Frequently Asked Questions (and answers)

Are Williams-Exeter students Williams students, or Oxford students, or both?

Both. They remain Williams students while in Oxford and the tutorial work they undertake in Oxford counts towards their degree requirements (and is calculated in their GPA) back at Williams. Nevertheless, they are formally Visiting Students at Oxford University, with an Oxford University ID (in lieu of a Williams ID), subject to many of the rules and regulations of Oxford University and enjoying most of the benefits of the University that are enjoyed by fully matriculated Oxford undergraduates.

What are the advantages of being with the Williams Programme rather than with some other Programme in Oxford?

The two primary advantages are curricular flexibility and grades that count. First, Williams-Exeter students decide what tutorial courses they want to take and the Director does his or her best to arrange those courses. Other students on other programmes in Oxford often do not enjoy the same kind of academic support as do Williams students in Oxford and are often more restricted in the courses available to them. Second, the Williams-Exeter Programme is the only study-abroad program whose grades are recorded on Williams transcripts (courses through other programs, including other programs in Oxford, are credited only as pass or fail). Because grades usually improve throughout a student's Williams career, having no grades that count from the junior year usually deflates the student's overall GPA. In addition, as Oxford University Visiting Students at Exeter and as students on a programme run by Williams College, Williams students can expect to enjoy a number of perks and advantages (cultural excursions, superior housing facilities, etc.) which are not usually available to those Americans in Oxford on many other Visiting Student programmes.

What are the disadvantages of being in the Williams Programme rather than being a Visiting Student directly enrolled in an Oxford college?

The biggest disadvantage (although for some it is an advantage) is living with other Williams College students some 1.3 miles from Exeter and the center of Oxford. Visiting Students directly enrolled in an Oxford College customarily live in the college with British students. Nevertheless, now that Williams students are formally enrolled in Oxford as Visiting Students, they are more a part of the University-and of Exeter College-than ever before and are encouraged to participate fully in the life of Exeter College, something made easier than it has been in the past.

I have heard that Williams students have limited access to libraries in Oxford, especially by comparison with other American students in Oxford. Is this true?

Not any more. Since 2003-04 all Williams students have been Visiting Students in Oxford and have had access to most University libraries - including the Bodleian Library - on the same terms as fully-matriculated Oxford undergraduates.

Are there economic benefits to being a student with the Williams-Exeter Programme rather than with other Visiting Student Programmes in Oxford?

Yes. Williams students collectively enjoy a Social Fund to spend on social events in Oxford, Cultural Funds that cover the cost of cultural events attended in Britain (and travel to them), telephone and travel subsidies, and the opportunity to participate in group excursions. There are also a number of small jobs available on the premises for Williams students (paying some £10-£15 per week). None of these benefits are available to students who are directly enrolled in Oxford colleges as Visiting Students through other programmes.

What is Exeter College? Why does the programme enjoy an affiliation with Exeter?

Oxford University is comprised of more than 40 colleges and independent halls, of which Exeter is one of the oldest. Under the auspices of the Moody-Donovan Fellowship, Williams has been sending a graduating senior to undertake graduate study in Oxford, affiliated with Exeter, for some eighty years. Hence the relationship between Exeter and Williams enjoys a long history and Exeter continues to offer its hospitality to Williams undergraduates on the Williams-Exeter Programme. All Williams students are members of Exeter College while they are in Oxford. Indeed, Exeter becomes their college home-away-from-home, and they can join all of its clubs and societies, use all its facilities, and dine regularly in Hall.

Where do Williams students live in Oxford?

Students live in the Ephraim Williams House, just north of Oxford's City Center. Students live in comfortable twin-bedded rooms with common spaces and fully equipped kitchens. The premises are wired for internet access and have a recently expanded and upgraded library.

Are Williams students able to meet and interact with British and other overseas students at Oxford?

Yes. Three Exeter College students live alongside Williams students at 2 and 4 Lathbury Road and help integrate Williams students with Exeter College life. Moreover, all Williams students must undertake the Freshers' Week orientation activities at Exeter, where they will meet many Exeter students. They are members of Exeter's Junior Common Room and can join all college clubs and societies-as they can those of the University at large.

Should I take the group flight to England?

There is no correct answer other than you should not take the group flight without first investigating the alternatives. It may be cheaper to find a flight on your own, although one advantage of the group flight is that a coach will be provided to bring you and your luggage to Oxford.

Will I get to interact with my tutors?

Maybe, maybe not. Although many tutorials are one-on-one, your contact time is almost always limited to one hour per week. Oxford tutors do not hold open office hours, and usually do not fraternize with students. However this is not true in all cases and so it will depend on the individual tutor to determine how much interaction there will be outside of the tutorial.

How much work do students have to do for a tutorial course?

