Just got accepted as a transfer student to both. I’m intending to be a math major –hopefully, with a concentration in finical mathematics.
I’m obsoletely torn. I love W&M’s culture, campus, and overall feel. I love UVA’s math related major selection. I feel, from what I’ve read, that UVA has more of a focus on STEM fields than W&M; that’s a double whammy when combined with UVA’s business school (as I am intending to minor in finance on top of majoring in finical mathematics).
I’m not a huge fan of Frat culture, but I’m normally buried in a library anyway so it wouldn’t really affect me.
I’m also worried about job prospects as I can’t actually major in applied mathematics at W&M, where at UVA I can; I don’t know what the job outlook looks like for pure math majors.
Any suggestions?
Do you plan on attending graduate school? If so, my thought is to finish your undergraduate studies where you feel most comfortable/happy – which seems to be W&M; you can make up any perceived deficiencies in curriculum in your graduate program. If on the other hand you wish to get a job with an undergraduate degree only – and you seem to think that you might have better prospects with what UVA offers – then choose UVA and find yourself a comfortable place in one of the libraries for the next couple of years. 
Yeah, I plan on attending grad school right after undergrad; that’s part of my heart-wrenching decision. UVA seems to have great grad school placement, while W&M’s notorious grade deflation might complicate things.
So you would do graduate work in Math? Financial Math? MBA? ?
“UVA seems to have great grad school placement, while W&M’s notorious grade deflation might complicate things.”
It sounds as if you’re trying to talk yourself into attending UVA.
Also, I don’t know that I would characterize W&M as having “notorious grade deflation.” Perhaps you could talk to some of the math faculty at W&M and find out what if any difficulties their students may have in getting placed into graduate programs.
@MaroonDaddy
Financial Math/Financial engineering
@gandalf78
I’m heading to their transfer days on May 9th to do just that.
“Also, I don’t know that I would characterize W&M as having “notorious grade deflation.””
Most people would 
If one school has the exact major you want (and you are pretty sure about your major) and the other doesn’t, I think that should trump more impressionistic feelings about “fit”. I am usually a big fan of LAC’s and smaller universities, so ordinarily I’d be suggesting that you follow your heart to William and Mary. But math is one of those fields where really advanced students who are planning to go on to do graduate work sometimes need one of the larger universities to get both the variety of specializations within math as well as the advanced level math courses that they need. So I would look at both departments’ offerings very carefully before making your choice. If W&M isn’t offering what you need, then I think you should go to UVA.
@profparent
Thanks for the advice.
W&M has kind of what I need:
They have a BS/BA in Mathematics. On top of this there is an applied math concentration option
(vs. standard math degree). Within the applied math concentration there is an additional concentration on financial math or scientific math.
UVA:
Math degree requires a chosen topic of concentration (e.g., Financial Mathematics, Prep for grad, et cetera); all of these concentrations go more in depth than W&M’s concentration within a concentration scheme. UVA also accepted more credits (6).
To reiterate my difficult decision: I am in love with the small campus LA culture at W&M, but I’m far more impressed with UVA’s math program.
Only have a few more days to decide; this is killing me.
Fwiw, I visited both for undergrad. I have family in Williamsburg and spent many summers in the area- what an awesome place, seriously. That being said, on my visit I did not get a vibe at all that they focused or cared about business. Much more liberal arts than I would’ve liked. That is apparently what you DO like about W&M. However, I think UVa has a similar culture in some ways. While it is larger, and more of a university than a LAC, I think they have a lot of traditions and historic quirks (like the language used- grounds, first year, etc., secret societies, etc.) that make it a little more academic and liberal arts-y than most schools of its league. I would choose UVa.
@Magnificence I’m deciding between UVA and W&M (and GW) and a little concerned about UVA’s frat culture too. I’m also going to W&M on the 9th!
@Transfer1001
I’m going there for the transfer days as well! See you there.
I do not think UVA has more of a STEM focus than William and Mary. UVA is obviously bigger and have much more extensive graduate programs, but that isn’t the best way to look at it. The National Science Foundation tracks which universities are producing graduates that go on to get advanced degrees in STEM. Among public colleges, William and Mary was 3rd on a percentage basis and well ahead of UVA (I think UC Berkeley was slightly ahead of W&M).
UVA’s undergraduate business school is considered to be one of the strongest in the country, ahead William and Mary, but W&M is well regarded as well. Remember, at both schools, you will have to apply in your Sophomore year.
In general, at an undergraduate level, I don’t think you should base your decision on strength in majors. Many people end up changing majors and you will only take part of your workload in this area. This obviously becomes less the case in areas like engineering.