<p>How is the social atmosphere here? I'm from a diverse and pretty liberal school and I read somewhere that it was very "Southern" and I wanted to get other opinions. I have never visited campus, but went to colonial williamsburg when I was younger. Some local advise would be helpful, thanks!</p>
<p>W&M students are generally very open and accepting of all kinds of people, if that is what you are asking. Others can chime in, but I think they will probably agree with me.</p>
<p>It also rained here today, so that might influence your decision toward WM =P</p>
<p>I think all the "southern" comments I keep reading are pretty silly. I hardly ever read anything like, "I hear (school name) is pretty northern..." blah, blah blah. </p>
<p>I'm from the north, currently living in the south. I don't understand what the southern phobia is all about -- that is, for anyone living in the present. If you want to go to a school where everyone thinks, acts, and speaks the way you do, I'd suggest staying local.</p>
<p>Flossem, I've had the same thoughts when I read comments about other schools below the Mason-Dixon line (Vanderbilt, Emory, Wake, UVA, etc.). And for sure no one ever wonders whether a school might be too "western." :)</p>
<p>FWIW, I do think there is a southern atmosphere in some areas of the south, which I personally find to be energetic, charming, and a refreshing change from where I live. I don't find anything negative in it, at all. But I wouldn't say one would experience this change in atmosphere in Williamsburg, which I've visited many times over the past 7 years as a W & M parent. It too is a welcome change from the drab area I live in, but - other than the warm, humid weather - it's not all that similar to Nashville, where another of my children goes to school. I don't even hear many Southern accents in the Burg!</p>
<p>My opinion, WM is more liberal than UVA. I don't feel the southern vibe at WM at all. Just feels like a university. Daughter is a freshman. I think she has one friend that lives near her. All other friends live in the north or west. We are native Virginians from deep southern roots.</p>
<p>Most people there are from Northern Va (which is not very Southern at all) or NJ, or so it seems! lol</p>
<p>So if anything, it is a northeastern bias.</p>
<p>Having spent much time in WA & OR and in southeast VA, I believe it is quite safe to say yours would be a major culture shift. Plenty of differences, and if you're looking for an alternative experience, you'd likely find it to the max here. Or at least as much as might be expected. Not necessarily "bad", just different. Very.</p>
<p>Seems to me that as time goes on these regional differences are becoming less and less. </p>
<p>I assume "southern" is the code word for conservative, maybe? or Christian? Is that what bothers people?</p>
<p>Not to me. I appreciate them but personally see major differences between NE, East Coast, Southern, Midwest, MidSouth, Southwestern, West Coast cultures, especially for an 18 year old. </p>
<p>And I find it ironic that with the current diversity kick, 'twould seem the ultimate goal is to make every institution just like the other ones ... except that MINE has smarter, brighter, faster, prettier/handsomer, more creative, better paying students. </p>
<p>Perhaps the ultimate college/university might be found near Lake Wobegone, "where all the women are strong, all the men are good looking, and all the children are above average."</p>
<p>Sadly, the goal of diversity is to become very average.</p>