So I’ve narrowed down my choices to Bridgewater College, University of Mary Washington, and I’m still waiting back from my first choice of George Mason University. What appeals to me about Bridgewater is they have a nice campus and offered me a lot in scholarships and their academics seem strong. Mary Washington seems like a nice location because it’s only about 45 minutes from where I live in Richmond, and not too far from DC. Diversity is a major proponent in my decision too, because I come from a really small school where I’m the only black student in most of my classes so it can be hard to assimilate sometimes and I want to branch out a bit. I also liked the campus and everyone seemed nice, but like Bridgewater it seems too small to me and though i know I’m going to be in college for my studies, I’ve heard it can be boring and everyone leaves for the weekend. I’ve liked that BC and MaryWash both have reached out to me about admitted student events and everything, and that smaller schools tend to help freshmen students a bit more in assimilating them into college. My parents think it’d be better for me to attend UMW (and Mason for graduate school if i choose to) just because Mason is huge and they think I’d be just a number and won’t recieve the help and benefits of a smaller school. Even so I’m still waiting from GMU, due to someone in guidance not sending my transcripts correctly. Even though i think UMW would be the most practical for me, I still have been obsessing over GMU ever since ive applied in October. My sister who goes to a tiny liberal arts college and considered transferring says i should listen to that instinct, and said if she was applying for school all over again, she wouldve considered UVA or GMU. Sorry for the long question/rant but if anyone has attended any of these schools, what would you recommend?
Are you a Bethren?
Also, the college makes up about half the population of the town, so it’s not so much the college is small, but rather that there isn’t much to do there.
UMW isn’t very large (if you worry about large schools).
Are you in the Honors Program at either one?
Wait till you hear back from GMU, then compare FA packages and think in terms of value: which university will take you further?
I didn’t apply to either of the honors programs. I feel like both would give me a quality education, but Mason might expose me to more opportunites because they have a lot more majors than Mary Wash. What bothers me about Mason is that it’s considered a commuter college, and because it’s so huge, I feel like I’d be treated as a number and might have more problems with the people that work there concerning important stuff like aid or housing, considering they have 30k other students to worry about. Like when I last visited, someone gave us incorrect information about tour times and we werent able to have one at all and that’s from not even going to the school yet. But I should finally hear back from Mason tonight so hopefully I make a decision soon!
If there’s still time, do apply to the honors programs, especially at UMW. You’d have smaller classes, better housing, and, most imporantly, priority registration (which means that you wouldn’t have to take a class at an inconvenient time or with a poorly-rated professor).
Right now, it sounds liek you’re leaning toward UMW, but are trying to make sure you make the right decision.
I just received notification that I got into Mason! Personally, I’m not that interested in the honors college and those deadlines have way passed anyways
Ok for the HOnors college, but it really creates a smaller community within the larger university.
CONGRATULATIONS for Mason!
So, now, you have three choices. 
Let’s look at value before we takle fit!
Do you have the financial aid packages?
If you do can you please calculate (tuition, fees, room, board) - (grants, scholarships) = $…
for each university? Do not deduct any loan or work study.
My daughter applied to George Mason in 2014 and we were very impressed with the academics and the campus in general. It is in a transition from being more of a commuter school to becoming more residential. There definitely seemed to be enough dorms that there would be plenty of students for studying and socializing with. The location is very nice, with a metro stop into DC nearby, it seemed like that would be a big benefit for internships in DC.
I would definitely recommend attending accepted student days at your top choices to get a better feel for each school. There are usually many students helping, so you can get more details about campus life from them. There are also usually presentations by the various academic departments/faculty so you can get more info. about majors/courses offered.
I attended a large in-state public university(25K undergrads), but it felt much smaller to me. I had great friendships with people living in the dorms and in my classes. Especially when you start taking upper level classes in your major, you will be with smaller groups of the same students in your classes, and you will get to know your professors better.
A large school can feel smaller by getting involved in clubs and activities and by actively seeking out opportunities which are offered(career services, internships, travel abroad, etc.).
A way to make a school feel smaller (regardless of the school’s size), beside joining the Honors College, is to join a Living Learning Community where students with common interests live together and take classes together.