Bowdoin vs Williams

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Given that he liked both, I really don’t think it’s a question for Econ:Williams. Especially if his HS has a good track record (ours does not). He should check with his GC to see how he compares to previous admits.

This. My DC went to Williams from a private school with a good track record, and the counselor didn't say it explicitly but always had a good feeling that DC would get in.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A friend’s DS was at Williams 2019-23 and he said the students were very cliquish.

I think at some of these small SLACS a huge majority are on the sports teams and there can be a cliquish culture because of it.

He said there were other cliques besides athletes.

The good news, sorta, is that the kind of person who won't belong in any of the cliques (unhooked UMC suburban) is very unlikely to get into Williams in the first place.

[Anonymous]

I think the NARP/athlete divide is less pronounced at both schools than it once was. That said, if it's a real concern, you might look more at SLACs outside the NESCAC, which is the most athlete-focused collection of SLACs.

[Anonymous]

My kid liked Bowdoin but did not get in (no ED, because we had never visited in winter).

Why doesn’t your kid apply to both, and see where they get in, if they get any scholarships, and how they feel after Admitted Students Day (though know you can only ED one place).

[Anonymous]

If Williams is a feeder to Wall Street, consider the type of person who wants that career. Does your son want that pre-professional vibe or something more academic? Of course, both schools have great academics, but I’m talking about the vibe/culture.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If Williams is a feeder to Wall Street, consider the type of person who wants that career.

Someone with huge loans to pay off from attending Williams, lmao.

[Anonymous]

I dont find Williams to be very pre-pro. Not in the way Wharton or even ND are.

I can't really explain why Wall Street has latched onto it, but .. it's been that way for a very long time.

[Anonymous]

Williams is very cliquish and there is an athlete/non-athlete divide socially.

Bowdoin is less cliquish, but there are cliques based on one's athletic team.

Academically, both are strong for a liberal arts education.

If a student doesn't find his or her clique, both places can be lonely and isolated.

These are small, isolated schools. For the right person, it can be a nice experience.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Two great schools. A lot of people are likely to opine that Williams is "on another level," but that's an exaggeration. Both are great all-around schools that offer a classic, well-rounded liberal arts education and embrace the outdooriness of their locations. Both have huge endowments and extensive resources. The student bodies at both will be very similar in terms of diversity and caliber although Williams might have a small, marginal edge overall. Both have substantial portions of athletes (~30%), but I suspect the athlete divide is often overstated.

Williams is much more rural and isolated. Williamstown is tiny and surrounded by lovely hills. IMO, Williams has the more impressive campus. It probably has the stronger econ department, although most econ students at Williams will be more focused on getting high-paying jobs on Wall Street, for which Williams places as well as most Ivies. Williams also has cool opportunities like its Oxford tutorials and winter term. ED will not help the odds of admission and, in fact, it's possible that ED is actually a disadvantage at Williams. For its pedigree, Williams is odd in that it's application is so minimal--no supplemental essays, no video, no interviews, etc.

Bowdoin has a nicer, larger town in Brunswick and fairly easy access to Portland, which is a pretty cool place. The campus is quite nice and well-appointed, but it felt smaller and less grand than Williams. Bowdoin has some of the best food and nicest dorms anywhere. In terms of rigor, students work extremely hard at both schools, but Bowdoin has an enduring reputation for being a little more friendly and laidback. Bowdoin's econ department is good and students who want jobs on Wall Street can definitely get them, but Williams has a much more established pipeline. Bowdoin's AOs insist that ED doesn't provide any advantage, but I think it probably provides at least a small advantage given that Bowdoin considers demonstrated interest. Bowdoin's application is the opposite of of Williams in that it has supplemental essays, a video component, and interviews. I actually prefer this, as (a) it allows genuinely interested students to stand out and (b) shows the school's emphasis on fit.

If I were attending college, I'd probably pick Bowdoin mostly because I like it's friendly vibe, but Williams would be very tempting. But I think it's critical to visit both schools. Many students are immediately put off by their size and (more so for Williams) isolation. You might also consider checking out Middlebury, Amherst, and Wesleyan in New England and, if you're open to California, CMC and Pomona. All have strong econ departments.

Nice post, but I disagree with the two bolded portions.

[Anonymous]

Williams is very cliquish and there is an athlete/non-athlete divide socially.

Bowdoin is less cliquish, but there are cliques based on one's athletic team.

RE: Academically, both are strong for a liberal arts education.

If a student doesn't find his or her clique, both places can be lonely and isolated.

These are small, isolated schools. For the right person, it can be a nice experience.


Would anyone know if the challenges are the same as above at Vassar — since small if you dont your group it can be lonely and isolated?

[Anonymous]

Would anyone know if the challenges are the same as above at Vassar — since small if you dont your group it can be lonely and isolated?

What about Swarthmore?

[Anonymous]

I was worried about this "athlete/non" divide so often referenced about Williams before my kid went there, but it was by far her favorite school. I can say that she does not feel that divide or that the school is cliquish. Perhaps it is because she is very involved in the arts programs (which are quite robust at Williams), but she has made many friends - including athletes, who are also often involved in the arts. But if your son is having trouble deciding, I would recommend applying RD - especially to Williams, as ED will not give a boost in this case.

[Anonymous]

Of the Maine SLACs Bowdoin was my favorite but I preferred Williams. I’d also check out Pomona and Amherst. I preferred both of those schools to Bowdoin and Williams.

[Anonymous]

Niece got into Bowdoin EC. No legacy, not an athlete (college wise), was full pay, not URM.

Had a great GPA, from top school in their city, rigor, years of service/sport commitment/EC's. Just a great all around kid.

[Anonymous]

At least reputationally, Bowdoin is known to emphasize personality and fit among applicants. Bowdoin wants friendly students (google the "Bowdoin Hello") who embrace both a liberal arts education and Bowdoin's "Maineness." While I'm sure Williams wants the similar general qualities, as someone mentioned previously, its minimalist application doesn't exactly allow applicants to showcase those qualities.