Visit Report by chintzy (Member since March 31 2008 with 59 posts) Visit Date - June 2008
Visit to Williams College in June 2008 by chintzy (Parent of Student, HS Class of 2009)
Visit Activities:
Information Session:
Yes - Young female alumna A.O. conducted the session with help from a current student. Campus Tour:
Yes - Lovely classic New England college campus, but lots of construction. Guide was pleasant, but her speech seemed pretty canned.
Williams College Campus:
Friendliness/Courtesy of Students: 4 - Very Good -
Summertime, so we only encountered a few, but they seemed very nice.
Friendliness/Courtesy of Staff: 5 - Excellent -
Again, summer, but Admissions Office staff was very welcoming.
Appearance of Campus: 4 - Very Good -
Beautiful campus, but construction marred the view.
Building/Facilities Maintenance/Cleanliness: 5 - Excellent -
All the buildings were immaculate. Many are old, but in good shape.
Dormitories: 3 - Good -
Saw a freshman "entry way" (more below) In perfect repair, but tiny!
Security/Safety: 5 - Excellent -
Card key access on the dorm, blue security light poles, absolutely no crime. Our tour guide said she never locked her door.
Overall Campus Impression: 4 - Very Good -
It really is a pretty campus, with nice old buildings, some green space, and newer buildings that are well integrated, but construction was an issue.
Off-Campus:
Area Immediately Around Campus: 5 - Excellent -
Williams College is basically Williamstown. Spring St. has some shops and several restaurants.
City/Town/Community: 5 - Excellent -
Clark Museum, Williamstown Theater, Tanglewood, golf courses, resorts, Mt. Greylock, tons to see and do. You're definitely in the country.
Campus Visit Notes for Williams College:
Visit Description:
This was the first info session we attended where the A.O. and student guide sat down the whole time. No Power Point, no video. Felt more like a conversation, and A.O. made it a point to talk specifically about majors the students had expressed interest in. Very laid back vibe.
The entry system organized 18-20 students around one entry or door way. One double, one single and a common room for every three students. The common room was decent size, with couch and chairs, but the rooms were positively monastic! I don't know how two students would fit in the double.
Academics really stress interaction with professors. Students are encouraged to take tutorials, based on the Oxford model, where two students and one professor explore a subject for a semester.
Our tour guide told us much of the construction is just painting and maintenance that's easier to do in the summer when students aren't there. The major construction is supposed to end before school starts this fall, but then a new stadium projects begins.
Hotel/Lodging Recommendations or Comments:
We did a day trip
Dining/Restaurant Recommendations or Comments:
Good Thai food on Spring St.
Other Comments (Transportation, local attractions, parking, etc.):
Decent parking around admissions office.
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Summertime, so we only encountered a few, but they seemed very nice.
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Again, summer, but Admissions Office staff was very welcoming.
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Saw a freshman "entry way" (more below) In perfect repair, but tiny!