Is there any academic reason to pick George Mason over W&M?

[Anonymous]

The answer is no. Absent truly extraordinary circumstances (e.g., need to be near home), I can’t fathom why a rational human being would choose to go to George Mason over William & Mary.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
If you want an echo chamber fir your fringe ideas.

That’s a grotesquely out of date stereotype.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The biggest obvious difference is size of the student population at both schools. GMU is a very large school and as such, class sizes, infrastructure, access to Professors, etc. is a different dynamic than a smaller university. Size isn’t necessarily the academic reason you’re asking about but it does impact the academic environment. These two schools are not an apples to apples comparison.

Apples to eggs would even be a stretch.

[Anonymous]

W&M is clearly the better reputation school. That said, it's not like you won't get a great education at GMU. We have family who went to GMU and all are doing really well in life, though that might also be a product of the 2nd generation work ethic and entrepreneurship.

I would have no problem sending my kids to GMU and saving money for grad school later, or splurging on study abroad experiences for them with the GMU savings.

Either way, I'd say that you can't go wrong, OP.

[Anonymous]

Less schoolwork and more time to P-A-R-T-Y.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
If you want an echo chamber fir your fringe ideas.

+1

Too many RWNJs.

[Anonymous]

I mean, W&M has a lot to offer IF it’s the right fit for your kid. An idyllic campus and one of the very best-ranked colleges for undergraduate teaching. But it’s not for everyone.

[Anonymous]

WM has been resting on its laurels for a long time now. It is now a bit of an anachronism. Very white, very bubble, very privileged atmosphere that doesn’t relate much to the modern workforce or society anymore. GMU is a great school and more representative of the future.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The answer is no. Absent truly extraordinary circumstances (e.g., need to be near home), I can’t fathom why a rational human being would choose to go to George Mason over William & Mary.

Must be fun to go through life with blinders on and see nuance in the real world. There's plenty of reasons a "rational human being" would choose Mason. May not be your reasons but who's to say you have the answer for every kid in this country? I guess you do from your position on high.

[Anonymous]

Well- in addition to CS, there is no engineering at W&M, so obviously, Mason it is better choice for perspective engineers.

Also, if your student is more job oriented and wants to intern/work during college, Mason offers better local opportunities. I know several kids who got a good jump start on their careers by working while going to Mason.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The answer is no. Absent truly extraordinary circumstances (e.g., need to be near home), I can’t fathom why a rational human being would choose to go to George Mason over William & Mary.

Must be fun to go through life with blinders on and see nuance in the real world. There's plenty of reasons a "rational human being" would choose Mason. May not be your reasons but who's to say you have the answer for every kid in this country? I guess you do from your position on high.

Exactly. WTAF? What kind of people frequent this website? And to be so nasty . . . . God, I hope I don't know any people like the first PP in real life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Well- in addition to CS, there is no engineering at W&M, so obviously, Mason it is better choice for perspective engineers.

Also, if your student is more job oriented and wants to intern/work during college, Mason offers better local opportunities. I know several kids who got a good jump start on their careers by working while going to Mason.

It might work for prospective engineers too.

[Anonymous]

I believe that William and Mary still has a combined engineering program with Columbia.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:W&M has sort of a mean nerd vibe. Also they are ridiculously stingy with grades which is so stupid, because the more elite a uni, the easier it is to get an A. I guess he could always try W&M and then transfer to Mason if he doesn’t like it, harder to go the other way.

20 years ago, the unofficial slogan of GMU was “George Mason: if you don’t want to go to NOVA.”

Good thing its not 20 years ago today then.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:W&M has sort of a mean nerd vibe. Also they are ridiculously stingy with grades which is so stupid, because the more elite a uni, the easier it is to get an A. I guess he could always try W&M and then transfer to Mason if he doesn’t like it, harder to go the other way.

20 years ago, the unofficial slogan of GMU was “George Mason: if you don’t want to go to NOVA.”

Lot of immigrants from Vietnam in the 80’ and 90’ attended NOVA for two years and transferred to GMU after that and all of them are successful today. My wife and I both attended NVCC and GMU. GMU is just as good as WM. It is what you make of it.

Two of my kids attended GMU to save money. One is now in med school at University of South Carolina and the other one in med school at university of Washington in St. Louis.

Congratulations to you and the family. It is totally what you make of it. So many people assume that the name brand school is the only way to go. It's totally backwards but seems to be the American way.