Williams’ alumni network and placement is incredibly strong and they’re very good for math or CS so I wouldn’t worry about internship or post graduation outcomes.
CS from GT should allow you to pay back your loans relatively easily, perhaps even faster than over 10 years.
I do notice you mention your siblings and the stress on them - do you mean that if you didn’t have these loans to pay back after graduation you would give that amount to your family or something more immediate? I wouldn’t “sacrifice” for them (your future and your choices matter and will pay dividends relatively soon); on the other hand I’m not sure Williams is a sacrifice. How big of a difference, in terms of positive financial impact would taking Williams’ offer mean? Is it worth a “fit” issue (not sure there’s one, because you applied so must have liked it, but it’s very different from GTech)? Are the direct costs you have to pay, beside loans, a burden?
As mentioned upthread, would GTech with Zell Miller be a possibility if Williams didn’t work out?
Basically, both are topnotch.
They’re really different- are you excited at the thought of snow or really don’t want to experience a cold winter? Does a “whole person” experience (deliberate community with opportunities to grow in any aspect of your life) matter to you or would you rather have a more typical experience with a lot of autonomy, city exploration, and more anonymity ?
The only thing that gives me pause is your mentioning your family and the positive financial impact Williams may have for them, otherwise there’s no wrong choice, both are incredible options.
Just to clarify they take AP credit for placement only. They do not give credit.
I think the most important thing for you is the culture and location of the schools. Williams is a very small school where everything is taught by professors but is cold and rural. GT is a large urban university where there are tons of grad students and large classes. Williams placement in CS is excellent but does not have computer engineering. I know about the alumni and internship placement at Williams and they help not only with placement all four years but provide grants for participation in free and low reimbursement internships.
OP, I think you can accomplish your academic goals at either – in spite of what the major is called.
Only you and your family know what the money means. It sounds like the cheaper option would relieve your family of some pressure, both in paying for you but also potentially for your siblings. That’s a real consideration. And to not have to worry about hanging onto a scholarship is very liberating, not because you expect to struggle but because it gives you the freedom to take some risks in what you study.
I agree with the other posters that the real difference is in the environment and where you feel you will thrive. Based on my experience with LACs, I would be very surprised if Williams doesn’t proactively provide you with a lot of support and nurture, from career exploration and counseling, internships, faculty mentorship, research opportunities, etc. This can be a godsend for all students, and can really help if you are FGLI and want another circle of adult advisors in your life. It is really nice to not have to be a "student entrepreneur " to find and win resources. Williams ’ alumni network is very tight, strong, and well-placed.
At the same time, Williams overall vibe may feel more foreign to you from what you’re used to and to GT (which you know.) That can be exciting and a chance to explore/grow personally, AND it can be intimidating. You’re no doubt up to it, but it’s a consideration.
Personally, I love the LAC experience for UG education. More room to explore, and plenty of guidance and support. But it generally comes with a more bubble-like environment, and it helps to like the bubble.
Good luck to you - you’re clearly talented and hard-working, and that’ll be your ticket to success wherever you end up.
If you’re at all interested in the education you’ll receive as well as the potential money you’ll make in the industry as a result of your degreee, I’d say go with Williams. Hate to say it, but reading and writing are pretty essential skills for whatever you do (including just leading a rewarding life!), and the greater humanities focus at Williams and the close attention its faculty/student ratio makes possible will ensure you get a solid grounding in both. I know so many people who went to school to study CS, engineering, or pre-med and whose greatest regret is that they didn’t explore art, history, philosophy, etc. more in college. Williams, in addition to being cheaper, would make it a bit harder to make that mistake. Once you’re out of college you’ll likely never have such an opportunity to explore ever again.
P.S. Did a quick google search of the CDS for both Williams College & for Georgia Tech. Appears that Williams College awarded 38 degrees for CS in 2023 while Georgia Tech awarded about 908 undergraduate degrees in CS for the same year. This indicates a far greater number, depth & breadth of CS offerings at Georgia Tech and an incredible vibrant environment of CS peers (plus CS grad students) at Georgia Tech.
This does not need to be discussed at all. If you are mostly concerned with getting a job in the industry, you should choose GA Tech. Otherwise, Williams will most likely land you in a place like professional school or graduate school.
If sufficient employment data is not available, then the U.S. Department of Education does not provide earnings information for graduates of a particular major. However, this is not the case for Williams, at which computer science has been the third most popular major, and for which sufficient information is available on those who graduated with this degree.
the credit for placement would at least mean that I wouldn’t have to take math classes for example that would only go over what I already learned right?
Correct. My S24 is going to Williams. They allow placement out of calc 1 and 2 for a 3 or over in AP calc bc, 4 or 5 to place out of intro stats, have a placement test for physics but need a 5 on the AP lit class to place out of the 100 level English classes.
You have already received good advice on this thread. I agree neither school is a bad choice, but I’ll add my perspective as a technology employer.
But first: if the better financial aid at Williams without loans is financially important for your family or you’re not absolutely sure you want to do CS or work in a tech firm, then go to Williams.
At GT it appears you’ll need less than $16k in loans over 4 years. CS jobs pay well enough that that amount shouldn’t be a burden. You can also get well paying internships that may (in some cases) even eliminate the need to take a < $4,000 loan each year, or at least help you pay back sooner.
So if you’re comfortable with that and set on CS, Georgia Tech will offer the following advantages:
courses: as far as LACs go, Williams has a good CS offering, but it pales in comparison to the range and depth of courses at GT. You’ll also have the ability to take courses from the engineering and business schools, if interested.
industry connections: GT has excellent partnerships with leading technology companies, including a state of the art collaboration hub.
name recognition: Williams is not as well known in Silicon Valley (if you plan to work in that region). This might partly be due to a large number of hiring managers being foreign born and less familiar with LACs.
Appears that the main issue for OP is not between a choice of particular schools, but whether or not OP is committed to working in CS/working in a tech firm.
First - huge congratulations on getting into these two amazing places.
Second, this is a difficult one. On one hand, GTech is at the very top in regards to CS, while Williams is at the very top in regards to LACs.
My take is:
GTech:
You will be immersed in the tech world during your college years - surrounded by the people who you will work with, all who have pretty similar aims and interests, and not just that, but these students are the top people in the field.
You will be living in a very diverse and vibrant city in the SE, so you will never lack in urban type activities. The weather will be hot and humid part of the time, though.
Williams:
You will be immersed in a more generally intellectual world, with a much wider set of interests and intellectual pursuits, with every one of the students being in the top of the people in that field.
You will be living in one of the most beautiful rural areas in the USA - surrounded on all side by nature preserves and state or national forests, amazing hiking trails, and a landscape that is beautiful all year round. However, it is pretty cold there in the winter.
Which of these two appeals to you more?
Are you a “hardcore” tech person, who loves urban activities, or are you a more general intellectual type who loved hiking and other outdoor activities?
No wrong answer, and I am certain that you will have a great time, experience, and future career opportunities in either.
tbh I just like tech more cause other subjects don’t appeal as much to me maybe it could just be how they are taught in hs that makes them unappealing
I’m open to an urban environment or rural outdoorsy environment if they are an abundant activities to do. honestly I’m just tired of the boring hs routine and would like more active things to do during the day
I’m starting to understand why you are still having a difficult time deciding…
The good news, though is that, with your attitude, I think that you will be able to fully enjoy either place.
My advice at this point - toss a coin. If you are happy with the results, you have your choice. If you don’t like the result, then you know that you prefered the other, and choose that one instead.
maybe it could just be how they are taught in hs that makes them unappealing