@Jh2022
No, he is not into sports at all. He reads, he games, and he likes outdoor sports like skiing and rock climbing but not team sports or spectating.
@TheGreyKing
Thanks for putting things into context.
@ivegraduatedmom
Glad to know you have nerdy kids who are into some of the same things as my son and they are thriving at Williams. Wesleyan is also on his overall list, but not for ED.
@frankie94, My son is a Williams grad. He applied ED and had a terrific 4 years. Heâd do it again in a heartbeat. Itâs hard to characterize Williams kids, as they tend to under-emote. They can be driven to achieve, but like the image of ducks gliding along, tend to paddle hard below the surface. People who know my son recognize an undeniable quirky streak, both creatively and intellectually, but he keeps it under wraps.
As Iâve grown to know his Williams classmates over the years Iâve been astounded by the depth and breadth of their interests, the keenness of their intellectual curiosity. They can talk to you about anything and everything with knowledge and enthusiasm. They are warm and kind listeners.
Williams residential Entry System was a supportive and friendly transition to college life. The friends my son made in his first weeks remained with him all four years (and beyond). Winter study and Williamsâ tutorials were also major positives, the first as an opportunity to have a little fun while learning something offbeat, the second as a opportunity to explore and articulate a narrow academic topic with lazar focus.
My son wasnât involved in team sports either, but he is outdoorsy and took full advantage of Williamsâ rural environment. Though Iâve never visited Vassar, I would think that location is one of the critical points of differentiation between the two schools. As a skier and rock climber, your son will be in his element.
If I had to choose one word to describe my son and his Williams friends I would say confident (or maybe happy). Some of them arrived at Williams as high school super stars. Some, like my son, never really hit their stride until their college years. At Williams they found what made them different (nerdy, quirky, brainy whatever you want to call it) was valued and encouraged. Ultimately, Williams profoundly accessible and nurturing faculty helped them channel that intellectual energy into graduate degrees and their eventual lifeâs work. They are still confident â and happy.
Hi. My son is strongly considering Williams for his ED school and needs to choose between it and Vassar. Can someone with knowledge of the student population of both schools let me know whether they think he has a better chance of finding âhis peopleâ at Vassar or Williams? His social skills are not great, and he desperately wants to find a friend group in collegeâhe sadly doesnât have one in his high school. He is a very cerebral kid, not interested in partying, loves math and science, is a deep thinker, and for fun enjoys playing Magic the Gathering and strategic board games and reading sci fi and fantasy books. I think most kids at school would describe him as incredibly smart but very quirky. He needs peers that are bright like him, but also kind and supportive. Also, if you can please refrain from suggesting additional schools I would appreciate itâat this stage, he has it narrowed down to Williams or Vassar for ED.
My D seems to fit the nerdy, artsy, quirky profile. She had a very rough first semester at Vassar due to some roommate issues and a loud, social dorm that wasnât a good fit for her. She decided to stick it out, change dorms, and get involved in some new activities. She has loved her classes and has found a great group of friends. If your son has trouble making friends, he will definitely have to push himself out of his comfort zone, try new things and possibly work on improving social/friendship skills. However, it does seem that there are plenty of kids he would enjoy socializing with at Vassar. Best of luck!
@elena13
Sorry to hear that your daughter didnât find her group right away. I canât remember the names of the dorms, but was she in one of the ones right on the quad, or the one that looks like it is out of Harry Potter? If my son chooses Vassar, he would not want to be in a loud dorm, but a social one would be good for him.
Frankie wrote:
CHECK OUT THESE 10 STUDENT ORGANIZATIONS AT VASSAR COLLEGE THAT YOUâLL WANT TO JOIN ASAP.
https://www.collegemagazine.com/10-student-orgs-vassar-college-artsy-image/
@Tiredmom1
Good one!! No. 7 looks perfect for OPâs son!!
Five people playing board games in The Purple Dragon (Williamstown) a little over a hour ago.
@frankie94 - She was in Lathrop but now she is one very close by. Funny you mention Harry Potter as she has made some great friends through being involved with the Quidditch team.
My son is a sophomore at Vassar - actually also in Lathrop, which to him has become a home. He is an intellectual athlete and has found Vassar to be a welcoming and comfortable place. I suspect his best friends are of the ânerdy and quirkyâ type. His opinion about his fellow students is that they donât fit into any stereotype, but are interesting, smart, and generally nice people. He likes that there are no fraternities or sororities. @momrath talked about her son and his friends as confident and happy, and that is exactly what I would say about my son at Vassar - he is happy and seems more confident each time I see him. In other words, either is a fine choice. Best of luck to your son!
And a note on loudâŠmy son seems to often call me from the comfy common room, and all I hear in the background is quiet conversation or someone noodling on the piano. I donât doubt it gets loud at times, but it usually sounds far more civilized than any dorm I ever lived in. ?
My sense is that Vassar is more artsy/socially sophisticated/progressive and Williams more intellectual, but perhaps thatâs just the kids from NYC that I know that go to these places. Vassar seems to have more of a New York City vibe to me, for whatever thatâs worth.