My daughter was accepted to both Virginia Tech and William & Mary for a chemistry major. Can anyone with experience at one or both of these schools let us know the pros and cons for chemistry (or math/science in general)? Due to current Covid restrictions, we were only able to have a limited outdoor tour at both schools so we feel a little uninformed. Thanks!
Just curious, she didn’t have a gut feel from massive to midsize ? I mean you can’t get much bigger (and nicer) than Va Tech. W&M is very nice but smaller. Less going on around.
Underrated metric but Va Tech is routinely rated amongst the top 3 in food nationwide. #2 on niche. You’d be amazed at how many kids say they can’t eat due to bad food. W&M gets a C- on niche. That’s really bad.
That said W&M is ranked #13 in chem and Va Tech #103.
Both great names. But both so different. Even not going inside buildings they are so different hopefully she’d be drawn to one.
Good luck
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Chemistry, as a core liberal art, aligns well with W&M’s curriculum. As an opinion, you should expect W&M’s chemistry department to be among the strongest in the nation.
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William & Mary, for Chemistry, hands down. But–one should probably make the decision more on fit, as the two schools are very different. Go see them both again if possible.
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D accepted ED1 at Wm& Mary and planning to major in chemistry, which is known for strong core program and teaching. Cannot comment on Va Tech, but FWIW, the chemistry program at W&M is what attracted our D22 from out of state.
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Where did you see the rankings for their chemistry departments? I hadn’t seen that, and I think daughter is under the impression that W&M isn’t very good in the sciences. Unfortunately, because of Covid, the only tour we got was a brief walk around the outside of buildings, so it’s not that easy to gauge the culture of the school.
I assure you, William&Mary is excellent in the sciences. They have great med school and grad school placement and are very strong in biological and physical science. They do not have classic Engineering degrees, but there are even some engineering classes/pathways.
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If it is possible I’d try to revisit the two schools during accepted student day. I think the feel of the two schools would be different (mid-size versus a large university) so hopefully she will have a preference.
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There are many rankings. I used niche. Can’t post here. The cc doesn’t allow niche links. But it’s complete with things like dorms, food, and departments. Google the school name + niche. Or chemistry + niche
Many think niche is lightweight. I like it bcuz it offers so many categories.
There are others too such as below. #19. Plus other posters spoke to W&M excellence in chem.
Chem is a tough, low paying major, likely requiring grad school. I’m sure both are solid.
For me, I loved loved loved Va Tech. Nicest big campus I’ve seen. Daughter. Way too big. Liked William and Mary which I thought was nice but had little going on around.
That’s why I find it hard to understand the lack of sense but they are within range. As someone else suggested go back….smartest thing you can do. Eat in the dining halls. Tour the surrounding area. Don’t just chase rank. You need to be there four years…day after day after day.
You’ll know which is right !!!
Edit. In the rank below Va tech also appears #37
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My daughter attends VT as an engineering student. She is very happy there, but most engineering students do not think highly of the math department and the quality of math instruction.
A chem student will need several math classes I believe, so that might be a consideration for her.
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W&M is strong in sciences, with strong teaching and opportunities to do guided research with professors, which helps students get meaningful references and experience. Among national public universities, W&M and UC Berkeley are the only ones to rank in the top 50 for the percentage of undergraduates who go on to receive STEM PhDs. T Chemistry is quite strong.
W&M also consistently shows up in surveys for happiest students and in top 10 undergrad teaching colleges.
W&M is a great school. Not sure what u copied.
The differences in the school are stark so if there’s a close ON CAMPUS review the OP should have no problem deciding which calls their name. Surprised they didn’t from their visit even if only outdoors. I’d go back. I always stopped kids and profs on campus and had a chat. Sometimes my daughter liked. Sometimes it was a bit much.
I didn’t copy anything but you can go here to see some rankings for lots of categories: W&M Rankings | William & Mary