<p>D having tough deciding between Weslyan, W & M and Emory. Wants liberal arts with an eye towards law school. She tends to like smaller classes which is why she didn't apply to any large schools. I know they all are different schools and all are great. Problem is she wants to go to all of them!! We're from New Jersey. Money is not an issue and doesn't weigh in the decision but it's sure nice that W & M is $11K cheaper if that's what she decides.</p>
<p>Love to hear opinions, especially from current students of these schools.</p>
<p>It really depends on what kind of enviorment she wants, because they are all good schools that will give her a great education and a good shot at top law schools. </p>
<p>Wes is going to be by far the most liberal and quirky of these schools. It's an intellectual but laid back enviorment, The town that provides all the basics (resturants, a movie thearter), but not much more, which results in a VERY active campus with a lot to do (plays and other performances every weekend, the film series 4 nights a week, tons of lectures, tons of clubs, and of course a pretty active and varied party scene if she wants it). It's a very live and let live enviorment, with students of all types, though the dominate theme is not-preppy or entirley mainstream (though there are a decent number of more "mainstream" type students too). It's the smallest of these schools, and will have the most LAC-y feel. It is also the closest to home, for whatever that is worth.</p>
<p>Willian & Mary is a bit larger, but will still have a LAC like feel. From what I know of it it will be preppier and more conservative than Wes (though, to be fair, that't not very hard). I think there is a larger Greek scene, but I could be wrong.</p>
<p>Emory will be the least LAC like, and, form what my friend there says, will have the most pre-professional student body. More people will be going off campus into Atlanta, which might be a good or a bad thing in your daughter's mind. </p>
<p>Hope that helps! I don't know a ton about W&M or Emory, but I'm happy to answer any quetions you have about Wes.</p>
<p>My D goes to William and Mary; it's a state school for us. She chose it as the most quirky/liberal of Va publics--not too preppy, certainly not like UVA's rep. There is a Greek scene but it's not particularly significant. The campus is beautiful, classes are academically challenging, and it's great for pre-law. Colonial Williamsburg and surroundings offer the basic, but much of the recreation and social life centers on campus. It might be harder to travel to/from than the others, but there's an Amtrak station within walking distance. Good luck to your D in deciding!</p>
<p>Has she visited? What sort of a student body is she looking for? I know people will differ on this, but I'm from the Northeast and have friends that have gone to W&M and Emory, and transferred after their first years because the feel of those schools was overwhelmingly Southern. Wes is very NON-Southern-- much more NYC-feel.</p>
<p>They are all definitely different. Ok, well I know nothing of William and Mary, but I'm applying to Wesleyan (probably my first choice) as a transfer and currently live/go to school in Atlanta (and have grown up in Georgia). As Weskid said, Emory will probably be the least LAC-like and definitely won't be as quirky, creative, or as liberal as Wes. It still has plenty of other wonderful qualities though, and Atlanta is a fun city! I currently attend a school right in the middle of the city, which I don't love so much, but I bet it would be nice to be at a place like Emory where there is an actual campus to enjoy, then the city is just a very short car/MARTA ride away as well.</p>
<p>Jumble: she is planning to visit on the 22nd for two days, including a hosted overnight. She's generally open, and accepting, of any student body but really hasn't been exposed to many Southern personalities. I did feel that with a student body being pulled from many geographic areas that W & M and Emory wouldn't have as much Southern "charm" as other schools in the south. Not that there's anything bad about that :) But you're point is well taken. I enjoy the Southern style but it's certainly different that the pace my D is used to.</p>
<p>As far as Wesleyan, it's a great school with a great campus and great reputation. A little concerned with the "quirky" reputation. Again, not a bad thing; just that maybe my D will find that too different........ or not. Hey, maybe the problem is MY conservative views. </p>
<p>Thanks everyone so far for your feedback. It really helps to read and consider all your comments.</p>