<p>I saw this on the website and thought all you CCers and WM hopefuls would like to read this. I know when I applied I was so worried I would be rejected because of my SAT, which I felt was subpar, compared to WM's standards. That being said, I had a lot of other things going for me and in the end it all worked out. I hope it puts some of your minds at ease :)
<a href="http://blogs.wm.edu/2014/03/04/overheard-in-committee-testing-isnt-everything/">http://blogs.wm.edu/2014/03/04/overheard-in-committee-testing-isnt-everything/</a></p>
<p>Are you a current W&M student? Or accepted class of 2018? Either way … Congrats!</p>
<p>I’m class of 2018, thank you! Getting that acceptance email was one of the most exciting things!</p>
<p>Congrats on your acceptance to W&M! I saw from your other threads you were considering UVA and W&M. Others had spoken about the larger size of UVA being a benefit. My S is a current Junior at W&M and he was like you considering the smaller vs large schools. He does not need individual attention but revels in educated discussion with the professors ( that does not happen at schools as large as UVA) We went to admitted student days at W&M and other large research universities and we were in lecture halls with 300 seats. I asked him where he would sit in such a large class and he said up front so he could talk to the professors. He quickly realized that would not happen in such a a large school. I asked admissions officers how many students were in upper level course for POPULAR majors ( most schools give you averages that include esoteric classes with 7 students to figure those low student teacher ratios)… The large schools said 30-40. Then we saw the state of the art trading room with large plasma wall and double screens at every seat in the big new business school class room with seats for 150. I thought no way would a little public school be able to compete with that</p>
<p>We went to W&M and sat in a lecture hall for 90. Asking the same question about upper level class size and they said 10-20. When we first visited W&M I thought there was no way they could offer what the larger schools did ( he entered as thinking business major. We went to the very new ( and old looking Mason School of business building and looked around what appeared to be a colonial home with cushy couches in the lounge with big fire places, beautiful wood works and fixtures heck the elevator had cherry wood, brass hardware and crown molding!</p>
<p>We walked around, turned a corner and there it was, a state of the art trading room with plasma wall and double screens at every desk. Only thing was it only held 40-50 students. He turned to me and said I think I will thrive here. And he has in multiple ways.</p>
<p>You also mentioned an interest in the Institute for Theory and Practice of International Relations. He heard about that as well and did a summer research project there FRESHMAN YEAR! It came with free room and board. The next year he was PAID and got free room and board. You will never get that type of arrangement at a larger school. There are just too many students for Freshman to have that kind of opportunity. Usually only as juniors and seniors that will happen in a larger school ( and the profs will want you to have had more advance classes).</p>
<p>He is not even an IR major ( you don’t need to be IR to get a research spot. just have an interest in the work they do there.) As a freshman, he also was invited to his Chinese professors house for lunches on Sunday with other students to discuss Chinese economics with the many Chinese students who met there every Sunday since he told her he had an interest in Chinese economic policy. Does that happen at larger schools, I don;t know but highly doubt it.</p>
<p>He is involved in all types of clubs, he runs with a running club, he is in the business fraternity ( he is the VP and is not even in the business school!) There are parties but he and his freinds enjoy grabbing coffee and discussing politics and what I call really mature things. I actually enjoy their company when I visit. I notice a huge lack of woowoo girls and Lax bros when I visit, compared to other campuses.</p>
<p>And sports, yes the football team is lacking but they have a scramble band like the ivies and anyone can join. but basketball has been in the CAA finals 3 out of the last 7 years (and just made it in again tonight in case you did not know. One more win and they will be in the NCAA tournament.</p>
<p>Sorry for the long winded reply ( and not my first post) I could not get in with my other screen name. You have made an excellent decision. Enjoy your time there…</p>
<p>Just want to concur on the “Research” aspect - of my DD’s three summers there, one spent doing (non-major) science research, (which later included a presentation at a conference), one studying abroad, and one split - a couple of weeks traveling doing research funded by the Monroe grant, and a paid month to help setup a laboratory and processes for her in-session research group.</p>
<p>Her roommate was similar, two years paid summer research (which resulted in co-author credit on pub), and one Monroe summer traveling in Europe. </p>
<p>Not saying these are typical experiences, or that those things aren’t possible at other schools. But I <em>am</em> saying those experiences are definitely possible at W&M.</p>
<p>That’s so awesome! The size of uva was actually my biggest deterrent from it because while I don’t think I will always need tons of help from professors, I can’t imagine not having a relationship with them. I had always heard of those kinds of experiences at W&M where students get amazing research opportunities as underclassmen, and classes are small so professors and students really interact. I’m glad to hear more stories like that.</p>
<p>@Jssaab1 , your son’s experience sounds like what I’m looking for. Of course I want to have fun and I’ll probably rush because I know many people in Greek life at the college, but just hanging out with friends is more of what I want to do.</p>
<p>With sports, as you’ve probably seen on my other threads, I love sports! And while the college isn’t gonna be on espn any time soon, the sports scene is just enough. The football games I’ve been to have been really fun and the student section looks cool, and the football team is pretty good as well. While it isn’t a big time football school, it’s nice. I grew up going to UNC games and honestly, W&M could rival UNC in rowdiness even though UNC’s stadium is like 55,000. </p>
<p>I’ve been watching the CAA tournament and I’m soo excited for this game against Delaware, the team has been good this year! I know basketball attendance isn’t awesome, but hey, as long as the student section is loud then it’s ok.</p>
<p>I could not be more excited to join the tribe next year! I’ve had lunch with a few good friends that go there and they told me all about it and addressed all the myths. I have no doubt I made the right choice in W&M over uva.</p>
<p>Glad you feel more comfortable about your decision. My Son’s first choice was Princeton and he was wait-listed While not heart broken he talked with friends who went there who told him even though that school has a great reputation for focus on undergrads, the famous professors whose work he read were never really on campus much due to consulting or companies they started or speaking engagements.</p>
<p>He was also accepted to Columbia and other top schools ( his parents hated the schools in NYC) but while trying to make his decision President Revelry called him personally to ask him why he had not accepted yet. In telling the President about his first choice and being wait-listed, Mr Revelry said " I am a Princeton alum all 4 of my children attended there, and even though I cannot say anything bad about the school, the god’s of admission need to smile upon you in order to get in now. I can tell you with all my heart, I am trying as best as I am able to make the student’s experience at W&M as much like Princeton as I can, within the walls of a public College"</p>
<p>All I can say is he came into our room after that call wearing an I AM WM teeshirt…</p>
<p>Oh I strongly suggest you make sure to have your parents stop by the presidents house and meet Mr revelry in person during Freshman move in days. He is so personable and will remember meeting them whenever you see him on campus. I was amazed when I introduced myself and he mentioned how happy he was that W&M was able to “capture” my son as his other choices were excellent.</p>