<p>I'm having SO much trouble deciding between William & Mary and UVA. I'll be transferring to one of the two in the fall as a sophomore and would really appreciate any and all input from any and everyone. I'm from out of state and have not visited UVA. Basically, I can't say I have a good enough sense of both places to make the best decision and time is quickly running out. </p>
<p>Help? Please?</p>
<p>Sweet. All right.</p>
<p>Me again. </p>
<p>Major: undecided. interested in philosophy, environmental studies, math?
Out of state
Second year</p>
<p>I'm not exactly a partier so that aspect of things won't be quite a determining factor. </p>
<p>anyone? input? maybe?</p>
<p>I don't profess to know that much about WM, but from what I've seen, UVA is a hell of a good school. They've always been either #1 or #2 in the public university rankings and seem to be on the rise. They have excellent financial aid, beautiful campus, great education, and a competitive sports program. I myself am currently choosing between USC and UVA, I live in SoCal where USC is king, but I'm leaning UVA.</p>
<p>I transferred to W&M my junior year and my older sister did the same at UVA. There are some pros and cons of each institution, but it depends on what you're looking for.</p>
<p>W&M
Pros-
The campus is truly beautiful
It is easier to get on campus housing
People are less arrogant than they are at UVA
Very few classes are taught by TAs
It's a very well respected school in the DC area
You will get a great education</p>
<p>Cons-
You will feel the stress. Academically, it is not a walk in the park.
You will have to study a lot to maintain a 3.0+.
Williamsburg can get a little boring. If you're not in a frat or sorority, your social life could be a little lackluster (mine is).
Not very great athletically, if you're into that sort of thing
Classes are not actually smaller (that's a myth)</p>
<p>UVA
Pros-
Much more grand campus than W&M (may or may not be a pro)
Lots more class options being a bigger school
More recognition nationally and internationally
Fun parties every weekend
Better social life</p>
<p>Cons-
You might have quite a distance to walk/cycle if you live off campus
Lots of classes taught by TAs
Polo armies
Sheer arrogance from much of the student body</p>
<p>All in all, I'm happy to be at W&M. I'm very academically focused and I couldn't care less about parties and dolling myself up. I prefer the more subdued campus style and being around more intellectual types.</p>
<p>Croquepotte's list seems pretty good. Except the arrogant part can be disputed and I don't see the polos as a negative thing. :) </p>
<p>They are both really good schools. Although I like to argue with W&M people for hating on UVA, W&M and UVA are both really good schools.</p>
<p>I realize this doesn't help much. Lol. Sorry.</p>
<p>Barq- I definitely don't hate on UVA. A lot of it actually comes down to sibling rivalry. Either way, Virginia has some of the best state schools in the country. W&M and UVA are both great, but offer different things for different people. I would always suggest people go for where they feel is the best fit. My sister loved UVA, but she is much more of a party animal than me.</p>
<p>Thanks for the input! I'm really curious about the social aspect of things. I'm really not a partier at all, but I do wonder about there being enough to do around WM/Williamsburg. What kinds of things happen on campus? (in terms of events and stuff)</p>
<p>At this point I feel like WM is the safer choice for me and that I would be happy there, but I feel like UVA could potentially be really good... there's just more of a potential for me to not like it too.</p>
<p>food at wm=not good</p>
<p>Hey, I went to UVA and am transferring to Wesleyan because I can't major in what I want to major in; however I had a really good experience there. I'm also from Charlottesville so I could tell you what it's like to live there. I didn't want to go to UVA, and had a year that was unexpectedly fulfilling both academically and socially. I didn't do frat parties, but definitely found enough partying to do outside of that. I took amazing classes with amazing professors and graduate student or not, the people teaching knew what they were talking about. Private message me about UVA. I don't think I would have gone to William and Mary over UVA regardless of how much I thought I would not like UVA. In terms of arrogance, sure it's there, but it will no doubt be there at any school. I met amazing people who are passionate and grounded and genuine. It's a huge school. You will find the right kind of people there (everyone says this, but it's true). It's beautiful, professors are super accessible and want to talk to you, classes are great. Message me if you'd like, and I can tell you more about my personal experience there.</p>
<p>W&M>UVa. Esp if you like smaller community and campus. Less 'tude and conformity and more individualism. Both are good in their own way.</p>
<p>Thanks to all for all of your input!</p>
<p>While I have no doubt that I would fit a bit better into the W&M community, there are many things that are shoving me toward UVA. I decided it would be important to look more in depth at the course offerings and majors at each school and have realized that I'd really, really like to study Cognitive Science and Bioethics. THEREFORE: It's UVA ftw!</p>