I need help deciding between UNC and W&M for undergrad.
I am hoping to major in English and go to law school after, and want to choose the best academic option. I am in-state in VA, so W&M would be cheaper by around 10k. However, the social and sports scene seems much better at UNC and it’s ranked higher than W&M academically. I love both schools, but I would love some thoughts and input to help me to decide (especially regarding the relative prestige of both universities or what the student body’s vibe is like at each school).
You could go to Christopher Newport - it won’t matter for law school.
Your GPA and most especially LSAT will.
Many now work as well after undergrad.
Go - be involved and be the best person you can be at the school that’s right for you.
Law schools is another 3 years of big bucks - so in general cheaper is better but I don’t know your budget, etc.
Good luck.
Do you actually have offers from both of these schools? If not, it’s a parlor game.
There is no meaningful difference between UNC and W&M in terms of academics or prestige- except that one is in-state and therefore suffers from familiarity. Neither will give you an advantage in law school admissions over the other.
There are meaningful differences in the campus experience of W&M and UNC- but if you like the social life at UNC better than W&M you have UVa just up the road, which is very similar (bar the relative strength of of the basketball teams).
And as @tsbna44 says, it is increasingly common for prospective law school students to work for a couple of years before starting law school- and the more selective the law school the more true that is.
Yes, these are the two schools I am deciding between and got into.
They are very different - assuming both are affordable, which is right for you - you’ll be able to tell when you visit. One will stand out over the other. The hustle and bustle of CH vs. the calm of Williamsburg in essence. The campuses are meaningfully different as well. From size to feel - with W&M more traditional in feel, etc.
Neither one will provide an advantage for law school other than both will provide a rigorous and strong education which will be good prep.
Good luck.
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Then- assuming that the extra $40K is not debt! - trust yourself. Go to the one where you feel at home.
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You might change your mind your mind about law school in 4 years. What other interests do you have? If law school were off the table, any ideas what you might want to do instead? One of my daughters was headed for Business School but then had a complete change of heart and fell in love with nursing. It happens.
It’s also worth keeping in mind that most law school graduates never work as lawyers. So, it’s worth using your college years to develop those other interests so you can see where your path leads you.
The social scene at UNC is overrated. It looks that way from afar. What will matter most to you personally are the friendships and personal relationships you develop as well as clubs and other activities yo7 get involved with. You can do those things anywhere.
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