Is there a huge difference in prestige between Williams and Bowdoin?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a nephew who is facing this decision. He has visited both schools and preferred the environment and students at Bowdoin College. His father and most of his friends (he attends an east coast feeder school that sends many to Ivies/top SLACs) are telling him it would be foolish to turn down Williams for Bowdoin. They are roughly the same cost. Could someone with real world experience share if there's something significant that really sets Williams College apart? Thank you.

Yet another Williams alum here (heading out soon to my 35th reunion), so I'm pretty biased. I think Williams does have a meaningful edge in prestige which comes from almost 40+ years of being ranked no. 1 by USNWR. However, I seriously doubt that's any reason to pick Williams over Bowdoin, which itself is a really, really good school with an amazing student body. As others have said, pick the one you think you would be happier at. The Williams alumni network is pretty tight, in my experience, but I would expect the Bowdoin one would be as well.

[Anonymous]

I am not sure.
Bowdoin ED acceptance rate 13.47%, overall 7.13%
Williams ED acceptance rate 26.66%, overall 7.52%
Which one is slightly more selective?

[Anonymous]

No. At this point, given that cost isn't an issue, the choice should be based upon fit.

[Anonymous]

Go with where they think they would thrive. Forget prestige, it’s not that important

[Anonymous]

Yes.

[Anonymous]

Historically Williams is a clear notch above. I really wanted to go there. Applied early - deferred, then waitlisted. Threw in a random app to Bowdoin because it was on common app and I got in. Ended up at a bigger school which worked out best for me.

I think Bowdoin has closed the gap in the last 30 years. People in their 40s and 50s still think Williams has a decent gap, so that does factor into hiring a bit, but not materially.

Long story short, the gap isn't big, so your child should go where they are happy. Congratulations on the great choices.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the pc answer here is none

however, the truth is there is a huge difference, that will follow ur kid his whole life

Williams is at least two notches above Bowdoin - and people who will be important in your kids life will know that - whether it’s hiring managers, grad school admissions, coop board approval team, blah blah - the difference is tangible and will impact his life

The real answer here is that you have no idea what you are talking about. You are blithering aimlessly. Listening to you is about as smart as letting children play with knives. You are a fool, an utter clown.

there’s actually a lot of truth in the PP - guess they didn’t teach u at Bowdoin to control ur rage?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:the pc answer here is none

however, the truth is there is a huge difference, that will follow ur kid his whole life

Williams is at least two notches above Bowdoin - and people who will be important in your kids life will know that - whether it’s hiring managers, grad school admissions, coop board approval team, blah blah - the difference is tangible and will impact his life

Sadly so true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:the pc answer here is none

however, the truth is there is a huge difference, that will follow ur kid his whole life

Williams is at least two notches above Bowdoin - and people who will be important in your kids life will know that - whether it’s hiring managers, grad school admissions, coop board approval team, blah blah - the difference is tangible and will impact his life

The co-op board? This is DCUM. No one in the DMV lives in a co-op. Except my 80-something MIL.

No one cares where you went to college.

[Anonymous]

Bowdoin has invested a lot more in its infrastructure in past 10 years. It really shines. Williams a little scruffy.

Williams takes so many athletes it’s crazy.

I think for last 50 years, Williams was clear winner. Now and going forward? Not so sure

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:the pc answer here is none

however, the truth is there is a huge difference, that will follow ur kid his whole life

Williams is at least two notches above Bowdoin - and people who will be important in your kids life will know that - whether it’s hiring managers, grad school admissions, coop board approval team, blah blah - the difference is tangible and will impact his life

The real answer here is that you have no idea what you are talking about. You are blithering aimlessly. Listening to you is about as smart as letting children play with knives. You are a fool, an utter clown.

there’s actually a lot of truth in the PP - guess they didn’t teach u at Bowdoin to control ur rage?

PP here: I went to SUNY Oswego! I make 7 figures at a FAANG. I would have killed to have access to either of these schools but I was just a rural upstate woodchuck.

The idea of you arguing that either of these schools is “above” the other is just plain stupid to us normies and pretty much any other actually thinking being.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a nephew who is facing this decision. He has visited both schools and preferred the environment and students at Bowdoin College. His father and most of his friends (he attends an east coast feeder school that sends many to Ivies/top SLACs) are telling him it would be foolish to turn down Williams for Bowdoin. They are roughly the same cost. Could someone with real world experience share if there's something significant that really sets Williams College apart? Thank you.

It would be foolish indeed. Pick Williams

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Bowdoin has invested a lot more in its infrastructure in past 10 years. It really shines. Williams a little scruffy.

Williams takes so many athletes it’s crazy.

I think for last 50 years, Williams was clear winner. Now and going forward? Not so sure

I was shocked by what bad shape Bowdoin was in when I was there last summer. Meh. Wonder what it was like before. That said, William’s has no cohesive anything about its campus. It’s like eclectic shabby chic in building selection. So many nicer schools than both.

[Anonymous]

Williams is clearly more prestigious but not enough to have to endure the miserable cold and isolation of its location if that is not your thing.

[Anonymous]

I was shocked by what bad shape Bowdoin was in when I was there last summer. Meh. Wonder what it was like before. That said, William’s has no cohesive anything about its campus. It’s like eclectic shabby chic in building selection. So many nicer schools than both.

To each his own. I liked the variety of buildings at Williams, and the different character of the various dorms and classrooms. It looks like a college that’s grown organically for 250 years.