ItsAwesomeBaby

I am a high school junior considering both Williams and Amherst. Based on their web sites, there seems hardly any difference between the two schools. Both have a flexible curriculum; both have small class sizes. Can any current Williams and Amherst students please tell me some distinct differences between Williams and Amherst?

Thanks!

'rentof2

Just because it must be said: Williams is a horrible college.

No... not really. They are two sides of a coin. You'd really have to visit to just see which one appeals the most. In any case, they are both very hard to get into, so if you apply to both, get accepted to both, then you'll have a decision to make. If you're looking for a first rate liberal arts college in New England, you should apply to both and see how the acceptances fall out.

Williams is more remote but has better on-campus food choices from all accounts. Amherst is in more of a college hub with the 5 college consortium. Some departments seem to be a bit more developed in one than the other, but it depends on your area of interest.

They have a legendary rivalry, so people can sometimes be very partisan when drawing distinctions.

atom_and_eve

Amherst and Williams are very similar in the way that all of the NESCAC schools are very similar -- they look basically the exact same on paper, but each has a very different, unique, feel to it. Williams and Amherst felt very different to me, and I personally prefer Amherst. I really would recommend visiting both.

jaykoblives

Not an Amherst student (yet), but I am a native New Englander.

I won't speak to the academic side of things, but I've been acquainted with both Williamstown and Amherst, Massachusetts. Williamstown has some beautiful scenery and I'm sure campus life has its merits, but in my opinion, it would be one boring place to live. It's a super small town in the middle of nowhere. There are some quaint restaurants and shops nearby, but I'm sure they get old real quick.

Amherst is in a rather large college town (for western Mass anyway). UMASS Amherst is right there as well as the other colleges in the Consortium. There is a lot more to do off campus, I would imagine, and a more dynamic town atmosphere.

mini

I'm a Williams grad. I'd go to Amherst. (But then, if I were female, I'd go to Smith, where the educational opportunities are greater.)

gobadgers

I agree with with most of what's been said. I would add that Amherst is much more diverse than Williams. While Williams does have minorities, they are mostly from New England or the Midwest...in essence, not bringing much to the table. But Amherst has a significant international population, making it more likely to, for instance, meet someone from Africa or Asia than someone from Kansas.

Amherst has a beautiful campus and nice scenery too.

kwu

The Oxford-style Tutorial System at Williams sounds intriguing, but I'm not sure whether a significant portion of the student actually participates in such rigorous pedagogy. I bet it would be an invaluable learning and bonding experience for all those who do, though. A unique opportunity among the elite liberal arts colleges.

Amherst, one really has to be an intellectually curious and motivated independent learner, willing to visit teachers during office hours, make meaningful contributions to the community, challenge oneself and so on.

Williams has distributional requirements, but Amherst does not (although departments have requirements, of course). The former is more isolated and scenic, while the latter is nestled in a beautiful and populous New England town and maintains close academic and social connections with four other colleges.

You should visit both, and get a feel for the vibes, you dig?

batgirl3141

Might sound crazy... In regard to academics and overall collegiate experience, what is the difference between say a larger school like BC vs a smaller 'elite' liberal arts college like Amherst? Is there a real difference in the academic experience and also the social scene. Anyone out there transfer from one to the other. If anyone has any insight advise me please. I know this is a bit off topic. Thanks.

treefarmer1

One kid just graduated Williams, the other is "there" in Paris year abroad. Both absolutely adore the school, and BTW, neither an athlete. The older did Oxford, and found it a terrific experience but be aware that getting into the Oxford program can be moderately competitive. The isolation of Williams is what makes it different from Amherst, but, paradoxically more attractive to some. Most Williams students are there because they want to get involved with the life of the college, not to get out of town, or spend their time in the library or dorm. And it does lend itself to kids who like to be outdoors and active --hiking, skiing, jogging, canoeing. It seems that everyone is passionate about Williams college life which results in a very vibrant campus--not just the competitive sports--of which the majority of students do not do, but art, drama, music, campus politics, etc. And Williams is not less diverse in any meaningful way from any other elite LAC. One school may have 3% fewer or more of browner, yellower or redder or bluer, but if you want to meet up with students unlike yourself, you can do that almost anywhere.
I bet the "quality" of instruction or student is indistinguishable between Amherst and Williams.
You really MUST do an overnight to decide.
To compare a school like Williams or Amherst to BC or a University--couldn't be more different--and lots of other threads about that.

HorseRadish

As a Williams College student, I cannot account for every school, since experience precludes me from being objective about other institutions other than my own personal experience with the process.

First, you have not been accepted to either yet, so there is no need to worry about which school to entertain. That time has yet to come.

Second, they are very competitive, from an admissions and rivalry standpoint.

Third, their academic stature is similar.

Fourth, their major differences are geography and school culture.

What makes a happy Eph is very important to understand why being a proper fit is so important and more so for Williams. Being a very rural area, and having a very competitive student body, creates challenges for each person in attendance. Those who have made a proper choice will be overwhelmed with their personal victories. Those who have chosen for merely prestige or other set of physical or personal criteria will certainly be most disappointed, unless you make good effort to pair yourself to the characteristics and qualities that most comport to your person and your needs and goals with the schools you are looking at.

