This is a quick question for any alumnus or anyone familiar with the school.
I’ve been doing research on campus housing as it’s something I’ve been anxious about having not ever lived with a roommate and being generally used to having a bigger space to myself.
So the W&M website doesn’t have a ton of detail about their dorms, only the layouts a quick little paragraph and a short video for them.
Looking at the few pictures and videos has left me rather uncomfortable with the dorms, they seem a bit small and outdated compared to some of the other schools I’ve seen.
I don’t know if it’s just the video and pictures misleading me or something (maybe it looks nicer in person?) but for a person such as myself with decent anxiety about going out on my own, these dorms don’t look very comforting.
Am I wrong here? W&M has been among my top college choices so I’d hate to be turned off to my housing and have to find some off campus apartment.
The dorms at W&M are pretty average I think. Room size depends on which dorm you get, some are huge and some are very small. Some have AC, some don’t. In general, they’re pretty much what you’d expect out of a college dorm; far from luxurious, but perfectly livable and not bad. The lounges are usually pretty good
William and Mary has a beautiful campus. It’s immediately adjacent to Colonial Williamsburg. There are several restaurants, delis, cafes, coffee shops, bars, etc. just a few minutes walk from campus. Students can walk to classes and many, many places within a few minutes.
I wouldn’t say dorms are a strength of the school, but they are not notably dumpy. Some are small and older. The “Units” are not great. These used to be fraternity houses. Neither are rooms in the Spotswood complex. Dupont is very dated. However, many are perfectly fine–spacious and up to date. Freshman year, a student may or may not get a decent room in a decent dorm. After that, housing is based on seniority. Seniors and juniors will get nice housing (seniors are guaranteed campus housing and get first dibs). Sophomores will definitely have slim pickings.
So, I wouldn’t really give William and Mary much of a plus or minus on housing. There are some great advantages to living on campus. You are a 10-minute walk to so much–classes, social things, places to eat, etc. etc. Some of the housing is mediocre–and you’d probably live in a mediocre room if you lived on campus four years–but much of it is perfectly fine.
More importantly, please don’t feel too stressed about college housing. Remember every freshman at a residential college will be moving to a new place. They’ll want to meet and get to know people. Often halls will be very close. Many students will meet lifelong friends freshman year. You will very likely get along with your roommate. If you don’t, you’ll probably agree to disagree and hang out with different people. Anyway, control what you can control. You can be nice and considerate to your roommate. That is very likely to create a great, or at least a fine living situation. In the unlikely case that that does not work. Well, you can ignore a lot and hang out with other people. Worse comes to worse, you can deal with it.
Most students love studying and living at William and Mary. Be confident and positive. That goes so, so far. You will have a good experience at WM or elsewhere, even if some year you live in a less desirable room. Good luck!