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A new way to tour Williams
A typical Williams tour can feel impersonal, leaving you with more questions than answers. You’re just a face in the crowd following a scripted tour led by a guide the school assigns you.
SchoolScoops offers private Williams College tours tailored to your interests. Choose your own Williams student tour guide and enjoy a personalized campus visit where you'll get candid answers to your questions.
SchoolScoops is the more personal way to tour Williams College
Private and personalized Williams tours
On a traditional Williams College campus tour you’re just a number in a big group. With SchoolScoops, you can book a private Williams College tour led by a real Williams student, giving you a personalized campus visit and the chance to ask all the questions that are important to you.
Choose your own tour guide
Unlike a traditional Williams College campus tour, SchoolScoops lets you choose your own tour guide. Whether you want to meet an engineering major, a student-athlete or a fellow transfer student, you'll get authentic insights and advice from someone who truly gets you.
No scripts, just scoops
Traditional Williams College campus tours are essentially a sales pitch—the tour guide works for the school and their job is to show you the highlights. SchoolScoops guides don’t work for their school, so there’s no sales pitch—just honest, unfiltered advice about the Williams experience.
Find out if Williams is the school for you
Choosing where to go to college is a major decision and a huge investment. A private Williams tour helps you decide if Williams College is the right fit for your academic goals, career ambitions and college experience.
Can't make it to campus?
Book a 1-on-1 video chat with a Williams student for personalized insights. Learn about academics, campus culture, and Williamstown life without leaving home.
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Get to know Williams College
Williams College is a top-ranked private liberal arts institution known for its academic excellence across the humanities, social sciences, and sciences, with a strong emphasis on close faculty-student collaboration, critical thinking, and a commitment to intellectual and civic engagement.
Overview
Williams College, founded in 1793, is a private liberal arts college located in Williamstown, Massachusetts. It offers a wide range of undergraduate programs through its three academic divisions: languages and the arts, social sciences, and science and mathematics. A Williams College campus tour showcases the balance of academics and school pride that makes Williams unique.
Size
Williams College has a total enrollment of about 2,000 students, all undergraduates, creating a tight-knit academic community focused on personalized, liberal arts education. A private tour of Williams College gives you the chance to see the scale of the school in person.
Acceptance rate
Williams College has an acceptance rate of around 9%, making it highly selective. Among admitted students who submitted test scores, half have an SAT score between 1450–1560 or an ACT score between 33–35. A Williams campus tour helps applicants understand the admissions experience from current students.
Cost
For the 2024 academic year, Williams College’s undergraduate tuition is approximately $65,000, with total costs including room and board nearing $85,000. About half of all students receive financial aid, with an average need-based grant of over $60,000.
Ranking
According to U.S. News & World Report, Williams College is ranked #1 among National Liberal Arts Colleges. This ranking reflects top performance in areas such as graduation rates, faculty resources, academic reputation, and student outcomes. Booking a Williams tour highlights why the school is nationally recognized.
Academics
Williams College offers over 60 areas of study across the liberal arts and sciences. With a student-to-faculty ratio of 6:1, the college emphasizes small classes, close faculty mentorship, and a highly personalized academic experience. On a Williams College campus tour, students can learn how academics balance with campus life.
Traditions
Williams College’s most cherished traditions include Mountain Day, when classes are canceled for a surprise day of outdoor activities; the Winter Carnival; and the longstanding athletic rivalry with Amherst College, known as The Biggest Little Game in America. These traditions reflect the college’s strong sense of community and school spirit. Experiencing these during a Williams College tour shows the pride of the student community.
Campus landmarks
Williams College’s most iconic landmarks include Chapin Hall, the elegant Thompson Memorial Chapel, Sawyer Library, and the centrally located Paresky Center. Set against the scenic backdrop of the Berkshires, the campus blends historic architecture with natural beauty and a strong sense of tradition.
Student body
Williams College draws students from all 50 states and more than 80 countries, with a particularly strong representation from the Northeast. Its student body is geographically diverse, reflecting the college’s national and global reach. A private Williams tour provides perspective on how diverse backgrounds shape the student body.
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Become a guideYour Williams College questions, answered
Is Williams College a Little Ivy?
Yes, Williams College is considered a "Little Ivy." It is part of the "Little Three," along with Amherst and Wesleyan, and is known for its academic rigor, selectivity, and strong liberal arts tradition, comparable to Ivy League institutions.
What is the vibe of Williams College?
Williams College has an intellectually intense but collaborative atmosphere. Students are known for being highly intelligent, curious, and engaged, often praising the community for its thoughtfulness and mutual respect. The campus vibe is academically driven, supportive, and close-knit, with a strong appreciation for discussion, creativity, and outdoor life.
What is the closest big city to Williams College?
Williams College is situated in Williamstown, Massachusetts, a small town in the Berkshires. The nearest major city with a large airport is Albany, New York—about a one-hour drive away (~40 miles). Boston and New York City are roughly three hours away, making them accessible for travel or weekend breaks.
What major is good at Williams College?
Williams College’s most popular and well-regarded major is Economics, with over 100 graduates each year. Other strong programs include Psychology, Biology, Computer Science, English, History, Mathematics, and Political Science—reflecting the college’s strengths in both the social sciences and humanities.
Does Williams College have Greek life?
No, Williams College does not have Greek life. Fraternities and sororities have been banned since 1962, and the college maintains a collaborative, inclusive social environment without Greek organizations.
Who is Williams College's rival?
Williams College’s main rival is Amherst College. Their rivalry dates back to the early 19th century and is especially celebrated through “The Biggest Little Game in America,” their annual football matchup.
Who are the most famous Williams College graduates?
Notable Williams College alumni include U.S. President James A. Garfield, film director Elia Kazan, former New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner, billionaire investor Chase Coleman III, and entrepreneur Robert Rich Jr.
How do you take a tour of Williams College?
You can take an in-person campus tour by registering online for a student-led tour and information session, offered on weekdays and select Saturdays. Self-guided tour maps are also available at Weston Hall. For remote visitors, Williams offers a virtual campus tour and live online info sessions.
Does Williams College offer private campus tours?
Yes, through SchoolScoops, you can book a private campus tour led by a student guide of your choice.
Interested in other schools?
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