<p>I just got off of W&M's waitlist-last saturday I was taken off of UVA's waitlist and I accepted because it was the first to offer me a position off of the list-I had pretty much given up on W&M.</p>
<p>But now that I'm off of W&M's list I can't decide which school to choose.
I want to major in biology (pre-med focus) and international relations, my three closest friends are attending UVA, and now I'm just not sure anymore!</p>
<p>Can you guys provide me with some differences between the two colleges that could help me decide one over the other??
Thank you!-I'm in a dilemma b/c I leave for vacation on friday so I have two days to decide...maybe less...</p>
<p>Have you visited both? The biggest difference between the schools is just the general atmosphere. We're smaller, quirkier, etc. They're both good schools, so don't stress about the decision. If you like them both, you're not choosing wrong no matter the choice you make. We do have a slightly higher med school acceptance rate than UVA, though. (75% and 70%, I believe.) </p>
<p>This might also be true at UVA, but if you're a pre-med double majoring in IR and Bio here, you're going to be spending a lot of time studying. IR is an interdisciplinary major here and requires a lot of economics. (Open Economy Macro is required, so you need to take other courses as prerequisites.) A Bio major is also a lot of work, but there are opportunities for things like research as a freshman here.</p>
<p>Academically it's a wash; both excellent schools. W & M might have an edge in its reputation as being rigorous. If after visiting you do not have a clear choice then you probably don't have a clear choice and will be fine at either school. I say that because many people, my daughter included, know that one school is definitely it. </p>
<p>Size could be a deal breaker as could focus on DIV 1 sports and the feel that comes with that. Some say that UVA students are smart and put having fun and studying on equal planes and at W & M students are just as smart but put academics above fun. </p>
<p>I'm assuming that you are instate? Maybe you could look at your friends and other students from your high school who attend and see if there's a common factor as to who goes where. Or it really can just be a "gut" feeling.</p>
<p>You'll get a great education at either school. UVA feels much more like a big school, though of course it's considerably smaller than a true mega-campus such as U-M or Wisconsin. Charlottesville is a wonderful town, bigger than Williamsburg - both offer many attractions for tourists, especially restaurants and shopping, which can mean good job opportunities for students.</p>
<p>My oldest d is a W & M alum, and my youngest will start there this year. The oldest felt there was a more prominent party scene at UVA (though she had ample opportunities for partying at W & M, believe me). The Greek scene is more prominent at UVA, as well. My d, a bio major, felt there was excellent faculty-student interaction at W & M - it's what she would consider perhaps the leading factor in her high level of satisfaction with the school.</p>
<p>Congrats on coming off the waitlists at two great schools! Please let us know what you decide.</p>
<p>W&M has a more intellectual feel, Virginia has a more prep school feel. Also, with your friends going there, will it keep you from making new friends? Sometimes its better to be a blank slate and become the person you want to be.</p>
<p>I'm probably posting too late because you said you had to decide by Friday. But I had the same choice about a year ago and really there is only one piece of advice needed to be given in order to ensure you make the best choice for you: visit both schools.</p>
<p>I would go on and compare and contrast what I saw in my visits, but I have a feeling that you won't be able to use any of the information because you've already made your decision lol</p>
<p>One experience I remember was grading final exams for an undergraduate level class. The professor brought in a bunch of beer and just divided up the exams arbitrarily. We sat there drinking and grading with no tangible guidance until it was done. It was both exhilarating and slightly disturbing to see how hands off the professors were capable of being with regard to their undergraduate obligations.</p>
<p>My experience is only one data point. </p>
<p>I have a lot of familiarity with other colleges in Virginia including JMU, W&M and GMU. I think they are all good schools. </p>
<p>I think for an undeclared, undergraduate W&M would be ideal. The focus is on cultivating the undergraduates, not slave driving graduate students in pet research projects. </p>
<p>I think UVa is a better school for graduate work.</p>
<p>If you go to W&M for your undergraduate degree and subsequently enroll at UVa for your graduate studies you get the best of both experiences.</p>
<p>Great advice Thorn. Get the best of both worlds. W&M is thebest undergrad public school in USA and UVa is the best research ( at least very competetitve with Cal & Michigan)</p>