Williams College Top Questions

What is your overall opinion of this school?

Mariah

Williams' reputation for academic excellence is certainly well deserved. Classes are highly challenging in the right ways - they seek to change the way that students approach the world (often while buried under piles of homework). In addition to providing food for thought, Williams also gives students the opportunity to maintain really rewarding social lives. While people often complain about having too much work to hang out with one another, the benefit that students get from meeting and spending time with one another - when they somehow find the time to - is immense. Everyone brings a unique experience to Williams, so befriending other students can often be highly educational and engaging. While the entry system, a style of residency that groups first years together with two Junior Advisors (JAs), as well as self-selected consolidation of the campus into a few prime hang out spots, makes it easy to have a lot of friends right away, it is often difficult to find privacy. One cannot conduct affairs without anyone else on campus finding out about them, and the feeling of constantly being observed by other students can create stress and pressure at times. The school is small - only 2,000 students - so the effect that students' actions have on one another is a lot more visible, and certain social pressures can build up. Because everyone is so busy it can be difficult to spur a lot of community engagement in larger campus-wide issues, such as the way that students spend time on the weekends, and the health (both physical and mental) issues that students face during their Williams careers. While Williams' student government and groups are working hard to help solve some of the greater problems on campus - through community forums and events - some students feel that their voices aren't being heard, and that the college perpetuates a "culture of silence". Many students come away with mixed reports on their college experience, but despite their critiques, most maintain that they love Williams and wouldn't have wanted to go anywhere else. Students' connection to Williams lasts far beyond their undergraduate experience, a fact to which the highly supportive alumni network attests. Most graduates are just as friendly and willing to help out as current Williams students are, which further reinforces the positive sense of connection that many feel to one another and the school. The college has both wonderful and not so wonderful qualities, but at the end of the day, Williams is a family that most people can be proud to be part of.

Mariah

Williams' reputation for academic excellence is certainly well deserved. Classes are highly challenging in the right ways - they seek to change the way that students approach the world (often while buried under piles of homework). In addition to providing food for thought, Williams also gives students the opportunity to maintain really rewarding social lives. While people often complain about having too much work to hang out with one another, the benefit that students get from meeting and spending time with one another - when they somehow find the time to - is immense. Everyone brings a unique experience to Williams, so befriending other students can often be highly educational and engaging. While the entry system, a style of residency that groups first years together with two Junior Advisors (JAs), as well as self-selected consolidation of the campus into a few prime hang out spots, makes it easy to have a lot of friends right away, it is often difficult to find privacy. One cannot conduct affairs without anyone else on campus finding out about them, and the feeling of constantly being observed by other students can create stress and pressure at times. The school is small - only 2,000 students - so the effect that students' actions have on one another is a lot more visible, and certain social pressures can build up. Because everyone is so busy it can be difficult to spur a lot of community engagement in larger campus-wide issues, such as the way that students spend time on the weekends, and the health (both physical and mental) issues that students face during their Williams careers. While Williams' student government and groups are working hard to help solve some of the greater problems on campus - through community forums and events - some students feel that their voices aren't being heard, and that the college perpetuates a "culture of silence". Many students come away with mixed reports on their college experience, but despite their critiques, most maintain that they love Williams and wouldn't have wanted to go anywhere else. Students' connection to Williams lasts far beyond their undergraduate experience, a fact to which the highly supportive alumni network attests. Most graduates are just as friendly and willing to help out as current Williams students are, which further reinforces the positive sense of connection that many feel to one another and the school. The college has both wonderful and not so wonderful qualities, but at the end of the day, Williams is a family that most people can be proud to be part of.

