<p>Academics are important to me, but I have no idea what I want to major in. At one point I was thinking international development, then anthropology, and then urban planning. As a result, I have abandoned choosing my school based on the academics b/c I don't know what to do and they both sound good...except I guess UVa has more majors, but w&m offers a more personalized curriculum with the advisors and such.
Being from DC - where there's always something to do and, personally, I think it's beautiful - a student life and a traditional campus are important to me. Both schools have beautiful campuses, but I'm not big on how prevalent the party scene seems at UVa. However, w&m is often characterized as lacking in a social scene - like you have to go searching for it. I am typically more of an introvert so I am worried that I might get lost in a bigger school, but at the same time I think it could be good for me and help me become more outgoing (or not I really don't know). At the same time I'm worried that I'll get bored at a smaller school. I also don't want my dorms or meals to suck...and maybe affordable options to live off campus later on if that becomes a thing.
High school was stressful for me b/c I felt pressure to do well from the competition. I don't want college to be the same way, I want to enjoy my classes without too much pressure and I'm just looking for some insight/advice. </p>
<p>Have you visited each school? Did one of the schools “feel” right to you? From what you wrote, it seems like you fit the typical W&M student mold more than UVA, but there are all kinds of students at both schools. There are plenty of social things to do at W&M, but no one will confuse W&M with a party school; I wouldn’t worry about that, unless you are looking for a southern school party atmosphere (which UVA is not, but it is closer than W&M).</p>
<p>Many W&M kids stay on campus (there are lots of campus apartment style housing); most UVA kids go off campus (err… grounds) for years 2-4, which spreads them out a bit more, but there are also apartment complexes of all college students around the corner and just up 29. However, there are a number of W&M kids that live off campus in houses with their friends as well.</p>
<p>There are lots of high achieving students at both UVA and W&M. Pressure comes from what you put on yourself. How much do you want to stress about whether you get an A- or B+? It’s up to you.</p>
<p>A lot of people “feel” more at home at one school or the other when they visit… if you got that feeling at one of the schools, I would choose that one.</p>