<p>Can anyone tell me what they think of WM? I applied to it because it's a really good school, but I'm from NY and haven't really had a chance to get down to Williamsburg.</p>
<p>I guess I'm really interested in the social scene. What's there to do on weekends? I've heard that WM is really self-contained, is it? Is there stuff to do near by or is it all mostly touristy? Anything else you feel like mentioning would be great too!</p>
<p>I can help you out here. It's located in Colonial Williamsburg...there is literally nothing to do there, unless you want to see reenactments of the late 1700s. I mean literally nothing at all...of course the campus has a few shops, etc. like all campuses do, but Williamsburg is a horrible town. Pretty, but boring. </p>
<p>The school, and the campus, however, are great. If academics are your thing, you'll be in heaven, and the campus is one of the best public campuses in the country. Absolutely beautiful. As long as you don't need a lot out of your surroundings (which I do, personally, which is why I applied to all urban schools) then this is the school for you.</p>
<p>the stuff close by is mostly touristy. Weekends at W&M are what you make of them, honestly. If you want to drink and party, you can. If you don't want to, you can do that too. I hear drunk people out my window Thursday nights, Friday nights, Saturday nights, and Sunday nights. "There is literally nothing to do there" is false. If you want to go clubbing, then yes, there's nothing. If you want to hang out and enjoy yourself, and drink [or not], you will have something to do. W&M is pretty self contained, which IMO is a plus, because everything happens close by.</p>
<p>I've gone up there a few times because my mom is an alumnus, and the town is pretty, but mostly good for carriage rides and historical reenactments (probably done by your classmates!). Because I don't go to school there, take what I say with a grain of salt, but walking about the immediate area I almost felt a little claustrophobic, like I would get sick of it if I was there for four years! We also went by the neighborhood with all the sorority houses, and both the houses and the little "neighborhood" were adorable! It was also almost surreal o.0. Talk about a little world of its own. Maybe if you have a car it would be better? That said there are nice little sandwhich shops and stuff and other restaurants.</p>
<p>But everything is gorgeous...the campus is gorgeous....Williamsburg is gorgeous...especially the campus! I'd say if you have a group of friends anybody can keep themselves entertained, but it sure isn't NYU. If I got accepted I would definitely go - you really can't beat the academic value for the price. Actually, I don't know if I would definitely go. It's such a drag, do you go for small and intimate or sprawling and real-worldish? Who knows...</p>
<p>This town is horribly boring and compares to places like Durham</p>
<p>Totally disagree Bjcdb! Town is fun - kind of "touristy" but w & m students have a great time! Lots going on with the college or in the greek scene as well as smart kids just making their own fun. There are plenty of kids who party as well as those who don't - no pressure either way. Students are pretty much respected for whatever they want to do - highly recommend the school. You must be ready to work however - no grade inflation here. W & M degree is well respected everywhere.</p>
<p>Bj - do you go to school there? I'm not seeing the comparison to Durham at all - Durham is a dump and is dangerous. Come on...Williamsburg? not a chance.</p>
<p>yeah i do and let me tell you that aside from Colonial Williamsburg, Williamsburg is not the place you think it is. It might not be dangerous, but much of Williamsburg is drabby, granted there is some economic development taking place</p>
<p>wow BJ....your description makes me wonder if you actually do live in Williamsburg - or maybe....you go to another school and are unhappy that W&M is so highly sought after??? hmmm....spent alot of time there and have yet to see anything close to drabby</p>
<p>So BJ.....................exactly what are you looking for in Williamsburg that you are not finding? Granted it's not New York or Boston. It's a "college town".................Most would agree, it's the friends, parties, campus activities,etc. that make the college experience so rewarding. Fun won't knock on your door at any college. At William and Mary, I have to be careful not to have too much fun. There is ALWAYS somethig fun to do here. No, we can't walk to the "city" and see a broadway show....................sometimes on weekends, we can't walk too well.......... ;o). Give Williamsburg a break. There is nothing you can't find at William and Mary that you can find at most colleges, ANYWHERE! Peace.</p>
<p>Students who want a big city experience - a variety of professional shows, big-name concerts, major league sporting events, dance clubs, etc. - are not going to find what they're looking for at W & M. However, you can access this kind of entertainment occasionally by going to Norfolk, Richmond, or DC - my daughter did this several times each semester while she was at W & M. Another nearby, fun destination is Virginia Beach. You'll need a friend with a car, of course, but lots of students seem to have them.</p>
<p>My daughter and her friends never seemed bored, and I don't think she ever visited the historical reenactments area except to jog through it. She did work for a CW shop, which paid way more than her previous retail jobs in NY state - something to consider for those who'll want a part-time job. Her friends who were waiters/waitresses made LOTS of money.</p>
<p>The fact that it's undeniably touristy means there's that kind of stuff to do too, occasionally - most every variety of restaurant, outlet malls, mini-golf, Busch Gardens, a water park (open seasonally), etc. No, college kids don't do that stuff every weekend, but Williamsburg isn't a ghost town, either. The College provides plenty of programming, too - lots of outdoor events, fundraisers, intramurals. </p>
<p>Bjcdb, you don't sound happy and so Williamsburg isn't the place for you. Would you be happier in a big city or on a bigger campus? Nothing wrong with transferring - lots of kids do.</p>
<p>BJ..............dude, did you not tour the campus before you enrolled? I just read back and saw that you are a fellow student at W&M. You do sound unhappy in Billsburg. Now that you know more of what you want, maybe you should consider transferring to a school that better meets your needs. I assure you that there is lots of fun going on at William and Mary. Peace out.</p>
<p>Allow me to explain</p>
<p>Again to reiterate, William and Mary is for the most part in Colonial Williamsburg, and yes that part of Williamsburg is quite nice. However, Williamsburg, itself, the town outside of CW, is far different, and that is what I am trying to convey. Moreover, at no point in time did I reference anything about the campus, so the previous comments are somewhat unfounded.</p>
<p>Bjcdb - I don't thing anyone is trying to explain your situation to you and I am sympathetic to you being unhappy! I do feel that you are characterizing W & M and Williamsburg in a way that is not accurate though. So, the responses are meant to convey our own personal experiences with the campus and town. I do hope that you find a school that makes you happy or that things turn around for you at W & M!</p>
<p>OK I am going to clarify this once and for all....I do not dislike WM, I am simply trying to convey that I am not a great fan of the town, and that is all.</p>