<p>Mythmom:</p>
<p>Thanks for your perspective on Williams. I agree there is a lot of overlap with Carleton. Williams is a wonderful school in a beautiful region I know very well having spent quite a bit of time in the Tanglewood-MassMOCA corridor. And I certainly agree with you that “Most Ephs don’t feel isolated.” But as you know well (with another child happily studying in that “not Williamstown” place, NYC) this is the magic of self-selection.</p>
<p>I would, however, still argue as someone very familiar with most eastern LACs that Carleton is indeed a very measurably different place. Not better, but measurably different (returning to the self-selection issue). Williamstown, the Berkshires, and the Northeast in general have a flavor that would never be mistaken for heartland midwestern. While not quite Lake Wobegon, there is a humility and simplicity to this area that is defiining. Few who visit here question the area’s reputation for “Minnesota Nice.” Sophistication is certainly not the operative word. Neither necessarily good nor bad, it is certainly measurably different. </p>
<p>Hopefully, self-selection will continue to work its magic sending many happy Ephs on to Williams, Lord Jeffs to Amherst and Carls to Carleton.</p>