A tutorial in Oxford is one, individual meeting. A full course of tutorials lasts eight weeks (eight tutorials); a half course lasts four weeks (four tutorials). Students will write eight essays for each full tutorial course and four essays for a half tutorial course. Essays are always measured in words and tend to be about 2,000 to 3,000 words in length (approximately 8-10 pages). There is also a substantial reading list that students must complete before they can prepare the weekly essay, sometimes amounting to some twenty or more books and articles each week for each tutorial. Usually students have one or two tutorials each week for the twenty-four weeks of the three academic terms. During the course of the year they write a minimum of thirty-six essays (if they are taking the minimum of four and one half tutorial courses)-more if they are enrolled in five or six tutorial courses.

How do grades transfer from Oxford back to Williams?

The Programme Director sends a record of Oxford grades to the Registrar at Williams; the grades are then entered directly on Williams transcripts. Each full tutorial course grade is recorded twice; each half tutorial course grade once. Thus, an A on an 8-week course will be recorded as two A's and an A on a 4-week course will be recorded as one A.

When do I have to decide what courses I want to take?

When you apply to the Programme, you will be asked to list the tutorial courses you think you would like to take. Following your acceptance, you will be asked to make a formal and binding commitment to your courses for the first (Michaelmas) Term and provide a list of the courses you want to take during the subsequent (Hilary and Trinity) Terms. The commitment you make at this time for Michaelmas Term cannot subsequently be changed as the Director will secure your tutors during the Summer. Once you are in Oxford, however, you will meet with the Director near the beginning of each term to discuss your interests for the following term. Again, once you have made a commitment your choice is binding; there are no add/drop periods in Oxford.

How do I apply for the Programme?

Contact Dean McKeon in the Office of the Dean of the College for information. Be sure to be on the lookout for announcements about preliminary information sessions in the Fall, where you'll have the chance to hear from, and ask questions of, students who have been through the Programme and returned to Williams for the senior year.

How competitive is admission to the Programme?

Competition varies from year to year depending on the number of students who apply. Admission has sometimes been very competitive; other times it has not. In all cases, students who are sought are mature, committed to learning, independent, and eager to engage in a rigorous academic programme at one of the world's great universities.

Can I go to Oxford if I am a Division III major?

Yes, but don't expect to take lab courses (you might get one, but you almost certainly won't get more - lab space is tight). Generally speaking, the curriculum in the sciences at Oxford is very different from that at Williams and it is not easy to place a Williams student into the midst of the Oxford system. Nevertheless, Exeter has some excellent Fellows in Chemistry who have often welcomed Williams students, while Mathematics majors at Williams have also managed to undertake excellent and beneficial tutorial work in Oxford.

If I don't go to Williams College can I participate in the Oxford Program?

No. In the past, Williams has at times accepted students from other colleges and universities when slots remained open after the College had taken all interested and qualified Williams students. But this has happened rarely, and now that all Williams students are formally Visiting Students in Oxford the terms of the Visiting Student agreements with Exeter stipulate that only Williams students can be members of the Williams-Exeter Programme.

Do students have the opportunity to travel during their year abroad?

During the two five-six week breaks between terms students tend to do a lot of traveling, either on the European Continent or in Britain. Some students choose to return to the United States as well, particularly between Christmas and New Year when Britain tends to shut down completely. In recent years, the Programme has also arranged a short overseas trip for students at the end of Hilary Term -in 2003 to Nice and other towns on the French Riviera, in 2004 to the Mediterranean island of Sicily, and in 2005 to Edinburgh, Scotland.

How do most students get around Oxford?

Williams students either bike or bus around Oxford. The Programme subsidizes some student transportation costs.

Should I bring a computer to Oxford?

If you have a laptop, particularly one that automatically adapts to European (240v) current, you'll appreciate having it here. Life will be much easier, especially as you will be writing many essays and now that all rooms are wired for internet access. But you will also be ok without one. The Programme has a number of desktop machines on site, along with a couple of laptops that students can check out to use in libraries or in writing papers.

What kind of special events does the Programme offer?

The Programme schedules cultural events, trips to theatrical performances and local excursions, and, occasionally, overseas.

Where can I open a bank account when I come to Oxford?

The Programme has an account with the local branch of HSBC. It has arranged with its branch to open bank accounts for all Williams students in Oxford for the year. Forms will be sent to students in advance of their arrival; once completed, accounts will be opened for students that include checking and ATM facilities.

Do most students cook for themselves?

In the past, many students cooked for themselves. Ephraim Williams House has several fully equipped kitchens and there are several grocery stores in the area. As Visiting Students, however, more meals are now provided for Williams students than ever before. Students are entitled to the one free catered dinner provided each week during term in Ephraim Williams House and are given a meal allowance each term towards the cost of meals at Exeter during term time. Therefore, students have a variety of meal options, with some choosing to cook more often than others.