These are the two colleges I’ve narrowed my choice down to since I’ve already turned down VCU because of a horrendous financial aid package. I haven’t received W&M’s financial aid statement yet, but UMW would cover everything with scholarships and grants through their Rappahannock Scholars Program. UMW also requires no enrollment deposit since I’m a Rapp Scholar. I’ve also been accepted into UMW’s Honors Program which has some benefits, but I don’t know how useful they’d be.
Honors Program Info
Has about 50-100 students per entering class (about 4,000 undergrads)
Graduate with “University Honors”
Priority class registration (even before seniors)
Honors student lounge/computer pod access
Guaranteed $1,000 minimum for an undergrad research project
Some other minor things like honors classes
I’m not set on any specific major yet, but it would likely be either chemistry or physics. Why should I go to W&M or UMW? I’d like any input about the schools and especially about how W&M’s “GPA deflation” may affect future grad school, internship, and career prospects.
If W&M is affordable for you, I’d go there. It sounds like you’re a terrific student and the atmosphere at W&M is very different from that at UMW, even if UMW is a great university. W&M is one of the country’s great public universities.
I’ve heard of grade deflation at W&M, but there are no studies proving it. I believe a great deal of it, if it really is true, is because the students cannot believe they’re not worth an A in every class. I don’t mean that in a snotty way; just that the students are high, high achievers. If you can afford W&M, though, I say go there. We got a terrible vibe at Mary Washington – awful presentation that was out of date, while the written materials were up-to-date (which to me says the presenter was too lazy to update his Power Point); a tour guide who had no enthusiasm and never talked to us except when she gave her speech at the assigned spots; and students who literally looked us up and down as if to say “we don’t want you here.” The worst: Our daughter had applied for a summer program and decided to introduce herself to one of the possible program professors. The professor wasn’t friendly (she wasn’t working, just walking the halls, so we hadn’t interrupted her) and was not the least bit interested in “selling” Mary Washington. The only nice and friendly person we met was the admissions rep for the Tidewater area. I felt sorry for her because she had no chance with us because her co-workers and students were awful. I’ve heard that this unfriendliness and unprofessionalism is the norm.
I would go to W&M if your package is enough. Its a far better school. W&M is hands down one of the best schools in the country. It is definitely at a different standard at W&M. Both of these schools are completely different. UMW would be a different feel for you. I think you would reach your academic potential more at W&M.
I think W&M grade deflation is long in the past. There are statistics out there and the average GPA is similar to UVA and other similar schools. If schools are in the same general range, I usually suggest going with best fit, but I think W&M is clearly better than UWM.
W& M will give you a far, far better education and job opportunities than UMW, please consider going there if the FA works out! There is just no comparison! Good luck!
What grade deflation are you talking about at W&M? Even in the 70’s W&M was fair in grading, you get what you put in. I have to be forever grateful for my Multi-variate Calc professor at W&M who tirelessly helped me in his triple office hour to catch up, at that time, I did not even take Calc ever, I took the wrong course, we had to start from scratch in 6 weeks for the summer. And I ended up with an A.
That’s awesome and great to hear @WhereOhWhere21 ! I’m a current junior here now. Please hit me up if you have any questions or need anything anytime. Welcome to the Tribe!