Williams vs Yale-NUS Vs UCL

College Search & Selection
1

<p>So, I got into all three, but I'm having a tought time deciding.</p>

<p>Yale-NUS (Singapore) appeals to me the most, there are amazing opportunities for study abroad, travel and language learning. They have the most innovative core curriculum I have personally encountered, and they're in one of the smoothest (albeit slightly repressive) places to live in the world. I think I can afford it too, since their accomdation costs are subsidized (unlike UCL) and although the city is expensive - it's not London. Most of all, I believe in the philosophy of the school, I believe in the project. It's the sort of project I would love to take back to my home country.</p>

<p>Williams on the other hand seems like the surest thing. It seems like once I do well, I'm almost guaranteed a place at a good, or maybe even great, graduate/professional school....though I'm not sure I actually want that yet. But it definitely seems a safer bet. Further, I don't at all mind the rural environment, nor do I mind the sports atmosphere. I would actually thrive in it, but still. I prefer the new experience.</p>

<p>I didn't apply for financial aid at Williams, so I don't know if they will offer the same support for internships/study abroad as Yale - NUS. Actually, I'm pretty sure they won't, because Yale NUS has access to both Yale and NUS programs. I applied for financial aid there, so I'll be eligible for aid for those purposes.</p>

<p>UCL is probably the most reputable school of the three - but it's probably the worst educational experience and the only one where I'll end up with minor debts after graduation. I've crossed it out basically, because it seems like Williams is clearly better. But I'm willing to listen.</p>

<p>Important thing #1 - I don't intend to work in the US at all, but I would like to maximize my chances for a good US graduate school. Probably Yale, as I'm a humanities person.</p>

<p>Important thing #2 - I should try to maintain a 3.6 GPA/ Graduate summa cum laude. Of course this is important for everyone, but for me it's a bit more important. I do this and get into a good grad program and my country almost automatically pays for grad school. It seems like Williams deflates grades as much as any school out there.</p>

<p>Though, other scholarships are available, so it's not as important as #1.</p>

<p>Thanks in advance!</p>

2

<p>Williams is a great school but you need to be comfortable in the physical environment - it is remote and COLD in the winter. There is a more limited choice in terms of overall number of courses - you should browse their course offerings in your potential major to make sure it works for you. The academics are very rigorous, the kids are all smart and stimulated and it can create a very cozy and warm environment with strong bonds between students because of its isolated geography. One of the best things about Williams is their alum network which almost guarantees a job to graduates. if you don’t plan on taking advantage of this then this may be less of a fit. Sounds like the other choices are big city schools and the overall experience would be very different</p>

3

<p>@Faster321 Honestly, I will definitely be comfortable at Williams. I’m from an even more rural environment and I’m actually looking forward to the cold. The city thing, that’s just a yearning for a new experience, I have no idea how comfortable I’ll be in the city.</p>

<p>Williams sounds quite alot like my high school, where I thrived. How far does the alumni network span? I plan on working outside the US. A strong alumni network will be valuable for me though, since I have five years of national service coming they day I’m not an enrolled student. Five years is a long time in the professional world, so someonewhere to go directly will be huge.</p>

<p>Note - Yale NUS graduates are nonvoting members of Yale’s alumni association, if that makes a difference,.</p>

4

<p>Bump?</p>

5

<p>I live in Southeast Asia and my son is a graduate of Williams. (We are American expats and my son always intended to work in the U.S. so his situation isn’t quite parallel to yours.) </p>

<p>I can tell you that Williams sends a good many of its graduates to excellent graduate and professional schools, including Yale and the other Ivies. Maintaining an all-A average is daunting, but mostly A’s and some B’s is fairly achievable for diligent students. (I don’t know the actual grade points as they vary every year, but I think you need higher than 3.6 for a summa. 3.6 may be a cum. I’m not sure.)</p>

<p>Career and graduate school counseling is very strong. Your professors know you personally and are there for you – to counsel and recommend – years after graduation. At least that was my son’s experience when he applied to graduate school.</p>

<p>My son and several of his friends received work/study grants to pursue summer internships both in the U.S. and overseas.</p>

<p>Willams’ reputation with international employers is variable. You’ll find that although there are Williams grads all over the world, most people you meet won’t have heard of it. Everyone everywhere will have heard of Yale, but it’s unclear how much weight Yale-NUS will carry.</p>

<p>I’m aware of the Yale-NUS program but I don’t have a good feel for what makes it tick. It’s really too new to have an established track record in graduate school and career placement. My concern with the NUS program would be the intellectual calibre of the students. </p>

<p>I’m sure they’re all super bright and accomplished, but the academic atmosphere is very different in Asia than it is in the States. I understand that the objective of the partnership is to introduce American teaching style in Asia, but they may have an uphill battle.</p>

<p>For students who intend to live and work in Asia, NUS offers huge opportunities. There tie-ins with Yale for study abroad and internships are also appealing.</p>

<p>Singapore is an easy city to live in. A little antiseptic, but safe, clean and organized. Accessibility to travel in the rest of Asia is an enormous plus.</p>

<p>My inclination would be to go with Williams and plan to spend your summers and Junior year somewhere else.</p>