The resources at Williams are short of spectacular, but it takes persons of character and inner resolve to meet the challenges that this Williams is known for.

As in any choice you make in consideration for your future residence, understand who you are and what it is that you seek. Otherwise, you may be like so many students about whom I have read, who offer refrains of disappointment throughout several academic blogging sites, on why they did not appreciate Williams or any other school for that matter, and especially when they have failed to find themselves within that glorious time.

Ipsa scientia potestas est! (go find a translation)

Besh wishes and Cheers!

ItsAwesomeBaby

To HorseRadish:

You said that I don't have to worry about deciding between Amherst and Williams yet.
But actually I do: I want to apply Early Decision to one of those schools!

mythmom

Haha 'rent of 2. Amherst is the school we love to hate!!!

They're both wonderful. We went to an info session at both schools the same day. S felt very at home at Williams, and less so at Amherst. There were no tangible reasons for this.

And you should only apply ED if you are positive that there is one school that stands head and shoulders above the others.

The Williams/Amherst rivalry (or Amherst/Williams rivalry in deference to the Amherst board) is a lot of fun for everyone.

They really are siblings.

HorseRadish

Dear Awesome:


Consider endowment considerations regarding ED applications and your position.

How do you decide?

First, I never applied to Amherst, Swarthmore, or other LAC's that did not FIT.

Second, I never applied to Harvard, Yale, Columbia, UP, etc., other than Dartmouth & Princeton.

Third, never apply to schools because of IVY.

Fourth, to the schools I did apply, I did so out of disinterest, and thus did not care as to the outcome.

Fifth, apply faithfully to only those institutions you want because they represent you.

Amherst and Williiams are not the same. Though they are appreciated equally, for me, they were as distinct and definable as parties counter to one another. I chose one over the other, rather than both, like most, hoping to find whatever worked.

Look, if you merely throw darts, then you are not party to your person. Aim High and you will Reach the Sky.

Intention and attitude over gaming and playing the field.

Cheers!

unregistered

I am an Amherst student and a few years ago, I was admitted to both schools and had to make a choice between them. I visit Williams occasionally to see a few close friends, and I can try to help you out a little bit.

I'll start with Williams, which I obviously don't know as well, so people can feel free to correct me. Williams is located in a very beautiful, quaint little village. It feels almost more like a resort than a college town. It's beautiful - I completely fell in love with it, and the campus is amazing. The facilities at Williams absolutely have Amherst beat (though I think our housing options are better). I could see myself living in Williamstown or a similar area someday, and the outdoor options are incredible there. There are a lot of museums nearby, but then again, I think the Amherst area is one of the richest cultural regions in the country, compared to its size.

Amherst is in a great college town. It is cute and lovely and has a similar charming New England vibe, but not nearly to the same extent as Williamstown. The food options for a college student are unbeatable, though - and they're amazing in nearby Northampton, too (our dining hall isn't as great as Williams' options, though, but we have a few great options for opting out). Likewise for the independent cinemas, concert venues, galleries, bars, cafes, bookshops, boutiques, farmer's markets, etc - there is an enormous amount of things to do and see in Amherst/Northampton. Everything you're likely to want is pretty close by. If you want to visit quaint New England towns, they're a 15 minute drive. Boston is a bit more accessible, and Amherst is a lot less isolated in general. UMass is in the same town but on the other side of it, and its students do not have the same sort of presence in the town center as Amherst students do. I think it's a perfect area for me, though it doesn't have all the beauty of the Berkshires. Public transportation is great.

The tutorial system is often brought up, but Amherst students also have an option of partaking in independent study courses with faculty members. Quite a few students do it, and have either one-on-one or extremely small courses very similar to the tutorial system. Both schools are phenomenal, and you probably shouldn't choose based on a particular department. I don't think either school is better academically, though Williams has particularly strong mathematics, art history, and economics. Amherst is probably best known for its English, neuroscience, and law, jurisprudence, and social thought. I know our Asian languages and civilization major is supposed to be phenomenal - actually, they all are, really. I'm sure the same goes for Williams.

I don't know what else to tell you, you really ought to go visit them.

ChandlerBing

@ unregistered: Wow, that was a really good post! Coming from a student who actually goes to Amherst, you gave an amazing description of both.
I was accepted to Williams and waitlisted at Amherst, but I preferred the former over the latter due to intangible reasons, as mythmom said. Amherst's town is gorgeous and it's truly an amazing place to live, but I wasn't overly fond of the campus itself for some reason. I found Williams to be warmer, more hospitable, and genuine than Amherst.
Both Williamstown and Amherst are teeming with culture, but I have to say, the Trader Joe's and Whole Foods in Hadley (very close to Amherst) are simply unbeatable. If you want things like that accessible, go to Amherst. If Williamstown (with its wonderful Thai restaurant and charming coffee shop) is more your cup of tea, go to Williams. It comes down to personal preference between the two, and nothing more. If you feel more comfortable at one than at the other, then that's the place for you.

I agree with unregistered, VISIT BOTH! I can't stress that enough.