I was recently accepted into William and Mary’s Joint Degree Programme, but I’m torn on whether or not to take part! I would be studying international relations with the hope of being involved in international peacekeeping in the future. I really want to work abroad for an international ngo (like IRC or International Crisis Group) which makes me think that this program would be extremely helpful for future careers. At the same time, I am really looking forward to joining the William and Mary community and I’m worried that I won’t want to leave. Which path should I take? Any advice would help a ton!
Congratulations on the Joint Degree program acceptance. Awesome. My S21 is interested in that program so it’s exciting to see someone who has the option to pursue it. Our planned visit to W&M was canceled due to the virus but from what we’ve read, you couldn’t go wrong with it. That’s assuming you are ready to split your 4 years between the two programs, etc. We met with the St. Andrews rep last fall and we were impressed with what she shared with us. Obviously, some things will be impacted with the current virus and aftermath, but overall, it’s likely still a meaningful and unique experience. (And, I’ve read that if there is a regret, it’s that people didn’t apply directly to St. Andrews to be a student there for the whole 4 years versus split time between the two schools.)
QQ - When you applied to W&M, I’m assuming it was a direct application for the St. A joint program…So, when you were accepted by W&M, were you automatically accepted into the joint program at the same time, or was it a two step application/acceptance process - e.g., first accepted to W&M and then applied for the Joint program and waited for that acceptance?
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Thank you so much for your reply! Last fall I applied through common app. There is an option right on there to select your interest in the JDP Programme and you can submit you additional essay with the rest of you W&M application through common app. The decisions for W&M and the JDP come out differently though. I got my JDP acceptance a few days after my WaM acceptance.
Congratulations on being accepted to the William & Mary Joint Degree Program. The international relations program is the most selective and the most popular program based on the reputation of both universities. I have had several friends go through the Joint Degree Program.
Whether you will get the most out of the program or really enjoy it is kind of dependent on what type of person you are: Do you enjoy traveling and consider yourself independent type of person? Do both the environment of William & Mary and St. Andrews appeal to you? There have been students that have both really enjoyed the experience and also students who wished they stayed at one university.
For what it’s worth, I think if you want to work internationally, I think doing the program will help but you can still do that having gone to one university. You can still get global experiences from studying abroad if you choose not to do the program. I think the St. Andrews Program provides a unique opportunity to make connections and get a degree from both universities, but the value of that is kind of up to you.
Something that they don’t tell you, and is not advertised because they don’t really want students doing this, but you could always accept your offer into the program and then if you decide you don’t want to do the program later you could always stop doing the program. I recommend reading through the W&M blogs, watching the youtube pages about the program, and doing your research on St. Andrews to see if that is something that you are interested in. The Flat Hat has also interviewed a couple of students about the experience.
I am happy to connect you with friends that have gone through the program if you PM me. Although W&M would likely also could provide you contacts as well if you email them and I believe there are several facebook groups online where you can find current members. For what it is worth, I was also accepted to the St. Andrews Program when I was accepted to W&M, which I ultimately decline because my heart was set on William & Mary and that’s where I wanted to be for four years, but was impressed by the many people who have gone through the program.
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