<p>what do you think about williams college? do you seriously consider it comparable to harvard/on the same level academically and in terms of reputation on the east coast?</p>
<p>It's a great school, but it can't compete with Harvard in terms of prestige. It is very strong in the humanities but isn't even remotely comparable in the sciences.</p>
<p>In terms of undergraduate excellence (I don't give a fig for prestige), it is as good as HYPS. It's very strong in the sciences, but being a LAC, it does not have the breadth of offerings that a university with a graduate school has. It also has a very different feel from Harvard, being in a rural setting and more sports-oriented than Harvard.</p>
<p>FG13 -- You're headed to Williams this fall, right? You should be getting excited about Williams! I'm not sure to whom you're addressing your question . . . . current Harvard students? Harvard parents? prospective Harvard students? Harvard alumni? I'll answer anyway. I'm the parent of a current H student (rising junior) and a rising Williams freshman. I expect that my children will be as well educated as if they had each gone to the other's school and that they will have comparable opportunities in terms of employment and graduate and professional school. I agree with what Marite wrote as well.</p>
<p>Definitely pumped at going to williams! just verifying my thoughts to see if williams is perceived by others as well to be on this same level of excellence. addressed to harvard moreso to see if they actually know williams seeing as most in my hometown have never heard of it (in the midwest!)</p>
<p>FG13, I doubt you'll find any LAC that is as well known as Harvard. Few in our hometown in the South have heard of Williams either, but those who do know it think highly of it. A number of people who had never heard of Williams before they knew my S was going there now assume it must be a great place if he's going there. I suspect that people in your hometown who think highly of you will now figure Williams is a first rate school if you're going there. You can help enhance the public's perception of your school.</p>
<p>Best of luck at Williams, it's a great school!</p>
<p>Why do you care so much about others' perceptions of your school choice?? Outside of the college confidential circuit, few people care where you go to college. Of much greater importance is your character and self-worth</p>