Williams College Student Spotlight Interview with Jadyn Ganss

Jadyn Ganss majors in Biology with a Concentration in Public Health at Williams College. She will graduate in 2028.

1. What led to your decision to attend a small, private liberal arts college in Williamstown, MA?

I applied Early Decision (ED) to Williams College after having an incredibly positive experience at their fly-in program, Windows on Williams (WOW). While staying at Williams, I felt an incredible sense of community and genuine support I had previously thought was foreign at an institution of higher education. Everyone truly went out of their way to make me feel welcomed and there were so many intentional programs meant to support students like me between academic, community, and financial resources. Between endless academic advising/ tutoring, things like the travel/book expense programs, and buildings like the Davis Center for equity engagement, I value how much effort Williams takes to ensure its campus supports every student. The intimate atmosphere of Williams really stuck with me. In my few days visiting, I quickly realized that professors are constantly engaging with you and want to help you succeed as best they can - an observation that has immensely held true during my time here. Williams College even facilitates/funds an event called “Doddceum” wherein students invite processors for a meal to get to know them. All this to say, the campus is very close-knit and the people really care about you. As a first-generation student from the West Coast, I chose Williams because it felt like the school that would provide me with the most resources to ensure that I succeeded, especially through the natural highs and lows of adjusting to college life.

2. Can you describe what kind of support/communities exist as a student from your

background at Williams College?

a. In what ways can a student find a supportive community at Williams College and feel supported?

As a first-generation, lower-income student of color, I was nervous about finding my footing at a small private school so far from home. What I found immediately was a network of resources built specifically for students like me. First Gen Orientation (FUEL) let me move in early and meet other first-gen students before traditional move-in even started. I already had familiar faces by day one. The Davis Center backs that up year-round with affinity groups and mentorship, connecting you to upperclass students who've navigated the same transition.

Outside the spaces built specifically for students of my background, community shows up almost everywhere else too. My first year “entry” housing group became an instant support system, and Ephventures (a 3-day retreat during orientation week) gave me close friends before the semester even began. Clubs here are especially welcoming, whether it's a club with a dozen members or something bigger, there's rarely a barrier to walking in and immediately being included. That openness made it easy to find my people without ever feeling like I had to prove I belonged first.

Professors and faculty are another huge part of it. I once missed a chemistry lecture for a family emergency, and when I emailed apologizing and asking for notes, my professor offered to sit down with me one-on-one during office hours and re-teach the whole lecture from scratch. That kind of investment isn't the exception at Williams, it's the norm. I have worked with the same professor from my first year to junior year and have gotten to do firsthand research under her twice already! The Academic Resource Center also offers free individual and group tutoring in most intro STEM courses, and tutoring support exists across other departments, too. Another academic outlet is the Career Center with amazing advisors, peer-peer support, and even funding opportunities for career materials.

Mental health support is just as accessible: Williams offers free individual therapy, with even more flexibility during Winter Study when academic loads are lighter.

3. In what ways can a student find a supportive community at Williams College?

Say yes to things! Some of my closest friendships came from a free morning hike trip or a club meeting I only went to because a hallmate dragged me along. My first year entry, my clubs, my campus job, club sport - every space felt welcoming and I never felt alone. Entries host “Snacks” which are gatherings every week during the first year, and there's no shortage of campus events to stumble into. Upperclassmen are also always willing to guide you towards spaces you might find fun. For example, a Junior I met invited me to play with her Intramural sports team throughout the year and another suggested I apply to be an Admissions Ambassador.

Campus jobs/clubs are another underrated source of community. I work for Matriculate and the Admissions Office, and both have become real communities, people I look forward to seeing, not just coworkers. Williams makes on-campus jobs easy to find, so work doesn't have to feel transactional.

Williams is small enough that you run into professors on the street and classmates from three different classes at the same event. That kind of overlap is intentional here and definitely helps students find community all around campus!

4. What advice do you have for Juniors and Seniors in high school who want to attend

Williams College and…

a.....want their application to stand out?

My advice for any student applying to college is: find your why. What is a value, passion, or perspective you want to bring into the things you do? I'm a volunteer college advisor now, and what always stands out to me most is when students have an explicit drive toward something. An advantage of Williams being a liberal arts college is that you don't have to declare a major until sophomore year, which means your high school activities and essays can be genuine, rather than filtered to fit a specific academic program. For example, I'm a premedical student, yet most of my activities and essays were tied to my passion for building community spaces and educational access. Genuine care for something will be evident in your application, and I think it's one of the best ways to show a college who you really are.

Another piece of advice: never sell yourself short. Williams evaluates students incredibly holistically, and a lot of applicants underestimate everything they do. Whether it's an extracurricular, a family commitment, or a side hobby, make sure the important parts of your identity find a spot on your application, don't assume something "isn't enough" just because it feels ordinary to you. If you can't find a natural place for it, consider the Additional Information section or weaving it into an activity slot or essay. Being a first-gen student, working weekends to help my family, running a small college-advising side project: none of that looked like the polished extracurricular list I assumed I needed. But those experiences were the most honest reflection of who I was, and that honesty is exactly what admissions officers are looking for.

5. What are some of Williams College most notable programs? (Programs of study,

extracurriculars, etc).

Williams is known for a lot, but a few things really stand out to me. Academically, the economics program is one of the strongest in the country, and students can spend a year at Oxford through the Williams-Exeter Programme (WEPO). Williams also runs tutorials modeled on the Oxford system, where two students meet weekly with a professor, trade papers, and review each other's work, it's one of the most rigorous and personal ways to learn, and something few other schools offer. Williams also has outstanding graduate and career placement across fields to many premier institutions and selective companies.

One of my favorite unique parts of Williams is Winter Study, a chance to take just one class for the month of January. You can take something on campus, pursue an independent study or research project, or even go abroad. It's a rare opportunity to explore something you otherwise wouldn't have time for on a traditional academic calendar.

Community-wise, Williams is incredibly special. First-years live in small groups called entries with Junior Advisors: upperclass students who help them settle in and build community from day one. As a JA myself, I've seen how the entry becomes a real home and support system for first-years. Before classes even start, Ephventures pre-orientation programs give incoming students a chance to bond through outdoor trips, community service, and other activities.

Finally, Williams is notable for its commitment to affordability. Financial aid packages are all grants, with no loans, and include free text books and course materials. Williams goes further than most schools by removing Work Study requirements and providing a personal expense grant. Williams also offers summer stipends for students to ensure they get paid for the work they do over the Summer through the Alumni Sponsored Internship Program (ASIP). That means students can take full advantage of everything here, regardless of their financial background.

6. What advice would you offer a student who is considering attending Williams College but is on the fence about it?

Reach out and talk to someone! Consult the Williams College "Connect with a Student" page to talk to current students, many of whom work in the Office of Admission and love answering questions about their experience. In my experience, people at Williams genuinely want to help. You're not bothering anyone by asking. You can also reach out directly to an Admissions Officer, especially with questions about financial aid or support for students with a background like yours.

Before you reach out, get clear on what actually matters to you: class size, community, support outside the classroom, location, etc.. Williams can look great on paper, but the details that make your experience here are often the smaller, harder-to-Google ones. Don't be afraid to ask the "small" questions; those usually end up mattering the most.

7. One word to describe a Williams College student?

Multifaceted!