<p>I think it may be because last year was so diffficult for so many–baybe mroe than usual–qualified applicants, who did gain admission to Amherst, Swarthmore, etc. but were either denied or waitlisted at Williams (and of course apps were up last year presumably in part because of the #1 ranking, which had eluded Williams for several years priot to that). It may be that college counselors and students themselves who had friends who experienced that last year decided to apply elsewhere. Remember, too, that it is only very recently that the Williams accceptance rate has been lower than Amherst’s, so the relatively low increase may be a return to previous patterns. But you know, it could also be the construction, which really does keep anyplace from looking its best. And a student union is a fairly imoprtant part of the package for some kids. (I am the parent of an alum, not of a current student, so it’s hard to say for sure what specifically this year that might have turned some applicants off.)</p>