Mike

I love Williams for a lot of reasons. I've found that being surrounded by so many intelligent and interesting people--although it can be stressful and a little intimidating at times--has really benefited me both intellectually and socially. Interacting with these people has definitely furthered my learning and personal growth, both inside and outside the classroom. I've also found that Williams has a strong community filled with a number of students who are heavily invested in their community and are constantly trying to improve it in whatever way they can. Student leaders take it upon themselves initiate campus-wide discussions about the way in which different areas of the community can be improved and do their best to take action. The administration grants students the independence to do so. I am very proud of this aspect of Williams. Students mostly complain about being stressed and having too much work. The workload does makes getting out of campus for the weekend (to visit a friend, go to Boston or New York City, etc.) difficult to manage at times, although people definitely do it. They also complain about the size of school, mostly because things spread around campus quickly. I haven't found this to be a huge deal; I knew what I was getting myself into when I applied to a school with just over 2,000 students. Despite being ranked by Forbes as the #1 undergraduate institution for 2 years in a row, most people from your hometown probably will not have heard of Williams. While this can be frustrating at first, it quickly becomes a joke once you get to campus; the people who matter--i.e. employers---are well aware of Williams' prestige, and Williams alums LOVE talking to Williams students. Overall, despite the fact that Williams can be a stressful environment at times, many students, including myself, absolutely love Williams, and the vast majority are at least happy to be there.

Mariah

Williams' reputation for academic excellence is certainly well deserved. Classes are highly challenging in the right ways - they seek to change the way that students approach the world (often while buried under piles of homework). In addition to providing feasts for thought, Williams also gives students the opportunity to maintain really rewarding social lives. While people often complain about having too much work to hang out with one another, the benefit that students get from meeting and spending time with one another - when they somehow find the time to - is immense. Everyone brings a unique experience to Williams, so befriending other students can often be highly educational and engaging. While the entry system, a style of residency that groups first years together with two Junior Advisors (JAs), as well as self-selected consolidation of the campus into a few prime hang out spots, makes it easy to have a lot of friends right away, it is often difficult to find privacy. One cannot conduct affairs without anyone else on campus finding out about them, and the feeling of constantly being observed by other students can create stress and pressure at times. The school is small - only 2,000 students - so the effect that students' actions have on one another is a lot more visible, and certain social pressures can build up. Because everyone is so busy it can be difficult to spur a lot of community engagement in larger campus-wide issues, such as the way that students spend time on the weekends, and the health (both physical and mental) issues that students face during their Williams careers. While Williams' student government and groups are working hard to help solve some of the greater problems on campus - through community forums and events - some students feel that their voices aren't being heard, and that the college perpetuates a "culture of silence". Many students come away with mixed reports on their college experience, but despite their critiques, most maintain that they love Williams and wouldn't have wanted to go anywhere else. Students' connection to Williams lasts far beyond their undergraduate experience, a fact to which the highly supportive alumni network attests. Most graduates are just as friendly and willing to help out as current Williams students are, which further reinforces the positive sense of connection that many feel to one another and the school. The college has both wonderful and not so wonderful qualities, but at the end of the day, Williams is a family that most people can be proud to be part of.

Kesi

Williams is located in a small, rural town in Western Massachusetts nestled in "purple mountains." The location gets a lot of bright students. The best thing about Williams its its individualized experience. The school is so small (about 2,000 students) that its hard for anyone who may be struggling to get left behind. The administration is extremely supportive and often responsive to the needs of both individuals and student groups. The negative for some students is that a small school like Williams isn't as familiar to the average American. And, of course, during the most stressful times of the year, the campus can seem too small! One can easily become ignorant to the current events in the rest of the world if he or she chooses. It's common for a student to feel a love/hate relationship with the small town, but love always comes out on top. The scenery, of course, is breathtaking during the fall and spring.

Will

The community at Williams is an incredibly diverse mix of hard-working people. There are future politicians, farmers, consultants, and entrepreneurs all sitting in the same classes learning from each other. Williams is just the right size, not too big, but not too small. You're meeting new people everyday. People are generally impressed when I mention I go to Williams. On campus, there's a ton of school pride. I will always remember my first Mountain Day, a Friday in October when the president cancels classes and everybody hikes up the highest mountain in Massachusetts to listen to acapella and drink cider.

