@jackwang0703 Congrats! Those are both great schools & my D’s top choices. She didn’t get into W&M but will be going to Richmond. Wish I knew more to help you but can’t go wrong with either!
@cloudysmom Thanks and congrats! Why did your D choose Richmond if you don’t mind me asking?
@jackwang0703 Of course I don’t mind! To be honest, she chose W& M for ED1, we live in SC, didn’t know much about Richmond at the time. She was denied early December and devestated, had no strong back ups. A live & learn I guess. A friends neice was at Richmond & she told me about it so I started researching it and loved everything I learned! My D applied ED2 and was acccepted, which was surprising as their criteria is similar to W& M but Richmond claims to be holistic and we feel they are.
I do feel Richmond is a better choice for her really so I will give you those reasons but you have to see what works for you. First, finances, its private & much better need based aid. During my college search many helpful CC posters advised me to look to private schools & they were right. I also think private has its perks: 14 million $ dorm rehab, better food, expensive ingredients, stunning landscaping, free school shuttle to take you around Richmond, the cleanest school aid have ever seen as well. Most importantly, the 8:1 faculty to student ratio. My D is very shy, likes to get to know her teachers, she would do terribly if all her classes were huge. She’s a kid who would feel lost if she were just a number.
Also, it seemed more liberal than many of the other southern schools, it’s not a religious school and was very diverse when we visited. I want her to go to a school that represents the real world, not only a white world. W& M does seem diverse but walking around (we went there 3 times as D went to summer school there) was not like Richmond. The Democrats Club at Richmond is large & active. UR has an amazing study abroad program, much more in France than W& M, which is where her interests lie. Richmond also gives each student $4k for research. I also heard a rumor laundry was free, lol! Still need to substantiate that though! Oh, and I think walking around Colonial Williamsburg & the few very overpriced stores from campus could get old. Much much more to do in Richmond! That being said it’s hard to compete with the history of W&M, of Colonial Williamsburg so D will really miss that.
Sorry if this is long, but these 2 schools have been my focus for months!
@cloudysmom Oh it’s perfect length and very insightful! I really appreciate your input.
Have you guys visited UR? If so could you describe what you felt about the campus vibe and the residential life quality? Since these two schools are pretty much equally strong academically, I tend to concern more about the quality of life. And from what I have read on the internet, Richmond’s food and dorm are better reviewed.
Is anyone else wait listed but has Richmond as their first choice? I received the news I am wait listed a few days ago and am concerned and stressing out a little bit and thought it might be good to talk to others in the same position as me.
Also, I was wondering if anyone has any idea how registration works and when it is, because I am struggling to find this information online and am trying to plan a trip to Europe around when I may or may not have to go to Richmond to register if admitted.
@lckelley class registration is done exclusively online (through bannerweb) so you won’t have to come to Richmond for that. I believe that freshmen class registration starts in July, but all the info will be on the new spiders website, specifically on the checklist page
http://newspiders.richmond.edu/
@barb2021 “I believe they are one of the lowest for offering merit aid.”
I don’t think that is true. For a top LAC (#27 in USNWR) I read someone that they provide the most merit aid of any school in their peer group plus the schools ranked above them. I think this is probably true if you add up all the merit money given to Richmond Scholars. ( I can’t find the article that provides the background data but maybe someone else can provide the reference).
Maybe one reason that it does not seem like UR gives much merit is that much of the money (in total $ terms) is included in the full tuition awards. However, that is their prerogative to grab the top kids away from UVA, Duke, etc with big individual merit awards. By comparison, other up and coming schools (eg, UMiami) try to attract top kids by handing out $20k awards fairly easily. Private schools have a lot of latitude do what they want in this regard.
waitlisted from richmond… 
accepted to hamilton with an awesome package so probably going 
Congrats to everyone accepted and good luck to fellow waitlist ppl!! u guys r all awesome
@jackwang0703 I’m not an expert on W&M, but I have a few friends that go there and they definitely said the environment is a bit stressful at times. That being said, its a top notch LAC, you gotta bring it. The academics are going to be competitive. The campus is a bit different than UR, as well as the area. I would suggest taking a tour of both if you can. W&M isn’t that far from UR.
Hi @lemondrop2 when did you hear from Hamilton? I’m asking for a friend, but congratulations!!
@londondad all good points. I believe total $ spent is equitable, but divided between a much smaller population of students. That is awesome for those students, and probably a good strategy for attracting top students away from other great schools. I believe the number of students receiving merit aid at Richmond is only 10%, where much higher at other schools. And by doing this are they neglecting another need? Just reading posts from people who are getting great packages from other schools so are not attending Richmond. Also, does this mean the students at UR are either extremely well off or the opposite, but not a lot in the middle?
That seems to be a fair and accurate assessment to me @barb2021
I’d just like to add to the conversation. Most of you are disappointed with your aid, yet I was ecstatic with mine–Richmond will probably be the cheapest school on my list. I come from a middle-class family, and I am also a triplet (which likely contributed a lot to my award). I definitely suggest that you contact the financial aid office if you have problems… know that Richmond can be affordable!
Thank you!
@pinkspider17 the portal was updated on friday i think
@barb2021 : I think most merit kids are above 1500s sat. Richmond offers 45 kids with full tuition or above. They are pure merit based and pretty fair. Another good lac in Virginia claims to offer merit scholarship but has considered need or races, not such pure.
Thank you @lemondrop2 !
And @tingdad I got really good merit aid and my SAT was a good amount below 1500! Richmond is really great with looking at applications holistically.
anyone know if there is a facebook group or something for admitted students?
@willo33 Yes, it was in the acceptance package. There are 2, I is unofficial though. If you type in University of Richmond 2021 you will find 2, one you must join & it says it’s the official one. Sorry I can’t find link. Make sure you look on their admitted students page of their website for your free shirt & register for Experience Richmond day, of you can visit. Congrats!