<p>I plan on majoring in chemistry, am an in state resident, and would like to go to either UVA or W&M. Which of these colleges would be best suited for someone who plans on majoring in chemistry and is interested in doing research? </p>
<p>Also, if this makes any difference, I think I want to go to veterinary school.</p>
<p>Thanks!</p>
<p>You may also want to look into the VT pre-vet program.</p>
<p>[Pre-Veterinary</a> Medicine | Undergraduate Admissions | Virginia Tech](<a href=“http://www.admiss.vt.edu/majors/index.php?major=0VET]Pre-Veterinary”>http://www.admiss.vt.edu/majors/index.php?major=0VET)</p>
<p>I’m not exactly sure I want to be a vet, so I want to go to the best instate school possible (for chem)
And I’m between wm and uva, tech is good for sciences but uva and wm are much better schools</p>
<p>See what each school has to offer you: </p>
<p>UVa: [Department</a> of Chemistry | Faculty & Research](<a href=“http://chem.virginia.edu/faculty-research/]Department”>http://chem.virginia.edu/faculty-research/)</p>
<p>W&M: [William</a> & Mary - Research](<a href=“http://www.wm.edu/as/chemistry/research/index.php]William”>Research | William & Mary)</p>
<p>Click on the faculty for each (UVA and W&M) to see what they are doing specifically. In addition, I am sure others that are majoring in Chemistry will chime in on this thread to give you more of an insight at UVa’s Chemistry Department/Research opportunities.</p>
<p>Around 400 people in the freshmen class at W&M come in as pre-meds and science majors and I assure that most do not make it. Rather than focusing on the “chemistry” department (it’s not like you’re going there for your PhD or even your masters), focus on other things about both schools and make a decision based on that.</p>
<p>I agree with wahoomb’s advice about focusing on other aspects of the school. I can guarantee you that the undergraduate chemistry curriculum is not going to be too different between the two schools, there are simply fundamentals that get taught anywhere. Instead, look at things like the campus, extracurricular activities, sports, clubs, fraternities, and even other departments (maybe you want to minor in something completely unrelated like art, philosophy, or computer science, etc.)</p>
<p>Also, seriously consider Virginia Tech as well, they have a program that seems to be just what you’re looking for: [Undergraduate</a> Program | Department of Animal and Poultry Sciences | Virginia Tech](<a href=“http://www.apsc.vt.edu/academics/undergraduate/index.html]Undergraduate”>http://www.apsc.vt.edu/academics/undergraduate/index.html)</p>
<p>I know its extremely difficult to make it as a chem major because you have to compete with the countless pre-med majors. However, I work very hard now, and I know I will work even harder in college because I am very focused. I really like chemistry, which school has a better chem dept? Or are they very similar, and I should look at each of the schools as a whole?</p>
<p>Ok, well ill have to visit both schools again. I know that I preferred uva’s campus last time I visited. Also, I play the viola and uva seems to have lots of ecs that have to do with music. Thanks for all the help!</p>
<p>“However, I work very hard now, and I know I will work even harder in college because I am very focused.”</p>
<p>I’m pretty sure 99% of the freshmen classes at both UVA and W&M feel the exact same way.</p>
<p>Ok, thanks.</p>
<p>And ymon, I’ve looked in great depth at the vt programs. I spent a month at vt for governor’s and am more than aware of what they offer. I don’t think what they offer is necessarily for me because if I was to major in animal science and eventually decided not to become a vet that major is useless to me.</p>
<p>Both are fantastic schools with high quality chemistry departments. The difference in quality between the two schools is negligible; what you need to be making your decision on is which school’s general environment you find most compatible with yourself (things like campus, size of student body, athletics, ECs and clubs available, etc). Tour each school and see which you prefer. UVa and W&M are academic peers and you’ll receive a fantastic undergraduate education at either. </p>
<p>You can read more about W&M’s chemistry program here, [William</a> & Mary - Undergraduate Program](<a href=“http://www.wm.edu/as/chemistry/undergraduate/index.php]William”>Undergraduate Program | William & Mary). Also of possible interest to you is W&M’s brand new integrated science center, which houses their chemistry department ([William</a> & Mary - Integrated Science Center (ISC)](<a href=“http://www.wm.edu/about/administration/senioradmin/adminoffice/construction/projects/isc/index.php]William”>http://www.wm.edu/about/administration/senioradmin/adminoffice/construction/projects/isc/index.php).)</p>