Mike

I love Williams for a lot of reasons. I've found that being surrounded by so many intelligent and interesting people--although it can be stressful and a little intimidating at times--has really benefited me both intellectually and socially. Interacting with these people has definitely furthered my learning and personal growth, both inside and outside the classroom. I've also found that Williams has a strong community filled with a number of students who are heavily invested in their community and are constantly trying to improve it in whatever way they can. Student leaders take it upon themselves initiate campus-wide discussions about the way in which different areas of the community can be improved and do their best to take action. The administration grants students the independence to do so. I am very proud of this aspect of Williams. Students mostly complain about being stressed and having too much work. The workload does makes getting out of campus for the weekend (to visit a friend, go to Boston or New York City, etc.) difficult to manage at times, although people definitely do it. They also complain about the size of school, mostly because things spread around campus quickly. I haven't found this to be a huge deal; I knew what I was getting myself into when I applied to a school with just over 2,000 students. Despite being ranked by Forbes as the #1 undergraduate institution for 2 years in a row, most people from your hometown probably will not have heard of Williams. While this can be frustrating at first, it quickly becomes a joke once you get to campus; the people who matter--i.e. employers---are well aware of Williams' prestige, and Williams alums LOVE talking to Williams students. Overall, I would say the majority of students are happy to be at Williams, even though it can be a stressful environment at times.

John

Williams is different. Academically, we have one of the hardest curriculums in the nation. But people that matriculate here are well aware. People come here to work hard. They choose the mountains and not the busy city streets for a reason. We are a small school full of students that desire learning more than its signaling. We chose Williams, not Harvard. Most people have never heard of Williams and this is actually common discussion among our student body. We realize not a lot of people know about the school. You ask Joe Smith if he has heard of it, and he'll probably respond with a contemplative "no." We're fine with it. We don't need the public's spotlight or their recognition to be affirmed in our choice of school. We're humble, in that regard. The college is very rural - I'll be the first to admit that. If you're a city dweller or one who wants to be, Williamstown will be bleak for you. It is not a shopping mall. It's nestled comfortably in the Berkshires. People are always on campus going to each other's concerts, sporting events ... etc. Off-campus life doesn't really exist. There is a nearby town that has some necessities and a McDonalds among other shops, but most people like to stay on campus. School pride is huge, as you'd expect. If you meet a Williams alum on the street (very unlikely), the bond will be immediate. There will be an instant understanding among both parties that doesn't require words to be felt.

purp

Most students are happy to be here. People are always wearing some form of purple (even purple cow print) and or yellow. The campus and student body are both small, but this just means you can make it to most classes in about five minutes and see a few friendly faces as you run across the quad. People might not know what you're talking about when you say you go to Williams (we sometimes get mistaken for William and Mary, Hobart and Williams Smith, even a community college from time to time), but Williams grads and their families are always enthusiastic about meeting a fellow Williams student. Basically, the people in the know about Williams more than make up for the people out of the loop.

purp

Hardly anyone I talk to knows about Williams. So far, the only people who haven't asked me, "is that a community college?" or "Are you sure you don't mean William and Mary?" have been my neighbor (who grew up not too far away in Shelburne, MA) my friend's mom (who took art classes in Williamstown) and some of my grandma's friends who went to Williams. The name recognition for Williams just isn't there. However, if I tell people we're rivals with Amherst they seem to understand. I think the people who you'd want to know that you went to Williams will know about it. Williamstown is quaint at best. The town is adorable, but oh SO expensive. This is due to Williamstown's abhorrance to chain stores. We do have a Subway, but that's because the town either A) didn't know that Subway was a chain or B) because Subway was allowed in after the original building burned down. All of the other stores in town are mom and pop stores. I love mom and pop stores, but I also love not being gouged by high prices. Williamstown is a tourist attraction, but the tourists are there in the summer when many of the students are not. I just wish pricing in town was a little more equitable. Even some of the stores in North Adams suffer from price inflation. If you really want normal prices, find someone with a car. Williams College is a nice size. It's small enough where you can see your friends daily to say high, but big enough that you can fly under the radar if need be. Sometimes I wish Williams had a few more quirky people instead of cookie cutter people, but otherwise I love the students here. Everyone is always helpful and friendly.

