<p>my daughter received an accetance letter from w&m today. i would appreciate any parents who have had sons or daughters attend w&m commenting on their child's experience (academically, socially,etc.) at w&m.</p>
<p>ursdad,</p>
<p>No experience with W&M here, but a HUGE congrats to your daughter! An acquaintance of ours was accepted in the early round, and she's VERY excited about attending school there. ~berurah</p>
<p>Congratulations. Getting accepted out-of-state at W&M is just about as hard as it gets.</p>
<p>check out:
<a href="http://www.studentsreview.com/VA/CWM_c.html%5B/url%5D">http://www.studentsreview.com/VA/CWM_c.html</a>
these aren't parents' comments, but I thought they might be useful . . .</p>
<p>Hi, ursdad - our oldest d will graduate from W & M as a bio major this May. She's had a great 4 years, and our feelings about the school are very positive. From d's viewpoint, the most favorable aspects have been the quality of the faculty, the student body, a wide variety of course offerings, and resources for students from a strong intramural/club athletic program to internships to on-campus cultural programs, etc. I've heard unfavorable comments from our d and her friends about the administration (which I think is a favorite target at universitites everywhere). Everyone, though, loves retiring president Timothy Sullivan, and I'm sure graduation will be particularly emotional because he's leaving.</p>
<p>The negatives I've heard discussed on this board are an intense workload, grade deflation, and a lacking social scene. Our d has found that the first 2 apply, but the third does not. It's not a place to coast for 4 years, but energetic, focused kids (as one imagines most admittees are) do well. There are lots of study groups, study dates, peer tutoring, etc. - there's a noticeable lack of the cut-throat atmosphere found at some other selective schools.</p>
<p>She's never had a problem registering for classes, despite the distribution requirements. She's also the kind of kid who didn't mind larger intro classes, and has forged close relationships with several profs in her major, though she didn't really do so until her junior year. A student looking for lots of personalized nurturing probably would be better served elsewhere.</p>
<p>As to the social life - there are frat parties several nights a week, usually open to all students. The Greek scene is important to itself and provides an environment in which to party, but doesn't dominate the campus. (The administration is cracking down on frats, and a few have lost their charters in recent years.) Several pubs/delis ring the campus and are always crowded with students (underage kids must leave at a certain hour).</p>
<p>Like every other college, it's a great school for the right kid. A couple of students post on the W & M board under "Individual Colleges," so you might want to look over there. Best of luck to your d in making her decision!</p>
<p>My son was accepted out-of-state last year, but the fin aid was non-existant so he chose another school. I have a cousin (yes, the very last in our generation!) who is a sophomore there, in-state, and loves it.</p>