<p>Big dstinction between W&L and W&M. William and Mary has much less emphasis on greek life and much more moderate polictically. Also, more non comformative student body than W&L.</p>
<p>hello, this is midwestandcrazy's daughter (or "d" i guess... i am so not "hip" on this board).</p>
<p>well. there seems to be quite a culture clash contained in my list of schools, doesn't it? i guess w&l and earlham are quite different. for a while the joke was that my two favorite schools were w&l and reed, so earlhams almost a step closer. however, i feel that i could be quite comfortable at either of these schools. although i know more about w&l--i have visited and it is my ed school--that about earlham, i seem to only be hearing good things.
i wouldn't really mind going to a dry school, as drinking isn't really high up on my list of super fun activities, but i feel i will not have a problem in the fratty, basement binge culture that seems to be prevalent at w&l, as i have nothing particularly against drinking, i just don't do it myself.
i am comfortable with the idea of joining a sorority, and although i never really imagined myself as a soroity girl, my high school and my group of friends couldn't really get any more clique-based and gossipy, so i figure it won't make a huge difference.
i'm not going to wear my uggs and abercrombie and fitch minis everyday at my high school, and i probably wont wear polo and burberry everyday if i end up at washington and lee. that said, i wont give up my lacoste and heels if i end up somewhere less fratty-prep than w&l, either.</p>
<p>"i wouldn't really mind going to a dry school, as drinking isn't really high up on my list of super fun activities, but i feel i will not have a problem in the fratty, basement binge culture that seems to be prevalent at w&l, as i have nothing particularly against drinking, i just don't do it myself. "</p>
<p>Good comments. The question, though, is not whether you think you might be able to find a way to fit in, but whether you should even have to, with so many wonderful schools out there. In other words, what would a campus without a fratty, basement binge culture be able to offer that W&L doesn't?</p>
<p>My D is at Earlham. She really likes it, and especially appreciates the diversity of the student body. It's definitely a place where you can get lots of attention from professors. But you'd really need to visit to see if its particular brand of quirkiness suits you. (Same with Reed, if that's still on your list.) My daughter got a nice merit scholarship with much lower stats, so I'm sure you'd get a nice aid offer from Earlham.</p>
<p>Despite the dry campus policy there definitely is drinking there, though probably not to the extent that you might see elsewhere. You can PM me if you want more information about the school.</p>
<p>My daughter is a freshman at W&L. She was a non-drinker in H.S., but drinks at parties at college, as I expected she would. The workload is pretty intense, so she also has plenty of nights where she elects <em>not</em> to party. If you would like to ask her some questions, pm me, and I'll give you her email.</p>
<p>If you do wind up going to W&L, I would definitely recommend that you attend one of the pre-orientation trips. She's made some good friends from her trip.</p>
<p>Good luck with your college search.</p>
<p>I thought of Beloit, and I see that it is mentioned by at least two of your posters. My other thought, and it is more along the Lawrence and Earham line, is Oberlin.</p>