W&L versus Amherst

[Anonymous]

DD adores the sorority culture of W&L but acknowledges that amherst is academically better. She’s interested in a career in politics or law, wants a school with good access to outdoors or hikes, big on volunteering and giving back to community, and wants to study History, English, or Econ/business.

[Anonymous]

Reviewing through English and history faculty at Amherst and W&L, surprisingly there does seem to be more opportunity and more accolades by faculty at W&L. You should also look into the Shenandoah Review and what looks like a semester in the rural hills. Id choose W&L for this student, especially if they want to work in politics.

[Anonymous]

Sounds like she was made for W&L. Hard to imagine a girl who adores sorority culture being happy at Amherst. Politics and law are a W&L strong suit. It even has a law school.

W&L was DC’s second choice but got into T20 national u ED. Such a charming place.

[Anonymous]

Seems hard to imagine a student who's attracted to the culture at W&L would be attracted to the culture at Amherst. Neither.

Amherst is significantly more selective than W&L. See where she gets in then visit.

[Anonymous]

DD is a current student at W&L. W&L checks all your daughter’s boxes. One of the largest outdoor’s clubs set in the Appalachian mountains with so many opportunities. The students are not cutthroat. Lexington is a super cute town. The weather is better than Amherst. They also have a semester in DC option and a great alumni network. They also have their own law school which is well regarded.

They have plenty of programs that give back to the community and surrounding county.

As for greek life, if your daughter is open to joining a sorority, then there is 1 for her. The only girls who are disappointed are those that are shooting for the top 2 and may not get into them. All of the sororities have very similar houses(university owned) on the same street. Even those who opt to be independent still have many friends in the sororities. It’s a lot more laid back than very greek schools in the south.

[Anonymous]

DS’s friend there says most of the guys are politically conservative. I don’t view this as a problem at all but something anyone going there should understand.

[Anonymous]

The chances of getting into Amherst are minuscule. Hence, your DD is very unlikely to have the choice to decide between the two.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seems hard to imagine a student who's attracted to the culture at W&L would be attracted to the culture at Amherst. Neither.

Amherst is significantly more selective than W&L. See where she gets in then visit.

Selectivity isn’t everything for some people. Some students actually like their colleges.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The chances of getting into Amherst are minuscule. Hence, your DD is very unlikely to have the choice to decide between the two.

They’re both very selective. Getting into both is the difficulty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DS’s friend there says most of the guys are politically conservative. I don’t view this as a problem at all but something anyone going there should understand.

So guys with a moral compass and who take personal responsibility? Sounds amazing compared to the strange toothpick shaped guys at the lacs our family has toured. Maybe my DD should apply

[Anonymous]

Seeing LAC parents fight over selectivity is hilarious. No one applies to lacs and they are hardly known
-Princeton mom, actually selective.

Btw: your kid should go to W&L. She’s gonna like it a lot more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The chances of getting into Amherst are minuscule. Hence, your DD is very unlikely to have the choice to decide between the two.

They’re both very selective. Getting into both is the difficulty.

At DD’s private school, the acceptance rate to W&L is over 50 percent. The average SAT score and GPA of the accepted candidates are below 1400 and 93, respectively. Nobody has been accepted to Amherst for years. (The stats of the accepted kids to Williams are 1500 and 97, respectively).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD adores the sorority culture of W&L but acknowledges that amherst is academically better. She’s interested in a career in politics or law, wants a school with good access to outdoors or hikes, big on volunteering and giving back to community, and wants to study History, English, or Econ/business.

Obviously 2 high-end SLACs with great academics. W&L would probably be the better fit with greek life being predominant there.

Both are in rural environments so location isn't the deciding factor.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Seeing LAC parents fight over selectivity is hilarious. No one applies to lacs and they are hardly known
-Princeton mom, actually selective.

Btw: your kid should go to W&L. She’s gonna like it a lot more.

PP again. Princeton is easier to get into than Amherst from DD’s school. Maybe the difference is that Amherst doesn’t take into account legacy status.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The chances of getting into Amherst are minuscule. Hence, your DD is very unlikely to have the choice to decide between the two.

They’re both very selective. Getting into both is the difficulty.

At DD’s private school, the acceptance rate to W&L is over 50 percent. The average SAT score and GPA of the accepted candidates are below 1400 and 93, respectively. Nobody has been accepted to Amherst for years. (The stats of the accepted kids to Williams are 1500 and 97, respectively).

Another parent making up stats. They’re both very selective schools.