Mackensie

One of the best things about Williams is how beautiful it is in the Berkshires, and one of the worst things is how far away it is from everything. Williams is one of those schools with a really great reputation, if you're talking to people from grad school admissions. The general population is more likely to respond "Is that a community college?" or " Oh, you mean William and Mary," so don't go here is you crave the universal recognition you get from names like Berkeley or Yale. Two thousand people means it's a small crowd, and the college town is nonexistent, so if you're hoping for a huge social scene beyond the campus, well, good luck. We have a lot of school pride, which is a necessity when you're mascot is a purple cow. One of the biggest complaints on campus is the new cluster system, which breaks the housing into 4 clusters that the students are assigned to. You can switch clusters, but we are still hoping to equalize the way the houses are divided.

Mark

The best thing about Williams is clearly the academics, which without a doubt are top-notch. Probably the worst thing about the campus is its size and location. Williams is suffocatingly small. Break up with your girlfriend? Plan on seeing her everywhere you go for the rest of your college career. Awkward experience with a Freshman year roommate you'd like to forget? Ditto. Also, the people of Williamstown are rather hell-bent on keeping out any kind of popular chain stores or restaurants. The main commercial area of campus consists of nothing but mom and pop stores that keep terrible hours, only sell organic food products, and will charge you about six times what you would pay elsewhere. If you need anything on Sunday after noon, forget about it. NOTHING is open. There's one bar in the entire town. They do not like students, even those of legal drinking age. Also, don't kid yourself, Williamstown is colder than a polar bear's testicles for 3/4 of the year. If you live anywhere south of New York City, you cannot even begin to fathom how depressing it is to walk back from the library at night, shivering despite your winter jacket, in the middle of April. When it's not snowing, it's raining. You're pretty much going to school in Seattle meets Anchorage.

Ryan

I wish we had Fraternities and more people. People have no idea where Williams is. I spend most of my time in the dorm or doing things regarding football.

Jared

Williams people are generally friendly and smart. For the most part people work very hard, enjoy what they do, and make the most out of the tremendous amount of resources offered to us. We have generally small classes with excellent professors (I've only had two or three classes I didn't like). Classes here are most certainly challenging, so come prepared if you sailed through high school. The school is only about 2000 undergrads and twenty some graduate students, but the size makes for a close knit community. Buildings on campus, including dorms, are well kept and high-tech (wireless internet everywhere, lots of AV access, etc.). The liberal arts aspect allows you a lot of free reign on what you take. I'm a science guy at heart, and the bio, chem, and physics departments here are all top notch. There is a lot of school spirit, and a lot of athletic people, but not your average "dumb jock" types. These folks are some real student-athletes. The administration is friendly and try to be receptive to students, but often get caught up in some idea they think will better the community even though most students oppose the change. Cluster housing, for example, is a completely failed system that the administration imposed on the students. Luckily in the big picture it's a minor issue because of the small size of the campus. The often talked up "entry system" and the whole Junior Advisor thing for first years is actually as great as the admissions office plays it up to be, at least in my experience. Williamstown is very small in terms of population and rather large in terms of geographical area, with lots of great hiking and nearby kayaking, canoeing, and climbing. The town and the student body don't mix too much, and most students stick to campus for social life/parties. Not really any bar scene (a few bars on Spring Street in the middle of campus, but they are tiny and don't attract huge crowds). The Clark is in walking distance, offering free access to their world-class art exhibitions for students. The college's own museum of art is free to all and generally has interesting exhibits. We're halfway between Boston and New York City, making those popular summer internship locals. The Adirondacks, White Mountains, Green Mountains, and (of course) the Berkshires are accessible for outdoor adventures during the semester. I didn't study abroad, but plenty of students do, and have a great time. The biggest recent issue on campus is dealing with subtle intolerance and racism. I suggest cruising around William Students Online and the Williams website (search "stand with us" or "williams speaks out") for more information on this form an opinion based on the reports of students who have been directly affected. The food can range from surprisingly excellent to just plain bad. 5 dining halls on campus, so it depends on which one and the day. Good restaurants around town. Overall, I love it here, and wouldn't change my choice.

Jonah

Williams is awesome. Classes are small, professors are interesting and emphatic, and courses range greatly. School spirit, especially against Amherst, is always rampant. Paresky student center is a great place to hang out and snack bar is a great place to grab something to eat anytime of day. The town of Williamstown is small but there are still a number of restaurants. Thanks to the very large endownment, Williams students are treated very well. The annual lobster harvest dinner gives credence to this.

