Williams Comes to Life
You know about the stellar academic opportunities, amazing faculty and more, but what is it like to live here? See what our dorms and dining halls have to offer, learn about the vibrant surrounding community and abundant outdoor spaces, and get a sense of what this living and learning community is all about. Your unique lived experiences contribute to the richness of our community, and Williams is eager to welcome you.
Housing
Various housing options let students experience different living communities, from historic buildings with beautiful ballrooms and balconies to brand-new dorms with modern kitchens and sustainable design-all with ample shared spaces that foster community.
New transfer students and Students with Advanced Life Experience (SwALEs) will be asked to complete an online housing form upon enrollment. Generally, new transfer students will be expected to live in traditional student housing on campus. However, a new transfer student may qualify as a SwALE–read here for more information.
Dining
What's on the menu at Williams? Students have access to healthy, flavorful meals-globally influenced and locally sourced whenever possible-served in three dining halls, two snack bars and casual spaces like a pizza grill and our beloved, student-run coffee bar. Vegetarian, gluten-free and vegan options are always available, as well as Kosher and Halal. Allergy-safe meals are prepared individually. Williams students living in dorms are required to participate in one of the meal plan options. Students not living in dorms may opt out of the meal plan system entirely.
Day to Day
What's in a day at Williams? Maybe it starts with a discussion on American pragmatism and ends with jazz guitar lessons. Or it begins in the community gardens before heading to the research lab, or the planetarium, or a Literary Review meeting. Whether your interests range from the outdoors to opera, or philosophy to film studies, there is a day at Williams waiting for you.
Mountain Day >>
A Favorite Tradition
Each year, one Friday in October, Williams' president cancels classes and the campus community gets outside. Students can take part in outdoor yoga classes, hike over Mount Greylock, sing from the hilltops, eat too many apple cider doughnuts, participate in an adventure race and enjoy an evening polar bear swim, among many other activities.