William and Mary

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does an MCPS/W cluster boy with a 4.0/4.7 GPA and 1570 SAT, good but not amazing ECs and no other hooks have a chance of getting in RD at William and Mary?
Thanks.

I don't know, but good luck! My son is a freshman this year and he loves the school! I don't think how good they really are is accurately conveyed through admissions and usnews rankings. It's been so beyond expectations this year. There is a coziness and kindness to the school with really smart and focused students. The students even share opportunities with each other. Its a very collaborative place.

+1000
Parent of freshman male. He is so happy there, has made a lot of friends and loves that he gets to talk to his professors when he needs to. He has a study group for the toughest class and says kids help each other. Could not be happier but agree with other posters. Important to visit and see if it’s the right fit for the kid’s personality. Also demonstrate interest and by all means schedule an interview.

Are there opportunities at W&M for athletes that are serious about their sports but not good enough for D1? I am the mom of a very athletic son - and being part of a team is important for him even though he is not good enough for D1.

W&M is a division 1 school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does an MCPS/W cluster boy with a 4.0/4.7 GPA and 1570 SAT, good but not amazing ECs and no other hooks have a chance of getting in RD at William and Mary?
Thanks.

I don't know, but good luck! My son is a freshman this year and he loves the school! I don't think how good they really are is accurately conveyed through admissions and usnews rankings. It's been so beyond expectations this year. There is a coziness and kindness to the school with really smart and focused students. The students even share opportunities with each other. Its a very collaborative place.

+1000
Parent of freshman male. He is so happy there, has made a lot of friends and loves that he gets to talk to his professors when he needs to. He has a study group for the toughest class and says kids help each other. Could not be happier but agree with other posters. Important to visit and see if it’s the right fit for the kid’s personality. Also demonstrate interest and by all means schedule an interview.

Are there opportunities at W&M for athletes that are serious about their sports but not good enough for D1? I am the mom of a very athletic son - and being part of a team is important for him even though he is not good enough for D1.

W&M is a division 1 school.

That’s why pp is asking. Pp is asking about things like club sports.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does an MCPS/W cluster boy with a 4.0/4.7 GPA and 1570 SAT, good but not amazing ECs and no other hooks have a chance of getting in RD at William and Mary?
Thanks.

I don't know, but good luck! My son is a freshman this year and he loves the school! I don't think how good they really are is accurately conveyed through admissions and usnews rankings. It's been so beyond expectations this year. There is a coziness and kindness to the school with really smart and focused students. The students even share opportunities with each other. Its a very collaborative place.

+1000
Parent of freshman male. He is so happy there, has made a lot of friends and loves that he gets to talk to his professors when he needs to. He has a study group for the toughest class and says kids help each other. Could not be happier but agree with other posters. Important to visit and see if it’s the right fit for the kid’s personality. Also demonstrate interest and by all means schedule an interview.

Are there opportunities at W&M for athletes that are serious about their sports but not good enough for D1? I am the mom of a very athletic son - and being part of a team is important for him even though he is not good enough for D1.

On our tour the guide emphasized that there are all level of sports -- yes, D1, but also club sports and rec sports for whatever level of proficiency/competition you are looking for.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does an MCPS/W cluster boy with a 4.0/4.7 GPA and 1570 SAT, good but not amazing ECs and no other hooks have a chance of getting in RD at William and Mary?
Thanks.

I don't know, but good luck! My son is a freshman this year and he loves the school! I don't think how good they really are is accurately conveyed through admissions and usnews rankings. It's been so beyond expectations this year. There is a coziness and kindness to the school with really smart and focused students. The students even share opportunities with each other. Its a very collaborative place.

+1000
Parent of freshman male. He is so happy there, has made a lot of friends and loves that he gets to talk to his professors when he needs to. He has a study group for the toughest class and says kids help each other. Could not be happier but agree with other posters. Important to visit and see if it’s the right fit for the kid’s personality. Also demonstrate interest and by all means schedule an interview.

