W&M DFAS

[Anonymous]

DD was disappointed the other admitted students were "not as nerdy" as she was expecting, but I thought it was a really well done day.

[Anonymous]

I really wish I could have convinced my son to go DFAS last year. While waiting on his W&M RD decision, he got drawn to a [much larger] EA school & was unwilling to miss an event DFAS weekend or revisit. He’s happy where he landed, but I’ll always wonder whether he’d have changed course had he gone back to revisit Williamsburg. If only he’d gotten one of the dang postcards. Sigh. Best wishes to all!! Thanks for letting me vent 🤓

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I really wish I could have convinced my son to go DFAS last year. While waiting on his W&M RD decision, he got drawn to a [much larger] EA school & was unwilling to miss an event DFAS weekend or revisit. He’s happy where he landed, but I’ll always wonder whether he’d have changed course had he gone back to revisit Williamsburg. If only he’d gotten one of the dang postcards. Sigh. Best wishes to all!! Thanks for letting me vent 🤓

Re-read your post. He’s HAPPY WHERE HE LANDED.” No regrets, mom, let it go!!!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It was impressive. Lots of energy and enthusiasm. Really did an excellent job rolling out the proverbial red carpet. The whole campus was all in (students, professors, staff, band, admin…). Nice kids and parents we met, mostly informative sessions, well run, lovely day to wander the campus. All around great vibe. My DC ED’d but we know two kids that committed at the event and another who cut a top school from her list and is down to W&M and another Ivy+. Great day! Well done W&M.

I agree! It was a good day and we learned a lot about the school!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:DD was disappointed the other admitted students were "not as nerdy" as she was expecting, but I thought it was a really well done day.

My dd noticed a good mix. Plenty of “cool” kids, plenty of “nerds” and plenty in the middle, like she is

Can’t judge a book by its cover, op. But also—if a campus was mostly or all one type then it will be boring! And W&M is a D1 school with a Greek system, I don’t think it has that much of a reputation as a nerdy school, does it? We are from OOS, so I could be wrong

[Anonymous]

At DFAS still—very impressive and fun. Well thought out, lots of food, nice people.

We are from Nova but besides people from high school mostly met folks from out of state. MA, TN, TX, WI, NY

I wonder if the “quirky” stereotype reflects the perception of students in our area. But I wonder if it is not a widely held perception, nationally. Like the quirky kid at Madison went to W&M so Madison students think it’s all true. Bc my impression was that the student groups, students were all very similar to other college events at other campuses. For example at the student activities tabling—you have the eclectic mix many schools have.

Many people there were deciding btwn UVA, BC and BU and W&M. Others were W&M commits.

[Anonymous]

My quirky post got deleted. I work at W&M. Other people who work there refer to the quirk frequently, and not in a bad way.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My quirky post got deleted. I work at W&M. Other people who work there refer to the quirk frequently, and not in a bad way.

It's a stereotype that the students don't like, but some of the staff do because they think being too "basic" is bad.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At DFAS still—very impressive and fun. Well thought out, lots of food, nice people.

We are from Nova but besides people from high school mostly met folks from out of state. MA, TN, TX, WI, NY

I wonder if the “quirky” stereotype reflects the perception of students in our area. But I wonder if it is not a widely held perception, nationally. Like the quirky kid at Madison went to W&M so Madison students think it’s all true. Bc my impression was that the student groups, students were all very similar to other college events at other campuses. For example at the student activities tabling—you have the eclectic mix many schools have.

Many people there were deciding btwn UVA, BC and BU and W&M. Others were W&M commits.

I think this is the right explanation, and I think the student body was considerably different personality-wise maybe a decade or so ago so many people still cling to that.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My quirky post got deleted. I work at W&M. Other people who work there refer to the quirk frequently, and not in a bad way.

It's a stereotype that the students don't like, but some of the staff do because they think being too "basic" is bad.

You speak for all the students? The ones heading to W&M from my kid’s high school are quirky and proud.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My quirky post got deleted. I work at W&M. Other people who work there refer to the quirk frequently, and not in a bad way.

It's a stereotype that the students don't like, but some of the staff do because they think being too "basic" is bad.

