Just got back from a week of visits - UVA, William and Mary, Wake Forest, UNC Chapel HIll and GW
Moved up:
UVA: Loved this school! My DD started with really no idea so this was a move up. We arrived the night before and stayed at a hotel on the “corner”. We walked around and ate dinner, and there were lots of students out an about. Info session was well done. Admissions officer came across as laid back and understanding - like if you don’t love an activity or are just TOO busy during junior and senior year, it’s ok to let it go. She also stressed to “maintain your core” for all four years. Essays should sound like they were written by a 17 year old that wants to go to college. Then we did the tour. Beautiful campus and it was beautiful weather. Even though it was the last week of class, lots of kids were outside, sociable and seemed happy. My daughter liked the vibe a lot. We also did the McIntire tour. The student did a good job explaining things - first two years you do the liberal arts curriculum and then apply into business. If you join the business school, you are placed in a cohort for fall of junior year and do the majority of coursework with this small group. So it creates a close knit community. Seems that about 50-70% are accepted. Side note for us - they had a kosher for passover lunch that was well attended and helped solidify that jewish life was active enough for DD. Tons of kids in UVA gear.
UNC Chapel Hill: This was not initially on our schedule, but after UVA we decided to add it. She liked this one too for a lot of similar reasons. UVA was a bit higher, but she will definitely apply to both. Info session was actually terrible. It was in the afternoon so I don’t know if the guy was bored himself, but it was really boring and everyone looked like they were having trouble staying awake. The tour guide, in contrast, was fantastic. She was dynamic and friendly and was happy to answer any and all questions. She then gave her email address for any follow-up questions. After the tour she helped us get on the bus to check out the business school since it was late and we were in a hurry. We got to the business school right around 5pm and the office was basically closed, but an admissions staff member came to talk to my daughter. She did a great job selling the program and was also super friendly. Campus was very active and beautiful. Lots of seniors taking grad photos in iconic places. We also checked out hillel and were very happy to hear about the offerings including a Jewish sorority (not part of normal sorority group). Lots of kids in Carolina gear.
Moved down/off:
William and Mary: Beautiful school and Williamsburg is a really cute town. Info session was funny and the guy was full of jokes and stories. I would have liked more substance, but it set the stage. Tour guide was very sweet and clearly loved the school. Something about the vibe just didn’t work for my D. Interesting because I had heard people say it was “quirky” but had never mentioned that to her. I think that was what she felt. Also it was a gorgeous day and the campus was nearly silent in some areas. Yes, it was the week before finals, but the day before at UVA was a huge contrast. I think she likes campuses with more energy all the time. Hillel was also a bust - way too small. I don’t think she will apply.
Wake Forest: Again, beautiful campus and a beautiful day. Admissions presenter was excellent. Campus was extremely well manicured and everything seemed upscale. For some reason, my DD wasn’t loving it. She also didn’t like that it was 50% greek. We noticed many kids wearing greek letters rather than WF gear. It was also surprisingly quiet. We went to the business school and an admissions person came to speak with us. Again, did a great job selling the program. The woman was very honest. When she asked my DD what other schools we were touring and she named the schools, she said you really picked great schools. They are all terrific academic choices so it’s more about the other factors. It was nice to hear that from someone other than me! I was surprised that it wasn’t a bigger hit, but that’s why we visit. I think given the distance from home and her other similar choices, she is unlikely to apply.
GW: Probably stayed the same. I knew she didn’t love urban campuses but she really liked American and DC when we visited earlier, so we decided to check it out while in the area. As I suspected, it’s probably too urban for her. She was bothered by the lack of dining hall. They do have several enclosed food court type areas, but they are also open to the public. I asked the tour guide about breakfast and she admitted that was a challenge. We also took the tour of the Mt Vernon campus since I thought that might provide balance. It was fine and does provide a dining hall and a grassy campus. But it was really small and sort of generic looking. The tour guide said that GW bought a small boarding school (or college) and it became this campus. All freshman take a required writing class on “the Vern” and about 1/3 of freshman live there.