Anyone else surprised by a lack of interest in William & Mary?

[Anonymous]

Important to point out that 5 new dorms, and 2 renovated dorms will be open by fall 2025.

[Anonymous]

W&M alum and parent of one kid who LOVED W&M and one kid who HATED W&M:
More than most schools, I think W&M is either a school that immediately appeals to you or not. Some kids see the colonial area, old buildings, the school size, the emphasis on liberal arts (even though it has some strong STEM programs), and its serious students as appealing. Others don't. Many of the school's promotional materials say "Those who come here, belong here" and I think that's a pretty accurate statement. Not for everyone, and that's okay. It would never be a school I'd force a reluctant kid to apply to.
I think it's biggest drawback might be lack of name recognition outside of the general area. I recently attended a national conference of university professionals, and my DS's acceptance at W&M came up in conversation. At a table of 10 people, none of them knew anything about W&M.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Important to point out that 5 new dorms, and 2 renovated dorms will be open by fall 2025.

Also a new building for computer and Data sciences, an expanded art museum, likely another renovated academic building. The rest of the outdated academic buildings and dorms on campus will be renovated or replaced in the next decade or so.

I'd argue that starting with the class of 2029, facilities will not really be a big issue anymore.

[Anonymous]

I think William and Mary is a love it or hate it place - and both my kids hated it because of the vibe ((seemed) not fun, very academic, town is touristy and not much to do, a lot of talk about pressure and how to relieve stress by our tour guide) - this vibe even carried over in the video they played on the tour a few years ago). All of this said, the school knows who it is and I like that about it - they don't try to pretend to be something they are not to appease the US News BS. Other institutions with similar reputations (U of C) are trying to seem cooler and more relevant to keep their ratings up - and somehow that seems sad to me. Students of all types need a home and that's why when the program works for a W&M student they hit it out of the park.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:W&M alum and parent of one kid who LOVED W&M and one kid who HATED W&M:
More than most schools, I think W&M is either a school that immediately appeals to you or not. Some kids see the colonial area, old buildings, the school size, the emphasis on liberal arts (even though it has some strong STEM programs), and its serious students as appealing. Others don't. Many of the school's promotional materials say "Those who come here, belong here" and I think that's a pretty accurate statement. Not for everyone, and that's okay. It would never be a school I'd force a reluctant kid to apply to.
I think it's biggest drawback might be lack of name recognition outside of the general area. I recently attended a national conference of university professionals, and my DS's acceptance at W&M came up in conversation. At a table of 10 people, none of them knew anything about W&M.

Thanks for sharing. Very surprising university officials haven’t heard of one of the oldest institutions in the Us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think William and Mary is a love it or hate it place - and both my kids hated it because of the vibe ((seemed) not fun, very academic, town is touristy and not much to do, a lot of talk about pressure and how to relieve stress by our tour guide) - this vibe even carried over in the video they played on the tour a few years ago). All of this said, the school knows who it is and I like that about it - they don't try to pretend to be something they are not to appease the US News BS. Other institutions with similar reputations (U of C) are trying to seem cooler and more relevant to keep their ratings up - and somehow that seems sad to me. Students of all types need a home and that's why when the program works for a W&M student they hit it out of the park.

Does William and Mary have extension campuses? I feel like it could really benefit from having some city connection. Maybe combining with a campus near Amazon or near the national mall where there could be a large semester or yearlong program in a larger city that dealt with making liberal arts more alive in every day life.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think William and Mary is a love it or hate it place - and both my kids hated it because of the vibe ((seemed) not fun, very academic, town is touristy and not much to do, a lot of talk about pressure and how to relieve stress by our tour guide) - this vibe even carried over in the video they played on the tour a few years ago). All of this said, the school knows who it is and I like that about it - they don't try to pretend to be something they are not to appease the US News BS. Other institutions with similar reputations (U of C) are trying to seem cooler and more relevant to keep their ratings up - and somehow that seems sad to me. Students of all types need a home and that's why when the program works for a W&M student they hit it out of the park.

