<p>All of this reputational talk doesn’t matter. They are both good schools. </p>
<p>What matters is that WM has accepted this young person. This is like a job search. If you have a good offer, take it. And then get prepared (mentally and otherwise) to perform at a top notch level. Accept it and move on.</p>
<p>It’s clear that reputation isn’t factoring into OP’s daughter’s decision, and the regional
perceptions aren’t surprising. I did want to react, though, to mathmom’s stats, particularly the large difference in SAT scores for accepted students. I’m assuming they are Naviance-type numbers, and therefore from a sample of 1 school, where applying to Wes is popular? The Collegeboard’s midranges show a different picture…Wes’s slightly higher; considering that W&M represents statewide representation guidelines and the fact that the OOS acceptance rate is much lower (some speculate half of the instate rate), it’s reasonable to conclude they’re very close.</p>
<p>I’m rooting for OP’s daughter to get off the waitlist, but if not, she will likely do fine at William and Mary. Its academic rigor is manageable with appropriate effort, and while it may not be as “liberal”, it’s very accepting.</p>