<p>Alright I realize asking this question in the UVA forum might not bring the most unbiased opinions but I'm doing it anyway! I was accepted to UVA as an Echol's scholar and was accepted to William and Mary, but not as a Monroe scholar. What should I do?</p>
<p>I picked U.Va. Echols over W&M Monroe. I think–personally–that the benefits of Echols are better. But in the end it is always a personal decision of which college you think will suit you better. U.Va. and W&M are two completely different schools in terms of student body and you have to remember that you’ll be spending your next 4 years in this environment.</p>
<p>I like the environments at both schools (with William and Mary probably having a slight edge in that department) so I’m trying to base my decision on academics. I was thinking the same thing, since it doesn’t really seem like Monroe does all that much for you, while Echols seems to have some real benefits. Thanks a lot! How have you liked the Echols program by the way?</p>
<p>I like it a lot. It definitely puts you with a good group of people for First-Year (I basically loved everyone on my hall) and the academic bonuses are a huge plus. It’s pretty sweet not having to do academic requirements (especially ones that are hard to place out of/you can’t place out of like foreign language, second writing, and non-western perspective). If you have any questions specific questions then feel free to ask and I’ll do my best to answer them. What are you intending to study? I feel like that could pretty majorly bias your decision–no offense to W&M–I’m not sure if there are any departments that W&M is clearly superior to U.Va. (although the opposite is true especially for sciences and having a medical center for research).</p>
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+1</p>
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The academics are different but equal. W&M is a great, rigorous undergrad school and UVA is a still rigorous but in a larger state school kind of feel, undergrad and grad research university. Different but equal. I would focus more on the size of the schools and the atmosphere. Think very hard about whether you want to be at a tiny school surrounded by colonial tourists for the next four years. Think equally hard about whether you want to take 400 person classes and have professors who care more about research than undergrads learning for the next four years.</p>
<p>What do you want to study?</p>
<p>I’m probably going to study economics and maybe business. And hazelorb I guess my question would be are the academics still equal if I’m going to be an Echol’s scholar at UVA? I used to feel the same way as you about academics at UVA and William and Mary, but now I’m not so sure. Like I said, I like the environments at both schools. I’m a pretty adaptable person. I can handle either one.</p>
<p>Who do you want to be surrounded by?? That may make a difference to your decision. There are rigorous academics at both schools. UVa’s McIntire School of Business has an edge in reputation, but you can get an excellent business education both places. Same for economics. W & M is a much more buttoned-down atmosphere, than UVa socially. One can thrive in either environment, but, if you want your college experience to offer big school athletics – then UVa clearly trumps W & M. And if you want your college experience to offer the opportunity to party rather hard from time to time, you will find more such opportunities at UVa. While you by no means have to participate in such activities at UVa, if you prefer an atmosphere with little to no bar scene, etc., then choose W & M.</p>
<p>I think you’ve gotten good replies. Size of the student body is a large factor to my D, who was accepted at both. W&M is about twice the size of her high school. She wanted a bigger school. That was the bottom line.
Interesting point about tourists. Had not considered that at W&M. UVA gets some too- I remember what were probably garden clubs of older people coming during the spring. I thought they were adorable, but they were not around all year round either.</p>
<p>Echols is null if you go to mcintire… just fyi. echols isn’t really anything special other than priority registration so it doesn’t change the caliber of academics at all (imho).</p>
<p>not exactly the same schools in this post here but Echols (no money, just priority reg. status, dorms, and course requirements waived) but not Jefferson (full ride) for my d. versus Harvard (no money)…and emailed the day before ivy admits…</p>
<p>Congratulations! You are in a great position, choosing between two fabulous schools! As a UVA grad, I may be a bit biased, but I am happy to share my children’s experiences; they are in their first and second year of college. Both my son and daughter were accepted to UVA and W&M, and both matriculated to UVA because of the size, options available and atmosphere. My son (an econ major, btw), however, just recently transferred to W&M after 3 semesters for a very specific reason. He misses UVA, especially the social aspect, but does not regret his decision. He finds that the classes at both schools are equal in difficulty, and the professors both places are knowledgeable. At UVA it was easier to register and enroll in the classes he wanted. UVA has more choices, more sections, etc. At UVA there always seems to be something going on. At W&M, it is less so. For the most part, this is ok with my son, because the reason he transferred keeps him very busy. He does love sports though and attending/watching sporting events doesn’t seem to be a big event at W&M. Oh, and if you applied for financial aid, you will probably see that UVA is more generous with their aid packages:). Good luck with your decision!</p>