<p>We would sure appreciate some opinions on this. George Mason is now out of the running - Thanks!</p>
<p>If you are an in state student, UMW is an incredible value. Very strong in social sciences. Small campus. Good location between Washington and Richmond. Competitive D3 athletics, but no football team. I have several former students attending school there, and they seem to like it a lot.</p>
<p>I vote for UMW also. These schools are very different, so I’d suggest visiting each.</p>
<p>Well, if I don’t get into W&M, UMW is my next choice. My APUSH teacher is an alumni of UMW, and she says it’s a wonderful university. Good value, good programs. I’d say go for UMW as an automatic if you’re in state. </p>
<p>If you’re OOS, then I’m not sure, because I don’t know much about Tampa.</p>
<p>You definitely need to visit each school. They are very different. A visit will make the decision much easier.</p>
<p>If I were instate I would definitely pick UMW. If OOS, then if money were an issue, and I got a merit award from UT, I would pick UT (unless you want to major in historic preservation). Other factors would be weather, would palm trees and beach be too distracting, are you going to have a car (seems to be harder to get around UT without one)?</p>
<p><a href=“http://www.umw.edu/cas/residencelife/prospective/frequently_asked_questions.php#windowac[/url]”>http://www.umw.edu/cas/residencelife/prospective/frequently_asked_questions.php#windowac</a></p>
<p>Another small thing to consider is that I don’t think many of the dorms at U. of Mary Washington have air conditioning. It doesn’t sound like a big deal but boy can it get hot in Virginia. We visited the campus about 4 years ago and it was very nice and very compact and walkable. For the heck of it, I searched their website today and in the Residence Life section and under the FAQ (frequently asked questions thread), it still says that you are not allowed to put a window air conditioning unit in your window even if the dorm doesn’t have air conditioning. If you’re used to the heat in Virginia, this shouldn’t be a problem for you.</p>
<p>As I mentioned earlier, make sure you visit both campuses before you make any decision.</p>
<p>When S and I visited UMW, the students were pretty insistent about the need to bring a fan. Or two. But the campus was absolutely gorgeous, and everyone was very friendly.</p>
<p>There are some real lifestyle differences. UMW is in a smallish town that does not really have the feel or attractions of a college town; it is just a bit too far from DC to be ‘close’ – if that makes sense --, and there is a narrow window of traffic comfort to hit if you are driving there and back. There is an Amtrak station in town and a commuter train. Again, it is a good 40-50 mile drive to Richmond. There is not a lot to do in Fredericksburg unless you love the Civil War. The weather will not be horribly humid during the school year (save for move-in weekend, most likely) – end of August to mid May – as Virginia is humid mainly in July --, but it is also really cold here, esp in Dec-Mar.<br>
Aside from that, UMW does get occasional good speakers, but the environment lacks charm. It is next to the local high school, across from the local hospital, and the parking around the school is non-existent. To get to the athletic fields, you walk about 3 blocks from the campus through a residential neighborhood. Unless you have a love for Civil War history (and the historic preservation major), I would make sure that you visit this school and spend enough time to get a true sense of the local flavor.</p>
<p>Very good description LindaCarmichael.</p>
<p>caitie90— My S is a freshman at the University of Tampa. Please PM me if you have specific questions. I also have friend with a S at UMW. Two very different schools. Make sure you visit both.</p>
<p>Thanks everyone for your advice. We have visited both schools - UMW 3x - and though OOS (Northeast), relatives are not too far away. The schools are both about the same size and have beautiful campuses. Although UT costs $5K more, it seems more cutting edge technologically. UMW has a great reputation - in VA mostly - but seems more provincial. UMW does have a 5 year Masters program in Education though. We are leaning towards Tampa but sure won’t be providing a car. UMW is “kind of close” as you say to DC - but the train doesn’t run on the weekends. We realize these are very different schools - not at all like the choices we made with our older college grad (4 years!)</p>
<p>^^ I am surprised that UMW is 5k less than UT. Was your D awarded merit aid at UT? I would have thought that with merit aid, it would be less expensive than UMW’s OOS tuition.</p>
<p>UMW’s OOS tuition is 5k cheaper than UT’s, so I’m guessing no merit aid?</p>
<p>Yeah, the Masters of Education is what really attracts me. W&M has a good education program too…that’s why they’re my top choices. </p>
<p>Fredericksburg is only an hour away from where I live and not too far away from shopping centers. We head to the Spotsylvania mall quite frequently actually. </p>
<p>Yeah, I’ve heard some rumors about the air conditioning and wireless internet infrastructure being rather faulty…but, for some reason, I seem to hear this about every VA school. I think my state is just full of old schools that haven’t undergone major renovations… :(</p>
<p>Interesting…I spent a summer at Mary Washington when I was in HS and I don’t recall no air conditioning! Guess I was younger then. Much younger.</p>
<p>I graduated from Mary Washington a zillion years ago and I can vouch for the fact that you’ll need a fan in August and part of September, but it’s really not that bad. I’m from Florida and I’m used to having air conditioning all the time, everywhere. The lack of it in my dorm at MWC was never a problem.</p>