Son’s been accepted to Case Western Reserve University and William & Mary, out-of-state. He’s planning to do Biology/Pre-Med, but it could easily change. With GI Bill benefits and the $27k offered vs. $14k from W&M, Case would actually be cheaper than W&M. We think they’re both great schools, and would be happy with either. Thoughts? Thanks in advance!
This was my oldest daughter’s final choice some years ago. She was deciding between generous merit at Case vs. then-more-affordable OOS tuition at W&M, so the money differential in our situations is similar. My d strongly preferred W&M and went there, though she and I agree with you that they’re both great schools with great opportunities.
If money is not the most significant factor, I would allow my child to decide based on where he feels more enthusiasm and is more comfortable. There’s a quirk/nerd (I am a nerd and love nerds, no insult meant) factor at both schools. The science/engineering vibe was more pronounced at Case than at W&M when we looked at it. My d was a biology major but also liked the liberal arts atmosphere at W&M. She did lots of classes in history and poli sci that she found fascinating, and which influenced her intellectually and politically.
I’d think about where your son might want to make his career, and what options there are at each school in case he wants to change his mind about bio/pre-med. My d was OOS but knew she wanted to be in the DC metro area after graduation, and her W&M ties were important in launching her career. If your son does continue to medical school, alumni ties are less important. Good luck - great choices!
Thanks @frazzled1 I appreciate the perspective. Unfortunately, we weren’t able to visit either, so it’s tough to get a “vibe” for either. Youtube can only help so much.
Deciding between two great places is hard. Here’s a bit more “vibe” info. Other factors to throw in are campus settings, ease of commute to school from home and weather. Had one child look seriously at Case and have a niece there. Other child at W&M. Case is in the city surrounded by museums and medical centers, but adjacent to some tough neighborhoods. There is a big city street bisecting the campus - which really is two schools that became one school. There is a ton going on in Cleveland, and lots of opportunities of all types. It has a totally different feel from Williamsburg - a small town with a very classic campus setting, with most kids sticking on campus or just adjacent all four years. There are easy places for kids to go without worrying too much about safety. Getting to Williamsburg for an OOS kid is more challenging if you are not on the east coast (the train is easy for east coast kids - just walking distance to campus). Richmond is a small airport with limited service and trains to WDC only operate twice a day early and late, meaning you aren’t going to get to the WDC flights the day vacations start unless you skip classes. That being said W&M has great opportunities for undergrads as well, a tight knit student body and a great faculty. And the weather question? W&M has Case beaten on that issue!