You speak for all the students? The ones heading to W&M from my kid’s high school are quirky and proud.

Well you just did previously. I'm definitely sure there are some people who do but my kid currently goes there (freshman) and he says the people he knows don't like being called that, and many other students on the "YikYak" (I think that's what it's called) app feel the same way, and also that it is "scaring away admits and applicants". Obviously some frustration that a small part of the student body is being overrepresented in reputation and word of mouth.

Personally at my son's previous Nova high school most of the current W&M commits who have posted are "popular" girls. So obviously not every high school has the same reputation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My quirky post got deleted. I work at W&M. Other people who work there refer to the quirk frequently, and not in a bad way.

It's a stereotype that the students don't like, but some of the staff do because they think being too "basic" is bad.

You speak for all the students? The ones heading to W&M from my kid’s high school are quirky and proud.

Well you just did previously. I'm definitely sure there are some people who do but my kid currently goes there (freshman) and he says the people he knows don't like being called that, and many other students on the "YikYak" (I think that's what it's called) app feel the same way, and also that it is "scaring away admits and applicants". Obviously some frustration that a small part of the student body is being overrepresented in reputation and word of mouth.

Personally at my son's previous Nova high school most of the current W&M commits who have posted are "popular" girls. So obviously not every high school has the same reputation.

The popular, mainstream kids will find their way absolutely anywhere, though. That they would be annoyed by a spirit of welcoming and belonging for everyone is what gets me. It’s a place where all sorts can coexist.

And I can see what the kids post on YikYak and it’s almost entirely posts about Greek life and complaining about the food. Have not seen much of anyone lamenting the quirky reputation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My quirky post got deleted. I work at W&M. Other people who work there refer to the quirk frequently, and not in a bad way.

It's a stereotype that the students don't like, but some of the staff do because they think being too "basic" is bad.

You speak for all the students? The ones heading to W&M from my kid’s high school are quirky and proud.

Well you just did previously. I'm definitely sure there are some people who do but my kid currently goes there (freshman) and he says the people he knows don't like being called that, and many other students on the "YikYak" (I think that's what it's called) app feel the same way, and also that it is "scaring away admits and applicants". Obviously some frustration that a small part of the student body is being overrepresented in reputation and word of mouth.

Personally at my son's previous Nova high school most of the current W&M commits who have posted are "popular" girls. So obviously not every high school has the same reputation.

The popular, mainstream kids will find their way absolutely anywhere, though. That they would be annoyed by a spirit of welcoming and belonging for everyone is what gets me. It’s a place where all sorts can coexist.

And I can see what the kids post on YikYak and it’s almost entirely posts about Greek life and complaining about the food. Have not seen much of anyone lamenting the quirky reputation.

I didn't suggest people were "annoyed by a spirit of welcoming and belonging for everyone". The issue is obviously the over stereotyping. Saying that the student body is pretty much only composed of one specific (less common) type of person suggests that only a certain type of person fits at W&M. That may have been true many years ago but it obviously doesn't reflect the current reality. It isolates current students, it maybe scares away prospective students and applicants, and it might turn off certain employers from recruiting. You shouldn't have to lie about the student body to make certain students feel more welcome, and that can actually have the opposite effect when people show up and realize actually a lot of students are into Greek life and partying and going to fb/bb games instead of maybe the more uniformly "quirky" culture you'd see at a SLAC. It almost just sounds like you don't want more mainstream students at W&M.

[Anonymous]

W&M really landed a perfect weekend for admits day. Warm, breezy, no humidity, and campus was decked out.

My younger son appreciates all you coming - it made eating at Commons and Sandler much easier thsi weekend!

[Anonymous]

Funny as a 50 something I was definitely braced for a more “nerdy” group of students. I agree with pp that that perception seems to be outdated. It was a very healthy balance of all types of kids. Which a PP mentioned should be expected at a state school of 7000 kids. Very impressive weekend at a school that is so kind and welcoming and is sinking significant resources into upgrading buildings etc. I highly suggest that anyone else holding these old stereotypes to go take a look. You might be very pleasantly surprised. No place is for everyone but w&m really seems to be doing right. 💚💛