<p>They seem pretty similar to me, what are some major differences between the two?
Sell me on whichever you prefer :-)</p>
<p>My understanding is that Amherst College has very few requirements, thus permitting a great deal of freedom & flexibility in course selection. Williams College, which just lost their President to Northwestern University, is well known for sciences & an athletic student body. Williams is rural, Amherst is suburban & in close proximity to several other schools.</p>
<p>The major difference I've heard is that athletics are a big deal at Williams in comparison to Amherst (and Swarthmore).
Also, Amherst has an open curriculum (ie - no core requirements).
But, overall, yes, they're very similar :)</p>
<p>I bet sabster has never been to either college.</p>
<p>I visited both of them on the same day. Unfortunately because of scheduling conflicts, I wasn't able to have an info session or student tour at WIlliams like I did at Amherst but I actually ended up liking Williams better. </p>
<p>While I loved the town of Amherst, I got a weird vibe off of the admissions staff and the students there. The campus was beautiful but no one there was especially helpful. The info session was bland and didn't tell anything besides what could be found in a guidebook. Honestly, it was basically a list of stats like "Our median SAT score is..." I think I actually might have dozed off in the middle of it :) Amherst did mention how they are revamping their dorms and when we went inside of one of the buildings evertything was extremely nice. We didn't see an actual room though so I don't know what they're like.</p>
<p>At Williams, I did a self guided tour. At night. In the rain. Not exactly the best experience but still it was really nice. Everything was open and well-lit and there were tons of people walking around so safety definetly wasn't an issue. The admissions office was really helpful in that because we wouldn't be arriving before the office closed, they put together a folder just for me with tons of information on the programs I'm interested in. Still, I feel like I missed out a but because I didn't talk to any Williams students. A couple of the streets in Williamstown didn't show up on our GPS if that tells you anything about the location ;)</p>
<p>I ended up applying only to Williams because of my experience at Amherst and it still isn't one of my top choices but then again I am applying to 13 schools. If I had to cut down my list to only 10 schools, I'm not sure if Williams would still be on the list but that's only because I didn't get the whole experience.</p>
<p>They are very similar so it's pretty much up to your personal preference.. but I really don't think you can go wrong with either, they are both really amazing schools! :) Just to generalize from what I've read and heard, academically Amherst is slightly stronger in the humanities and social sciences, where Williams is slightly stronger in the sciences, math and music. Williams seems to have the upper hand in athletics and drinking, but Amherst is less isolated in the five-college consortium. But again, they are both amazing and IMO, you'd be just fine no matter what you decide to do and what kind of background you're from.</p>
<p>There is so much mis-information in the above posts that I don't even know where to start! First, academically, Williams and Amherst are identical. Yes, there may be nuances of difference and some specialized programs that one may excel in or be weak in. But, as a general statement, you would get an amazingly good education at either one.</p>
<p>Socially, there are more similarities than differences. Both are small schools with intelligent, high achieving, athletic, talented student bodies. Williams offers more arts related opportunities -- music, art, theater -- and is definitely not weaker in humanities. Amherst is a shade more politically active, though both tend to lean left.</p>
<p>The major difference is location and physical environment: Williamstown is an insular and isolated mountain village located among profoundly beautiful natural surroundings. Amherst is a lively small town with a large college going community. </p>
<p>We should sell you on which which we prefer? Depends entirely on which is a better fit for YOU. Visit, make your own decision.</p>
<p>D2 looked at Amherst for a bit; not Williams.</p>
<p>This is what I recall:</p>
<p>Amherst is part of a 5-college consortium with Smith, Mt Holyoke, Hampshire & U Mass.
This expands its effective course catalog massively. The trade-off ,which limits its utility to an extent, is transportation time between campuses. </p>
<p>Here are some relevant excerpts from past threads :</p>
<p>"375 students from Amherst (about 1 in 4) took a 5 college course during the 05-06 year.
