<p>Hi. I am a international student who does not know much about all those LACs. So is there anyone who is so kind to enlighten me on this matter. what’s the difference between Williams and Amherst? If possible, tell me also what’s the difference between Swarthmore and Haverford please. Thanks a lot.</p>
<p>To tel you the truth, not much. Both are strong academic institutions in Western Massachussets with small student bodies, small classes, great faculty, and lots of athletes. The main differences between the two (as I see them)
1. Location: Amherst is in a suburban area while Williams is in a rural area. As a result, there is more going on in the immediate area around Amherst (especially because of the 5 college consortium), while Williams is more isolated (although Williamstown is beautiful).
2. Curriculum: Amherst has an open curriculum, with only one required class, while Williams has standard distribution requirements.
3. Williams sucks, while Amherst doesn't.</p>
<p>Joking aside, there is not much difference in the student body, size, or academic environment at Amherst and Williams, but there are a few differences as I mentioned above. I hope this helps.</p>
<p>You're right, Lemonjello. In fact, the same things came to mind as I was responding to the same question on the Williams forum.
But miraclezh, look closely at the course offerings as that was what influenced my decision to apply to Williams and not Amherst, plus Williams has Winter Study, a swimming requirement, and a PE requirement</p>
<p>Williams has swimming and PE requirements??? That's so funny! My impression is that Amherst offers more academic indepence and seems a bit more laid back. Am i right? I adore the concept of an "open curriculum" so that's why i'm applying to Amherst and not Williams.</p>
<p>1) P.E. requirements are a bad thing. If you need exercise so badly, don't expect other people to do it for you. You still have to exert yourself in the end anyway.</p>
<p>2) Swimming is for fish. We are humans.</p>
<p>3) Amherst is a town. Williamstown is a mountain with stuff on it.</p>
<p>hahaha TianXia! Good job breaking it down! So basically, we could say that Williams is a mountain with lazy fish on it?</p>
<p>It's worth mentioning that Amherst has a reputation for focusing a little more on academics, while Williams is supposed to focus a little more on athletics. I'm sure the difference is talked up a lot, just because they're rivals and people want black and white distinctions, but I think there's some truth to it. Though, frankly, Amherst is still shockingly invested in athletic recruitment. Just not quite as badly as Williams.</p>
<p>Given the smaller number of student at Amherst, it is probably even more heavily invested in athletic recruitment than Williams if one looks at it in proportional terms</p>
<p>Actually when I visited, everyone at Amherst was absolutely huge. I don't think of myself as a wimp by any means, but I'm talking about 6'+, heavily built hardcore athletes. Even the prefrosh and women were huge. The ONLY exception (I don't mean to offend) were the Asians. I never got to visit Williams, but from hearing these stereotypes, I've always wondered what Williams students must be like.</p>
<p>Do any one know how many mainland Chinese students or Singaporean students there are in Amherst?</p>
<p>Heh heh, now that you think about it, pretty much all the people I know do indeed fit that description.</p>
<p>As for the Chinese population, pretty much all the Chinese people I know are mainlanders. I think I met a Taiwanese person once, but I don't remember where. I was really surprised, actually. I think he was kind of offended.</p>
<p>So, how well do they do in the college? I mean all the Chinese people. I heard that if the students from a certain country do well in the college, their juniors will be advantaged. Btw, you r Chinese, TianXia?</p>
<p>Amherst is not "suburban", it's a smallish college town.</p>
<p>This past year, 40% of the students participated in intercollegiate sports, with 34% at the varsity level.</p>
<p>It's a suburban college town. Same difference.</p>
<p>Amherst is not in any way a suburb. It's a small town and is not tied to any larger community.</p>
<p>compared to Williamstown, it's metropolis. At least we have buildings</p>
<p>No, it is not a "suburban college town". Do you consider everything that falls between Williamstown and NYC to be "suburban"?</p>
<p>To me, Amherst isn't suburban, at all. It definitely had a small-but-lively-town atmosphere. Not surprising since it has 4 times the population of Williamstown, not counting UMass students.</p>
<p>Swarthmore and Haverford are linked also with Bryn Mawr College and sometimes/ not really University of Pennsylvania...i know that Haverford is very trusting, most people dont lock their dorms and the teachers give u the test with a deadline in about 2 weeks and trust that u wont cheat and u'll be responsible about it...the campus' are all really close to each other and there's plenty of trains and buses...i've never actually been on the Swarthmore campus but i used to live in that area and my high school cross country team would run on the 2.5 mile trail that goes around the Haverford campus so yes, its small but its nice and the surrounding neighborhood is wonderful and most everything is within walking distance. Philadelphia is about 20-30 min driving distance away but if u have 2 hours or so to spare, NYC, Washington D.C. and the beach is a 2.5 hour (or less) drive away. where ever u choose to go, good luck and have fun = )</p>