Kristin

The school is small and the social circles are often pretty closed, so your social group is typically formed freshman year and doesn't change much. A lot of people have no idea what Williams is, but the ones who know are VERY impressed by the fact that you go to Williams. The town is an awesome small college town- Spring Street is amazing. Student complaints are typically about the heavy workload, but essentially are non-existent.

jane

The kids all like each other which makes for great class discussions, extracurriculars, and socializing. The housing situation has undergone some pretty scrappy changes but as a whole there is little room to complain. The only problem is the bodily fluids (and solids) issues and the racism issues that the school had to deal with this past year.

Joshua

The best thing about Williams is the sense of community on campus that is hard to achieve at bigger schools. Williamstown is really small, so don't expect 24 hour stores or businesses open after 6 pm. The administration at Williams is really helpful and there for you - they are flexible with their time and money. The biggest recent controversy on campus was the "Stand With Us" campaign. It involved a racial incident on campus in which a student or group of students (probably very drunk) scrawled the n word on the posters of a certain dorm building. This incident led to an angry outcry from the community and a campaign was launched to get people more aware of racial prejudices on campus. The biggest student complaint is that there is nothing to do on campus.

Ali

The best thing about Williams is that is really promotes growth because it is constantly introducing you to new ideas and new people to learn from. It has a lot of financial and other resources, so I feel so fortunate to get opportunities like travel fellowships to go learn more about myself and the world. I also love that Williams has a wonderful mixture (for me as a serious athlete) of sports, school, social and extracurricular. I've learned what it means to be well balanced by being a Williams student. I have transformed in the last 3 years and now am more sure of myself because of all I have been exposed to at my extraordinary school.

Maya

My favorite thing about Williams is housing. I love the fact that you can have a single your freshman year, even if that might change in your next year. But it helped me transition a little better to have my own space in which I could focus. If I could change some things about Williams it would be to address the great amount of racial segregation among students, to make the Williamstown community more aware of us and vice versa. Williams is just the right size for me. It's small enough that I know most of the names of my class, but big enough for people to maintain SOME level of anonyimity. When I tell people I go to Williams they either say, "Where is that?" or "Oh, that's a great school!" I spend most of my time on campus in my room and in the common room. I love having my own space and then a whole other shared space in which I can hang out with friends. Williamstown is not so much a college town as just a...town. I love Williamstown because it is quaint and has everything a college student needs: ice cream store, over-priced "grocery" store, and art gallery...that's all I need! Just kidding! Williamstown really DOES have everything you need even if the prices are way too high. I do not really have a sense of the William's administration. Some students complain about the lack of student/faculty/administration interaction, but I am constantly voting for someone to be on this committee with the dean or that committee with dining services so everyone seems pretty connected. I think that the adminstration makes good decisions and once it eliminated student loans from financial aid I began trusting the deans and the president completely. The biggest recent controversy on campus was when someone wrote "Nigger" on some Obama campaign posters in one of the freshman halls. This incident sparked a relatively big movement toward acceptance and justice called "Stand With Us" and that organization was a really wonderful effort, but I'm not sure how much it truly accomplished. Williams has school pride coming out of its rear end, but its pretty low-key throughout the year. Homecoming is our one day to brag our butts off. For the rest of the year, we are too bogged down by work to be all YAY Williams! I think Williams is unusual because it is the only school that I know of in which the entire student body appears to be so perfect and well-rounded and perky, but underneath our preppy exterior lies a funky, crazy student body! One experience I will always remember was staying up until 3 in the morning watching the movie, "Prime" with my Junior Advisor. It was on of my favorite nights at Williams because I knew that we both had a ton of work to do, but we wanted to just relax and hang out together watching this so-bad-it's-good movie.

Mirabel

I love the sense of community at Williams and the availability of professors, although I sometimes I feel that I would have more opportunities at a larger school. I think Williams tries hard to make the campus diverse, and they have definitely succeeded in that. As at any school, certain academic departments could be stronger, but overall the quality of academics is exceptional. I love living in Williamstown. It's tiny but beautiful, and feels very peaceful and safe. There's very little differentiation between the town and the campus; it all sort of flows together. We only have one street, and all of the shops are way overpriced, which is a bummer, but the college does offer a free shuttle to Walmart once a week.