Are there opportunities at W&M for athletes that are serious about their sports but not good enough for D1? I am the mom of a very athletic son - and being part of a team is important for him even though he is not good enough for D1.

Yes. W&M has very strong club teams in several sports - when I mean strong, I mean popular with the kids. My DS was on the Club Swim team. They repeatedly win most active club at W&M. They have social events almost weekly - both dry (no alcohol) and "wet" (with alcohol.) My DS describes club swim like summer swim here in the DMV. You have the real serious kids and the ones that there just for the social aspect.

The club teams compete against club teams at other universities. They will travel to the other schools, or the schools will travel to W&M. My DS did several overnight trips. Part of the fees that are mandatory for all students go to club teams and pay for things like the transportation to the competitions.

Here is a link to all the club teams.
https://www.wm.edu/offices/wellness/campusrec/programs/sportclubs/

Fun fact: The president of the university, Katherine Rowe, played ultimate frisbee and she can really throw a frisbee! I think she's a big supporter of the club frisbee team.

In addition to the club sports, W&M also has a very active intramural program. I believe they have different levels within the programs. My DS was always talking about trying to win the intramural championship and the winners got a t-shirt.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does an MCPS/W cluster boy with a 4.0/4.7 GPA and 1570 SAT, good but not amazing ECs and no other hooks have a chance of getting in RD at William and Mary?
Thanks.

I don't know, but good luck! My son is a freshman this year and he loves the school! I don't think how good they really are is accurately conveyed through admissions and usnews rankings. It's been so beyond expectations this year. There is a coziness and kindness to the school with really smart and focused students. The students even share opportunities with each other. Its a very collaborative place.

+1000
Parent of freshman male. He is so happy there, has made a lot of friends and loves that he gets to talk to his professors when he needs to. He has a study group for the toughest class and says kids help each other. Could not be happier but agree with other posters. Important to visit and see if it’s the right fit for the kid’s personality. Also demonstrate interest and by all means schedule an interview.

Are there opportunities at W&M for athletes that are serious about their sports but not good enough for D1? I am the mom of a very athletic son - and being part of a team is important for him even though he is not good enough for D1.

You need to make the sport. But yes, there are good club teams.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Does an MCPS/W cluster boy with a 4.0/4.7 GPA and 1570 SAT, good but not amazing ECs and no other hooks have a chance of getting in RD at William and Mary?
Thanks.

I don't know, but good luck! My son is a freshman this year and he loves the school! I don't think how good they really are is accurately conveyed through admissions and usnews rankings. It's been so beyond expectations this year. There is a coziness and kindness to the school with really smart and focused students. The students even share opportunities with each other. Its a very collaborative place.

+1000
Parent of freshman male. He is so happy there, has made a lot of friends and loves that he gets to talk to his professors when he needs to. He has a study group for the toughest class and says kids help each other. Could not be happier but agree with other posters. Important to visit and see if it’s the right fit for the kid’s personality. Also demonstrate interest and by all means schedule an interview.

Are there opportunities at W&M for athletes that are serious about their sports but not good enough for D1? I am the mom of a very athletic son - and being part of a team is important for him even though he is not good enough for D1.

You need to make the sport. But yes, there are good club teams.

That’s a good point, club teams are typically try out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread about the W&M train is going to rank up there with lightly fried tuna for most absurd

Lol. Have a Senior at W&M. Has been the perfect fit. Train is incredibly convenient. Kid rides the Metro from Union Station, though sounds nice to see the kids piling out. You can get a round-trip ticket for $38

Best of luck to kids applying, hoping to go to W&M. As they say, those who come here belong here. No truer statement for my kid.

I want to voice the same. Parent of a freshman here. Good Luck to everybody who has WM as their first choice. It is an amazing place.
DD made it thru the beginning college adjustments (I have to take notes differently? changing my learning style? Where are my peeps? Not home cooking!) and feels happy there.

This. Parent of freshman. Same experience. Best of luck to those applying, it’s a great place.

