<p>There may be a more rigorous research setting at Duke, but you’ll get an actual research position at Williams. I know a few freshmen who will be doing impressive work in the Williams bio labs this summer, and I’m not sure stuff like that happens at Duke so easily. Science research at Williams is very student-oriented–it may not be large-scale cancer research, but the positions are rewarding, the highest of quality, very easy to get, and exactly what medical schools are looking for.</p>
<p>In terms of your question about which is generally better in sending students to med school, I think a response either way is moot. I’m pretty sure Williams is ranked higher as a med-feeder school…but I think such close rankings are meaningless relative to what you’re doing on an individual level at each school. </p>
<p>Williams is small and rural, but I have never heard of anyone being bored here. There is more than enough to do, especially because your free time is pretty limited…I don’t know what you’d be expecting to do off campus at either school. All the parties and events are right on campus. And I’m not sure what you mean by less food options…there are three full-time dining halls in addition to an incredible variety and amount of restaurants within walking distance or just a short drive. There are literally eleven great restaurants sitting in the middle of campus on Spring St…no more than a ten-minute walk from any dorm. </p>
<p>But then again, if you really want a bio major, physics major, and pre-med track, you won’t be able to take much advantage of the different humanities and social sciences…room for a few electives to fulfill divisional requirements, but that’s about it. Majoring in the non-sciences might even more common than majoring in bio among Williams pre-med students.</p>