Almost no colleges have grade deflation. They have grade inflation. William & Mary actually has higher average grades than VT if you look at gradeinflation.com . William & Mary was 3.33 in 2014 vs VT at 3.15 in 2015. |
VT has a much better name in football. But it isn't a better name than W&M on your resume. |
The grade differences likely due to engineering and that most students take more science at VATech. Not meaning there’s not great science at W & M. just different percentage of students taking hard sciences. |
Two totally different places. Couldn’t be more different from one another. |
W&M is unique for a public school. It is very old and has a lot of history, it is mid-sized, residential, and has a strong focus on undergraduate teaching and community (vs. graduate programs and research). Alumni are very loyal and I believe give back to the school at a higher rate than all other public national universities. It also has one of the highest undergraduate graduation rates.
If your son knows what he wants, this should be a relatively easy choice because they are quite different in size and feel. |
I'd suggest the OP look at actual reports that are available on student destinations: https://career.vt.edu/content/career_vt_edu/en/about/postgrad-survey/report.html https://www.wm.edu/offices/career/career-success-report/pdfs/next-destination-18.pdf |
This is true. VT is huge, also. If you are looking W&M and VT, you should also look at business at UVA. UVA is much smaller than VT |
Also, UVA is in between, although the distance is such that I would tour only one a day. |
I have a degree from VT but W&M carries a better name recognition. Overall, W&M is a safer bet unless your child wants to major in a technology related subject (Business IT or accouting information systems). There are a quite few of VT alums in the IT consulting and big four accounting firms including many partners.
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UVA and W&M require application to the business school during the second year. Not sure about VT. |
You have to declare your major when you apply, so you would be applying to business as part of your overall college application. |
So it sounds like VT is a direct business admit, and W&M and UVA (not sure if it is in play), you would essentially need to apply twice, once to the university, and then to the school of business. |
I think W&M is the stronger undergraduate school (outside of engineering, which W&M doesn't have and which is Virginia Tech's strong point).
If your kid wants a large state university atmosphere with big time football, etc., Virginia Tech is a better fit. If they want a smaller (but actually mid-sized) that is more undergraduate focused, W&M is a better fit. |
Completely useless statistic if you’re not separating out by major |
My DD has the choice. Is interested in STEM. But also loves history and music. She is a bit quirky and introverted when she saw W & M, she fell in love. She liked Tech, and could see going there. But, W & M it is.
Food is better at tech. |