40% of the class of '06 took at least one 5 college course in their time at Amherst."</p>
<p>"There are several other benefits besides cross-enrollment. Academically, there are a number of faculty with joint appointments to the 5 colleges; cooperative departments in Dance, Astronomy, and Film; interlibrary loan; and a variety of certificate programs."</p>
<p>"Socially, school-sponsored parties are generally open to students from the other 5 colleges and it is very common for students from one school to attend parties at another. "</p>
<p>"..Outside of those big school sponsored parties (which happen a couple times a semester), everybody generally stays on campus to party, with a significant number of Smith and Mount Holyoke students taking the bus over every weekend. Long story short, if you are seeking a girl, the odds are definitely tipped in your favor."</p>
<p>"For the three top LACs alone, the W:M ratio is about 6.7 to 1. "</p>
<p>I am not aware of any similar situation at Williams; I would imagine it's more of a "what you see is what you get" situation. For better or for worse, depending on how you look at it. Hopefully people with actual knowledge of Williams can correct me if I'm wrong.</p>
<p>From The Princeton Review</p>
<p>Amherst College</p>
<p>Academics
"At Amherst College, a small, elite liberal arts school in western Massachusetts, “The academic experience is well balanced, comprehensive, and tailored to the desires and needs of each individual student.” Students truly get exactly what they want because “There are no core requirements. Every person in every class . . . is enthusiastic about the subject and wants to learn.” Students love this set-up, telling us that “the open curriculum guarantees that every student in every class really wants to be there, which makes a huge difference in the liveliness of discussion.” Academics “are extremely challenging without being overly burdensome,” in part because support networks are so strong. Students “really develop personal relationships with professors, which makes classes that much more enjoyable.” Students also appreciate that they “get all the things [they] need and want (services, advice, etc.) when [they] need and want them.” As one student puts it, “Amherst College is a small family. Everyone here wants you to succeed; however, it’s up to you to reach out for that guidance. If you knock, Amherst shall respond.” Professors “all have a great sense of humor” and “are engaging and eclectic.” As one student writes, “Even in introductory courses, professors literally bounce off the walls with enthusiasm for the subject.” The results tell the story: Nearly three-quarters of all Amherst alumni proceed to postgraduate study within 5 years of graduation."</p>
<p>Student Body
"“It seems like there are many of your typical White, private school students from the New England area” at Amherst, but “Then there are [also] students from all over the United States and from other countries who are so diverse.” Most of these “typically well-rounded and motivated” undergraduates “played some sort of sport in high school, and a very large percentage play club or varsity sports at college.” These students are “witty, friendly, thoughtful, non-competitive, self-effacing, and know how to have a good time.” Nearly everyone agrees that “Amherst is amazing because of its small size. It’s a really close-knit community where everyone is extremely open-minded and considerate.” According to another student, “I love that [Amherst’s] students are politically aware and serious students but also willing to have a good time. The first thing that struck me about my school is how nice everyone is. The school has a reputation for being stuck-up, but I have not experienced that in the least</p>
<p>Campus Life
"“Life is usually busy” at Amherst, where “People are generally pretty involved.” Academics are demanding, but fortunately “Everyone is here for the same reason: to learn. We learn as much from each other as we do in the classroom because everyone is just so different and has a story to tell. I stay up till the wee hours of the morning with some of my dorm-mates sharing stories and ordering Antonio’s Pizza.” When they’re not working, students “are often playing sports” or “engaging in some other activity.” Undergrads “love the academic culture of the Five Colleges area. You can go to music performances, plays, or poetry readings any night of the week.” As one student reports, “Events are happening all the time, and there is always something going on . . . concerts, talks about Brazilian economics, West African dance shows, etc. Life here is comfortable and exciting.” A “free bus to get to other colleges and towns” makes it easy to access these events, even without a car. It’s not only about personal enrichment here, though; while students “work hard throughout the week,” they “party on Thursday and Saturday.” Why not on Friday? “Because nearly one-third of the student body [are] athletes, parties are often thrown by various teams, but open to all. As a result, Friday nights are pretty dead, since all the athletes are resting up for their games</p>
