<p>In comparing diversity, I look at the percent of students of color in the student body, which is how I’ve always seen it done.</p>
<p>According to the latest available CDS, about 20.7% of Midd’s class entering in 2009 were students of color (AA, Hisp., Asian, NA). These included about 3.2% AA, 9.62% Asian, 7.3% Hisp., and 0.5% NA. <a href=“http://www.middlebury.edu/media/view/262262/original/cds2009_2010.pdf[/url]”>http://www.middlebury.edu/media/view/262262/original/cds2009_2010.pdf</a></p>
<p>The same class for Williams was about 33.9% students of color: about 10.2% AA, 13.32% Asian, 10.22% Hisp., and 0.15% NA. <a href=“http://provost.williams.edu/files/2010/01/CDS2009_2010.pdf[/url]”>http://provost.williams.edu/files/2010/01/CDS2009_2010.pdf</a> </p>
<p>I don’t think the two are “statistically equivalent.” Midd’s diversity compared to some other schools (Amherst and Swarthmore) is even less favorable. Of course, Midd does have more diversity than some others.</p>
<p>Even when you throw in internationals for both, Midd’s diversity would be about 30.8% (10.1% internationals in class of 2013) compared to about 39.5% for Williams (5.65% internationals). </p>
<p>Disclosure: I have no vested interest in either Midd or Williams (though I once was accused on this board of working for Midd’s admissions office :)).</p>