<p>I recently got off the W&M wait list and was considering withdrawing from American to attend W&M. Im planning on doing a double major in international relations and economics. Which school would be better?</p>
<p>Few people would disagree that W & M is a better school than American. Just about any listing/ranking puts W & M near the top; not the tippy top but an excellent school that has a more than solid reputation. That being said, international relations at American is known to be a great program even though the rest of the majors may lag behind. If you got into W & M, even from the waitlist, then my bet is that you received substantial merit $ from American. I would weigh the financial packages carefully and definitely do not discount the location of DC.</p>
<p>I'm really drawn to the small, community feel of W&M but the resources that D.C. has to offer is having me doubt leaving AU. Is W&M quality of education really worth more than what D.C. has to offer?</p>
<p>Well, like bluejay said you should weigh your financial options carefully. </p>
<p>However, you should also know that W&M also has a very good IR program. You can check out the curriculum, compare it to AU's see which one you like better: W&M</a> International Relations | Undergraduate Curriculum</p>
<p>You should also know that W&M also has a lot of great study abroad options, and IR majors are very strongly encouraged to study abroad... so you peruse those and see if any interest you. Study</a> Abroad | Reves Center</p>
<p>There are study abroad programs available in England, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, China, Spain, Argentina, India, etc. They also added Morocco this year. </p>
<p>Also, there is the W&M in DC program where you get to spend an entire semester in DC and you get an internship in your field of interest that will help you network. So check that out: W&M</a> in Washington Program |</p>
<p>Also important to your decision is Williamsburg vs. DC. Needless to say Williamsburg doesn't provide the excitement and attractions of a big city. However, the small environment of W&M does allow you to really get to know people and forge great friendships with people. </p>
<p>Also, as much as you think you will major in IR now (not sure how set you are on majoring in IR) there is a very good chance that you will change your mind. I've heard a statistic that 85% of all freshmen who come into college and think they know what they will major in change their major at least once. So that's something to keep in mind.</p>
<p>Good luck on your decision. :)</p>
<p>Thank you for all your help</p>
<p>A W&M grad and dad here. My son just finished his sophomore year at W&M. American was one of the schools he applied to, was accepted, and got good merit aid (such that American would have been cheaper than W&M, which is OOS for us). His interests are in journalism and literature, and, although W&M does not have a journalism degree while American does, he still went with W&M, planning to major in English and just do a lot of work on the student newspaper (he is now News Editor). Of the five colleges he got into (W&M, AU, U. Delaware, U. Maryland, Ithaca College) W&M is the only one without a journalism degree; however, it was the right fit for him in terms of size, location, culture and atmosphere. It helped that both his parents are grads and he has been visiting there since he was an infant so he was already comfortable there. His second choice was Ithaca, and it was a close second - very good school of communications with a journalism degree.</p>
<p>We liked American - a city school but one with a defined campus and in a nice part of town. However, the congested feel of so much packed into so little area bothered him. He has a very good friend who goes there and is very happy.</p>
<p>He tells me that the IR program at W&M is very rigorous and most students in that program take longer than 4 years to graduate - they call them Super Seniors. He was actually going to room with one for next year, although he got a call from the roommate a couple of weeks ago saying he was not coming back to W&M (but gave no reason). I've heard and read that IR at American is very good, which makes sense, considering its location and all the resources it can draw from. </p>
<p>I agree with the others that you should look at the financial considerations. My son was fortunate that we are willing and able to pay the additional cost for W&M, although IIRC it was only a difference of $2K-4K. W&M doesn't give much merit aid, especially to out-of-staters, because it doesn't have to since it can still attract top students and because it doesn't really have the money. The endowment is relatively small since it is a state school, but the state has drastically decreased its financial support over the past 10-15 years. Going forward, W&M has to start thinking more like a private institution. </p>
<p>If the cost is about the same or if the additional cost is doable for you, it comes down to personal fit and preference. Either one is a great choice and both offer a lot of other areas of study in case you end up going off in a different direction or want to branch out.</p>
<p>W&M>>>>AU. Its not even close</p>