<p>I think mythmom’s generally on the mark, re: differences being mostly imperceptible. </p>
<p>That said, here’s my read on each of your questions (purely based on visiting schools and having some friends at each school):</p>
<p>1) Academically, all three schools are excellent. Amherst and Williams are perhaps regarded as being more prestigious, but really, it seems that the actual classroom experience at Wes would be just as rigorous. </p>
<p>2) The econ dept’s at all three schools are very strong. I intend to major in econ (along with something else), and I chose to apply ED. Granted, I’m more interested in the PhD route than in investment banking/consulting/etc., so ymmv.
Depending on your son’s other academic interests, though, it’s worth knowing some of the traditional strengths of each school in other departments. For instance, Williams is traditionally a bit stronger than Amherst in hard sciences and fine arts, while Amherst perhaps has an edge in humanities (particularly classics!) and social sciences. I’m not as sure about Wesleyan in that regard.</p>
<p>3) Wesleyan seems to have a strange social scene–sort of polarized. There’s a sizable cohort of classically preppy, athletic types, but also a good amount of hipsters (the hipster scene is pretty druggy).
Williams tends to be characterized as being more jocky than the two other schools, which is true to an extent, though I also know quite a lot of quirky intellectual kids who’ve really enjoyed their time there.
Amherst, of all three, struck me as having the most integrated, fluid social scene. A girl I talked to on my overnight at Amherst wasn’t thrilled about how beer-centric she’s found mainstream social life there (though I suspect the situation’s similar at most other schools), though I met some other kids who spend more time with the on-campus arts scene, going to Northampton, and such.</p>
<p>4) For me, location sealed the deal for Amherst. Williams is in a pretty place and has nice buildings, yes, but the campus seems laid out less than deliberately–there’s a small highway running straight through the campus. And Williamstown is, well, Williamstown. Amherst’s campus on the other hand, was largely planned by Frederick Law Olmsted (great landscape architect), has a real sense of cohesion and organization, and some incredibly beautiful vistas. And there’s plenty of vitality in Amherst and particularly Northampton. The Pioneer valley may not be urban, but pockets of it are certainly urbane.</p>
<p>Hope that helps. Sorry for writing so much. Perhaps you can tell I’m a 4th quarter senior…</p>