<p>I am native to Virginia so I figured my opinions are probably skewed. I know both are highly ranked universities, but I was wondering what the reputations of the schools are outside of Virginia. If possible, what the perceptions are from the West Coast. I'd like to go to Grad school in California and was wondering if what people out there think about these two schools comparatively. Do people out west know about William and Mary?</p>
<p>Thank you. Anyone can respond. I really would just like to know what people think of these schools outside of Virginia. So if your from the south or north or midwest feel free to respond. Thanks.</p>
<p>Two very good schools that are very different. W&M has a better academic, intellectual reputation, and Virginia has a more active social/Greek/sports scene. Virginia is like UCLA and W&M is more like Pomona.</p>
<p>When applying to grad school whether or not “people” know the school is irrelevant. The admissions people reading over your grad school application are going to be familiar with the top schools in the country. People on the west coast many not know many good schools on the east coast - that doesn’t mean they aren’t good schools. And as I said, academics will be aware of how good a school is.</p>