<p>Spent the last few days with S looking at both schools. Low key tour at Richmond and "Day for Admitted Students" at W&M. Both schools are impressive. We are OOS so tuition at W&M is lower but comparable. S is having a hard time deciding........any thoughts? He is interested in science.</p>
<p>The spiders are the enemy!!! haha</p>
<p>I mean, I think the academics overall are pretty similar. I know W&M has great sciences and excellent medical school placement. I can’t speak for UR in that regard. W&M really “walks the talk” regarding undergraduate research as well. UR is obviously in Richmond, but its in the burbs(-ish) of Richmond, so it doesn’t have a city feel, though it is closer to the city than W&M. I think UR is smaller as well. W&M draws 2/3 of its students from Virginia, and probably half of those from the DC suburbs. Lots of out of state students from the rest of the northeast though. I assume UR also has many students from PA/NJ/NY etc. I think the UR student body has a more “preppy” vibe, but that is just my impression. I do think the student body at W&M is a little stronger academically but I don’t think its a reason worth choosing one school over the other. It is unlikely any students from VA that got into UVA or W&M would choose UR unless there was substantial money involved (the kids from my high school that went, one went on an athletic scholarship and one went for free because of some other money he got).</p>
<p>and for clarification, my views of UR are based on trips for football games and to see friends.</p>
<p>If cost is not an issue, I would suggest University of Richmond.</p>
<p>I had to chose between those two schools too. I picked William and Mary because every single student or prospective student I met was nice and inviting. I made so many new friends who had such a variety of interests. We had the same passion for learning and understanding the world around us, but we were all unquie in our own way. It was definately exciting to hear about their hobbies. The campus makes me feel extremely comfortable and at home. University of Richmond definately has better dorms, but William and Mary had the diversity, campus life, and student body I was looking for. It’s up to where you feel most comfortable.</p>
<p>Lovelie- all of your post are anti-W&M. What is your agenda? Why are you a hater?</p>
<p>OP- Richmond is a great school but W&M student body, prestige, national reputation are stronger. W&M without a second thought. Good luck.</p>
<p>My daughter and I looked at both schools on the same trip. She loved U of R…in fact leaned over to me during the tour and said, “I want to go here.” It was a beautiful early spring day and the campus was breathtakingly beautiful. The dorms, the fitness center and the lake were her favorites…and she was intrigued by the leadership major they have. We had what is still the best tour guide we have ever had (…and that’s a lot of tours, lol). </p>
<p>The next day we toured W&M. It was cold and rainy. She was only half engaged in the info session…still thinking about U of R. I waited until after the tour to ask her what she thought. She didn’t hesitate at all and said, “This is where I belong. It is my fit. It is the community that I want to be a part of”. She applied early decision, was accepted and has never doubted her choice for a moment.<br>
She could list the qualities and programs that enticed her…but it really does come down to “fit”. She said nowhere else she’s ever visited had such a school spirit grounded in a sense of community (not just athletics…). She has since visited overnight several times and remains incredibly excited to be part of the Tribe.
So - academics aside - they are both fine schools (though make sure the programs match your interests!) pick the “community” you feel most a part of. Good luck!!</p>
<p>oh…also…though U of R is technically in Richmond, it is in the outlying West End suburbs - deep in an affluent residential neighborhood. So, there are actually more establishments (stores, coffee houses, etc) in walking distance in Williamsburg than at U of R. I have heard U of R students get a little “claustrophobic” being at small school with nowhere to go unless they catch a shuttle…which is apparently very time consuming (Going into Richmond would take most of an afternoon I would think).<br>
U of R IS a very impressive school - and the right choice for many students. Just make sure it is the right choice for you.</p>
<p>…Of course, if you are instate, there’s that 30K difference in price… :)</p>
<p>As a UR alum, with a W&M brother, if I had to do it all over again I would go to W&M. I think kids have a better time finding their niche at a public state school and I definitely agree with soccerguy about the preppiness (is that a word?) factor of UR vs. W&M. UR is small and although they are trying to be more diverse, they have a long way to go. I am not trying to “diss” my alma mater; I got a great education there, but if I had to choose between the two schools, or if my kid did, I would pick W&M in a heartbeat. The sciences at Richmond are really strong, though, so he needs to consider that in with everything else. Good luck to you!</p>