Class of 2016 to Arrive; First Days Begins August 28

Media contact: Noelle Lemoine, communications assistant; tele: (413) 597-4277; email: [email protected]

WILLIAMSTOWN, Mass., Aug. 24, 2012 – The 292 women and 259 men who make up the Williams College Class of 2016 will arrive on campus on August 28 for First Days, their official orientation to the college.

The tradition of First Days introduces first-year students to the college and its resources. Students have the opportunity to meet their academic advisors, learn about academic departments, get to know the campus, and take placement exams and the mandatory swimming test. In between the scheduled events, students will settle in to their dorms and get to know their classmates.

Over Labor Day weekend, first-year students will participate in EphVentures, a program that gives students hands-on experience in a variety of areas. Students can choose between doing community service, pursuing diversity and cross-cultural interests, experiencing arts and culture in the Berkshires, and exploring the hills, mountains, and streams of Western Massachusetts.

“I can’t wait to meet the new students as they gather here to begin to weave together the individual threads of their lives into the vibrant and strong community they will make at Williams,” says Sarah Bolton, Dean of the College and professor of physics. “In First Days, they’ll start to get to know one another and get to know this place. They’ll have a chance to hear the stories of students, staff, and faculty who have made this journey before them.”

Seven thousand and sixty-four students applied for the Class of 2016, the second highest number of applicants in Williams history. By all standard measures of academic talent, including test scores and academic performance, this year’s entering class of 551 students is extremely impressive. SATs for the cohort averaged 718 on the verbal test and 711 on math. The class is also diverse. Thirty-eight percent of students in the incoming class are U.S. students of color, and nearly 6 percent are international students, representing 24 countries. Factors cited by students who elect to come to Williams are academic reputation, size of the college, personal attention, attractiveness of the campus, academic facilities, and extracurricular opportunities.

The full schedule of First Days is available at http://dean.williams.edu/?page_id=807 .

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For building locations on the Williams campus, please consult the map outside the driveway entrance to the Security Office located in Hopkins Hall on Main Street (Rte. 2), next to the Thompson Memorial Chapel, or call the Office of Communications (413) 597-4277. The map can also be found on the web at www.williams.edu/map

To visit the college on the Internet: www.williams.edu Williams College can also be found on Facebook: www.facebook.com/williamscollege and Twitter: twitter.com/williamscollege

Published August 24, 2012