This is directed to all current W&M students that transferred in! I’m sure this thread had been created before, but I would love to hear your perspective on your decision to leave your previous schools and go to W&M-
-What school did you come from (If you’re comfortable giving that out of course) and what drew you to W&M
-Was the academic rigor what you expected? easier/harder to adjust?
-How did being a transfer student affect your social life, if at all? (ability to meet people, ect.)
-Did you live on campus your first year at WM? How did you find a roommate as a transfer student?
Obviously you don’t have to answer all questions but just some ideas! thanks!! and fingers crossed i get accepted!
Not a student, but the parent of a transfer student. They transferred from a national university ranked similarly to W&M. They did well at the other school and had friends, just didn’t love the vibe. They are completely loving their W&M experience–enjoy being able to walk to lots of restaurants, coffee shops, etc; feel like the students are more genuine/authentic/interesting; as a result they are much more involved in social groups, work, research, etc. They have found the science classes slightly less difficult (though other school did have a real weed out approach to science classes, which included a lot of premeds) (still challenging though). They have found the non-science classes slightly easier. But overall not a significant difference. They are absolutely thrilled to have made the change. I know one other transfer student, from another VA public university, and they also made a very successful transition. Good luck!
Whoops, meant to say they found non-science classes very slightly more challenging, with an exception or two, while sciences classes slightly less challenging. They’ve been very happy with the classes and have had great research opportunities.
thanks so much for the advice! I just received my unofficial acceptance postcard today, I am ecstatic!
One more question, how did your child find a roommate as a transfer student and did they have trouble finding housing being late in the game compared to their upperclassmen peers? Again thanks so much for the time I really appreciate it.
Congratulations! It really is a terrific community.
They did get on-campus housing, very late in the process. They were a spring transfer, so the timing may have been different than for you.
Yes, housing is less than ideal for a transfer, since other students have gone through the process, although it can work out great, since students are changing plans all the time–some deciding to live off campus, some doing study abroad, etc. So you’ll have to work with housing on that.
My best advice is get involved. I think mine had such a great transition–if you met them in some context you would never know they were not at W&M day 1 freshman year–because they pursued opportunities in areas that interested, which they had not done at their previous school. That’s a great way to meet people with similar interests. I think that students are much more connected by clubs, etc. than previously.
Anyway, congrats and embrace the change. You’ll have a grand time.