<p>@MD Mom: Believe me I am not underestimating them. Like I said, Haverford has really strict limits on outside credits–they’ll only grant up to one semester’s worth. I’ve already more than exceeded that. If the admissions board at W&M accepts them all, and if I do as well as I hope I did on my tests this year, then I should have a year’s worth going in, even with the history department’s limit on only 6 history credits coming from APs (which kind of stinks since I would have 18). Any way you look at it, that is a BIG difference. Even if I dont try to graduate early, you are definitely right that it will give me a lot more flexibility in my classes</p>
<p>W&M may give out quite a bit of credit, but they do require high scores I believe. I just took APES and AP Biology and I think they require 5’s on both for credit. 4’s may give you an exemption, but that’s not the same as credit w/exemption etc. Details are in a course catalog you can download from W&M. For Biology I don’t think they even give exemption with a 4. Be sure you aren’t expecting to be awarded credit with 4’s on US history etc.</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.wm.edu/offices/registrar/documents/catalog/2009-2010_UG_Catalog.pdf[/url]”>http://www.wm.edu/offices/registrar/documents/catalog/2009-2010_UG_Catalog.pdf</a>
Page 50.
Typical workload is 15 credits a semester. Remember that a lot of these classes aren’t the same as AP US etc. They actually focus on a particular time period instead of rushing through the material for a test. I’m looking forward to some of the GERs. Limited numbers of classes taught by TA’s is a huge benefit which attracted me to W&M.</p>
<p>Thanks ADHDFTL, but I actually already looked at that. I calculated exactly what classes I would and would not get credit for when making college decisions. So far, AP Bio was the only one where I didn’t make it at W&M–but almost none of the schools I looked at accepted a 4 anyway, so it’s not a big deal. Of course, like I said, the history department will only give up to 6 credits in history APs. But that works for me, cause most of my electives probably would have gone to history courses anyway. And I’d rather get the GERs out of the way and pick anything & everything that interests me. Though you are definitely right that the whole 99% of courses are taught by actual professors is a huge bonus.</p>
<p>W&M is getting better and better. The top grad from my daughter’s high school just finished her freshman year there and she looked at lots of colleges. </p>
<p>My in-laws and their kids are all grads and LOVE W&M; my sister-in-law works there. Four out of five of them stayed in Williamsburg. </p>
<p>Good luck.</p>
<p>When I was considering the 8 schools I was accepted to, I tried my best not to think about the rankings and looking back, I strongly believe that was the right thing to do. The reason is that all the schools I applied to were good schools (I wouldn’t have wasted my time with a party school etc.) and I knew that were I felt the best would be where I would perform the best and accomplish the most academically. When I visited, the feelings that drew me toward William and Mary soared far above the two other schools I was seriously considering. Coincidentally, it was also ranked slightly higher than the others and I think this coincidence was because I felt more drawn towards a community of intelligent and focused students.
My point is that WM and Haverford are two different schools with equal merit in whatever you want to do, and that to put one over the other because of rankings is silly. Where you feel more at home will be where YOU will do better academically and consequently will be better for you in pursuing grad school. If you (gcall1090) chose WM for financial reasons, that was also a great reason. I live in VA and the in-state tuition benefits were a significant draw for even as I come from a wealthy family. I still don’t like overpriced things!
I think you made the right choice choosing WM, and I hope you are loving it!</p>
<p>As an OOS parent, we have 2 kids in undergrad; 1 at W&M and 1 at another college at present. One was an athlete & scholar considering Haverford, but decided it was too small & cushy & expensive, albeit luxurious and acadmically fitting, and decided on a smallish b-school. The other chose W&M OOS early decision, but could have gone ivy or NESCAC. Both decisions have afforded our students amazing opportunities during their undergrad years. </p>
<p>At W&M, 35% out-of-state means at least 1500 kids not from Virginia, which exceeds the total count for student body at Haverford. Our W&M student hangs with alot of OOS kids not surprisingly…the OOSers are quite academically motivated and socially active. Freshman research, outstanding paid summer jobs in their fields, grant-funded alternative school breaks, and a zillion opportunities to work & play on campus, W&M has it going on…frankly, our W&M student has had many more amazing opportunities than peers who chose “XYZ prestigious brand name colleges”! There’s no one perfect college for you…your experience is what YOU make of it. It is up to you to be your own advocate for the best education you can get. </p>
<p>As an aside, keep in mind that professors are real, approachable people who are excited about their fields. They aren’t just grade-crunching robots, and you can contact them anytime to ask questions, share ideas, discuss academic interests, and they will welcome you to their community of scholars if your heart and head is in the right place…the W&M profs can be super helpful.</p>
<p>AP credits going into W&M and can gain you entrance to upper level coursework early in the game, opening doors for those with confirmed interests. Do take the time time check out the recommended curriculum for your intended major.</p>
<p>As an OOS parent, we have 2 kids in undergrad; 1 at W&M and 1 at another college at present. One was an athlete & scholar considering Haverford, but decided it was too small & cushy & expensive, albeit luxurious and acadmically fitting, and decided on a smallish b-school. The other chose W&M OOS early decision, but could have gone ivy or NESCAC. Both decisions have afforded our students amazing opportunities during their undergrad years. </p>
<p>At W&M, 35% out-of-state means at least 1500 kids not from Virginia, which exceeds the total count for student body at Haverford. Our W&M student hangs with alot of OOS kids not surprisingly…the OOSers are quite academically motivated and socially active. Freshman research, outstanding paid summer jobs in their fields, grant-funded alternative school breaks, and a zillion opportunities to work & play on campus, W&M has it going on…frankly, our W&M student has had many more amazing opportunities than her peers who chose “XYZ prestigious brand name colleges”! There’s no one perfect college for you…your experience is what YOU make of it. It is up to you to be your own advocate for the best education you can get. </p>
<p>As an aside, keep in mind that professors are real, approachable people who are excited about their fields. They aren’t just grade-crunching robots, and you can contact them anytime to ask questions, share ideas, discuss academic interests, and they will welcome you to their community of scholars if your heart and head is in the right place…the W&M profs can be super helpful.</p>
<p>AP credits going into W&M and can gain you entrance to upper level coursework early in the game, opening doors for those with confirmed interests. Do take the time time check out the recommended curriculum for your intended major.</p>