<p>Yeah, I toured both Universities and ended up liking William and Mary better because a smaller environment suits me well (and it seems to be more academically focused, but that is just my opinion). The buildings have this historic grandeur, but as soon as you get inside, you see that they are very modern. The overall appearance of the campus is absolutely gorgeous (as is UVA’s, of course!!!), and I could definitely see myself at both universities. However, WM provides closer interaction with professors as 99 percent of the classes are taught by professors rather than TAs. Even without the scholarships, it would be a tough choice, so I would go with William and Mary.</p>
<p>99 percent of the classes at UVA are also taught by professors. At W&M, there are plenty of classes taught by TAs if you were not aware (for example, Chem 103 lab, beginning Spanish/other language classes and math lab for Math 112, among others)</p>
<p>Are you sure about the 99 percent of classes at UVA being taught by professors? When we went to visit UVA the admissions person said that a fair chunk of classes were taught by TAs and that there were a lot of big classes. She said that that wasn’t a problem, mind you, but she did say that. </p>
<p>If you have the scholarship to W and M, I would go.</p>
<p>There are discussion sections which are led by TAs. For example, Econ 201, it’s taught by a prof. by your discussion section is led by a TA, same for some history and politics classes and lower calculus classes, but the classes themselves are taught by professors. I was a history/gov’t double majo and French minor and had a TA once at UVA (precisely for Econ 201). If you want to avoid them, believe me, you can.</p>
<p>Same is true at W&M, ALL classes are taught by professors and only a very small percentage of discussion or practice sections are led by TA’s. I had a TA for science labs and for beginning language practice sections, but professors definitely taught all classes. TAs are used minimally as most classes are small. There is one history class that uses a TA for a discussion section, but also other sections of the same class that do not use a TA so TAs are easily avoidable, however, I will say that my TAs were fantastic and very helpful. </p>
<p>Just wanted to correct the statement a couple posts above mine that stated that plenty of classes at W&M were taught by TAs. No classes are taught by TAs, they only lead discussion and practice sessions or supervise labs.</p>
<p>Yes, I’m sorry, I didn’t mean teach. TAs do not teach classes at W&M, they lead discussions and labs (for science and math classes)</p>