<p>I'm a Canadian undergrad student (McGill). I will participate in an exchange program and, for various reasons, I'd like to study in Virginia. I have three choices: University of Virginia, College of William and Mary or University of Richmond. Where should I go ?</p>
<p>First of all, let's mention that money don't really matter, I will only pay McGill tuition fees (1600$, I grieve with you my American friends, your tuition fees are insanely high!) while I'm there. Although, accommodation expenses might matter. Second, I will only be there for one semester, so I don't really care about long term opportunities or considerations. I am only looking to know where I could have the best time for several months, on academical and human level. I like to drink, I like serious stuff, I just can't stand the preppy crowd. Third, I study political sciences.</p>
<p>Bonus questions (things that matter, but not that much) :
-Does any of these uni have a ''southern feel'' ?
-Which one would look better on a r</p>
<p>Less preppy, nice surroundings, historical / architectural would sound like W&M. Since you’ll only be there a semester, I wouldn’t think that any would provide a significant resume boost.</p>
<p>I would go to College of William And Mary. UVA would look the best on a resume but William & Mary isn’t far behind and there are tons of preppy students at UVA. I think you’ll enjoy William & Mary from what you described you wanted in your post.</p>
<p>Kids at UVa eat, sleep, shower, go to class, buy groceries, do homework, use the bathroom while wearing polos. Great school, but if that’s actually a serious concern, go W&M for it is also an excellent school, a great place for political science as well.</p>
<p>Yeah, and you seem like you would enjoy exploring Colonial Williamsburg which is adjacent to W&M in addition to the campus’ historical sites. I would imagine housing costs at all 3 would be similar. Charlottesville is a great city too. Williamsburg really only has 3 bars near campus, but they are well used by students for 3 nights a week. Richmond has plenty of nightlife as a medium sized city, but its not the best city to live in. Both UVA and W&M have a ‘colonial’ building style and are noted for their beauty, while UofR has a gothic style campus. The stereotype is that UVA is the most preppy, followed by UofR (which has lots of northerners), and then W&M. You’ll get a taste of the ‘South’ at any of the three.</p>
<p>At W&M, many students are familiar with McGill because of Model UN.</p>
<p>You guys scare me with this preppy invasion. But oh well, I guess if I force myself to see it as something exotic and amusing, I’ll be able to stand it, lol. </p>
<p>So you mostly mentioned UVa and W&M, but not Richmond that much. Is it because you guys consider Richmond sub par with these two other colleges ?</p>
<p>URichmond is still a great school, I suppose either the people who responded are simply more familiar with the other two schools (like I), or favor the other two schools. What are you planning to study?</p>
<p>I don’t think that it’s a question of sub par for Richmond, it’s just that Richmond is highly preppy and if you’re willing to accept a certain amount of preppy ambience, UVA is a much more well-known school.</p>