Williams College

Date: Apr 07 2004
Major: Economics (This Major's Salary over time)
In the hindsight of many years, I would say Williams was an excellent school. The classes were often very small (10-20) students, the faculty is brilliant, facilities great.

But it was a very competitive place. The average student was really brilliant. And the professors expected a lot. (In contrast I found graduate school fairly easy.)

Money aside, I would not recommend Williams unless you are very bright, really hard working or both.

As for money, I don't think it is a very good "value". It was very expensive when I graduated and has become only more so. I was fortunate that my parents could afford to send me. Would I send my daughter? No. Other colleges cost one third (or less) of Williams'. And I can't say that Williams is three (or more) times better.

If you really want a good education, you can get one almost anywhere.

Although many educated people are familiar with Williams, most people have never heard of it. And the Williams "name" won't get you much in many places.

Lastly, if you're thinking about going to a really competitive graduate school (say, University of Michigan Med school, or Wharton Business School) you're probably better served by going to an easier (and cheaper) school. A "B" at Williams probably would have been an "A" at many other schools. And graduate school admissions committees admit based on GPA, not alma mater.