<p>Hi!</p>
<p>So now I'm fortunate enough to have to decide between Brown and Williams. I know that these schools are extremely different, but both atmospheres appeal to me. While reiterating facts about these two schools is useful, I'd prefer a comparison about the more subjective matters like campus life, social scene, etc. Or what makes Brown/Williams the perfect school for you.</p>
<p>Any help would be great! Thanks!</p>
<p>S chose Brown over Williams. He really liked the chance to experience the mountains and the tighter sense of community. He just wasn’t inspired by Brown.</p>
<p>I am sure there are students who feel the opposite way.</p>
<p>Both schools are excellent. I think this is a case of go with your gut.</p>
<p>^If by Brown over Williams you mean Williams over Brown, then that makes sense.</p>
<p>Yeah, my bad. Made a mistake.</p>
<p>It’s basically a matter of City vs. Country and, even though Providence isn’t a huge metropolis, there’s enough incentive to check yourself in the mirror before you leave in the morning and to be aware of your surroundings at all times; you’re basically never not aware that there are people around, most of whom are total strangers. </p>
<p>If, OTOH, you’re the sort of person who occasionally likes to attend class in their p.j.s, and often can’t wait to get to a proper porcelain receptacle after a night spent binge-drinking, and basically views college as a chapter in your life to “do what you want at whatever hour you want”, the people of Providence wish you godspeed.</p>
<p>There is not a bad decision to make here, but I grew up in Rhode Island and Brown has the coolest college town ever. The east side of Providence is a lot of fun (but not city like). If you go into the city there is lots to do, but the area around Brown is a great college town. Plus you are only 30 minutes from the ocean. Of course the area around Williams is beautiful, but a lot more rural. It all depends on what you like.</p>
<p>Wow…</p>
<p>People in classes rarely wear their PJs (although we all have those days…).</p>
<p>I see new people and familiar faces everyday.</p>
<p>No one drinks on weekdays. I stress this very much: drinking is almost strictly limited to days that don’t precede a weekend or vacation day.</p>
<p>During the week, everyone is preoccupied by studies, practices, meetings, rehearsals, etc to be drinking. Everyone puts studies first.</p>
<p>Don’t speak about things that you have never experienced based purely on hearsay and reputation.</p>
<p>It’s difficult to make comparisons without knowing more about what YOU are looking for. Both are excellent choices – very different environments and somewhat different cultures. </p>
<p>My son (Williams07) liked Brown a lot, but didn’t like Providence. Williams was the perfect school for him because he really wanted to be there: loved the outdoorsy, nature-surrounded location; loved the energy and genuine-ness of the kids; loved the academic focus and close interaction with his professors; loved the balance academics/arts/athletics/social.</p>
<p>i’m biased because i went to brown, but it is a fantastic place that i can’t say enough good things about. i had a wonderful experience and credit brown with launching me on my dream career, along with giving me incredible friendships and an amazing network.</p>
<p>I have a friend at Williams and a friend at Brown. They’re having wildly different experiences, but it’s helped me figure out what kind of person is good for each school. So: </p>
<p>At Brown, it’s much easier to find your way into some fun on the weekends. There are always parties around campus, concerts nearby, and people looking for adventures. It’s easy to carve out a group of friends that you like simply because there are so many people and they are so diverse. Brown students seem to be pretty independent and outgoing, so if that isn’t you, you might run into issues. From my observations, you’re really in charge of your own life at Brown.</p>
<p>At Williams, the people are much more heterogeneous. I’m not saying this as a bad thing, but my friend did not immediately fall into a group of people just like her. You really want to make sure that you’re a “Williams person” before you decide attend. That said, I’ve heard from my friend that there are parties and events on campus. Because it’s a small school, however, there are fewer of them and you’re more likely to be noticed doing whatever you do at parties. And called out for it. (Not that that’s a bad thing. It does create a certain level of caution and inter-student respect).</p>
<p>The upshot is that Brown allows you to try lots of things and lots of people, whereas Williams presents you with a “take it or leave it” situation. If you like what Williams has to offer, however, I’d think that it would be a hugely fulfilling experience because it’s so self-contained.</p>
<p>i went to williams, my sister went to brown. i actually have tons of friends who are brown graduates - all are interesting, smart and usually creative people. the same can be said for williams students. i’d say the students are equal academically. i think there’s a larger, edgier, more metropolitan student population at brown - it’s perhaps a little more like wesleyan in this sense - whereas at williams this archetype is present but not predominant. the vibe is really different. providence is not a bad place to be, and it’s an hour from boston. at williams everything revolves around campus activities. if you’re the kind who always seems to be busy and active no matter where you are, williams rewards such personalities. you won’t be bored and you’ll make terrific friends. you really should spend a day and night at both places - they’re entirely different and your choice will be clear once you visit. also, check out the academic strengths of each in case you’re really interested in pursuing a particular area. some students at williams attribute a large part of their experience to particular professors whom they loved and I’m sure the same is true at Brown.</p>
<p>@bogface: “At Williams, the people are much more heterogeneous. I’m not saying this as a bad thing, but my friend did not immediately fall into a group of people just like her. You really want to make sure that you’re a “Williams person” before you decide attend.”</p>
<p>Could you clarify what you mean by a “Williams person”? I get the sense that you’re trying to say that it could be rough socially for someone who doesn’t fit Williams’ stereotypes, though I could be wrong. Or are you saying that the personalities at Williams are so diverse it’s hard to meet many people like you?</p>
<p>I think the poster meant homogeneous, although I don’t agree. I have repeated read that all the guys at Williams have short hair, but my S has long hair and facial hair and is definitely on the scruffy side.</p>
<p>I <em>do</em> think there are different kinds of folks at Williams. </p>
<p>OP: I think your name alone says you belong at Williams: moocow? Did that come from portrait of the artist? It would make a good nickname for Ephelia, the spotted purple cow mascot.</p>
<p>I think the point of differentiation is a function of size: small LACs do have more singular personalities than larger universities. This aspect – culture, personality, character, stereotype, whatever you want to call it – is not necessarily physical or wardrobe driven, but is related to how they view the world, their futures, and what they do in their non-academic time.</p>
<p>My descriptors for Williams students would be energetic, active, upbeat, multi-faceted, talented, bright, confident, outgoing. They tend to dress simply and although they lean liberal are not kneejerk PC. Within this personality type there is a wide range of diversity – racial, economic, religious etc.</p>