<p>So, I'm in a rut. For the past few months, I've had my heart set on William and Mary. I've been talking about applying ED and doing a summer interview and working my butt off to get in...</p>
<p>But today I came home and asked myself: Is it really worth it? It is really necessary to work my butt off for William and Mary when I go to another, easier to get into, VA public university that offers me all the same programs?</p>
<p>So far...my list is pretty extensive (not compared to some people's, IMO)</p>
<p>The Possibles
-William and Mary
-UVA
-James Madison
-George Mason
-Old Dominion</p>
<p>So...I'm a little lost...I could indeed try my skill and luck at W&M and attempt to conquer the deadly 34% acceptance rate and acceptances that seem really out of whack as of late...or...</p>
<p>...I could try for an easier acceptance.</p>
<p>The immediate response will be, without a doubt, that I'm just being lazy and am tired because second semester of Junior year is wearing me out.</p>
<p>But I'm taking a logical look here...I'm in-state and an A student...the only challenges are UVA and W&M.</p>
<p>All of my top choices have the same range of programs that I like [English, Creative Writing, Graphic Design, Japanese Studies, East Asian Studies, Study Abroad programs, etc*]*, are known to be very nice schools, and will cost about the same price per year.</p>
<p>The only real difference is prestige and size.</p>
<p>So...I need some help, my fellow Virginian's and other knowledgeable folk. How should I go about this? </p>
<p>Press my luck with the W&M ED? Or try EA at one of my other choices (except UVA of course...) and try for W&M (or UVA) for Grad school?</p>
<p>Will it really make a huge difference, especially since I'm not a Pre-Law or Pre-Med (who I hear have it rough with the prestigious college thing)? </p>
<p>I know I'm not "challenging myself to the fullest extent" by asking this...but really...I am tired and weary and worn out...and I want a break from it. I want to get into a good school and get a good education and get a stable job and gain lots of new experiences...</p>
<p>I don't want to stress myself out to the point where I'm ill with worry and spend sleepless nights waiting for the answer or pondering harsh rejections.</p>
<p>I guess I appear to be a lazy slacker...but I'm honestly wondering about this whole college thing, being a first gen student and all. Will it really matter in the long run where I get my education? </p>
<p>If I can get into GMU or JMU with a good financial aid package or a decent scholarship and save my parents lots of money in the process, as opposed to having little hope of getting off with little debt if I go the W&M/UVA route...should I do it?</p>
<hr>
<p>I guess what I'm really asking for is a school comparison. Can anyone tell me what they know about all of my choices? </p>
<p>Programs? Scholarships and Fin Aid? Campus Life? Setting? Classes? Numbers? Food? Money? Work Studies? Opportunities? Etc?</p>
<p>I should have asked that to begin with, huh? Yeah...I rant a lot, don't I? Sorry. :(</p>