<p>Dean J-</p>
<p>Lighten up, that was a reply in a serious of light hearted, good natured posts. Dont take this so seriously. </p>
<p>And you must admit, there is a degree of hero worship that borders on arrogance re Jefferson. (Mr Jefferson, Grounds, First year, The University…)</p>
<p>I do apologize if I have ruffled your feathers.</p>
<p>Full disclosure: W&M student who applied to UVA and W&M and who has many family and friends who attend/attended UVA.</p>
<p>
UVA has a highly ranked business school, and W&M just completed a brand new business palace (that’s really the only way to describe it). Also consider where you would like to do business, as W&M and UVA probably have better alumni networking in DC and Va while UNC’s focus is probably more in the Carolinas. I’m not sure about the math departments, but I’d imagine them to be comparable.</p>
<p>
I’m sure they are all pretty similar General Education Requirements.</p>
<p>
From personal experience and hearsay, UVA is more frat and drinking intensive, and while those things can still be found at W&M, it is less important to the social experience.</p>
<p>
The popular notion is that W&M is the most academically focused followed by UVA and then UNC.</p>
<p>
Charlottesville has been ranked one of the best towns in America to live in. Williamsburg is smaller but I have never found myself with a lack of anything do to. The beach is pretty close as well. I’m not sure about Chapel Hill.</p>
<p>
What kind of facilities? Historical buildings? Sports? Exercise equipment? Classrooms? Dorms? Research facilities?</p>
<p>
For W&M, the one thing I have been amazed at is the sheer amount of opportunity I have had. I never imagined that I would be chosen as a freshman to do research with a team of professors all summer - and be paid for it. I never imagined that as a sophomore I would be plan a healthcare forum with the CEO of a fortune 500 hospital management company. I wake up every day amazed at how much this College has changed me (for the better, of course). W&M is known for being an undergraduate prep program for top law, med, and graduate programs too.</p>
<p>
W&M and UVA are constantly cited as two of the most beautiful campuses in the nation. I prefer W&M’s campus because it doesn’t have main roads running through it, yet there are still hundreds of acres to explore. Visiting all three is a good idea - I’ve heard good things about UNC too.</p>
<p>
Southern Hospitality should be abound at all three =)</p>
<p>For the things that you are looking for (flexible education, more focused on academics, not Greek-dominated, beautiful campus, friendly & down-to-earth students) and the schools you have listed, I would suggest that W&M is the best fit. I think it will have the least vibrant social life of the three and Williamsburg is not a very happening place, but otherwise W&M seems the better choice for you. For the record, I think that the other two also have most of what you’re looking for, just in smaller degree than W&M.</p>
<p>But I sure hope that you aren’t looking at any of these as a backup. These places can be very tough for OOS applicants and my guess is that your SAT numbers are probably close to average within the OOS applicant pool at all three.</p>
<p>They are all amazing schools so I don’t know why you would submit yourself to the negativity and insane amount of work at W&M when you can have a more well rounded experience at UVA or UNC. Sure, Greek life is big, but there are plenty of students who do not participate. At least at UVA or UNC you can have a social life and it would be a positive experience instead of going to a school who enjoys making your life miserable and just wants to see if you can hang on until the end. Super competitive students whereas UVA and UNC will have much friendlier and happier students.</p>
<p>Wow, we’re mature, claudette.</p>
<p>Didnt W&M rank very highly in Princeton Review survey in the “Happiest Students” category? W&M is not Animal House but the students/alums love it. Claudette didnt read the OP’s list of requirements which certainly describes W&M better than the State U of NC/VA.</p>
<p>
UNC has been around #12 or #13 for the past two years for student happiness, if I recall correctly; I’m not sure what its rank this year is.</p>
<p>(That said, I consider the PR rankings garbage.)</p>