<p>Looking for an objective opinion on which one to choose. Cost is similar with the edge given to W+M and UVA. Things I must have in a school:</p>
<p>Lots of Flexibility
Good Econ and Math program
Good Chinese Language Program(or at least acceptable)
Good Study Abroad options
Prestige/Name - grad school recognition(am I right in saying all of these schools are about equal in this category?)</p>
<p>Which one would you choose?</p>
<p>All three fit your criteria. I would recommend you take a look at the campus environment/culture and locales of these three universities as they are very different from each other.</p>
<p>on the "prestige" option, I would say UVa and Michigan are more prestigious to the average person vs. W&M--even though grad schools probably look at them the same.</p>
<p>All three are very different from each other. Alexandre is right about picking the right fit. 20000+ vs 14000 vs 5500 in student body size is a wide array of choices.</p>
<p>I would disagree with Jags about prestige. The avg person thinks football about UM and Basketball about UVa. They get lumped in with University of "fill in your home state here" perception of large state U's. Whereas W&M is lumped in with other "strange named schools that are old and private ergo you must be smart" schools. This isnt the case within the borders of VA and MI but the further you get away, the glamour fades more and more. </p>
<p>I do agree that grad schools will be impressed with any of these schools given that you do well. </p>
<p>Go visit each one and make the call on what fits you better. Good Luck</p>
<p>No, the prestige does not fade significantly as you move away from the states. Michigan may be a little better known out west and UVa in the South but they are highly regarded most everywhere.</p>
<p>The avg person in PA, NC, MO, and FL (where I have lived) would give you, at best a comment about sports for those schools, at worst a blank stare. W&M gets confused about being an Ivy League school (along with Colgate/Swarthmore/ Williams ...). It has nothing to do with the actual school and everything to do with the name. </p>
<p>Again, we are talking about the AVG person. Not someone who has over 4000 posts on CC.</p>
<p>A well qualified employer will recognize all three of those schools as ones of high prestige. Grad Schools will do the same.</p>
<p>Exactly, the average person is not very interested in academic prestige. Employers are and you can look at the recruiting schedules at UM and UVa and see most of the elite firms in the US.</p>
<p>Between these three schools, it is impossible to say which is more prestigious, as they are all fine and prestige will be based on each individual's impressions, experience, and probably geography. </p>
<p>It is more important to know what you are looking for in a school -- W&M is so different from Michigan that it appears it might help to write down what criteria you are looking for in a school and determine which is a better match.</p>
<p>Regarding employers, prestige matters for the first job especially with big-name consulting firms, but after that what matters is what have you done on the job-- regardless of where you went to school, so relax about the prestige thing. I'm an experienced professional in the employment field, it's your achievements that matter more than the name of your school, especially as your career progresses. </p>
<p>(Prestige is way overrated on CC). Do your best where ever you may go, take advantage of the opportunities your school offers, and you will find a good job!</p>
<p>I suggest you go to William and Mary. :)</p>
<p>Really though, you should visit each campus and you'll be able to immediately tell which you like best and where you will be the happiest.</p>