@Todd87 do you have LinkedIn?
@Marcelleparcelle You asked if going to Williams will allow you to work in the USA? The answer is no. Also, staying in the US after graduation will be an ernomous challenge job-wise no matter where you go.
Williams is a great school but it is no more of a target than any peer school. Most elite schools have high representation in financial services. Vanderbilt has thousands more people working finance, consulting and entrepreneurship than Williams.
Williams is one of only a few colleges at which you would be able to obtain a certificate from HBS, should this be of interest to you: “Harvard Business School Expands Online Initiative to Liberal Arts Colleges,” WGBH.
Or the student can do the Tuck Bridge Program at Dartmouth in the summer.
OP - I’d disabuse myself of the notion that your path to a banking job lies with the parent of a rich classmate. What people on CC refer to as “target” schools are merely colleges where an alumnus comes to campus, engages in some Q&A and collects resumes before turning the whole thing over to a hiring committee. All it does is get your foot in the door; it doesn’t guarantee you will be among the finalists for the job. One word of advice: If you’re going to go around sniffing out who has money and who doesn’t, you’re better off doing that sort of thing at a big school where you’ll have a better chance of surviving social blunders.
I’ve heard this from at least one of my former students. She found the Greek-influenced social scene quite exclusionary to her and others from Asia. I know other Asian kids at Vandy who like it, though.
I know a few kids at Vanderbilt, as our high school seems to do really well with admissions at Vanderbilt, Cornell, and Harvard among highly selective colleges. Some of them are Asian, and I never heard of any problems with them fitting in.
@marcelleparcelle,I wouldn’t pay too much attention to the rankings, except that if you do choose Williams you can use USNWR to show your relatives that you’re going to the #1 LAC in America. I live in Southeast Asia (though I’m American) and believe me Williams has NO name recognition in the region. 
If you follow American politics you’ll know that H-1B visas are very controversial. The situation will either get better or a lot worse after the election in November. Basically, I don’t think that there’s a significant difference between Williams and Vanderbilt in securing employment after graduation. We know many international students (graduates of Williams included) who were sponsored by investment banks and consulting firms, so it can definitely be done, though it’s not easy.
The key, I think, is to have meaningful internships during the summer breaks to build your resume and develop industry contacts. You could do that at either school, though I believe Williams has the edge with Wall Street and the Boston firms.
All selective private schools have a representation of students from wealthy (and some fabulously wealthy) families, but at the same time they also have a large portion of students who receive financial aid and a large portion who are solidly middle class. I can’t speak for Vanderbilt, but at Williams, personal wealth or lack thereof is less apparent because there is simply less opportunity to flaunt. At Vanderbilt the pervasiveness of Greek culture (over 50% of females belong to sororites) may have bearing on the inclusiveness. The flip side – that a scion of a wealthy family could grease the wheels for you – isn’t likely to happen.
It’s unfortunate that you won’t get to visit before making a decision. The small liberal arts experience is a uniquely American phenomenon, and as @am61517 said I think you’re undervaluing the significance of getting an almost full ride to a college like Williams.
While I agree overall with @momrath’s post, I would add one caveat. The IB and Strat. Consulting communities in Hong Kong, Singapore, Sydney and Melbourne include many Americans and those educated in America who have an understanding of the US academic landscape (as do their human resources departments). Although I have been to Aukland in the last six months, I don’t know enough about financial community there to comment.
There is no question the average reasonably well educated person in SE Asia will likely only have heard of Harvard (and possibly Yale, Stanford or Berkeley) and the “Ivy League” generically.
Very few colleges outside the U.S are in tiny remote towns. It’s a rare foreigner who dreams of attending a school in a place as small and isolated as Williamstown.
I’ve spent a lot of time in Williamstown, and even if you’re into sports it can feel really small really fast.
I will take the word of those who claim Williams has a big international reputation; ironic, because it’s barely known in Massachusetts.
It s known in Wall Street, which the OP cares about. Vandy has a southern feel to it, leans right politically compared to Williams, and has a big Greek scene. My kids would have picked Williams for sure, it would not have been a close call for them.
