Williams vs. Amherst - Page 2

mythmom · 04-04-2009, 09:46 PM

I'm a mom with a bias toward Williams because my son preferred it and attends, but I'll try to be objective.

Amherst pros: Consortium (not as utilized as some advertising suggests, but still an advantage), larger town with more possibilities. Strong social sciences.

Cons: Smaller, less course offerings, only one dining hall, slightly more fragmented campus with theme housing, etc.

Williams pros: Tutorials, prettier campus (subjective, I know) spectacular mountain views, strong science, music and art programs as well as really strong math program. Entry system, wilderness orientation trip, cohesive campus.

Cons: Feeling of isolation is tiny town. (Not a problem for my S but would be for many.

momrath · 04-04-2009, 11:43 PM

What Mythmom said. . .

For my son (a Williams graduate) the consortium was a negative; he wanted the cohesive, insular campus that Williams offers and didn't like the idea of "commuting" to the other schools in the consortium.

Try to visit. The point of differentiation become more apparent when you are there. Amherst is a vibrant New England town. Williamstown is a pristine mountain village. Also, these small LACs really appreciate applicants who have visited and can articulate what attracts them to the school.

A fine point: Williams has a flexible curriculum of loose distribution requirements. Amherst has a totally open curriculum, no course requirements except as designated by your major.

Corbett · 04-05-2009, 12:42 AM

A brief look at the history of these two schools should tell you one of the most important differences.

Williams was founded in 1793 -- in what was a rather remote and mountainous corner of New England. By 1821, many in the Williams community felt that the school was too isolated to succeed. The president, along with many students and faculty, abandoned Williamstown and started a new school, which became Amherst College. Amherst was located in the valley of the Connecticut River -- which was the most populated region in western New England.

So Williams kept the people who liked being up in the mountains. Amherst got the people who preferred closer ties to civilization. That was the difference in 1821, and it's still the case today.

Ephman · 04-05-2009, 09:08 AM

First, Machiavelli, glad to see your passion for the rivalry, but while Williams ONCE dominated Amherst in sports, that is without a doubt no longer the case (Amherst has really pumped up its athletic recruiting plus hired some really stellar coaches over the past decade, at the same time that Williams has slightly deemphasized its own athletic recruiting) -- in fact, in team sports, Amherst has the slight edge overall right now, while in individual sports, Williams does, but it is very, very close in both. Indeed, most Amherst-Williams contests in most sports are very, very close. It is really hard to point to a sport where one could be said to "dominate" the other over a period of more than a few years, the was Williams used to dominate in several sports. Although from an Eph perspective dominance was fun, a truly even rivalry is in many ways even more fun.

Second, to get back to the original post, a list of things Williams offers that Amherst does not (and as you rightly point out, the differences are extremely narrow and you are better off visiting both schools for a few days and going with your gut): Winter Study (Amherst has a half-assed version, but really, it just has a big vacation in January for most students), entry / JA system, Mountain Day, tutorials, Oxford program, poly-ec major, spectacular natural offerings (skiing, world-class golf, amazing hiking, Hopkins Forest) immediately proximate to campus, a slightly larger student body (although the difference there is narrowing as Amherst adds a lot more students), two brand new student centers plus new theater complex, humanities buildings, and science center, Poly Ec major, world-class art history program and incredible local museums to match. I am sure someone on the Amherst site could provide a similar list for Amherst ...

Machiavelli12 · 04-05-2009, 03:46 PM

For my sport I could say they dominate Amherst, Track and Field. They had a meet yesterday and Williams got 2nd with 165 points and Amherst had 57. But overall, I guess its closer then in previous years.

Just looking at the history of the 2 colleges can tell you a lot about how they are different today. Corbett had a great analysis. But I suggest you try to visit both.

WilliamsProf · 04-05-2009, 07:56 PM

I can't imagine two places that are more alike than Williams and Amherst. The rivalry between the two is very much a sibling rivalry. The only way to decide which is for you is to visit -- this can't be done on the internet. You should visit both schools and see if you want to apply. Then, if you're admitted you should go to the preview weekends, where you spend the night. It looks daunting now, but 90% of students know with certainty where they want to go after their preview weekends. Good luck!

medal909 · 04-17-2009, 01:41 PM

machiavelli: You said you were on the williams track team. What kind of times did you run in high school to get on the team? I know there are no cuts but could you give me an idea of the kind of performance level it takes to be a varsity runner at williams?

Minky · 05-15-2009, 11:56 PM

Do you have any idea if Williams budgets any of its admissions "tips" for track recruits?

Machiavelli12 · 05-16-2009, 04:06 AM

I will be on the team next year, I am still a senior. Also I am a thrower not a runner so I dont really know the times, sorry. If you are a thrower please PM me and I will tell you my marks n stuff.

Machiavelli12 · 05-16-2009, 04:08 AM

I heard that there is like a really small number of tips for track. I am sure someone has the real data. They get 66 tips across like 30 sports boys/girls and football gets like a larger number and so does basketball, hockey so you can estimate from there like 2-4 just for track each year.

commserver · 05-29-2009, 12:23 PM

My daughter is going to be a member of class of 2013 at Williams. Last year during a college tour we were going to visit Williams and Amherst. Unfortunately we had a problem with the car and couldn't get to Williams. We did get to Amherst. My daughter was totally turned off by Amherst.

She applied to Williams on a lark not expecting to be accepted. She was accepted and after visiting Williams during spring break in April she was quite happy with it. She loved the classes she went to. She visited the buildings. She was very happy with Williams.

It is funny that she got accepted to a school that she wasn't really interested in . I guess that is what is called fate. She was meant to go to Williams.

I feel that Williams is the correct choice for her.

via · 07-01-2009, 06:33 PM

How are equestrian sports at Williams and Amherst. I have never riden a horse but its been my dream to. I really want to learn during college but at the same time without going broke. How are the costs for this activity at each and are they welcoming to novices?

srrinath · 07-14-2009, 11:23 PM

Several things you can think about:

- Setting (Williamstown vs. Amherst)
- Five college consortium
- Williams' tutorial program
- Williams-Oxford program
- Almost no requirements @ Amherst

They're inevitably pretty similar in that they're both elite LACs, almost all of which share your described properties of flexibility, small classes etc. If its possible, I guess the next thing to do is to visit and get a sense of feeling for each school. If it isn't possible, try to glean that sense of feeling from places like websites etc.

PKWsurf21 · 07-15-2009, 11:34 AM

I'm going to be attending Amherst college next year but the differences between Amherst and Williams aren't that numerous when comparing each to different colleges. For me, I liked Amherst's environment better and didn't even apply to Williams but in terms of academics, they are virtually the same. Williams may even have the edge because they are bigger and have more course options but not too big to start losing that individualized attention that you want from a LAC. It's a lot about preference and if you haven't already, visit each and sit in a couple of classes because well the education is the reason why you go to college. This debate can go on forever and of course there can be those people who are so close-minded they just write comments saying how one college is for idiots or how one college isn't even close to the other but the truth is that both schools are incredible and a true gift to be able to attend. So try visiting both if you can and good luck with your decision, and maybe you'll join me at Amherst college or if you choose Williams, we'll be friendly rivals in the future.

mythmom · 07-15-2009, 12:02 PM

^^^^ I think most of those comments are jokes.

The rivalry is strong, but it's a game. I think most rational Ephs know that Amherst is a wonderful school, and most rational Lord Jeffs know that Williams is a wonderful school.

The rivalry is part of the fun.

That said, PKWsurf21: You made the wrong choice. (Just kidding.)

Good luck.