<p>Hi! So I've seen a lot of threads that ask advice on Williams compared to, for example, Wellesley or Smith, but I want a slightly different angle. I originally had wanted to go to a women's college, being attracted to their tight "sisterhood" communities, active alum networks, and especially their reps for fostering leadership in women. While I was waitlisted at Wellesley, I was accepted to Williams. </p>
<p>I've heard that in many co-ed institutions women are less likely to participate in class discussions and hold leadership roles on campus. Has anyone seen this strongly at Williams? I like a lot of Williams' environment, but my concern is that as a woman I might be sacrificing leadership experience by not attending a women's college. </p>
<p>You certainly won’t be sacrificing leadership experience by not attending a women’s college. At Williams, female students are typically leaders in every aspect of campus life, frequently leading student organizations, campus student government, serving as half of the campus Junior Advisors, etc. – there is simply no obstacle presented by being a women at Williams. Same with classes – if you want to speak up, nothing about being a woman will hinder you from doing so. If you are disinclined to participate in class at Williams, I’m not really sure why you’d be more inclined to do so at a place like Wellesley, as both feature equally accomplished and intelligent student bodies. And honestly, whether in college or after, you are of course going to eventually be in a coed environment, and I’m not sure that sheltering oneself if you are fearful of speaking up or seizing leadership roles would necessarily be to your advantage later in life. </p>
<p>From a social standpoint, I can understand why some people might feel more comfortable in a single-sex vs. a coed environment, or vice versa, but in terms of opportunities to make your mark on campus, both in the classroom and in extracurricular arenas, at a small liberal arts school like Williams, it is incredibly easy to stand out and make yourself heard regardless of race, gender, etc. I recommend asking admissions to put you in touch with current female leaders on campus to discuss this further, as Williams is not a place where either gender dominates campus discourse or leadership positions.</p>
<p>That rationale worked 20 years ago. Now at most colleges and universities–esp in Ivy and NESCAC colleges women hold whatever positions of authority they seek and can win…Is it tougher than a women’s environment?–perhaps, but it isn’t what it was and soon enough you will be competing with men in grad or professional schools or in the job market. </p>
<p>The data on women’s colleges producing more women leaders is old and doesn’t reflect current realities. </p>
<p>The reason to go to a women’s college is because you want an all women’s environment…that that would be reason enough–and if so by all means you should attend, Wellesley is a wonderful college–but don’t give yourself the no longer credibile reason that you wish to do it because somehow it will make you a better --whatever–because that no longer holds.</p>
<p>I had a child a Barnard and a child at Williams, and I don’t completely agree with the above posters, who may I point out, are male.</p>
<p>There are many subtle ways a woman’s college supports women. For example, Williams has never had a woman president, and I have met with Adam Falk and although he certainly supports his women students, he is not a feminist.</p>
<p>The Barnard commencement speech I heard was delivered by Hillary Clinton; the Williams by Cory Booker.</p>
<p>Williams supports its woman students, but woman’s college are in the forefront for the fight for women’s education and equality.</p>
<p>I doubt very much male posters can really experience this difference or comment decisively on it.</p>
<p>Williams has not changed its campus since becoming coed, and while it’s a beautiful campus that I adore, there are things I miss there I hesitate to mention for fear of male posters calling me trivial, as Adam Falk did. As a PhD who is a college prof who travels to many campuses, that did not sit well with me.</p>
<p>On the other hand, I have been very impressed by the women I met at Williams. I have no doubt you can become a leader in any field you choose if you attend. I prefer the campus culture to Wellesley’s because I have found it to be more creative. I was just at Wellesley last week on the way to a conference sponsored by Tufts.</p>
<p>mythmom, interesting thoughts. I am unhappy to hear your report of Falk’s comment, and I’d be curious to hear what he said if you are inclined to share. I can assure you, at least, that I wouldn’t dismiss your concerns as trivial! And I wasn’t suggesting that there are no cultural differences between an all-male and all-female school. I was just addressing the two specific concerns raised by the OP: whether women are encouraged to speak out in class, and whether women have opportunities for leadership positions on campus. I think regarding those two concerns, Williams offers no obstacles whatsover. And to the extent any coed environment might offer obstacles, at some point in life, whether in college or after, those obstacles would need to be overcome.</p>
<p>You seem to be speaking about other, more cultural or atmospheric aspects of campus life, which of course would differ between Williams and, say, Wellesley. And I was not trying to suggest that those are indistinguishable or irrelevent. </p>
<p>I am also curious also what you mean when you say that Williams has not changed its campus since becoming coed … very little in my view has NOT changed since the campus has become coed … two entirely new student centers, entirely new science center, new studio art building, brand new theater, a variety of new student life buildings including a women’s center, Jewish center, Multicultural center, and of course the two new humanities buildings and forthcoming new library and central campus quad, among many other things, have all been built since the campus went coed, so your comment must be addressed to something else?</p>
<p>Ephman: I’m on my way to teach AS I LAY DYING. Not cheerful after a weed off, but a great novel. I will PM you later.</p>
<p>For the record: I love Williams. I really do. I am proud to be the mom of a Williams grad, and when I spend too much time away from W’town I make time to go back.</p>
<p>OP: you will live Williams too, I warrant. I was just saying that it’s not the same.</p>
<p>For what it’s worth, nine years ago my d. was heavily recruited by Williams. She visited three times, including two overnights, met profs, met students. Great financial aid. And I am an alum. After all of this this, she chose Smith. Better academics in the areas in which she was most interested, better advising, and then there were the atmospherics and the support for women – as women.</p>
<p>She made the right decision…for her. Others might make a different one.</p>
<p>But you don’t have that choice available to you. And Williams is hardly chopped liver. So congratulations, and get on with it!</p>
<p>(P.S. It has always struck me as rare to find current Williams female students on this site.)</p>