In the world of higher education, there are universities, and there are colleges. The fundamental difference between the two are resources: the former usually boasts graduate degree programs and a larger faculty. But bigger doesn’t always mean better.  A traditional liberal arts college places its entire focus on educating the undergraduate. Yes, the fresh-outta-high-school-barely-able-to-vote-let-alone-know-what-I-wanna-do-with-my-life set. Where to go for such an education? Let’s take a trip up to Massachusetts, where Williams College and Amherst College have been trying to answer that question for centuries.

1. Mascot Matchup

Amherst- The Lord (and Lady) Jeffs, named for college founder Lord Jefferey Amherst, is a perfect spirit leader for those who like their sports icons to be dignified and historical.
Williams- Similarly, the Williams mascot–the Eph–is named for it’s founder, Ephraim Williams. But if you like a bit of whimsy with your historical icon, the Ephs are represented by a purple cow.

Three credits to: Williams–how could you go wrong with anything purple?

2. Alternative Academia

Amherst- Taking part in the Five College Consortium in Massachusetts’ Pioneer Valley, Amherst students are given the privilege of taking courses at any of the member institutions’ campuses, including Mt. Holyoke, Smith, UMass Amherst, and Hampshire. Why choose one college when you can have five, right?
Williams- Emphasizing the usefulness of a well-balanced education and the ability to think creatively, Williams hosts a semi-annual Trivia Night competition that lasts eight hours. Students compete in teams to answer questions from a wide spectrum of topics in a marathon tournament of wit and stamina. The prize for the winning team? To organize and host next semester’s tournament!

Three Credits to: Williams–if Trivia Night is fun at my local watering hole, imagine how awesome it would be as an all-night affair!

3. College Town Cool Factor

Amherst -Nestled in Amherst, MA, a small picturesque town surrounded by the institutions of the Five College Consortium, Amherst thrives in a heavily student-populated area. One local attraction of interest: the Emily Dickinson Museum, dedicated to Amherst’s most famous resident.
Williams-  Located in the Berkshires region of Massachussets, the Williams campus personifies New England charm.  With Mass MoCA (Museum of Contemporary Art) to browse year-round, Tanglewood Symphony to enjoy during the summer, and a smattering of mom-and-pop shops, there’s many opportunities to indulge in local culture.

Three credits to: Williams, where the nearby symphony is music to my ears!

4. Ass-Kicking Alumni

Amherst– Bill Amend (Foxtrot cartoonist), Dan Brown (Da Vinci Code author), Raymond Teller (Penn & Teller magic/comedy duo).
Williams- Steven Sondheim (Broadway composer), US President James Garfield,  George Steinbrenner (owner of the New York Yankees).

Three credits to: Amherst–what would beach literature be today without the paradigm-shifting scandals of The Da Vinci Code?

5. Acceptance Rate Agony

Amherst- 14.8% for the class of 2012.
Williams- 17% for the class of 2012.

Three credits to: Amherst.

And the diploma goes to: Williams! Between these two liberal-arts powerhouses, Williams wins by virtue of its quirky mascot, quixotic trivia night, and quiet (but bustling) hometown.

What’s more, the show has proven that working out can be fun, and that dancing is an excellent way to shed some unwanted pounds, build muscle, and start living an overall healthier lifestyle. I know I signed up for Zumba and impulsively bought the DWTS Cardio Dance workout DVD without batting an eye.

As DWTS has increased our awareness of fun ways to stay fit, it’s also a great vehicle to demonstrate that fitness comes in all shapes and sizes. In the past, we’ve seen DWTS combat some of the Hollywood stereotypes that distort women’s body images across the country. Remember when all 167 pounds of Laila Ali made it to the top three? How about when Sabrina Bryan, who is “chunky” by Hollywood standards, was sent home simply because everyone thought she was too talented to need their votes?

Most importantly, consider the fact that normally the beauty queens and supermodels are the first to get the boot: Paulina Porizkova, Shandi Finnessey, and Shoana Moakler are among the competitors who never saw round three, and thus, they all blend together into one generic DWTS loser, while fan favorites like Marisa Jaret Winokur show you that being skinny doesn’t mean you can move.

That being said, the enormously talented professionals with DWTS also have very different looks, which is great, because it shows that they are all very individual, not just some manufactured dancing Barbie doll. However, this season I’ve been disappointed to see the media scrutiny that Cheryl Burke has had to deal with. Just because Cheryl doesn’t have the rail-thin body of Edyta, it doesn’t mean she’s gotten “fat,” and either way, DWTS shouldn’t be the show to decide who’s fat or thin, because for several years, it’s been more about techniques and talents than the number of ribs that protrude when someone arabesques.

If I had Cheryl Burke’s body, I’d be thrilled. Not only would I look amazing, but I’d know I was in great physical condition. So why is it that two-time champ Cheryl is suddenly under scrutiny? Girlfriend can move– and isn’t this a dance competition? Karina Smirnoff and Edyta Sliwinska’s outfits are getting smaller and smaller, and our former champ, Cheryl, is being put under a microscope.

I’m not saying Edyta is at fault for being so skinny with such a huge rack, or that Karina’s to blame for making me second-guess the cheeseburger I had at lunch. I just thought that the lesson we learned from the first six seasons of DWTS was that “fit” comes in all shapes and sizes. Edyta, Karina, Cheryl, Julianne, Kym, and, this season, Lacey all put in grueling hours as they patiently teach their partners to dance like pros. Just because they have different body types doesn’t mean that one is “fat” or another is “better.”

So please, DWTS fans, media, paparazzi, and whomever else is trying to turn my favorite dance competition into an anorexia playground, just back off. I would love to have one of those girls’ bodies… but I would much rather have their talent.