<p>Hi! I'm a PA resident, and I'm looking into applying to UVA or William and Mary or maybe even both. The thing is, I already have a list of about 10 colleges and I don't really want to write the essays for 2 more, so I'm trying to apply to just one. I need financial aid, and I want to major in International Relations. I interviewed at William and Mary over the summer in addition. Any advice?</p>
<p>I have a 34 ACT/2220 SAT, I'm ranked 1/160, and I have a 95/100 uw GPA, in case that affects any advice.</p>
<p>Your stats are great and certainly qualify you for admission at either school. But being OOS makes the chances, even for an excellent student like you, uncertain and hard to predict. This is particularly so if you're female. I'd recommend putting lots of effort into the essay, whichever school you choose. They're quite different - if you've visited, one must appeal to you more than the other.</p>
<p>I seem to remember, from having two daughters who applied to UVA, that there were several short answer essays as well as a longer one at UVA. At W & M, you need only your Common App essay and the optional submission, which I highly recommend doing.</p>
<p>One unfortunate aspect of these excellent public schools is that there is not as much finaid available as at comparable private schools. Good luck!</p>
<p>does one of your 10 schools have the common app? you wouldn't need to do anything else form W&M except pay to send the application there (supplement is not required)</p>
<p>Like- Big time sports, greek scene, mountains, big groups of people, Katie Couric, Jefferson- go UVirginia</p>
<p>Like-medium size, residential liberal arts, non conformist, individuality, medium sports scene, non Animal House greeks, beach, Jefferson (Tyler,Monroe, Marshall,) Go W&M</p>
<p>hmm yeah I think then William & Mary might be better for me. That's what I thought initially after visiting both, but a lot of people at my school keep telling me that they could see me at UVA and that it offers better aid. Thanks for the input! I really appreciate it.</p>
<p>In all my years of living in VA, there are two types of people who go to UVA and WM.</p>
<p>The first type is usually the know-it-all, A+ student, teachers pet kid. The ones who irk you by rubbing their grades and extra curricular activities in your face. </p>
<p>The second type is usually the kid who is happy with who he is, is a nerd at heart, and enjoys harmless social outings. The ones who want to learn to learn, not just for a grade. </p>
<p>I believe major plays an important part in this. You said you wanted to do International Relations. I believe W&M has a better IR department (one of the reasons I chose to go to W&M (I'm a freshman right now)). The W&M IRClub (does the MUN stuff) has won World Model United Nations 4 out of the last 6 years, iirc; and hosts a huge conference for High Schoolers on campus.</p>
<p>I'm not sure how it is at UVA, but IR is not a sub-discipline of Poli Sci at W&M. It's part Government, History, Language, and Economics. I have really diverse interests, so I appreciate the variations. IR is one of the more difficult majors at W&M, considering the number of credits needed. They discourage double majoring as it is already a diverse subject, but I think I'm going to double major with Environmental Policy, which includes Gov, Science, Econ, and other topics. Diverse indeed!</p>
<p>UVA has a huge poli sci dept, but W&M has a better IR dept. And of course consider what kind of college community and feeling you want. What put me off from UVa on the college tours was having to cross a bridge to get across a major street.</p>
<p>I am planning to do some form of International studies along with an Asian language as a double major and, as a VA resident, I was also considering both schools. Once I visited (as you did) and looked at my deparments of interest (again, as you did), the choice was clear for me - WM.</p>
<p>Sorry for the cliche', but ... ultimately the choice is up to you and you have to make the decision for yourself, but I hope the information found on this forum can help you along the way.</p>
<p>Good luck in your application process, admissions decisions, and college life.</p>
<p>PS:</p>
<p>baconkabob00 summed the two up very well</p>
<p>Also, Here<em>to</em>help's advice regarding their respective IR options made a good point.</p>