UVa vs William and Mary

I am a senior in High School and recently received my acceptance into both UVA and William and Mary. I had always planned on going to UVA if i got in because my personality type very much fits the UVA stereotype and im looking for a more nationally known school with a decent sports program.My sister attends WM and she is much less extroverted than me and more studious. However, I recently spent the night at WM with her and loved it. I went to a frat party and everyone was super nice and didn’t care i was a senior in high school. They were open to talking to me and even brought me back to their dorm to hang out more after the party. There were kids there from different frats and non greek kids. I really enjoyed myself and very much appreciated their genuine hospitality. Although on paper UVA is a perfect match i also enjoyed the tour of WM much more, maybe one fun night shouldn’t change my opinion though, any further insight into these schools would be appreciated.

Is it possible to spend a night at uva? I toured w&m and fell in love but I don’t think you’ll get the frat/preppy college experience you seem like you’re looking for.

I was smoking with the boys upstairs
When I heard about the whole affair
I said, “Oh no
William and Mary won’t do now”

Sorry I just had to post that, carry on

Wait u were there @smullaney?

Visiting a university can be both a great experience or very misleading.

I think someone once wrote here (don’t remember who, when, or what thread) that one night of partying - which is what some students tend to do sometimes when they visit a college - shouldn’t really make the decision for your next four years. So you had a great time at William & Mary - but think about why you had a great time. 1) You went to a party, which are pretty much engineered to be good times; 2) you felt accepted despite being a senior in high school, which is great when you’re a senior in HS but doesn’t really matter once you’re in college. The one thing that seems to be relevant to judging the student body were that Greek and non-Greek students mixed at a fraternity party (although honestly I think that seems to be the case at most places. Greek parties are rarely only Greek).

So think beyond the party and to other aspects. You’ve wanted to go to UVa for a while - but also, is that really tied up in the stereotypes about UVa or a genuine interest in what they have to offer? What about your sister - what does she have to say about W&M? Was that night of fun indicative of her normal experience, or is it kind of out of the norm just because you were there? You don’t want to go thinking that’s going to be what your social life is like, only to find out that it’s not.

(Honestly, you can’t go wrong - both are well-respected universities. But it sounds like you’re looking more for the social aspect of Virginia than W&M, which may inch you that way.)

No, just one of my favorite songs by Steely Dan @JasonSheridan12

Can you do an overnight?
You may have this fantasy image of UVA and it’ll turn out not to be what you want… or you may have changed since you imagined yourself at UVA… or it may be exactly what you thought it’d be.
Step back and look at the course offerings, curriculum, classes in your major.
What about the environment? The activities?

Our son was torn b/n UVA and W&M as well. In the end, he chose W&M and really loves it. The experience you described seems to be very typical- not just in that you went to a fun fraternity party but that there’s a widespread feeling of acceptance all around the college. Our son was also nervous that W&M wouldn’t be as social as UVA but he’s found exactly the opposite. His feeling is that W&M is smaller so it’s easier to make friends and get to know a lot of groups whereas his close friends at UVA are feeling a little overwhelmed by its size and that there are obvious cliques. He also doesn’t agree with the reputation W&M has had for stressed out students moreso than any other top level college. W&M offers a large array of just for fun programs/events esp. around exam time- those have been very nice. Like therapy dogs in the library, study breaks with music and food, great speakers and concerts, etc. Don’t think you can go wrong with either school but I think stereotypes of the schools are too general and misleading for anyone to base their own decisions on.

Your sister has known you for your entire life and knows W&M pretty well. What is her view?

@IzzoOne OP would have decided by 5/1 deposit deadline.