About Williams and its Students

About Williams College

Established over 200 years ago in the Berkshire Mountains of Massachusetts, Williams College has a long and distinguished tradition of academic excellence. In the present day, US News and World Report consistently ranks Williams as the #1 liberal arts college in the nation.

About Williams Students

THEY COME FROM EVERY PART OF THE WORLD and every possible background, bringing along an astonishing array of talents and interests. Despite such diversity, Williams students share a number of characteristics. In addition to being accomplished academically, it is not unusual for individual students to have multiple, and sometimes sharply contrasting, passions and achievements. Think valedictorianpoet- lacrosse player or chemist-student government leader-dancer. Another commonality is a strong work ethic and positive outlook on the world. Still another, of course, is their choice of Williams. It’s a choice most often based on the desire to be part of an intimate, supportive, and academically invigorating community.

Class of 2010 Admission Statistics

Applied: 7,538
Admitted: 1,229
Percent admitted: 16%

Academics and Programs

African American Studies
American Studies
Anthropology and Sociology
Art History
Art Studio
Asian Studies
Astronomy
Astrophysics
Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
Biology
Chemistry
Chinese
Classics (Greek, Latin)
Cognitive Science
Comparative Literature
Computer Science
Critical Languages
Dance
Economics
English
Environmental Studies
French
Geosciences
German
History
History of Science
International Studies
Italian
Japanese
Jewish Studies
Latin
Latina/o Studies
Leadership Studies
Linguistics
Maritime Studies
Materials Science Studies
Mathematics and Statistics
Music
Neuroscience
Performance Studies
Philosophy
Physics
Political Economy
Political Science
Psychology
Religion
Russian
Spanish
Science and Technology Studies
Theatre
Women’s and Gender Studies

(Note: Approximately 26 percent of students graduate with double majors.)

Additional Curricular Opportunities
Arabic
Bioinformatics, Genomics, and Proteomics
Contract Major
Critical Languages
Dance
Engineering and Liberal Arts
Environmental Studies
Experiential Education
Experimental Studies
First-Year Residential Seminar
History of Science
Humanities
Independent Study
Interdepartmental Studies
Interdisciplinary Programs
Italian
Linguistics
Materials Science Studies
Performance Studies
Physical Education
Program in Teaching
Study Away
Williams-Exeter Programme at Oxford
Williams-Mystic Program
Williams in New York
The Williams Tutorial Program