[Anonymous]

Hoping ED results come out early next week

[Anonymous]

Good luck to everyone! I’m flashing back to DD opening the email on 12/8 and the squealing and jumping up and down and calling grandparents. Such a happy moment.

I was worried that as friends got acceptances in the spring, she’d have buyers remorse. But, in fact she had the opposite happen. Several friends with similar o rights stats were outright denied, and she was so thankful she had done ED.

She loves WM. She working hard, but she doesn’t seem stressed out. Having fun (but not too much!), and meeting new people. It’s so nice to see her settled at a school that is a great fit.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:so wait, a kid with just about perfect scores is only a maybe at an in-state public U? I don't understand--who is getting in anywhere?

My kid has 32 ACT and 4.0/4.7 and folks are telling me to shoot for state colleges. Really? I'm so confused.

The key detail there was RD.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

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Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I am confused about the data on here. Kid has perfect 4.0 unweighted (so that would mean all A’s) and a ton of AP classes if weighted GPA is a 4.7. From a good Montgomery County school. And test scores are 1570, with good extra curriculars (I am going to take that to mean a leadership position and long term involvement in some activity).

And the OOS and In-state admit rates are about 10% difference (40% and 30% roughly). Wouldn’t this kid have a decent shot? There are posters who said kids got in with a 1360 SAT and another with a C.

I understand ED would be a surer bet, instate is better, and the kid needs to demonstrate interest, but wouldn’t RD at least be considered a match?

I understood the public schools give a 4 for a B in an advanced class. So not necessarily straight As. I know, those of us with unweighted scores don’t get this. That is not straight a stats, right OP?

I'm OP. Yes, straight As from MCPS school.

This is just personal observation, but it seems like WM takes so many kids from NOVA publics and has so few OOS slots that they have higher standards from DC-MD kids than kids from other areas of the country. It’s like they don’t want to be a DMV majority/ regional school, and the NOVA part of that equation is not negotiable. They want to be a national U, so regional diversity plays a role. So a NY or CA (or Midwest!) kid may be more attractive than a MoCo kid. I don’t have numbers to back that up, but it tracks with what I’ve seen.

Remember, a WM class is 1600-1700 kids. Last year, they took 66 kids from MD. The whole state, not just MoCo.

https://www.wm.edu/admission/undergraduateadmission/facts-figures/class-profile/

This makes sense to me (unforunately, as an MCPS parent). OP's stats seem good enough for OOS RD ... but maybe not from Maryland. Maybe yes from other less represented states. Ugh.

They are certainly good enough, but just like those stats are good enough for Harvard, that doesn't mean that the student will get in. There is just a lot of competition, so there is a certain element of luck involved.

This. It’s a teach still. And OP has et mentioned whether or not the most rigorous box will be checked off. Also I’m not seeing stellar EVs. W&am likes to see a well-rounded applicant so looks for community service, Eagle Scout, national awards etc. grapes and Sat/Act don’t cut it alone.

Let’s not go overboard here. Most kids anywhere do not have Eagle Scout and National level awards, and they certainly are not necessary to gain admittance at W&M or at UVA, both excellent schools. Agree that being well rounded is a good thing but that can mean being a strong student plus … enjoying running and spending a lot of time babysitting … or being on the swim team and enjoying reading … or yes it can mean national science award winner … or a million variations.


O

OP said "not amazing ECs" which probably means zero. W&M wants to see stellar ECs. Period. You can be contrary all you want, but that's what they want to see.

Maybe, but my DC is a freshman there. I would rate their ECs as decidedly below average. Based on the kids I know who are there or were accepted, I think W&M really does look at applications holistically. DC was below 50th percentile on GPA and SAT, had a couple of average ECs. However, they wrote two excellent essays and are very artistic (and submitted an optional art portfolio). And they applied ED, which I'm guessing helped a ton.

Good luck to those waiting on ED next week! I remember how stressful it was for my kid and myself.