<p>Son was honored to be accepted to UPenn and William and Mary's Honor College plus Joint Degree Programme with St. Andrews (two years in Virginia and two years in Scotland, earning a joint BA from both schools). Tough decision as he weighs the pros and cons of both. I know this is a UPenn site, and I've also posted on W&M's site. Any thoughts?</p>
<p>I’m in the same position and am leaning toward Penn. I’ve explored the Joint Degree Programme pretty extensively (had to for that essay!) and like most things about it, but I have a few concerns that you might also want to consider: </p>
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<li><p>I’m worried that because we’ll be going back and forth between the two schools every year we’ll loose some of the social and academic connections. This is especially important to me in regards to building relationships with professors for research, internships, etc.</p></li>
<li><p>St. Andrew’s students only take 3 courses a semester. While it’s great that they’re more in depth, I only have 4 years of college and I want to be able to explore different subject areas and also gain depth in different aspects of my own major (IR).</p></li>
<li><p>The St. Andrew’s style of education is more theory-based. This is something that’s advertised about the joint degree programme, because it means students get a balance of European theoretical education and American ‘practical’ education. I definitely want some of this type of learning, but I feel like I might be better served taking more American-style courses that dive into the methods, practices, and current events and research of the fields I’m studying.</p></li>
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<p>I only have the same experience as you as a prospective student, but these are my current thoughts as I have this issue on my mind too. I would love to hear what pros and cons your son is thinking about.</p>
<p>eniloracw – congratulations to you, and thank you so much for taking the time to reply with very thoughtful, sound insights.</p>
<p>In addition to what you say, the Joint Degree Programme makes it very difficult to switch majors, and I am concerned that if my son determines he wants to pursue a different path (as I did many years ago), that he will be limited.</p>
<p>On the flip side, I also believe that this program will help him become a bit more of a ‘global citizen’, which will come from living and studying abroad for two years. As someone who has worked in the business world now for close to 25 years, this cannot be underestimated as we all have our eyes towards the future. While anyone who wants to can and should pursue a study abroad opportunity from UPenn or any other fine institution, I am not sure that it equates to the same kind of opportunity that both you and he have been offered through this program.</p>
<p>I must say that W&M ‘showed him the love’ through the Admissions Process. The Admissions Officer sent him a ‘likely letter’ postcard with a hand written note letting him know that good news would probably be forthcoming, they exchanged communications with each other, and he was admitted to the Honors College prior to being admitted to this special program, which includes preferred housing and a few other perks. I wonder if he will be a bit of a ‘bigger fish in a smaller pond’ at W&M, while he could get lost in the crowd, so to speak, at UPenn.</p>
<p>However, UPenn will also provide him a broad range of opportunities, and a wider range of social outlets. I’m sure there is not nearly as much to do in the confines of Williamsburg and it’s surroundings as there is to do on the UPenn campus and Philly area. Not to mention the diversity I think he’ll experience on the UPenn campus, as I do wonder if a ‘liberally-minded, Jewish New Englander’ would feel as welcome and as much at home in the environs of a bit more conservative Virginia as he would in the context of UPenn and Philly. </p>
<p>Lots to think about, and in the end, of course, it’s totally his decision. We will be visiting a Penn Preview Day and the Accepted Students Day at W&M, so perhaps he will have a better sense after that. Either way, I’m sure both you and he will be faced with tremendous opportunities, coming out of either school.</p>
<p>As a Penn student who has studied abroad at St Andrews and met a good number of students in the joint degree program, I can say pretty definitively that I’d recommend Penn. The education I’ve received at Penn is leagues beyond what I got at St Andrews, not to mention the far better facilities. I also find the structure of the W&M program really unappealing, as the students aren’t really able to settle, make connections, or take on leadership roles at either university. Penn has loads of study abroad programs (including a really generous scholarship for a yearlong exchange at St Andrews) that should make it possible for your son to get an international experience without choosing the joint degree program. Just my two cents - if you have any questions I might be able to answer, shoot me a message!</p>
<p>Thank you very much, RFK68. This is very helpful!</p>