@mooop, I don’t believe anyone has suggested Williams is well know to the layman. None of the LACs are (in the US or abroad). What was said is top LACs are know and appreciated in a small number of sophisticated business environments (in the US and abroad), with top IBs and Strategic Consulting firms being among those. A top LAC provides the best education possible and access to elite job opportunities and top graduate schools, but nowhere will it impress the man on the street.
There is no question Williamstown is small and isolated, and not for everyone.
It’s hard to describe Williams’ location to someone who isn’t familiar with the Northeastern part of the US. It is rural in that it’s surrounded by mountains, forests and a good number of cows, but it isn’t isolated or remote in the sense that Montana, Wyoming or many parts of central New Zealand or Australia would be.
New England (especially Massachusetts and Connecticut) the rural areas are never that far away from small towns and large cities. The Berkshire Mountains, where Williamstown is located is an upscale sophisticated resort area, full of ski slopes, hiking trails, summer theaters, art museums (Williams has three of world class museums on or near campus) good food and stunning scenery. It’s a place where well heeled people from New York and Boston go for long weekends and holidays.
I tend to call Williams insular rather than isolated. Students usually stay on campus over the weekends because there’s a lot to do and there’s a strong sense of community. They do, however, “escape” to New York or Boston once or twice a term, either for a class related field trip or a social event. Many study abroad junior year, or take advantage of one of the Winter Study travel trips. Summer travel can also be funded if it has an academic application.
Because my son grew up in Asia, living in America was novel for him. He spent all four years in Williamstown (including one summer and all four Winter Studies) and really enjoyed the experience.
If it were my kid, Williams without question. A top-notch LAC experience. And free? Wow. You are blessed, my friend.
The average Joe hasn’t heard of Williams, whereas they may have heard of Vandy (especially if they’re in the south and or follow SEC football). But the average Joe isn’t going to be interviewing you for your Wall Street job, so what they know or don’t know is totally irrelevant. On the other hand, your interviewer at a top firm will not only know Williams but likely to be just as impressed you went there as if you had been to an Ivy (maybe even more).
For further reference, Williams is only a little over an hour from Albany, the capital of New York State.
I am a Williams grad with a cousin who went to Vanderbilt. For me, it’s Williams hands down, but a lot of it is cultural fit. The schools have a very, VERY different feel and attract different types of students. Vanderbilt is relatively big, very Southern and very frat and sorority-oriented. I was struck when I visited there by just how many students wore (if they are male) pink or blue button-down shirts, boat shoes/sandals and khaki shorts, or sundresses if they are women … it felt a bit like a 1990s’ J-Crew ad. Williams has far more of a crunchy / outdoorsy / quirky vibe. A bit more diversity in terms of geographic origin of students, socioeconomic diversity, and just outward appearance of students. No frats or sororities, no exclusivity to social life, etc. Just a totally different type of social scene and student body. While kids are equally smart at either school, Williams I felt had a more intellectual environment with students genuinely interested in learning for learning’s sake, whereas Vanderbilt students were a bit more career-focused and also social-status focused, again, at least that is the vibe I got.
Regarding investment banking / consulting, you really can’t do better than Williams. All of the top banks and consulting firms aggressively recruit the (fairly small pool of) Williams alums, and there are MANY prominent Wall Streeters who hail from Williams, especially when you consider how small the alumni pool is … there is a reason that Williams has a 2.5 billion dollar endowment despite having no graduate programs and a small fraction of Vanderbilt’s alumni base, and it’s thanks largely to a lot of very generous and loyal alums who have been VERY successful on Wall Street or in business (Herbert Allen, Andres Halvorsen, Bob Scott, Chase Coleman, Jimmy Lee, Clarence Otis, Steve Case, Mayo Shattuck, etc. etc. etc.).
