Hey everyone, so after a ton of research and visiting both schools, I’m having trouble deciding which school would be best. I’m planning to apply Early Decision to one of them (if I ever make up my mind), but my main concern with Lehigh is the lack of name recognition. I know it sounds a little stupid but I’m worried about having to explain myself every time people ask where I go to school, and I feel like it might affect my prospects in the future, as I hope to go to vet school after I get my bachelor’s. William and Mary is a good school too and it’s cheaper for me because I’m in-state. If anyone could give their two-cents about the recognition issue, that would help a lot.
What are you planning to study?
I’m thinking on majoring in Biology
William and Mary is one of the very few, if not the only, public schools that are very much like a private college. It’s small relative to public universities in this country. Just around 6,000 undergrads. It has a strong brand, especially in the east-coast. It has strong programs too, including biology/pre-med. For in-state tuition, I would pick it over Lehigh any day.
You won’t have to explain Lehigh to anyone that matters. But if your are in-state for W&M then the considerable cost difference is definitely worth considering (especially if grad school might be in your future).
William and Mary is lovely and the fact that it is cheaper for you is great. Personally I think colonial williamsburg is pretty cool and you should really take that opportunity
Unless you really have a strong attachment to Lehigh or want to major in an area William and Mary doesn’t have, like engineering, I think W&M has a clear advantage based on the in-state cost. W&M is quite strong in sciences, including Biology.
You could consider applying ED to W & M and then apply to Lehigh ED2 if you don’t get admitted.
Be sure you aren’t interested in Bioengineering though before applying to W & M.
As far as brand recognition. I think that in and around Virginia, W & M has better recognition. I think that Lehigh has better brand recognition in NY, NJ, and PA.