Cameron

If you like a small, elite college that is obsessed with providing its students with the best possible educational experience, come to Williams. By having no graduate school, Williams students are the center of the attention. If you like nature, you are in the right place. Williams is at the base of a mountain and has truly beautiful surroundings. We have one of the best golf courses in the country and hiking is a fun activity. Winters can get tough - they are cold and long, but if you like skiing, you will enjoy it. The social scene is a little tough. Being a small school with no bars, a lot of students party on campus. This is great to get to know people, but if you are looking for streets lined with bars and clubs, Williams isn't the place for you.

Dylan

People at Williams are nice, if awkward, and (I think) fairly open. I've been abroad the past year, but at the end of my sophomore year the new Paresky Student Center opened on campus, and I think this is doing a lot to foster more community feelings on campus. Speaking of which, the facilities at Williams are amazing, and I've never found anything to complain about with the food. The dining at Paresky is, as I recall, especially good. Williams is tiny. This makes "dating" a funny experience, if you can even call it dating. As with many small institutions, people tend to confine their romantic experiences to either hook-ups or "marriages" (you know who I'm talking about). So maybe things are awkward if you have a bad breakup, but it's also nice to personally know a good percentage (or all) of the student body. The smallness is also nice during the winter (which lasts way too long), because you don't have as far to walk, and you can rush out the door five minutes before class and still be on time. Williams is hard. The college is, essentially, the town, so there's not much escape from the academic world. Students stay on campus a lot and study a lot. However, they do also have fun, and the campus events (a capella concerts and symphonic performances galore) can be really cool. There is naturally a lot of variation in the awesomeness of classroom experiences, but there are a number of extremely interesting and challenging classes, with smart and accessible teachers who are more than willing to help if you find yourself overwhelmed. Of course, perhaps you're just a super genius. There are a lot of those at Williams, too.

Britt

Williams has a gorgeous campus. Mountains, well kept historical buildings, beautiful new structures...and more mountains! Although it is remote (and kind of hard as a freshman to get off campus), most of the things you need/want you can find in Williamstown (or near by). The campus is fairly small, but you really get to know a lot people. I think the size makes everyone feel a little more connected. We have five dining halls that aren't too far from any dorm, which offers lots of variety (both of people and food). The vegan/vegetarian options are pretty good, but you can find something to eat no matter what your taste/restrictions are. As a freshman, I spent most of my time in my entry. The entry system is one of Williams's distinguishing factors. All freshman are divided into a group of about 20 and are given two Junior Advisors (JAs). JAs help arrange things for their frosh (like dinners and weekly snacks). Entries offer frosh a sort of home base, a group of people who will always be there to help you out when you're in need or hang out with you in the common room to watch crappy reality shows!

KJ

I believe the best thing about Williams is the people. I've lived in the city all my life and I don't think the small town or even the beautiful mountains would make me as happy as I am without the amazing people. It makes me glad that we live in such a small town because I get so much more time to just spend with people and get to know them that I would have spent exploring the city or traveling if my college town was larger. I think William is the perfect size because there is always someone new to meet and you see the people you know everywhere. It's the perfect mix for me. When I tell people that I go to Williams the majority think it's either William and Mary or some community college or something. BUT a smaller group (that I've come to realize is the group that matters - companies and possible employers know Williams and say things like "Wow! That's a really good school" or "Congratulations. That's really hard to get into." Overall, I love Williams because of it's Vibe ((I can't explain it but a few minutes into the tour I turned to my Aunt and we both said "I LOVE it!" The atmosphere is beautiful, peaceful, and friendly. It still freaks me out that complete strangers smile and wave and cars actually stop at cross walks), student housing (there are so many amazing, beautiful, and architecturally unique options), the JA and entry system (instead of RAs that get you in trouble JAs are your friends that you can go to if you have any type of problem and can have fun with. Entries are amazing and set a secure base for your Williams social life that you branch out from, but you always have that base of friends that live with you), wireless internet EVERYWHERE (when I leave I forget that the world isn't a giant bubble of free internet), Delicious food and lots of choices (I have never been disappointed with any of the dining halls. I am also discovering new things they have), research opportunities (since there basically aren't any grad students undergrads get all of the research opportunities that would usually go to grad students and the opportunities are AMAZING), money (Williams has - I believe - the largest endowment of any college. Billions of dollars at our disposal that the college is happy to use for whatever we need), and there's always something to do (which I found surprising, but somehow there's never a dull moment)

Rob

Williams is in many ways the ideal small liberal arts college. We're a tight-knit community (students and professors), and we're very serious about academics, but never to a point of competition. We're one of the best schools in the country, but most people have never heard of us, and we're really fine with that.

