Connecticut College Connection
The (Early) College Experience
Taking courses at Connecticut College.
Students are able to experience a college classroom, or explore a subject before they enroll in the College or University of their choice. From 2020 – 2022 on average 25% of each senior class has taken at least one course at the College. Williams students can take courses at the College through several programs: The College Acceleration Program (for Juniors and Seniors), the longstanding New London Scholars program, or as a Special Day student (for Seniors).
Williams Stories
Hear from Connection alumni.
Niha Burugapalli
Class of 2020
It was a really valuable experience to be able to explore topics, like genetics, more in-depth.
It was very insightful to gain lab experience and get a glimpse in to the rigor of how college courses worked. It taught me more about effective time management and helped me figure out some of my major choices for college.
University of Toronto Global Health & Peace, Conflict and Justice; Lester B. Pearson International Scholar
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Issac Adler
Class of 2022
Taking an advanced Spanish class at Connecticut College gave me the opportunity to see Spanish through a different lens.
Rather than just learning the language, I was able to analyze it, comment on it, and even write a research paper. Altogether, it gave me a priceless glimpse at the college experience that I’ll be sure to use in the coming years.
George Washington University ’26
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Jared Klee
Class of 2009
At Connecticut College, I learned to do in a semester what is spread out over a year in high school.
It was challenging and I was the better for it. I was that much more prepared for what college had to offer.
Dartmouth College ’13; Trustee
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Will Jarrett
Class of 2018
The New London Scholars program gave me a taste of taking classes at a collegiate level and helped me to learn an even broader scope of material.
I had so much fun taking Astronomy because it allowed me to dive into a
subject that has always fascinated me.
United States Naval Academy Valedictorian ’22; M.S. Candidate at Stanford University, Electrical Engineering (Optics); Knight-Hennesy Scholar
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Advanced Opportunities
The College Acceleration Program
The College Acceleration Program offers students in grades 11-12 a full semester of college courses and corresponding credits. Over the course of their junior and senior years, students will take courses at Williams plus one course per semester at Connecticut College. By graduation, students successfully completing the program will gain a transcript from Connecticut College alongside their Williams diploma.
Learn More about the ProgramWilliams moved to the Connecticut College campus in the mid-1950.
Relocating to a new building that would better serve the needs of the college preparatory curriculum while also serving the College by allowing education students to observe and learn in a secondary school setting. Since then, students have had the opportunity to take courses at the college and also offered use of the college’s campus, chiefly the library, arboretum, greenhouse, and other spaces. The relationships established more than 75 years ago still exist today and have grown —continually strengthening the School’s connection with the College.
Students will often visit the arboretum and greenhouses during biology and environmental science courses, or view exhibitions in art galleries with humanities courses. In the Fall of 2022, Williams and Connecticut College
expanded opportunities for students to take courses at the College through the College Acceleration Program.
Full-time employees of the College receive a tuition discount as part of the School and College’s partnership. Please contact our admissions office for more information.
Contact the Admissions OfficeResources
Arboretum
Students explore the arboretum in a variety of courses at Williams. Whether it is to learn more about environmental science or conservation through the Native Plant Collections or to simply get outside and feel the benefits of being in nature, it is a favorite spot for faculty to bring classes.
Shain Library
Juniors and Seniors are encouraged to use Shain Library as an additional resource in their research for upper level courses. Students are able to take out a library card and use their material and online research resources. Faculty Members often will work with special collections librarians at the College to deepen students learning. In 2019, Ms. Moss’s Latin V (Advanced) Course visited to view a collection of ancient coins.
Art Galleries
Students in Arts and Humanities courses are able to view exhibitions in the Cummings Art Galleries directly across the street from the School.
Tennis Courts
Williams’ Tennis Team uses the college courts for morning practices during their spring season.