<p>Okay, I am doing some serious soul-searching. I know UVa has a rep for being less scholarly than W&M, but I really believe that a school is what you make of it, and that I can be happy as a serious student anywhere.
But I am concerned that UVa is a little pretentious, or at least, those are the feelings and the comments I get from it.
I want the big school and the city, v. Williamsburg, but I feel like there is too much that I don't like about either school.
I think I have lost the excitement I used to feel about UVa and that makes me nervous and sad.
Any reassurance or threads to direct me to would be great.</p>
<p>You need to visit UVA. There's no way around it. Every college appeals to every person in a different way. If you think UVA is not what you used to think of it as, then maybe it's time to sit down, explore their webpage, and take a visit to see if you could see yourself there for four years. There are things I love about it that everyone else doesn't like or doesn't agree with. There are things I dislike about UVA that everyone else truely loves.<br>
UVa is a unique school, as in W&M. Both have pros and cons for everyone, and both are different from each other in ways. Try sitting down and starting a pro/con list for both, and look into visiting both. You'll know which one is better for you, and it somewhat sounds you've already decided about UVa.</p>
<p>Chrsyt: Have you received responses yet from all the schools to which you have applied? You might want to wait it out a bit and see who might offer you $$. UVA has the reputation of being "preppy", although I don't know how true that is... I don't know if it's less scholarly than W&M, though. UVA people will argue about that, no doubt!... I know someone personally who graduated W&M in 2006 and loved it there but said that the campus is very liberal-minded. She also said it's tough to get A's there... You also have to enjoy the Colonial Williamsburg area. (Many students take jobs in the Colonial restaurants.) Charlottesville is more suburban....You really need to visit the schools and see for yourself. People will always have varying opinions...It might be helpful to pull up the local newspapers on the Internet to give you a feel of what goes on in both Williamsburg and Charlottesville. Good luck to you!</p>
<p>words cannot do justice to the splendor of UVa. everything from the grounds to the people to the general vibes and atmosphere...it really must be experienced. if you're at all considering UVa, you should at least go visit! i'm confident you will have a spectacular time.</p>
<p>I guess it has been too long and oo far in-between looking at schools then. I am already in W&M, and I got UVa's likely letter.
I am already in Boston U and JMU and am also waiting on Notre Dame and G'town.
If I can afford G'town though, there won't have to be a choice at all. </p>
<p>Really, the problem was that I discounted W&M too early on because, if even though I got in, I suppose erroneously I always thought that was a sure thing when I look now at so many strong students at my school who were rejected. </p>
<p>I was so set on UVa but now I think that it would be unfair not to take another look at a school that I was too quick to cross-off the list. </p>
<p>I was very complemented that W&M accepted me first.</p>
<p>chrisyt~ as the mom of a graduating UVA-er, all i can say is she chose UVA over WM, as she was admitted to both. i have never heard the comment on UVA being less scholarly tho! as OOS, there was practically a parade when she was admitted! :) probably the most negative thing i can say about UVA is the heavy Greek scene, but you can do whatever you want about anything there!(big enough, without being unmanageable) you don't have to be preppy, Greek, etc. are you in-state? it's such an honor to be admitted OOS, that it was hard to decline. she did, however talk with many people about her decision,ie, guid. couns., kids at WM, kids at UVA, those who have nothing to do with either. the incredible academic reputation, the beauty, and all that Thomas Jefferson created, won her over. good luck!</p>
<p>Thank you all very much. I don't doubt the academic prestige of UVa, only that I would be as suited to it as that of W&M, but that is probably something that I can only ask myself about for help.</p>
<p>W&M isn't more scholarly than UVA. It's just that UVA kids really love to have fun too rather than study all the time. </p>
<p>Visit both UVA and W&M during those admitted students weekends and get a sense of both schools' environments again and the types of students who will be attending in the Fall. Whether or not a school accepted you first has nothing to do with the type of collegiate atmosphere or education you would get at that university. Keep an open mind, and you'll know which school is a better fit.</p>
<p>Is the admitted student weekend the best time to visit? My daughter was told by a current UVA student she loved that weekend....everyone was so friendly. In August, when classes began, she still liked UVA but was truly given a false sense of the school.</p>
<p>Both are great schools but have different stregnths. W&M is focused on the undegrad, has a residential campus environment, with faculty that are passionate about teaching. </p>
<p>UVa has three times as many students and has a much greater focus on graduate studies than W&M. It has a huge sports program and a very strong Greek scene.</p>
<p>You can have a great education at both places, it just depends on what type of experience you want. Ask yourself what makes you happiest and your choice will be obvious.</p>
<p>Good luck and congrats on having options.</p>
<p>chrisyt- what do you want to major in? what are your loves in life? what kinds of people do you identify with the most? i think all of these factors should help steer you in the right decision. There are so many stereotypes about each school, so basically what it comes down to is what you want for yourself. It was a mistake for you to so quickly assume that W&M was a push over for you or for anyone else. Both UVA and W&M are highly respected schools in their own rights. You could say that the two are even intertwined in that one educated the founder of the other! I'd say your best bet is to attend both the addmitted day openhouse event for both schools to get a better feel for them.</p>
<p>the best of luck on your ultimate decision! ;)</p>
<p>I would say a lot depends on your major. If it is liberal arts you might like the more intimate feel of Wm and Mary - they say that all courses are taught by faculty members, not TA's. For the sciences, I think UVa would have the edge, as they have a more accomplished research faculty. I wouldn't worry too much about Greeks, etc - both schools are big enough that you'll find a niche large enough to accommodate you. As for C'ville being a "city" compared to Williamsburg, as Borat would say "not". Actually, the surrounds of Williamsburg (15 - 30 miles) are much more populated.
UVa vs Wm and Mary is a win-win. You can't really go wrong either way.</p>
<p>UVA is every bit as strong as W&M academically and goes a step further with respect to social life, sports and resources. I don't see how you lose out by going to UVA, unless you simply prefer a smaller school.</p>