As one of the trailblazing schools that launched American higher education (on which hundreds of other institutions are modeled), Williams has path-breaking originality in its DNA. Remarkable freedom and resources are at your disposal so that you may explore widely and deeply and grow as an individual and as a citizen of a global society. The Williams tutorial, modeled after the Oxford Tutorial system, pairs two students with a faculty member in deep inquiry of a single topic over an entire semester. Many students further engage with Williams faculty over the summer, when they work on campus as fully paid research fellows in the humanities, natural and mathematical sciences, and social sciences.
At Williams, there is no special-interest housing. All first-years live together in a thoughtfully constructed microcosm of the Williams community known as an Entry. The majority of students are involved in at least one extracurricular activity, either by participating in service, playing for one of Williams’ Division III athletic teams, or showcasing their creative energy through music or theater groups.
All of this is done in a setting that's encouraging, not cutthroat, for it's an atmosphere of generosity that best nurtures the pursuit of excellence.