what's the difference between Williams and Davidson?

[Anonymous]

Davidson is Williams circa 1990’s with better weather

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is everyone talking about Williams now? It is a decent school, but people talk of it like it's Princeton or something.

Ha, my top wo choices years ago, and well before US News was ranking each #1 in their respective categories. They used to have a lot in common, before Princeton got so STEM-y.

Davidson probably still has a more regional feel, but another great school. Could definitely see people who are a bit unsettled by the current reputations of Princeton (grind & bicker clubs) and Williams (jocks headed for Wall Street) opting for Davidson as a good alternative.

Princeton is the one that got stemy?
The top majors at Williams are all stem majors. The college is known and has carved itself into a niche of mathematics and economics (mathematical, not social science). The humanities departments are running thin on majors, and Econ, math, CS, and now stats (just became an independent department) are EXPLODING. Even art history is being majored in less and fewer students are taking courses in art history.

It’s Williams that has become STEM.

Williams parent whose kid is an art history major. There are 30+ art majors (one department for studio and art history with concentrations in studio, art history, or a combination of the two). This page lists the average number of majors per year over 4 years https://communications.williams.edu/media-relations/fast-facts/
Among the most popular majors are:
Econ 112
Math 59
CS 56
Bio 56
Psych 55
Poli Sci 52
English 49
History 45
Art 36

These humanities and social sciences numbers aren't too bad given the trend at many SLACs. Among my kid's friends, there are double majors in Math & Religion; Math & Political Science; Econ & English; and Anthropology and Studio Art.

Yeesh what’s the point of a liberal arts college if the students are running towards stem.

The top LACs want to be more special than they are. Instead, their students are the same as the ivy students aspiring for IB/Consulting internships. If 112 of your students in such a small class are going into Econ, there’s a diversity issue clearly.

Have you visited Davidson during the school year while students are there? It’s completely different than the Ivy schools.

Though it’s very selective and many of the kids could have gone Ivy, the culture is quite different, which affects the overall four year experience.

Econ is a strong draw in part as a hedge or nod towards “employability”. With the economy as it is, kids/families want to have one foot firmly in something practical. If you’re not on the STEM side, econ is a good fit for that.

But many of those Econ majors at Davidson are double-majoring in something completely unrelated and “liberal artsy”. And many (most?) are not looking for IB/consulting internships.

Davidson feels way more interdisciplinary, with a wider-angle vibe than we’ve seen at the Ivys.

[Anonymous]

DS is an Econ and Poli Sci major at Davidson. Internship in consulting the summer after his freshman year and doing an internship in IB this summer before he heads to Europe for a semester abroad. The IB opportunities are certainly there if students are interested; Career Services even sponsors an IB academy to prep students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Davidson is Williams circa 1990’s with better weather

As a Williams grad and Davidson parent, this is spot on! For student experience, Davidson of 2025 is more like Williams circa 1990 than is Williams of today. And as beautiful Williams and Williamstown are, there is so much more going on around Davidson and Charlotte. Plus Davidson has a lakefront beach for student's to enjoy on those warm Carolina days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is everyone talking about Williams now? It is a decent school, but people talk of it like it's Princeton or something.

Ha, my top wo choices years ago, and well before US News was ranking each #1 in their respective categories. They used to have a lot in common, before Princeton got so STEM-y.

Davidson probably still has a more regional feel, but another great school. Could definitely see people who are a bit unsettled by the current reputations of Princeton (grind & bicker clubs) and Williams (jocks headed for Wall Street) opting for Davidson as a good alternative.

Princeton is the one that got stemy?
The top majors at Williams are all stem majors. The college is known and has carved itself into a niche of mathematics and economics (mathematical, not social science). The humanities departments are running thin on majors, and Econ, math, CS, and now stats (just became an independent department) are EXPLODING. Even art history is being majored in less and fewer students are taking courses in art history.

It’s Williams that has become STEM.

