Amherst V. Williams (specific interests)

Dionysus
Tue, 27 Mar 2007 23:25:00 +0000

So far I’ve visited both schools and have come to a conclusion that I’m a better fit for Amherst. However, the field of studies that most interest me are much stronger at Williams- mathematics and economics. Even as a preliminary comparison, the difference in the size of faculty at each school in these studies is very significant, even when the discrepancy in class size is taken into consideration (I do not plan to utilize the consortium at Amherst; from what I hear it is a pain in the ass):

Economics
Amherst (10 full time)
Williams (27 full time, 4 visiting)

Mathematics
Amherst (13 full time, INCLUDING Comp sci)
Williams (14 full time, 2 part time, NOT including CS, which has 8 full time of its own… and apparently “award-winning” professors)

Now, I am aware that my interests may change over the next four years, but it is in these fields (more in math) that my strength lies as of now. Again, if I were to choose solely based on the social scene, I’d pick Amherst although not by far. If I were to make that decision, would I be giving up much?