<p>My DD, a senior this year at a northern CA public school, has had W&M on her list for some time. She is now refining her list and having second thoughts. I am encouraging her to keep W&M on her list, but she has expressed some concerns about the location of the school in "the South." So my question is whether a politically liberal, pro-choice, pro-same sex marriage, atheist California kid would feel comfortable at W&M and the Williamsburg area in general. Her major would likely be public policy, poli sci, or history, and she plans to go to law school after undergrad. She has never been to the area and the last time I was there was for two days in 1985, so we don't have a feel for the place. We likely would not be able to visit until April '14, after acceptances.</p>
<p>I’m a card carrying member of the ACLU and prospective government major from urban Massachusetts and I am none too worried about it.</p>
<p>William and Mary is quite politically mixed, in my experience. Pretty sure we have the whole spectrum on campus. And I haven’t seen one side “dominate” the other. I’ve seen events hosted by/for both conservative and liberal types, and we have all sorts of groups and organizations. Your daughter will be fine.</p>
<p>I would not be so judgemental of “The South”. Seems to me this judgemental attitude is what your daughter would want to avoid.</p>
<p>Williamsburg is anything but your stereotypical view of “the south”. I would even call W&M pretty liberal. I think your daughter would be fine. I’ve even found the conservatives to be more welcoming and tolerant than the liberals. Just a thought.</p>
<p>Funny, when I read the title of your post I thought you might be concerned that W&M would be too liberal! My ultra-liberal D, who graduated a couple of years ago, was very comfortable there. One of her best friends was from CA with a profile much like your D’s; she thrived wonderfully.</p>
<p>My impression is that W&M leans a bit left…much like the majority of college campuses. That said, I think there is a healthy balance of different points of view. I asked my daughter what the last election season was like on campus and she said all parties (not just the big two!) were present every day and she never saw any disrespecting of others views.</p>
<p>Also…not sure what nathancbritt was referring to…I didn’t read anything judgmental in your original post 
Good Luck to your daughter!</p>
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To me, the only question would be how happy my California kid would be at a school on the opposite coast. If she’s up for it, the political climate at W&M will not be a problem. I have one kid who is politically liberal, pro-choice, pro-same sex marriage, and kind of agnostic who fit right in and loved the school, especially the campus atmosphere. Another, who is politically conservative (fiscally), pro-choice, pro-same sex marriage, and atheist, felt the same way.</p>
<p>There is a host of politically active groups on campus that embraces the full spectrum. It’s a wonderful school for history and policy majors. A visit following an acceptance will tell her a lot. One caution: W&M does not have much financial aid available for OOS students, and what there is includes loans - something to consider.</p>
<p>Remember as well that a large portion of the student body comes from Northern Virginia. And most people from the Washington DC area would never be called southern. Someone can correct me but I almost feel like it is 1/3 Northern VA, 1/3 the rest of VA, 1/3 OOS. My S, entering year 2 this Fall and from NOVA, is not liberal more in the middle and he has had no issue with finding his people nor feels out of place. I would agree that the school leans liberal (like a lot of colleges.)</p>
<p>Thanks for all the feedback. Your comments have reinforced my belief that DD would fit in just fine at W&M. I will have her read this thread. I also reminded her that Obama won VA in both 2008 and 2012, which seemed to assuage her concerns some. The Williamsburg area is obviously steeped in US history, which she loves. She would like to go east and loves DC. Georgetown is high on her list, but is more of a reach. I think W&M would be a great place to land if she can get accepted.</p>
<p>For what it’s worth, I’d add that DD, too, is a “politically liberal, pro-choice, pro-same sex marriage, atheist” - her freshman roommate was a devout Catholic, who never missed a “March For Life.” </p>
<p>They got along so well, they chose to live together all four years, and participated in many social and extra-curricular activities together. Both loved the school and the environment there, and both had large circles of friends. You’ll find people of every stripe at W&M, and that’s a good thing - you shouldn’t look to surround yourself with people exactly like yourself.</p>
<p>Very tolerant, very inclusive. Very nice people.</p>
<p>Based on further research, DD is back on board with applying to W&M. However, when she mentioned this to one of her teachers, the teacher suggested that if she is interested in VA, she should consider UVA instead of W&M. This teacher apparently had visited both recently and opined that UVA had a nicer campus and better academics. Admittedly, it does have a slightly higher USN&WR ranking (for whatever that’s worth), but the CDS shows that average GPA and test scores are practically identical. Personally, I think W&M’s smaller size would be a better fit for DD who is more of a “big fish small pond” type of person and more of a geeky intellectual type than a big rah rah party type person. Thoughts?</p>
<p>Funny you should bring this up. Our household was just talking about UVA and WM as they relate to our local big high school (where S’12 went) and the local 50% smaller high school (where S’14 goes.) Both of my boys said that UVA was like the big high school where there were cliques and kids who did not say “hello” etc. and WM was like the small high school where you know most everyone and even if you don’t or if they are not your favorite person they are still a part of your high school family. From what you have said about your daughter I think WM would be a better fit. This is assuming you have looked at whatever department her major might be in and how the two schools compare on this point.</p>
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<p>She will be pre-law and will major in poli sci, history, or public policy. UVA has the Batten School of Public Policy and Leadership, which looks pretty impressive, but much more structured/less flexible than W&M’s public policy major. Maybe I should start a separate thread on that topic…</p>
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<p>the second part of what I quoted sounds like she is more a stereotypical W&M student than UVA. However, I wouldn’t count on being a “big fish” at W&M. There are many academic all-stars.</p>
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<p>I realize that. That’s not how I meant it. I mean she will have more opportunities to shine in a smaller school environment, being in classes of 30 rather than 300, getting a chance to interact with her professors, etc.</p>
<p>A few years ago W&M students elected a transgender homecoming queen:
[From</a> the Archives: Transgender homecoming queen crowned at William and Mary - Daily Press](<a href=“http://articles.dailypress.com/2009-10-25/news/dp-local_wmhomecoming-queen_102oct25_1_homecoming-gender-roles-queen]From”>http://articles.dailypress.com/2009-10-25/news/dp-local_wmhomecoming-queen_102oct25_1_homecoming-gender-roles-queen)</p>
<p>The feeling at W&M is not very southern.</p>
<p>The mid Atlantic states are different than the southern states, particularly the college towns. </p>
<p>Good luck to you</p>
<p>Poetgrl: you are a bigot. Please describe what attributes of the so-called “southern states” make them different. By the way, also tell us what “southern states” you have lived in that make you an expert on the matter.</p>