Williams parent whose kid is an art history major. There are 30+ art majors (one department for studio and art history with concentrations in studio, art history, or a combination of the two). This page lists the average number of majors per year over 4 years https://communications.williams.edu/media-relations/fast-facts/
Among the most popular majors are:
Econ 112
Math 59
CS 56
Bio 56
Psych 55
Poli Sci 52
English 49
History 45
Art 36

These humanities and social sciences numbers aren't too bad given the trend at many SLACs. Among my kid's friends, there are double majors in Math & Religion; Math & Political Science; Econ & English; and Anthropology and Studio Art.

Yeesh what’s the point of a liberal arts college if the students are running towards stem.

The top LACs want to be more special than they are. Instead, their students are the same as the ivy students aspiring for IB/Consulting internships. If 112 of your students in such a small class are going into Econ, there’s a diversity issue clearly.

Have you visited Davidson during the school year while students are there? It’s completely different than the Ivy schools.

Though it’s very selective and many of the kids could have gone Ivy, the culture is quite different, which affects the overall four year experience.

Econ is a strong draw in part as a hedge or nod towards “employability”. With the economy as it is, kids/families want to have one foot firmly in something practical. If you’re not on the STEM side, econ is a good fit for that.

But many of those Econ majors at Davidson are double-majoring in something completely unrelated and “liberal artsy”. And many (most?) are not looking for IB/consulting internships.

Davidson feels way more interdisciplinary, with a wider-angle vibe than we’ve seen at the Ivys.

And…you were immediately contradicted by the parent below you

DS is an Econ and Poli Sci major at Davidson. Internship in consulting the summer after his freshman year and doing an internship in IB this summer before he heads to Europe for a semester abroad. The IB opportunities are certainly there if students are interested; Career Services even sponsors an IB academy to prep students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Why is everyone talking about Williams now? It is a decent school, but people talk of it like it's Princeton or something.

Ha, my top wo choices years ago, and well before US News was ranking each #1 in their respective categories. They used to have a lot in common, before Princeton got so STEM-y.

Davidson probably still has a more regional feel, but another great school. Could definitely see people who are a bit unsettled by the current reputations of Princeton (grind & bicker clubs) and Williams (jocks headed for Wall Street) opting for Davidson as a good alternative.

Princeton is the one that got stemy?
The top majors at Williams are all stem majors. The college is known and has carved itself into a niche of mathematics and economics (mathematical, not social science). The humanities departments are running thin on majors, and Econ, math, CS, and now stats (just became an independent department) are EXPLODING. Even art history is being majored in less and fewer students are taking courses in art history.

It’s Williams that has become STEM.

Williams parent whose kid is an art history major. There are 30+ art majors (one department for studio and art history with concentrations in studio, art history, or a combination of the two). This page lists the average number of majors per year over 4 years https://communications.williams.edu/media-relations/fast-facts/
Among the most popular majors are:
Econ 112
Math 59
CS 56
Bio 56
Psych 55
Poli Sci 52
English 49
History 45
Art 36

These humanities and social sciences numbers aren't too bad given the trend at many SLACs. Among my kid's friends, there are double majors in Math & Religion; Math & Political Science; Econ & English; and Anthropology and Studio Art.

Yeesh what’s the point of a liberal arts college if the students are running towards stem.

The top LACs want to be more special than they are. Instead, their students are the same as the ivy students aspiring for IB/Consulting internships. If 112 of your students in such a small class are going into Econ, there’s a diversity issue clearly.

Have you visited Davidson during the school year while students are there? It’s completely different than the Ivy schools.

Though it’s very selective and many of the kids could have gone Ivy, the culture is quite different, which affects the overall four year experience.

Econ is a strong draw in part as a hedge or nod towards “employability”. With the economy as it is, kids/families want to have one foot firmly in something practical. If you’re not on the STEM side, econ is a good fit for that.

But many of those Econ majors at Davidson are double-majoring in something completely unrelated and “liberal artsy”. And many (most?) are not looking for IB/consulting internships.

Davidson feels way more interdisciplinary, with a wider-angle vibe than we’ve seen at the Ivys.

