<p>So I've been accepted to both Tufts and William and Mary (I'm from SF, so both are new), and although they're very different, I'm not sure which to choose. I know both are great schools academically and I really like both, and each has great IR programs. While I'm not too concerned about the IR programs and don't want to make my decisions solely on those, I was wondering if anyone had some knowledge on either school that would make it worth choosing over the other.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>W&M has a well known undergraduate program in international studies (as does Tufts) but Tufts’ graduate program is much stronger. Both are good schools so you can’t make a serious mistake academically. But socially they are quite different. W&M is a public school ( i.e., a big dose of Virginians) in Williamsburg, which is a very pretty but small town. Most people there are tourists. Tufts is just outside of Boston, a great, much larger city. Tufts would be a lot more fun.</p>
<p>Agree with bonanza. Have you visited either? Are you planning on visiting prior to making a final decision?</p>
<p>I have no detailed knowledge of W&M, but I do have a daughter at Tufts. A few random things: she’s also from California, and there are a lot of Californians at Tufts, enough that the school jokes about calling itself UC Medford. She started out planning on being an IR major, and has changed to a STEM field. That’s not to say you’re going to change, but just to say that the school has enough academic depth and strength to give you plenty of choices if your interests change. The IR mindset does percolate to other departments.</p>
<p>There’s also [EPIIC</a> (Education for Public Inquiry and International Citizenship) | Institute for Global Leadership](<a href=“Programs | Tufts Global Leadership”>EPIIC | Tufts Global Leadership), which is a totally unique undergrad program. </p>
<p>Oh, and it’s possible to take grad classes at Fletcher when you’re an undergrad, even from your freshman year. </p>
<p>Congratulations on having two great choices!</p>
<p>Two great choices. main differences between the schools would be W&M has much more diverse socio-economic student body. Result of public vs private. W&M also plays D1 sports vs D3 for Tufts. The last would be weather. Can have 60 degree days in Jan at W&M. Boston can be very, very cold in Winter and it lasts much longer.</p>
<p>You cant go wrong with either choice. Just be true to yourself.</p>