Alice

Williams is definitely a community which is why I love it. The town is small and totaly dedicated to the college. The town gives a lot to students and in return the students give a lot back to the town. There is a lot of pride in the Williams community. Students take pride in their school work, in their activities and teams, and in their community in general. People at Williams are very passionate - whether that is about community service, their classes, their favorite professors, theater, music, or sports teams.

Dan

Williams is different, much different than other schools. You don't even realize it until you start visiting friends at other schools. The administration trusts the students far more, and as a result of that trust, Williams students don't screw up much. There are very few drugs on campus and for the most part the drinking is very responsible. This makes everyone seem much more grown up and fosters a better learning environment too. People can and do get involved in whatever they want to because they're expected to. The people as a result are all well-rounded, interesting, and very talented at the things they do.

Parker

The night life at Williams is pretty poor. The administration kinda stifles it and the campus really doesnt allow for many opportunities to have big parties.

Jared

I think that there could be even greater focus on experiential education at this school. Winter Study is a lazy month where a lot of opportunities are offered for students to get outside the purple valley in which they live and where much of the time they are trapped. I think this a great time in which more students could take advantage of some of the travel programs that the college has set up, or participate in some community service project in the nearby community, One of the most pressing current issues is the lack of community on campus. From students not buying into cluster housing, to indifference and non-action after incidents of racism presented themselves on campus, to too many different groups wanting to run their own event, this campus needs to come together and unite around community issues and events. There are no school cheers and school spirit can only be dug up when someone walks on campus wearing an Amherst College shirt. Our mascot is great, but why can't we cheer and have fun going to a high achieving college.

chuck

I like the close knit community of williams. the entry system for freshmen is good, helps you make friends and gives you a place you know you can hang out. i think the school is a good size, it may be nice if the town were a little bigger. i spend a lot of time in the library, the music building, the visual art building, the gym.

Adrienne

Williams is small, but it doesn't feel suffocating at all. Its nice to walk to class and see people you can greet. People are smart and hard-working, but are not competitive or over stressed. Students are really active, whether in sports, community service, or any other activity they choose to pursue. The environment is a great place to go to school; there are always planned events and life is never too boring in this small town. My favorite part about Williams is the freshmen entry system with JAs. You really form a tight bond with some diverse people in the first year of school.

Jess

When I tell people I go to Williams, some just stare blankly back at me having no idea what I am talking about. However, there are others who tell me I am one of the luckiest young adults they know and that I have to take advantage of every opportunity that presents itself here. One of the greatest things about Williams is the tight-nit community feeling here. People rarely lave campus for the weekend because the atmosphere here is so great there really is no need to. The size is just right, not too big but not too small and it allows each student to develop personal relationships with Professors.

Leah

Williams is a "small liberal arts college in North Western Massachusetts." Can't count the number of times I've repeated that. On the East coast people know what you're talking about when you say Williams College, on the West Coast it means nothing. Williams is pretty dang small--after winter break many students appeared who had been studying abroad in the fall and it was really easy to pick out all the new people. You can't hide here. I consider Williamstown two streets big. There are people who live here who aren't associated with the college but they're spread out so it's easy to forget they're around. I don't know much about the administration here, so far Williiams feels student run to me. Often the administration will act and speak through our College Council co-presidents or allow them to instigate changes and solutions. Big issues: a racism incident in one of the dorms spurred discussion about racism and a potential social honor code--that received mixed reactions. Also, one of the dining halls has stopped providing trays in order to be more environmentally aware and to conserve--again mixed feelings, mostly I hear negative reactions to this, I think it's a great change!