And…you were immediately contradicted by the parent below you

DS is an Econ and Poli Sci major at Davidson. Internship in consulting the summer after his freshman year and doing an internship in IB this summer before he heads to Europe for a semester abroad. The IB opportunities are certainly there if students are interested; Career Services even sponsors an IB academy to prep students.

I'm also a Davidson parent, but not either PP. Responding to the "contradiction" you've noted in the PPs responses. I think both writers can be correct. There are many opportunities that the career office offers. Parents are copied on weekly emails with all of the various programs and services students may choose to access, with multiple IB opportunities. (I'm guessing many other colleges do the same.) Just because these services are offered doesn't mean that students are choosing to access or prioritize them as they experience college and prepare for their life after Davidson.

[Anonymous]

Worth noting that the kids I know attending Davidson are not as over the moon as the Davidson parents on DCUM. May be worth having your child talk to kids who actually attend both schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Worth noting that the kids I know attending Davidson are not as over the moon as the Davidson parents on DCUM. May be worth having your child talk to kids who actually attend both schools.

That's good advice, no matter the school. My kid is there and has loved her time at Davidson, and I now many current students who feel the same. I also know of a grad from about ten years ago who liked it but probably wouldn't say it was the best four years of his life. No school will be loved by every single student, and that's okay.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Worth noting that the kids I know attending Davidson are not as over the moon as the Davidson parents on DCUM. May be worth having your child talk to kids who actually attend both schools.

I co-sign this. People here talk in idealistic terms. The fact that Patterson court is never mentioned on this forum makes me very suspicious, I’d be more wary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worth noting that the kids I know attending Davidson are not as over the moon as the Davidson parents on DCUM. May be worth having your child talk to kids who actually attend both schools.

I co-sign this. People here talk in idealistic terms. The fact that Patterson court is never mentioned on this forum makes me very suspicious, I’d be more wary.

What should people be saying about Patterson court?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worth noting that the kids I know attending Davidson are not as over the moon as the Davidson parents on DCUM. May be worth having your child talk to kids who actually attend both schools.

I co-sign this. People here talk in idealistic terms. The fact that Patterson court is never mentioned on this forum makes me very suspicious, I’d be more wary.

? It's frequently mentioned when people talk about Davidson. There are tons of posts about the eating houses and fraternities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worth noting that the kids I know attending Davidson are not as over the moon as the Davidson parents on DCUM. May be worth having your child talk to kids who actually attend both schools.

I co-sign this. People here talk in idealistic terms. The fact that Patterson court is never mentioned on this forum makes me very suspicious, I’d be more wary.

? It's frequently mentioned when people talk about Davidson. There are tons of posts about the eating houses and fraternities.

Patterson court has been mentioned once. You are using hyperbole.

[Anonymous]

Not sure what’s up, but there is a poster or two in this forum that is hell bent on denigrating Davidson. It’s not just this thread, but several. There’s a notion that WASP is the bomb and no other SLAC comes close, especially any school in the South. That notion alone shows a close-mindedness and should make one suspicious of the poster’s motives. It’s OK to admit that there are great schools in all regions of the country. Williams is great and so is Davidson. If you’re lucky enough to get into both, choose the one that works for you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Worth noting that the kids I know attending Davidson are not as over the moon as the Davidson parents on DCUM. May be worth having your child talk to kids who actually attend both schools.

I co-sign this. People here talk in idealistic terms. The fact that Patterson court is never mentioned on this forum makes me very suspicious, I’d be more wary.

? It's frequently mentioned when people talk about Davidson. There are tons of posts about the eating houses and fraternities.

Patterson court has been mentioned once. You are using hyperbole.

Maybe I am not understanding what you mean. Are you talking about the fraternities and eating houses, or are you thinking of something else when you say Patterson Court? Posters may not have used those two words, but there have been many posts and comments over the past few years describing eating houses (and how they differ from sororities) and fraternities. Those organizations are frequently referred to as Patterson Court, but maybe you are thinking of something else. It also sounds as if you know something you aren't sharing.

[Anonymous]

Davidson-nice Weather Williams Cold Weather