A couple questions about W&M

<p>Hey!
For a while, William & Mary was my top choice. Then I decided to focus solely on schools that offered a journalism major. The other night I flipped out and realized that approach was way too limiting--I'm now considering an English major and I'd love a liberal arts school. I think W&M seems perfect--a great size, warm weather (I'm from NC and definitely not a big fan of the cold), an independent winterguard, public tuition..I'd love to know more about what the people are like (smart, generally?) and what you all do socially since Williamsburg isn't exactly hoppin'. :) Also, are students politically active? That's very important to me. How different are chances OOS vs. in-state and will my chances be much less since I wouldn't be applying early?
I'd love any more info or stats you could provide. Thanks so much!
--Leah</p>

<p>To tell you the truth, a friend of mine who was interested in journalism decided to go to UNC-CH after getting off the waiting list when before she was going to come here. If you are planning on English though (I don't know a comparison of the programs) you won't go wrong here at W&M.</p>

<p>People here are generally smart, and by Virginia law, 2/3 Virginian. The law makes it much more difficult for OOS applicants. As to your politically active question, I don't think the campus is very politically active. The most active group is probably the TLSC (Tidewater Labor Support Committee) which works to raise the minimum wage along with other agendas such as organizing a food service union for the campus, its a very nice group if you're into that sort of thing (2 of my friends are in it, I was but I quit because I didn't have enough time).</p>

<p>students here vary... generally quite smart. Many seem to spend lots of time in the library. Many others who are very smart don't work as hard =P. Social life in Williamsburg is what you make of it. Frats and delis (21 and over for the delis). Parties off campus, and in the campus apartments. </p>

<p>Poltiics related... active chapters of College Republicans and Young Democrats. Huge voter registration drives. Most students vote, at least that I know. Students are fighting with the city about not being allowed to vote in Williamsburg.</p>

<p>OOS is very difficult... don't know how it hurts / doesn't hurt you chances applying RD. You can check the common data set.</p>

<p>[off topic]
independent winter guard? I'm marching drum corps =)
[/off topic]</p>

<p>Wow--awesome..what corps? Div. I? I was considering auditioning for Crossmen this year but decided to wait for the summer after my freshman year. I'd ultimately looove to march Phantom colorguard (although Crown is naturally a little more accessible). :)</p>

<p>I'm at Crossmen. I play sax, so I started learning baritone after I graduated HS. I made it last summer, and I'm going back for my last summer. Kinda sucks I have to fly to San Antonio instead of driving to NJ though. I'm going up this weekend to NJ to meet the new staff, our first camp is combined audition there with Cadets, but after that it's all in Texas.</p>

<p>There's a kid here going to the Crown audition camp too, though he said he's going mostly "for the experience".</p>

<p>Leah, I don't want to rain on your parade, but tuition for OOS is about $25,000 a year, and you'd have to add another $8,000 or so for room and board.</p>

<p>That's awesome--a kid who was in my high school band now marches tenors at Crossmen on the drum line..he's incredible. I was thinking about going to their guard audition weekend so they would know me for next year, but then they moved to Texas and it wasn't quite so accessible. :)</p>

<p>And lurkness--even public tuition out-of-state is less than private (although naturally not by as much as in-state). Every little bit helps ;)</p>