Williams College | Student Reviews | Best College

Student Profile

Britt

Class: Freshman
Major: English
Gender: F

High School: Long Beach Wilson High School
Transfer Student: N

Big Picture

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!

Academic Life

Most classes are really specific, which usually translates to interesting. Williams has no prereqs. The only requirement is that you take 3 classes in each of the 3 divisions. So though you are made to learn a wide range of topics, you have a lot of freedom to choose which class you're in. I feel like classes make you stretch intellectually (as much as you would like them to), and the major problem with homework is not lack of understanding, but lack of time. You will learn early that, in order to write your brilliant paper on British consumerism in the 19th century, you need to block out time to revise. Time management is essential (especially during reading periods)! Make use of the libraries! Williams students are really only competitive with themselves. We strive for personal best, but hardly ever compare grades. If someone does tell you their grade, it's usually because they are honestly surprised with it (good or bad). Everyone is encouraging to one another, and study groups are very common. Williams students are eager to talk about everything from global warming, to Joyce's Ulysses, to what happened this week on Shot of Love with Tilla Tequila. The conversation is as "high" or "low" as you make it.

Student Body

I feel that, for it's size, obscurity, and cost, Williams is a pretty diverse campus. Although the campus seems to be primarily white, upper middle class kids from the North East, we have a variety of races, religions, nationalities, etc. The campus is predominately liberal, but there are also a lot of moderates. Everyone's opinion is (usually) respected and discussed in a respectful manner. The stereotypical Williams student wears jeans, a polo, flats (for girls), running shoes (for boys), and a Williams sweatshirt to class. The style of dress doesn't vary too much, but it also seems like people are comfortable wearing different styles. Everyone is pretty casual, and no one seems to care about fashion that much.