<p>Williams College</p>
<p>Academics
"Williams College is a small bastion of the liberal arts “with a fantastic academic reputation.” Administrators sometimes “ignore student consensus in their misguided efforts to improve campus life” but they are “incredibly compassionate and accessible” and red tape is virtually unheard of. Financial aid is outrageous. Absolute, “full-ride” assistance with no loans is available to any student who needs it. “Williams students tend to spend a lot of time complaining about how much work they have” but they say the academic experience is “absolutely incomparable.” Classes are “small” and “intense.” “The facilities are absolutely top notch in almost everything.” Research opportunities are plentiful. A one-month January term offers study abroad programs and a host of short pass/fail courses that are “a college student’s dream come true.” “The hard science departments are incredible.” Economics, art history, and English are equally outstanding. Despite the occasional professor “who should not even be teaching at the high school level,” the faculty at Williams is one of the best. Most professors “jump at every opportunity to help you love their subject.” “They’re here because they want to interact with undergrads.” “If you complain about a Williams education then you would complain about education anywhere,” wagers an economics major</p>
<p>Student Body
"The student population at Williams is not the most humble. They describe themselves as “interesting and beautiful” “geniuses of varying interests.” They’re “quirky, passionate, zany, and fun.” They’re “athletically awesome.” They’re “freakishly unique” and at the same time “cookie-cutter amazing.” Ethnic diversity is stellar and you’ll find all kinds of different students here including “the goth students,” “nerdier students,” “a ladle of environmentally conscious pseudo-vegetarians,” and a few “west coast hippies.” However, “a typical student looks like a rich white kid” who grew up “playing field hockey just outside Boston” and spends summers “vacationing on the Cape.” Sporty students abound. “There definitely is segregation between the artsy kids and the athlete types but there is also a significant amount of crossover.” “Williams is a place where normal social labels tend not to apply,” report a junior. “Everyone here got in for a reason. So that football player in your theater class has amazing insight on Chekhov and that outspoken environmental activist also specializes in improv comedy.”" </p>
<p>Campus Life
"Students at Williams enjoy a “stunning campus.” “The Berkshire mountains are in the background every day as you walk to class” and opportunities for outdoor activity are numerous. The location is in “the boonies,” though, and the surrounding “one-horse college town” is “quaint” at best. “There is no nearby place to buy necessities that is not ridiculously overpriced.” Student life happens almost exclusively on campus. Dorm rooms are “large” and “well above par” but the housing system is “very weird.” While some students like it, there is a general consensus that its creators “should be slapped and sent back to Amherst.” Entertainment options include “lots of” performances, plays, and lectures. Some students are “obsessed with a capella groups.” Intramurals are popular, especially broomball (“a sacred tradition involving a hockey rink, sneakers, a rubber ball, and paddles”). Intercollegiate sports are “a huge part of the social scene.” For many students, the various varsity teams “are the basic social blocks at Williams.” “Everyone for the most part gets along, but the sports teams seem to band together,“ expplains a sophomore. Booze-laden parties” “and general disorder on weekends” are common. “A lot of people spend their lives between homework and practice and then just get completely smashed on weekends.” Nothing gets out of hand, though. “We know how to unwind without being stupid,” says a sophomore."</p>
<p>I agree with Momrath. Trying to put any daylight at all between them academically is kind of silly. Just because Williams has a long list of museum curators among its alum doesn't mean Amherst has a lousy art department. Like most LACs, each has its own catalogue of quirks and beauty marks that they've tied together in a big bow. Williams students thrive on the whole ski-country, winter sports environment found in Northern New England. Amherst not so much. Amherst has taken on a more self-consciously multicultural identity lately. And, it's become less defensive over the years when people confuse it with UMass. Both LACs are national treasures even if they aren't the biggest jewels in their respective crowns.</p>
<p>I too would say there are more similarities than differences, but on differences, I'd add that while both small schools, Williams is significantly larger (2,100 undergrads) than Amherst (1,600).</p>