<p>Hi, my name is George and this question has been boggling my mind for the past few weeks. I've finally decided to make an account here and hear some wise opinions.</p>
<p>I was accepted into GW and W&M two weeks ago, and intend to major in economics/mathematics in college.</p>
<p>I guess the first thing people wonder about is the cost. The cost for these two colleges comes down to 15k (W&M) v. 11k(GW), after financial aid and scholarships of course. As you can see the little difference in cost contributes greatly to my indecision.</p>
<p>The second thing that I've thought about is the study environment. GW is in the heart of the capital while W&M is the exact opposite with a very quiet campus that is more soothing to my taste. But being in the middle of DC and right next to World Bank, which is my life-long goal, GW students probably get a lot more internship opportunities in DC than students from other colleges. So the decision between campus and internship opportunities is another hard one.</p>
<p>Thirdly, the undergraduate economic programs in both colleges are more or less the same. I will have a better chance of connecting with my professors in W&M because of its 11:1 faculty to student ratio. However, I will have the chances of taking more rigorous courses in GW (since GW has a graduate econ program and W&M doesn't). So professor vs. courses is also debatable.</p>
<p>Finally, the reputation. GW definitely is more renowned than W&M world wide, while W&M is ranked 20 places higher in the US. I really don't know what to think.</p>
<p>So my friends, I'd love to hear your opinions on this situation.
Thanks.</p>
<p>The London Times’ ranking of top 200 universities worldwide doesn’t include either of these schools so I don’t think it matters. </p>
<p>Many schools have major connections to D.C. jobs … Virginia Tech pennants are all around that town. </p>
<p>To me it gets down to fit … bottom line are you more excited about being in D.C. or being in Williamsburg? Doing well at either school will bring a ton of opportunities.</p>
<p>I prefer the suburban area since it has a more suited study environment. But again, my family in China want me to go to GW because it’s in the capital and thus more worldly known.</p>
<p>William and Mary is definitely more prestigious than GW (although I grew up in Virginia). Also, have you ever been to DC? Most of it is a dump with massive rats and drunk running around. There are also a lot of murders; I remember there were 4 murders in 5 hours one day. The metro system there is really convenient though (not sure if GW has a stop). I know all of this because I grew up in Arlington, VA, which is a suburb of DC (it actually used to be inside the original DC limits).</p>
<p>I would opt for William and Mary because the cost will be offset by the cost of living. In fact, W&M might come out a bit cheaper in the long run. It is more prestigious as well</p>
<p>US news ranks W&M 32 and GWU #53 for what that’s worth.</p>
<p>First- don’t listen to StevenS above. The area that GW is in is very safe. There is a safety report in the GW Hatchet. (paper) that lists everything that happens on campus. GW is very close to Georgetown and a few blocks from the Whitehouse. It sounds as if you really want to go to WM. I know it is hard for students from China as parental influence is strong but really, both schools have good reputations in the US. You can’t go wrong at either. Pick the school you will feel more settled at. Don’t base it on money, your difference is not much but GW has fixed tuition which doesn’t change while you are enrolled.</p>
<p>What nonsense from StevenS!! The area around GW is quite safe. My D, who was a student there, never saw a rat or any such thing!! Lots of upscale hotels and restaurants. Really quite “ritzy.” A few blocks from the White House and lots of law offices and lobbying firms. There’s a metro stop right on the GW campus. But I think nbg127’s post is quite intelligent. You must go where you feel comfortable. If you are not comfortable with city life, then you must consider that.</p>
<p>Hi~~ I’m from China, and I really don’t think that GW is more prestigious than WM~~
If you prefer the suburban area, you should go to somewhere you enjoy. It’s FOUR years you will spend there. Well, I was also admitted to WM. So personally speaking, I would opt for WM in this case.</p>
Even so, the majority (like 2/3) of DC is like the hell hole I described. If you do end up going to GW, avoid Anacostia at all costs (no joke, read about it on Wikipedia if you want).</p>
<p>S and I just visited GW last week. In addition to the Foggy Bottom campus, which is a few blocks from the White House and what everyone is talking about, there is a Mount Vernon campus. The Mount Vernon campus is 2-3 miles away, and in a very suburban part of DC and there are very frequent shuttle buses between the two campuses, with a 10-15 minute ride. The Mount Vernon campus was very quiet and had a smaller college feel to it, with trees and grass, etc. It also contains all of the sports fields, and many residence halls, and a few classroom buildings.</p>
<p>My S is a junior so hasn’t applied or been accepted anywhere yet. But he thought that if he ended up at GW, he might want to live on the Mount Vernon campus. Students can take some of their classes on the Mount Vernon campus, and others on the Foggy Bottom campus.</p>
<p>The two campuses and campus climates are so different - opposites really - that someone should be able to determine whether they would be stimulated more by four years of classic college campus life or four years of taking classes in the midst of a city with limited “college life” going on around them. Other than for the convenience of the location, I can believe that GW would open doors that W&M would not. W&M is one of the most famous colleges in America - and the second-oldest after Harvard.</p>
<p>There’s plenty of “college life” going on at GW. There are fraternities and sororities, basketball and other sports, student government, student theater and dance productions and much more and in addition to all that you have the city and internships on “the hill,” the Smithsonian museums, law offices, etc.</p>
<p>Honestly, I don’t think there is enough “prestige” difference between the two schools for you to make a decision based on that factor. My oldest applied to both of those schools, and it really comes down to what the school itself has to offer you and what campus life you prefer once the cost factors are out of the way. The kids I know who have gone to those two schools are very similar in academic strength and I see no big general case for one over the other, except in terms of fit for the particular student in question.</p>
<p>GW is probably a much better option, better school in general. More resources and a larger endowment…lower cost to you. In DC, a very safe and classy area. Internship opportunities by the thousands as opposed to 0 for W&M. Will also get you a job easier as there are more GW grads, especially in Washington. Also, when was the last time the President was at W&M or the last time an event such as the 5 Secretaries of State one happen at W&M, which was also aired on CNN and mentioned in every Presidential debate? GW is superior in nearly every way. W&M is old news.</p>
<p>Thank you all for your comments.
I"ll be making my decision by the 25th, so I’ll be sure to tell you how it goes.</p>
<p>Now I have a clearer sense of what I want to do in the future. If everything goes well, I will double major in economics and mathematics, and then get M.A and PhD in a world-renowned university.</p>
<p>Which of the two schools will better prepare me for my undaunted ambition?
Thanks Again
George</p>
<p>I would disagree with pjn, especially if you want to go on to higher education. Per Capita endowments are about equal, by my estimates. W&M has a campus in DC for students doing summer internships there, plus the College runs its own research institutions on campus which provide internship opportunities to work directly with professors too - even as a freshman. If you are looking for a strong base to get into advanced programs, W&M has some of the best placement rates into graduate, law, and med schools. It has a strong undergraduate focus, whereas GWU has more graduate students than undergrads. But yes, the major difference is location. Colonial Williamsburg vs the National Capital.</p>