an uninterested in sports and physical fitness as someone can be, and is very happy at Williams. Has lots of friends on teams and not on teams.</p>
<p>He has played broom ball once or twice and attended several football games – usually homecoming. I guess he’s gone to a few others.</p>
<p>He has friends who are musicians, actors, writers…</p>
<p>I know that the sports culture gets a lot of ink, but his experience hasn’t been defined by it all.</p>
<p>He does go for long walks in the Hopkins Forest, but it’s hunting season now.</p>
<p>The academics are intense. My daughter has yet to have what she considers an easy class. She reports that it is never cut-throat though. The northeast can seem cold socially because there is a tendancy to leave others alone and not be in their business. It’s not like the south where people all say hello to each other. But deep friendships do end up developing nonetheless. My daughter’s group of friends are mainly from campus activities she’s been involved with and from classes. They’re all what I consider to be really nice kids. Of course like any campus there are a few d-bags and snobs but it’s certainly not the campus cultural standard.</p>
<p>To differentiate Williams from other northeastern LACs, the outdoors plays a bigger role there than at other schools. Personally I think that’s a really good thing in light of the academic stress.</p>
<p>The students we know who have gone and liked Williams (e.g. stayed and not transferred) were generally from Conservative New England and Mid-Atlantic families. As well, it’s “press” in these parts, one of the most “liberal” enclaves in the country, is one of academic excellence and intensity and one of the more Conservative/conservative schools of the NESCAC (hope I’m getting that acronym right) consortium. People, in these parts, always cite Wesleyan as Williams’ inverse, as far as political sensibility.</p>
<p>Don’t know if political sensibility is important to you, it was to my child, who did election protection and fund raises for the Innocence Project. While an academic superstar, like most of the kids at Williams, my kid wanted a liberal campus, only, something a lot of applicants don’t necessarily think about but which may factor into their happiness, at school–whether a campus might be too conservative or liberal for them. </p>
<p>One more item of note: I know of two gay students, one of whom transferred from Williams, the other one of whom graduated. Both reported that there were some provincial attitudes around being gay.</p>
<p>^^^^Not our experience at all. We’re also involved with anti-death penalty work. S is alternative. His Halloween costume last year was acoustic Bob Dylan; this year electric Bob Dylan. He has the hair to match. Very left. Very happy at Williams. He has gotten involved with rap culture at Williams. And he does not find provincial attitudes toward any social issue.</p>
<p>Over 50% of the student body receives FA. I think the days of Williams as a bastion of the buttoned down rich white establishment are gone.</p>
<p>And yes, Wes, is a wonderful school. It’s political style is certainly much more open and direct. I have nothing but positive things to say about it. My kids feel an overly PC atmosphere to be a bit naive.</p>
<p>Just a difference in style.</p>
<p>Williams is certainly not the conservative campus portrayed above.</p>
<p>We’re a socially liberal family living in the south. Williams is not as conservative as schools here such as Davidson. But, it’s not Wes either. To me, it’s not conservative, but less politically active. D was involved with quite a few social causes in HS, but not politically active. This seems the norm for the William’s student.</p>
<p>Great to hear all this. Thanks everyone, this is invaluable information. Glad to hear about the “outdoorsy-ness.” I’m very much into that. </p>
<p>Harbor fan, political sensibility is rather important to me. I consider myself socially conservative and politically libertarian. I certainly don’t want a super liberal campus but also don’t want a super conservative one. More important to me is that the students and faculty are open minded, and considerate of all views.</p>
<p>Williams sounds like a great school. I can’t wait to visit!</p>
<p>Jordansky, while I do not attend Williams (I’m an Amherst student), I am from the Pacific NW and had similar questions about Northeastern LACs as I applied to schools. It looks like you received some very great responses here, but if you want more information about NW to NE please feel free to PM me. </p>
<p>Despite what people might tell you, Amherst and Williams are incredibly similar, both academically and in terms of the student body, so if I can be of any help, let me know!</p>
<p>I go to Williams and while there is definitely not a “typical” Williams student you sound like the type of student who would fit right in. I am from the midwest (lived on the West Coast for a bit) and while yes this is New England, I have experienced minimally (if any) of the clicheed “snobbery”.
“Don’t get me wrong, I am very driven, passionate, and–for lack of a better word–intense academically, but overall I’m very chill and easy going” This description sounds so very much like myself and many of my friends here. While students (in the aggregate) work hard during the week there is also plenty of time (if you manage your time well and don’t procrastinate TOO much) to relax, hang out with friends, go to parties, go to a cappella concerts, etc. Basically, it sounds like your fears about Williams “being intense, competitive and snobby” would not be actualized if you chose to attend.
Good luck and come to Williams … it’s awesome :)</p>
<p>As a Williams alum (graduated 2009) I can tell you that Williams has a very unique student body, and I would say that although you’re always going to have a few people that are “snobby” wherever you go, that is definitely not the personality of Williams. I found that the school was full of wonderful, kind and VERY interesting students. I am from Southern California and was from a way snobbier neighborhood, and couldn’t have been happier at any other school than I was at Williams (I go back every year to visit because I miss it so much!). The driven, intelligent and talented group of students that go there are fun, conversational, often laid back, and eclectic. Everyone participates in all kinds of different activities, ranging from a cappella to orchestra to drama to sports to polar bear swims to the streaking club (always good for a laugh during finals week when they parade through the library). No, Williams students are not snobby North Easterners. It is merely a stereotype. If you get in, just know that it was the most amazing experience of my life (and my boyfriend’s too). Good luck!</p>
<p>To SWHarborfan-- just saw your post and wanted to make a note. As a former student from Williams with many, many gay friends who attended I can safely say that the overall attitude towards gays is VERY open minded and accepting. I’m sure there are a few people there who aren’t, because that’s inescapable at any school, but that is certainly NOT the majority. While they school may have an overall liberal feel, the open mindedness of student body is fairly ubiquitous, and I believe everyone is accepting of people of all political outlooks – and it leads to very interesting political discussions between those of us with opposing views!</p>
<p>The student body at Williams is special. Students are driven and genuinely want to do well, but they are also over themselves. I am actually also from the west coast and had never been out east before, and while the culture is different, I think it’s fair to say that Williams has a culture of it’s own. Living in the middle of no where (I say that in a loving way, I love it here so much. ), does bring people together, and everyone is really accepting, willing to help, and fun. Students and faculty alike are very supportive, not just in regards to your academics but your health and happiness, too which I think is great. Everyone is really outgoing in that they passionately enjoy something, whether it be music, sports, or other clubs. Most everyone gets involved in some activity outside their academics which I feel makes people well rounded and easier to get along with. the students are also really diverse, which is great, and just as friendly as they are brilliant. There isn’t too much cutthroat competition, people want to help you. I know I’m happier than I can express being here.</p>
), does bring people together, and everyone is really accepting, willing to help, and fun. Students and faculty alike are very supportive, not just in regards to your academics but your health and happiness, too which I think is great. Everyone is really outgoing in that they passionately enjoy something, whether it be music, sports, or other clubs. Most everyone gets involved in some activity outside their academics which I feel makes people well rounded and easier to get along with. the students are also really diverse, which is great, and just as friendly as they are brilliant. There isn’t too much cutthroat competition, people want to help you. I know I’m happier than I can express being here.</p>