Is W&M a prestigious college?

[Anonymous]

https://www.wm.edu/about/wmdifference/incrediblealumni/

Also the alma mater of Glen Close, Beth Comstock (cofounder of Hulu), Jon Stewart, and several US Presidents.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stephen Colbert went there too.

For a liberal arts college, they also have a great business program.

Stephen Colbert first attended Hampden-Sydney then transferred to Northwestern. You might be thinking of Jon Stewart, who graduated from William and Mary.

[Anonymous]

This is one of our top choices regardless of prestige or who attended. I do hope for some answers from people with firsthand experience and thank you in advance.
Do students get to know their professors? Are classes rich in discussion and mainly taught by professors instead of TA’s? And, would it be a good fit for an introvert guy with conservative principles (open minded) not at all interested in sports nor Greek life?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This is one of our top choices regardless of prestige or who attended. I do hope for some answers from people with firsthand experience and thank you in advance.
Do students get to know their professors? Are classes rich in discussion and mainly taught by professors instead of TA’s? And, would it be a good fit for an introvert guy with conservative principles (open minded) not at all interested in sports nor Greek life?

I am an alum and have a kid starting there in the fall.

No classes taught by TAs. Lab classes to accompany a science class) were taught by TAs under a prof's supervision. When I was there, some prof's were very interested in fostering relationships with students. That was not something I pursued myself, but prof's were definitely accessible and I did feel like I knew all of them pretty well. Lots of class discussions ( in my humanities/social science major, at least)

Yes to someone not interested in sports or Greek life. Both are there, and you can participate sometimes (go to a game or a Greek-sponsored event or party) without needing to make it a priority. There is a big intramural sports scene, if he likes to play but not be a spectator/fan.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This is one of our top choices regardless of prestige or who attended. I do hope for some answers from people with firsthand experience and thank you in advance.
Do students get to know their professors? Are classes rich in discussion and mainly taught by professors instead of TA’s? And, would it be a good fit for an introvert guy with conservative principles (open minded) not at all interested in sports nor Greek life?

I am an alum and have a kid starting there in the fall.

No classes taught by TAs. Lab classes to accompany a science class) were taught by TAs under a prof's supervision. When I was there, some prof's were very interested in fostering relationships with students. That was not something I pursued myself, but prof's were definitely accessible and I did feel like I knew all of them pretty well. Lots of class discussions ( in my humanities/social science major, at least)

Yes to someone not interested in sports or Greek life. Both are there, and you can participate sometimes (go to a game or a Greek-sponsored event or party) without needing to make it a priority. There is a big intramural sports scene, if he likes to play but not be a spectator/fan.

Truly appreciate your answer. There are many things my DS likes about the school. This is helpful.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it’s a Public Ivy and the fourth best college for undergraduate teaching n the country. At some point, UVA pulled ahead of it in stats to a certain extent and in further popularity. The constant problem for William and Mary is marketing it to male applicants. I went there undergrad and to UVA for grad school. I wouldn’t trade my experience at William and Mary for anything.

Public Ivy?

[Anonymous]

I noticed that the PP didn't address the introvert male with conservative principles thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I noticed that the PP didn't address the introvert male with conservative principles thing.

I am that poster. I am an introvert and had a great time at W&M, but I am not a guy and would not want to assume. (My child is also not a guy, and not an introvert)
When I attended W&M, a conservative would fit in fine, but many things have changed since those days, so I can't speak to the student political climate now. Also, looking for a school for a conservative child was not something I had to worry about, so I had no reason to look into this. (My other child attends a school that is generally labeled as full-on SJW by DCUM, which gives a good idea of the political leaning in our house)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It’s difficult to argue that the school that educated Thomas Jefferson and Jen Psaki doesn’t have some solid claim to prestige.

Thomas Jefferson sure, but Jen Psaki? This has to be sarcasm.

Actually, have a look at the list of W&M alumni across all fields. It’s quite impressive.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it’s a Public Ivy and the fourth best college for undergraduate teaching n the country. At some point, UVA pulled ahead of it in stats to a certain extent and in further popularity. The constant problem for William and Mary is marketing it to male applicants. I went there undergrad and to UVA for grad school. I wouldn’t trade my experience at William and Mary for anything.

Public Ivy?

YES, it’s a term used by college admissions. Look it up in Wikipedia.

[Anonymous]

Desperate W&M alums will be desperate W&M alums.

It's a good school. Let's not overplay its prestige, however.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Yes, it’s a Public Ivy and the fourth best college for undergraduate teaching n the country. At some point, UVA pulled ahead of it in stats to a certain extent and in further popularity. The constant problem for William and Mary is marketing it to male applicants. I went there undergrad and to UVA for grad school. I wouldn’t trade my experience at William and Mary for anything.

Public Ivy?

YES, it’s a term used by college admissions. Look it up in Wikipedia.

Yes, and not at all a dumb thing made up in a book a million years ago.

[Anonymous]

It's not even in the top 10 public universities in the country. Some people on this thread really acting like it's one of the most prestigious schools in the country.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's not even in the top 10 public universities in the country. Some people on this thread really acting like it's one of the most prestigious schools in the country.

LOL. Ok, you got us! It's terrible, only tied for 11th.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's not even in the top 10 public universities in the country. Some people on this thread really acting like it's one of the most prestigious schools in the country.

LOL. Ok, you got us! It's terrible, only tied for 11th.

Are you going by USNWR? Because there are more than a few schools ranked "below" W&M that I'd put above it, like UT Austin and UIUC for starters.