Monroe Scholar at William and Mary or Echols Scholar at UVA?

<p>Hi college confidential folks!
I've been having a tough time deciding what decision to make. I've already been admitted to UVA and W&M, and both schools offered me some perks. The Echols scholars at UVA get priority course selection, are exempt from area requirements, and can design their own major if they choose. Monroe scholars at W&M, though, get a $3000 "research fund" (which I've been led to believe can be used... flexibly...), live in a separate dorm lacking AC, and can attend a pretty sick-sounding lecture series with a bunch of bigwigs. UVA offers greater variety in course offerings (no kvetching, W&M alums, it's just bigger), which could be amazing when you consider the opportunities of an Echols, but W&M's focus on undergrad education is appealing as well. When I visited the campuses, W&M's hipster-y vibe was a bit of a turn-off, and many students complained about the amount of work and GPA deflation, but at the same time UVA's reputation for pretentiousness was shown to be well-deserved. Thoughts? I'm quite torn.</p>

<p>If big time sports, Greek system, or mountain setting are important then UVirginia would be a match. If you want undergrad focus, free spirited peers, and more down to earth attitude, then W&M is the place to be.</p>

<p>Good luck.</p>

<p>Were you in my situation, which would you choose?</p>

<p>These are both great choices. They have very different vibes and no one can make that decision for you. Good luck with your decison.</p>

<p>Well, that goes without saying, but at the same time it would be helpful if I could hear some less-impartial opinions :)</p>

<p>I think the responses you are getting are because while the perks offered are nice, they don’t represent most of the difference in experience that you will have in your four years and only you can decide where you would have a better fit. If you want more input on the pluses and minuses of each school, then you might want to post your question on their respective boards: [University</a> of Virginia - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/university-virginia/]University”>University of Virginia - College Confidential Forums) and [College</a> of William and Mary - College Confidential](<a href=“http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-william-mary/]College”>http://talk.collegeconfidential.com/college-william-mary/)</p>

<p>This is true. I’m sorry if I gave the impression that those “perks” were the sole factors in my decision, as that wasn’t my intent. I’ll be returning to the campuses again in a few weeks to help me make up my mind-- thanks for the help anyway!</p>

<p>It sounds like William and Mary would be too small for you. I feel like (simply from your tone) that you like UVa better. Echols is a great deal, especially in a larger state school where upperclassmen might otherwise fill up classes that you want. And many Echols Scholars end up taking advantage of the “design your own interdisciplinary major” option.</p>

<p>I didn’t feel like UVa students were pretentious, but I like the quirkier student body of William & Mary better anyway. If I were in your shoes, I would likely choose W&M, mainly because I like the smallness of it. However, if you want to be special in a larger school with top-notch resources, UVa is the obvious choice.</p>