Kendall

Size is just right, there is no town but for Williams, which is nice. Administration is mostly good. Lots of school pride.

Kelly

Williams is great because it has all the advantages of a small school and the exposure of a big school. It is small enough for one to feel like part of the college and get to know professors etc, yet is is also rich and provides students with as many opportunities as a big school does.

Simon

Just the right size to get real attention from the faculty without feeling shut in. Beautiful location, nice people, smart students, who could ask for more? If only more people back home had heard of us...

alexis

I delight in being surrounded by such beautiful mountains, and take great joy in watching the weather and seasons change through the Purple Valley.

David

The student-professor dynamics at Williams are wonderful. Professors are very approachable.

Hannah

Best things about williams: the people, the entry system, winter study

Miriam

The people, students and faculty, are amazing. Everyone is so friendly, outgoing, and helpful. Williams is located in Williamstown, a very small, rural town. The administration is very receptive to the student body.

Elenor

williams offers great financial aid. that was what drew me to williams

Emma

Williams is unusual in how many friendly people go here. That is partly why I came.

Jacqueline

Williamstown is the perfect college town. It's absolutely beautiful, and the community is friendly and supportive. Professors really do want to help you.

Sharon

Williams is what you make of it. Its easy to get here and be miserable because it is in the middle of nowhere and its a smaller campus that doesn't have the same kind of social life that a bigger school would. However, if you going in with an open mind you'll find that people at Williams make their own fun without clubs and bars. It may be getting drunk and going to a school-sponsored dance, but whatever.

Stephanie

Beautiful town, but very small and definitely in the middle of nowhere. The school gives us plenty of "special" traditions to bond us to the school and help us forget about the limitations of our location, though--a surprise Friday off every October (called Mountain Day), fireworks in January during "Winter Carnival," and a bizarre but lovable mascot (the purple cow). It's a small school that makes its size an absolute plus.

Sam

It is a very small school and feels very much like home. You get the chance to know a lot of people intimately and overall everyone is very friendly. Not everyone has heard of Williams which is a little annoying considering how prestigious it is but I am here for the education not the bragging rights. The social scene leaves something to be desired but I am almost too busy to be bothered by that.

Denise

The best things about Williams are its location in the beautiful Berkshires & a gorgeous campus, great classes and professors, great division III athletics, small-town community feel where you are always running into people you know. It's definitely a small, remote place but it's also not too hard to go to Boston or NYC for a weekend when you need to be back in a city for a few days. Williams students are proud of their school but the reaction from people who find out we go here varies from "wow! what a fantastic school!" to "... you mean Williams & Mary?" But, anyone who spends time here knows what an amazing place it is. There are some problems of course - complaints about the new "cluster housing" system limiting students' choices for where on campus they will live are a good example - but overall the quality of student life is great. One thing I love and will always remember about Williams is Mountain Day, when classes are cancelled one Friday in the fall so that students, faculty and staff can go out on hikes to enjoy the beautiful fall in the mountains. I can't think of anywhere else that does it, and it helps make me appreciate being in such a beautiful place.

Eric

Williamstown is not the most exciting place to go to school, but if you can appreciate the beauty of the Berkshires and like the winter, it's not so bad. Williams is an excellent school academically--first in the nation--but most people you meet haven't heard of it. Students who come here have to be prepared for challenges they probably didn't face in high school, because while it was easy to excel then, they probably won't be top of their class here. The administration vacillates between looking out for the students' needs and pursuing its own agenda. Some programs and spaces on campus are overfunded, and some woefully underfunded. People here are mostly exceedingly friendly, and the freshman entry system facilitates getting to know a lot of them right off the bat.

Christina

I have a love-hate relationship with Williams and its students. I love the location, and love my classes and professors. I do not get along with most of the students. If you don't drink to excess, you are basically shunned. Also if you don't play a sport of some kind, you are not considered worth talking to. I do neither of these things, and I do not have a social life, no matter how hard I've tried to have one in the past. The administration also doesn't provide activities and parties for non-drinkers. In fact, I don't know of any party where alcohol in abundance is not served, even to minors (although if Security sees them, they will be told to pour out their drinks....big deal).