<p>Can you parents and/or students help? We are not as familiar with all of the differences and nuances of 3 of my D's "accepted" schools. (we're OOS)- Some stats - academically adept (2220 SAT, 34 ACT), multiple extra-curriculars, school newspaper ed, has own rock band, own small business, is a non-conformist (but very shy), and not blonde/cheerleader-type. She is woefully unsure of her major. (she's both right/left brain...math and science as well as journalism, music, and the arts).<br>
We visited all schools in the fall, and intend on a revisit within a few weeks. She did like the "feel" of all campuses as well as what she observed of the student body. What impressed her the most was meeting with the Wash and Lee professor who spoke with us for a good 45 minutes. She identified with his teaching philosophy, along with the general tenor and methods of teaching/learning there. However, the huge concern for me is reading all of the (negative) posts on CC and other college sites and fb about the Greek Life, drinking, etc. (One post was of a bleached blonde bragging about Daddy's trust fund - ugh! I'm hoping that was just a joke...) </p>
<p>Reminded me of what we saw in high school. Shallow. As a parent, I was more impressed with the educational breadth and depth of the W and M offerings, as well as the opportunities for studying in England (somehow I thought there was more of an opportunity there, considering W and M's ties with the colleges in England. (D has often stated she'd like to study in England...she attended primary school there.)</p>
<p>She loved the GW campus and proximity to culture and activities (I'm concerned about crime).
I'd really like to hear from parents of students at both schools, as well as the students who attend now. Anyone care to give your input regarding anything...campus life, acceptance of peers, academic choices, profs, caring atmosphere, getting the student ready for good careers or further education, etc.? Thank you!</p>
<p>I’m not an expert or anything (don’t attend these schools, am not a parent), but here’s what I get out of the different schools.</p>
<p>GW: I think out of these, GW would be the least ‘good’ fit. Huge school, non-traditional campus, you get TAs teaching instead of professors, and school spirit is very low. People have more pride and loyalty to their Greek organizations than they do to the school itself. (i.e., people wearing frat and sorority sweatshirts instead of GW sweatshirts).</p>
<p>Washington and Lee: I’ve never visited, but I have a friend who goes there, and her profile seems a lot like your daughters. I never thought her to be the sorority type (don’t even think she drinks) but she joined a sorority and is having an amazing time. So there’s something to be said for that.</p>
<p>W&M: Probably the best fit of all of these. I would definitely go with W&M. Big school spirit, Greek life present but not overpowering, student body is quirky but friendly, nice, and fun. The academics are stellar as well, seems like they have great opportunities.</p>
<p>All in all, she has great choices, congrats on everything.</p>
<p>edit: If you haven’t already, look these colleges up on College Pr owler. It gives you a really good sense of campus life.</p>
<p>Having visited Washington and Lee and William and Mary, I would say that William and Mary seems better for your child in my opinion. Washington and Lee is a fascinating school–a real throwback to the 1950s. There are a lot of great things about that. I think the honor code is impressive, it’s a lovely place, the education seems very personal and caring. I think there is a special warmth and friendliness about it. However, I do believe it is also VERY frat and drinking-oriented, and definitely does not seem like the place where a non-conformist would be too comfortable. W and Mary is smallish and full of great traditions and history, but it also is home to a more varied and creative mix of people, from what I have seen. GWU is a big factory, impersonal and not very special.</p>
<p>I basically agree with the above. I have an academically minded friend at W&L who is not enjoying her full scholarship experience due to the all encompassing Greek culture which takes over the small community, to parse her words. But I have another friend there who is more of the preppy type, and he absolutely loves it.</p>
<p>As for study abroad at W&M, they have a special program with Oxford where somewhere around 7 students study there every year. Another program, among others, is the tuition exchange program with St. Andrews (if you are OOS it may actually be cheaper to directly enroll, and they will help you with that) which is very popular.</p>