<p>I have been following this forum for quite some time, but not posted until now. Son #2 just completed his jr. year in high school. He has wanted to attend W&M pretty much his whole life (I am an alum). We did an official visit this spring- campus tour, information session, etc... which served to re-confirm the College as his first choice. He signed up for a summer interview so we'll be down again in July (good excuse for a Cheese Shop sandwich "fix"). We are in-state. He will apply ED.</p>
<p>A few questions and "chance-type" things....</p>
<ol>
<li><p>Is it possible and, if so, recommended to visit with a department(s) of interest while in town for his interview? He is interested in majoring in history and strongly considering law school so would like additional info and to get a feel for the pre-law advising/program. </p></li>
<li><p>We were delighted and honored to learn that son was recently awarded the W&M Leadership Award at his high school. It was not even an award I was aware of (and one of only 2 significant awards given to juniors at his school) so it was a lovely surprise and real thrill. Do you know when the program will be held this fall? Do the folks in the Admissions Office view this as a significant factor in an application? Of course, the process involves more than that, but assuming grades (4.0 UW), SAT's (1360/2060 so far), 9 AP's (including AP Calc, AP World History, AP US History, AP French V, AP Physics, AP English Lit and Lang, AP Govt, AP Stats) activities (4 yr varsity sport, choir, Youth Group prez, etc...) are strong, is the award strongly considered or just a very nice honor to enjoy with pride? </p></li>
<li><p>Without making this a full "chance" thread as I am a bit concerned for privacy, is there anything else from reading this thread that you'd suggest he do/work on to strengthen his prospects? He knows the SAT is a bit mid-range, but doesn't know that it will go up much more. If the interview just doesn't "click," could that hurt him or best to just go for it as will most likely help? </p></li>
</ol>
<p>Wow, didn't mean to write quite so much. Thanks!</p>
<p>To answer one of your questions, as we went through the college search process, the interview with the department became the most important part of the search for my daughter. She would set up an appointment and go talk to the professor(s) by herself. I would definitely recommend visiting with a professor. My daughter was given advice that she would have never heard in an information session or on a tour.</p>
<p>I am tagging on my own question before W&M Admissions answers this 
In regard to the department interviews/visits, are staff available during summer months? Is the best route just to contact the department head and go from there?
Thanks!</p>
<p>And to the OP…for what it’s worth, I think your son is in VERY good shape for early admission. Best of luck to him!</p>
<p>W&M suggests taking the SAT at least 2x, and perhaps the ACT also. Our S took the SAT 2x and the ACT once. W&M will select the best individual scores from the SAT. And the best composite from the ACT(i believe)and use whichever stands first.In other words, taking these tests more than once is in S best interest. Take the interview.Research college interview questions.Practice.
It will take the mystery out of it. I believe W&M has a blog on this subject.The interview provides a personal piece for the admissions to pull from.Our S had a very positive experience with his interview…really a conversation with a W&M student. ED is an excellent way for a student to stand out. Our S applied ED it was so right for him.</p>
<p>Thanks for the thoughts and information so far.
@MD Mom - great to hear it was valuable to meet with professors. My older son was less sure about interests and looked mostly at large U’s so did not pursue departmental visits. Will share with son - of course, he would set up appointment and meet with anyone on his own. :-)</p>
<p>@momneedsguidance - thanks for tagging on…the extra follow-up info will be helpful to us both. Thanks for your encouragement - good luck to your son or daughter, too. </p>
<p>@berliner- thank you, all very good advice. He has looked over the blog as well as other sample interview questions and has already interviewed at another school - that interview went very well so we are positive and optimistic about his upcoming opportunity at W&M. It is just a bit nerve-wracking for him since you never know how a given day or pairing will go and this is his first choice. And…those SAT numbers are already “superscored.” 
Not bad, I know, but not the strongest part of his application. He’s also considered the ACT but he’s feeling a bit “tested out” and not sure that he’d do better than a 31 which is his “equivalent” so far. Standardized testing just not his favorite/strength (although his AP’s have gone well so far). SAT solid but seems not going to be the place he stands out. He will have to think about it and decide whether to keep trying (ACT or another SAT) or focus on all the other stuff.</p>
<p>It is certainly possible to visit with academic departments while on campus. Talking with faculty is not part of the admission process but is absolutely a part of the student’s search. We don’t have access to faculty schedules so we can’t make those appointments for you. @momneedsguidance, some faculty are on campus during the summer and some aren’t. Chances are someone in the department will be around during your visit. It’s best to just contact the department’s main number and discuss your visit schedule and see who the department can make available. Our pre-law advisor, Professor Chris Nemachek in the Government department is always eager to answer questions. She can be reached at <a href=“mailto:clnema@wm.edu”>clnema@wm.edu</a></p>
<p>The interview is designed to help the student put their personality into the application. The interviewers are trained to be unbiased and to seek out the qualities in the prospective student that could be valuable to W&M even if personally they don’t “click” with the prospect. If the prospective student can talk about him/herself, be conversational and open they’ll do fine. Can the interview impact a student negatively? Yes, but only in rare cases (say when the prospective student does something unprofessional or provides only one-word answers).</p>
<p>Chances-wise, your son looks like a strong candidate especially with his course selection and grades (not knowing what school he goes to the 4.0UW is tought to assess but likely means he gets mostly As). A 1360 is certainly well within the mid 50% range. Yes it could be higher but it is a fine score. Just a quick note to say a 31 ACT is actually a slightly better score than the 1360 SAT. His status as a legacy applicant will also be a plus factor and applying ED is great for those who know W&M is their top choice because it’s easier to stand out in the smaller pool and because we appreciate enrolling students who love W&M.</p>
<p>Thank you! </p>
<p>I will pass on the contact information to my son. He can be in touch with the history department if he chooses and will email Professor Nemachek re: pre-law.</p>
<p>You’ve put my mind at ease regarding the interview - I am sure he will be more than fine. He’ll definitely be able to converse, talk about himself, ask questions, and such. He’s not the type to use one word answers or be inappropriate, just could be a little shy or nervous at the beginning, but his other interview so far went very well, and I’m sure most kids are a bit anxious going in, but then it is pretty easy, a positive experience, and goes well. </p>
<p>I appreciate your general chance response. I understand the info provided is limited and without knowing context of h.s. it is impossible to say much more. At his school a 4.0 UW is all A’s, no B’s (his weighted is something like 4.6 so far?). It seems the 1360 may be “in range” enough that he may decide to focus on other areas given his busy schedule and multiple interests. I may have been unclear re:ACT…it is that he doesn’t think it is likely he would walk in and get a 31 or above without significant prep, time, and angst - when we looked at an on-line “calculator” of comparison, it seemed that would be the number to hit to go above where he is now, and he is not sure whether to commit to that. Hmmm, something to think about. </p>
<p>Thanks again and good luck to all.</p>
<p>Any time. We’re here to help. If your son excels at science he may want to consider trying the ACT (with or without prep). There’s a science section on the ACT that’s not replicated on the SAT which may help his scores. If not, 1360 is certainly well within our middle 50% range.</p>
<p>We also forgot to address your question about the William & Mary Leadership Award. It is an award presented to one high school junior at each participating high school in VA. Schools select which junior they wish to receive the award based on demonstrated academic and community leadership. There is no program associated with the award however. While there was in the past we are now granting award recipients a W&M Leadership medallion, similar to those presented to W&M’s most visible leaders at W&M’s commencement. The medallion was sent to your son’s GC to be presented at the junior award ceremony.</p>