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<p>Absolutely not. Williams is an arts powerhouse: visual art, music, theater, dance, creative writing and art history are all widely supported – in and out of class – and well funded. Because of the strength of Williams’ math/science and social studies programs, its focus on the arts is sometimes overlooked, but in fact, it offers excellent academic and extracurricular opportunities in the arts. The trifecta of academics/sports/arts is pretty common among Williams students.</p>
<p>Specifically for film, maybe not. Although courses are offered in one department or other most every semester, it’s not a major or concentration the way it is at Wesleyan. When my son was there, Jim Shepard of the English department was the go-to person on film. Your son might write to him for guidance. </p>
<p>The number of varsity athletes at Wesleyan, Amherst and Williams is similar because they all field a similar number of men’s and women’s teams. In sheer numbers even Vassar is well represented by varsity athletes. But aside from team sports, Williams has an active, get-out-there-and-do-something ethic which extends to outdoorsy activities and personal fitness – and casual ad-hoc sports like “intramural volleyball or pick up basketball” or broom ball or sledding!</p>
<p>We’ve known many Jewish Williams students and haven’t heard complaints about the ability to observe as they’d like to.</p>
<p>I think the major point of differentiation is more general and more cultural. Although there’s a fair amount of overlap, Vassar, Wesleyan and Williams/Amherst attract a different kind of personality. Their locations and physical environments are also quite different. My opinion is that Williams offers the best combination of math and the arts, Wesleyan the best combination of math, arts and film. </p>
<p>My son liked Wesleyan a lot, but in the end chose Williams both for its commitment to visual art. art history and writing and for its rural and insular environment. It’s really all about fit and some trade-offs may be inevitable… </p>