3 days left and not sure where to go. Two very different collegiate experiences to be sure. Was locked in on W&M, but visited Madison yesterday and now not as sure.
One concern are the cities themselves. Madison seems like it always has something going on, Williamsburg is obviously much smaller. Should that be a concern? Do people get stir crazy in. Williamsburg? I am out of state for both so going home whenever I want is not an option.
Thank you!
Major?
Undecided
Probably poli sci or public policy
Likely more school after undergrad
Once you attend a school, you will get immersed in the on-campus activities. So leaving campus becomes less of an issue. Why don’t you go to the W&M reddit page and read posts and ask about things to do?
Both schools are excellent. If one school is less expensive, then that might be a reason to pick one over the other.
Aren’t these schools really different in terms of advising and class size? W&M is known as a medium-sized LAC experience. Madison is Big Ten. Campus size is also different. W&M’s campus is walkable. One may have to take a bus to class at Madison. I think they are pretty different experiences.
How did you feel about academic experience at UW? Did you like what you saw? Are you in the Honors program at UW? Is it fear of missing out of the big school sports experience if you choose W&M or is there something more you are on the fence about?
Madison is a great college town, and my UW Poli Sci and History major had a phenomenal academic (and social) experience. As someone interested in politics, he especially appreciated the internship opportunities available since he was living in the State Capital where state and federal legislators are located. A motivated student at UW, who seeks out opportunities, takes the time to go to office hours to get to know faculty etc. can have an incredible academic experience. He had multiple tiers of advisors, from the College, his departments, and Honors, so never had a problem with advising. Being in Honors simplified getting to know faculty because he often took Honors sections or Honors seminars so was working with faculty closely. As he considers grad school options now, he has several faculty he can ask for letters of rec because he took multiple classes with them. It was the right school for him, but that doesn’t mean it meets your needs and priorities.
(For what it’s worth, he never took a bus – for students in the College of Letters & Science, classes are clustered around Bascom Hill and most L&S students live around State St/Park St so you are a 5-15 min walk from home to any class. Once on campus, classes are all right there, a 5 min walk tops.)
I don’t know anything about W&M but I did think Madison’s campus was totally walkable, even with it’s large size. It’s a totally fun city. W&M is in such a cool part of the country too. Which school is cheaper?
William and Mary is a much more serious and focused. Almost like a public lac, UChicago vibe. It’s in a town like that as well. Beautiful and historic. But a bit more reserved and sedate.
Madison is a quintessential Big Ten and college town experience. It’s also much larger.
If you’re really into the academic focus and want other friends who are serious minded too W and M is really top notch.
UW is no shrinking violet either and it’s programs are extremely marketable.
But it’s like choosing a place to live. Which environment speaks to you and makes you excited for the opportunity.
Don’t over think it.
Sometimes recency bias can make the last impression feel the strongest.
All the liberal arts classes at UW are very walkable as is the town.
You are considering two very different experiences. W&M, which is in-state to me and was in my sons’ top 2 last year (along with UVA) is a great public ivy of around 5,000-6,000 undergrads. The stereotype, which holds some truth, is that a typical W&M student is bright, motivated, intense and a bit quirky. The Greek system is popular but not overwhelming. W&M has Division 1 sports, but they aren’t a big focus on campus. And campus life is pretty much focused on campus — only so many times you can visit Colonial Williamsburg, Busch Gardens, and go out for pancakes. But campus life is thriving: club sports, improv groups, academic clubs, acapella, etc.
Like UVA (which my guys ultimately selected), UW offers more students, more clubs and activities, and a broader “campus” in that there’s more to do outside of the school. Also, Wisconsin has a thriving D1 sports culture if that’s important to you. I really loved attending football and basketball games in college and law school (Arizona and UVA), and my sons have very much enjoyed UVA football and UVA’s national championship run this year.
Three other significant differences come to mind. First, most W&M students live on campus all four years. Is that true for Wisconsin? My sons rented a house next year and they are very much looking forward to more privacy, quiet, a real kitchen, and sharing a bathroom with only one other student. Second, weather. Definitely far less snowfall and bitter cold at W&M. Finally, one of my sons who was very attracted to W&M, and turned off by the stereotype of UVA’s purported party and Greek culture, ended up picking UVA because he was concerned that W&M was needlessly intense academically, as current students told him that some felt driven to compete with their classmates, were not collaborative, and that this caused some undue anxiety. An intense kid himself, he was concerned he, too, might board the anxiety train.
But you have great choices! To check out the student vibe, make sure you read the student online papers, check out the schools’ lists of clubs and activities, and google the schools’ “Top Ten” and “best” postings. (Top Ten experiences at …, best things about …, best classes at …, best professors at …, things to do before graduating from …). These kinds of lists will give you an idea of what current students love and admire about their schools.
And take heart! My sons are loving UVA — great grades, wonderful connections with professors, terrific friends, very involved in clubs, sports and activities —but I’m convinced they would have enjoyed W&M or any of the other colleges to which they were admitted. 90% of a good college experience is student readiness. Do you go to your first week dorm and university welcome activities and meet people? Do you go to the activities fair, check out club meetings, and pick 2-3 and get involved? Do you speak up in class, go to office hours, and find mentors in areas of interest? Do you go to see university speakers, concerts, sporting events, debates, etc? Do you explore the greater community (at UVA, hiking, apple-picking, concerts and festivals on the Downtown Mall, etc). Obviously, you are in control of those aspects of your experience.
Good luck!!!
Thank you all for the great responses!
Overthinking and over analyzing is something our family excels at 
In honors at UW and a regular student at W&M. An academically challenging and collaborative student environment is probably most important.
More research today - thanks again!
@bjciii If you want to know more about UW Honors – in the Liberal Arts (the Honors program) or in the Poli Sci major, ask away or feel free to PM me.
Good deal! Enjoy your research and let us know whether you are a Badger or a Griffin.
For a political science major, Madison also has the state capitol just a few blocks from campus. Many politicians will visit campus for the 2020 election.
A badger seems tougher than a griffin. Is it Andy or Steve Griffin?
Yes, particularly the honey badger…,
?
They are both fine choices. Quite different in size location, weather, etc., which should make it easier (but evidently isn’t). Don’t sweat it. I will likely work out fine whichever one you choose.
You say that you are looking for “an academically challenging and collaborative student environment”. I’d say that describes W&M pretty closely. Students are focused on learning, but don’t compete with each other. Proximity to DC also helps with government and public policy majors.
When I went to college, a lot more of my social life really focused more on campus (and nearby) versus the broader city. We took some memorable trips, but that was something different. Perhaps NYU or a school like that would have been different, but I think that is the case with many students.
Both excellent. I would give W&M the edge for academics b/c you will have smaller classes and I think poli sci and IR are particular strengths.
Congrats, good luck and let us know what you decide!