<p>
Keep in mind that VT also offers a minor in Animal and Poultry Sciences. That was more of what I was referring towards, you could major in Chemistry and then minor in APSC.</p>
<p>I did think abt a minor in animal sciences and a major in chem or even a double majoring. The vet school I most want to go to is upenn’s. I was at a program given by the vet school this summer and fell in love with how hightech it was. Upenn and most other vet schools look at the barons ranking of your undergrad school when making admission decisions. That’s partly why I would rather go to uva or wm over tech because both uva and wm are 3/3 star schools while tech is a 2 star school.</p>
<p>I will definitely revisit wm and uva, and probably try to meet some chem professors at both schools.</p>
<p>To echo what others have said, make sure you take into account all aspects of each school. While academics are certainly important, remember that wherever you choose will basically become your home for the next four years, and you want to be happy where you are!</p>
<p>I wanted to stay in-state, so my top two choices were UVA and W&M. I got accepted into both, so I had a hard time making the final decision. I knew they both had stellar academics, but I chose UVA because I preferred the larger size, better social scene (at least in my opinion), and I absolutely loved grounds and the people I met here. It all depends on your personal preferences! Because as far as academics, I don’t think you could go wrong either way.</p>
<p>Bob0609 I will definitely revisit wm and uva, and probably try to meet some chem professors at both schools.</p>
<p>That’s a good idea. As a pure Chemistry major you could go with either UVA or W&M (or even Va Tech which you didn’t like). Va Tech has an advantage over both UVA and W&M because it has a good Veterinary school. But if you are set on UPenn then that doesn’t matter.</p>
<p>If undergraduate research is your goal, 75% of WM undergraduates participate in some form of research. They mentioned this several times on our tour.</p>
<p>Hi Bob0609, there’s a lot of cutting-edge research at UVa for [Chemistry</a> esp. in Molecular Sciences.](<a href=“http://chem.virginia.edu/]Chemistry”>http://chem.virginia.edu/) Beyond Chemistry and the Sciences, UVa really pushes for [undergraduate</a> research](<a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/cue/whyresearch.html]undergraduate”>http://www.virginia.edu/cue/whyresearch.html). Here are some points to note:</p>
<p>1) One great resource is the [Undergraduate</a> Research Network.](<a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/cue/urn/index.html]Undergraduate”>http://www.virginia.edu/cue/urn/index.html) It offers guidance and mentorship to students interested in research, publicizes funding opportunities and research-related events, increases undergraduate access to UVA’s resources, and provides a forum for students to showcase the results of their research and reflect upon their experience.</p>
<p>2) UVa even helps to pay for undergraduate research. One example is the [Undergraduate</a> Harrison Awards.](<a href=“http://www.virginia.edu/uvatoday/newsRelease.php?id=11088]Undergraduate”>http://www.virginia.edu/uvatoday/newsRelease.php?id=11088) </p>
<p>3) Another big plus is that the University has a medical school and nursing school, where you can get a research internship. (In fact, I helped one undergrad get a job with an [eminent</a> scientist at UVa](<a href=“http://oscar.virginia.edu/researchnews/x14605.xml]eminent”>http://oscar.virginia.edu/researchnews/x14605.xml) who’s discovered the medical cure for alcoholism.) </p>
<p>4) UVa has the [College</a> Science Scholars Program.](<a href=“http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/college/awards/science_scholars.html]College”>http://artsandsciences.virginia.edu/college/awards/science_scholars.html) If you have a 3.4 or higher, you’re guaranteed admission to the Masters Program.</p>
<p>5) UVa also owns a Research Park near University grounds, where you could possibly get an internship. Here’s a [list</a> of the research companies.](<a href=“http://www.uvafoundation.com/research-parks/uva-research-park/uva-research-park-tenant-list/]list”>http://www.uvafoundation.com/research-parks/uva-research-park/uva-research-park-tenant-list/)</p>
<p>I hope this helps.</p>
<p>Oh, I forgot to mention that since UVa is a [member</a> of Universitas 21](<a href=“http://www.universitas21.com/memberlist.html]member”>http://www.universitas21.com/memberlist.html), you have other [international</a> opportunities](<a href=“http://www.universitas21.com/URC.html]international”>http://www.universitas21.com/URC.html) to conduct and showcase your research.</p>
<p>Wow thanks for all the replies!</p>