There are loads and loads of campus activities. You won’t get bored. Because the school is relatively remote, students tend to be super involved in multiple extracurriculars. There are always loads of speakers and arts and athletics events to attend, as well. Especially music events. The Berkshires are also an arts mecca and there are events to choose from throughout the year at MassMOCA, and to a lesser extent The Clark, two of the best museums in the entire U.S. which are both very close to campus. And if you enjoy outdoors activities, there is no shortage of hiking, golfing, skiing, and so forth to keep you entertained. Nashville is however an awesome city, one of my favorites in the U.S., and Williamstown obviously can’t compete as a food, music, or nightlife destination, so you have to judge how important the amenities of urban life are – but in college, I think you find yourself super busy between classes, friends and activities. And Williams remember is 3.5 hours from both New York and Boston, and five hours from Montreal, so it’s easy to get away for a weekend if you are feeling a bit claustrophic. As great as Nashville is, it doesn’t have the proximity to other major cities like Williamstown does.
Vanderbilt certainly wins in the weather department, however, hands-down. Both are beautiful campuses but I prefer Williams, owing to the bucolic mountain setting.
OK. I’ll give you my quick synopsis of each school and then provide some details to help you decide:
–> Williams offers perhaps the best undergraduate education in the United States – yes, maybe even better than Harvard, Princeton, Yale and Stanford, which are also obviously top-tier. That said, it is rural and in New England: there is not much to do outside of campus aside from outdoor sports, and the winters are cold. On the other hand, the setting is beautiful, especially in the autumn.
–> Vanderbilt is one of the best universities in the South; however, it is not generally considered to be on the same level as HYPSM, a handful of other elite universities, or Williams and a few other elite liberal arts colleges. As another poster said, Vandy is tied for 15th among national universities, while Williams is the #1 LAC. However, the city of Nashville is a pretty cool city, offering attractions like a great replica of the Parthenon; the Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium and other great music venues; world-famous Music Row; and professional hockey and football. There are a lot of fun things to do in Nashville. There are cold days in the winter, but it’s not cold all winter long.
At Williams you would enjoy smaller classes, greater access to professors, and a faculty that is nearly completely focused on the undergraduates.
At Vanderbilt you would have more majors and courses from which to choose and greater anonymity, should you choose to “take a day off”.
In sum:
Williams. IMHO
Hey everyone! after much thought, I’ve decided I’m going to commit to Williams, mainly because of graduate school/wall street placement. Hopefully Williams will give me the same opportunities and recognition as another international kid wanting to do banking at some lower tier Ivy League school. I guess its like giving up a bit of short term happiness for long term reward, and for any international students reading this thread I would say long term goals are more important esp. due to the whole visa situation. I loved Vanderbilt very much also, but Nashville isn’t the best place for industry placement. Thanks for everyone who gave their advice!! I really appreciate it.
Also, does anyone know how difficult it is to transfer to other US universities (if for some reason I really dislike Williams), as a non US citizen asking for aid? thanks!
@Marcelleparcelle, it is difficult for international transfers to get financial aid. Of course, it’s not impossible, but I wouldn’t base your decision on possibility of being able transfer with equal funding. Many schools post their aid policies on their websites, so take some time to research those you are thinking of.
I think what’s causing you anxiety is that you are trying to predict a situation, that, no matter which school you choose, you cannot predict. Williams will not guarantee a place at a Wall Street firm. Vanderbilt will not eliminate the possibility. It’s just not that black and white.
My opinion is that you will perform best at the school that fits you best. So choose the one that appeals to you the most and concentrate on the concrete steps you can take to move toward your career goals, like courses, networking and internships.
@Marcelleparcelle, Congratulations on your decision. It is natural to have some anxiety about where you will be spending the next four years, particularly when it is half way around the world.
I think you will find the access to Wall Street more equivalent to that of HYPS, Duke and Wharton, than a lower tier Ivy. But, just as for all students at the elite colleges and universities, your ability to get an analyst job in M&A or Corporate Finance at a top Wall Street firm will depend on how well prepared you are (even from the very top schools it is a challenge).
It is difficult for all transfers, not just internationals, to get the levels of financial aid available to applicants to the Freshman class. I encourage you to be fully committed to making the most of Williams with an expectation that you will be there through graduation. Once there I would be very surprised if the environment, academics and opportunities available at Williams don’t substantially exceed your expectations.