I am currently deciding between Williams College in Williamstown, MA and the University of Michigan-Ann Arbor. Further, I was accepted into the U of Mich Honors Program which makes my decision even more difficult. I am going to be studying political science with a minor in either economics or applied statistics. Some things that are important to me in a college are close relationships with professors, internship opportunities, motivated students, career resources and a strong alumni network. I am also interested in studying abroad and doing research. I don’t know which one school to choose! Please help me decide. All input is appreciated!
Cost for both?
I suspect you’ve been to both? If not, it may come down to living in a vibrant cool small city and a very small two block town that is surrounded by a campus. I think only choosing between NYU and Williams could be a starker change in environments.
I had one son visit Michigan and another visit Williams. Both are impressive academically. While Williams is a if not the top NELAC, the University of Michigan is much more well known and I suspect the network is more active. Williams probably is better if you want to end up on the East Coast. Michigan, the rest of the country.
Your major somewhat implies that a Liberal Arts education might be a stronger factor. While you can get a great education in those areas at Michigan, I suspect taking advantage of all the Liberal Arts might be a stronger benefit.
Obviously there is a ton of pageantry at a Big 10 school and the athletic atmosphere will be great. Don’t underestimate the school with a Purple Cow as a mascot as they are probably the most Athletically focused DIII school that has a major academic focus.
If the outdoors are of interest, the Outdoors club at Williams is very active and the area offers some great opportunities for hiking, camping, mountain biking, and skiiing. I grew up an hour south of Ann Arbor and while Michigan has some great outdoors opportunities too, they are about 8 hours north of campus in the U.P.
For my son who was strongly considering Williams, this one statement kind of summed up why he chose UChicago instead. “Everyone is really smart here, and they know it and are pretty smug about it.” His feeling was that the students that we interacted with seemed a bit stuck-up. I’m sure there were normal acting smart people there, he just didn’t meet any.
Go for fit!
My S went to UM, D to an LAC. They both had great experiences.
S was dual degree, music and math at UM. It did not take long for him to be in small classes for his math degree, liberal arts requirements. He got to know many of his professors. I know many of my S’s and D’s friends who have gone to UM. Many of them have been able to do research, study abroad and have close relationships with some of their professors. There are great opportunities to be had at UM plus the town of AA is an awesome college town- an abundance of fun restaurants and shops to explore, amazing cultural opportunities through UM’s school of music, theater and dance as well as in the greater AA community and if you enjoy sports, UM has that big college sports culture in abundance. Though you cannot hike a mountain right out of your dorm there are opportunities for outdoor exploration available closer than Northern Michigan.
My D at her lac got to know her professors right off the bat, in her first term and had many opportunities because of this such as summer research. Many of her friends also did research with their professors and had study abroad opportunities as well. I would say the biggest difference is that she was involved in several campus wide, leadership roles that I’m not sure would have come about at a large state school. Both of my kids friends are getting good jobs out of college.
Either is a good choice, you can have a great experience at either place. I doubt you can go wrong. Being in the honors college at UM will open up even more opportunities there though I suspect being at Williams is like being in an honors college without the surrounding big school.
Look at course offerings at both schools for your intended majors and consider fit and environment. Consider how you want to spend your free time and what aligns with that at each school.
Good luck with your choice!
“Either is a good choice, you can have a great experience at either place. I doubt you can go wrong. Being in the honors college at UM will open up even more opportunities there though I suspect being at Williams is like being in an honors college without the surrounding big school.”
cellomom2. It’s not an honors college at Michigan, it’s an honors program. The honors programs gives some perks to be sure, but it’s not like the students are completely separated from other students in the vast majority of their classes…