All true. Virginia is fortunate to have the only public in the United States that, in essence, is a SLAC. That will appeal to those who are going to college to study and learn versus the rah-rah partiers. It's all a good thing. The Commonwealth has 30 public institutions (including community college) to choose from. There is something for everyone.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think William and Mary is a love it or hate it place - and both my kids hated it because of the vibe ((seemed) not fun, very academic, town is touristy and not much to do, a lot of talk about pressure and how to relieve stress by our tour guide) - this vibe even carried over in the video they played on the tour a few years ago). All of this said, the school knows who it is and I like that about it - they don't try to pretend to be something they are not to appease the US News BS. Other institutions with similar reputations (U of C) are trying to seem cooler and more relevant to keep their ratings up - and somehow that seems sad to me. Students of all types need a home and that's why when the program works for a W&M student they hit it out of the park.

Does William and Mary have extension campuses? I feel like it could really benefit from having some city connection. Maybe combining with a campus near Amazon or near the national mall where there could be a large semester or yearlong program in a larger city that dealt with making liberal arts more alive in every day life.

It has the Washington Center. https://www.wm.edu/offices/dccenter/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:W&M alum and parent of one kid who LOVED W&M and one kid who HATED W&M:
More than most schools, I think W&M is either a school that immediately appeals to you or not. Some kids see the colonial area, old buildings, the school size, the emphasis on liberal arts (even though it has some strong STEM programs), and its serious students as appealing. Others don't. Many of the school's promotional materials say "Those who come here, belong here" and I think that's a pretty accurate statement. Not for everyone, and that's okay. It would never be a school I'd force a reluctant kid to apply to.
I think it's biggest drawback might be lack of name recognition outside of the general area. I recently attended a national conference of university professionals, and my DS's acceptance at W&M came up in conversation. At a table of 10 people, none of them knew anything about W&M.

Thanks for sharing. Very surprising university officials haven’t heard of one of the oldest institutions in the Us.

I guess it would depend on what kind of university professional--there's a ton of staff/hr/admin people who I wouldn't expect to be clued into the larger university landscape more than other business people. I would be surprised if it were faculty though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think William and Mary is a love it or hate it place - and both my kids hated it because of the vibe ((seemed) not fun, very academic, town is touristy and not much to do, a lot of talk about pressure and how to relieve stress by our tour guide) - this vibe even carried over in the video they played on the tour a few years ago). All of this said, the school knows who it is and I like that about it - they don't try to pretend to be something they are not to appease the US News BS. Other institutions with similar reputations (U of C) are trying to seem cooler and more relevant to keep their ratings up - and somehow that seems sad to me. Students of all types need a home and that's why when the program works for a W&M student they hit it out of the park.

All true. Virginia is fortunate to have the only public in the United States that, in essence, is a SLAC. That will appeal to those who are going to college to study and learn versus the rah-rah partiers. It's all a good thing. The Commonwealth has 30 public institutions (including community college) to choose from. There is something for everyone.

Not to nitpick, BUT that's not quite true. St Mary's (MD), College of NJ and UNC Asheville come to mind as others. Probably more.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think William and Mary is a love it or hate it place - and both my kids hated it because of the vibe ((seemed) not fun, very academic, town is touristy and not much to do, a lot of talk about pressure and how to relieve stress by our tour guide) - this vibe even carried over in the video they played on the tour a few years ago). All of this said, the school knows who it is and I like that about it - they don't try to pretend to be something they are not to appease the US News BS. Other institutions with similar reputations (U of C) are trying to seem cooler and more relevant to keep their ratings up - and somehow that seems sad to me. Students of all types need a home and that's why when the program works for a W&M student they hit it out of the park.

Does William and Mary have extension campuses? I feel like it could really benefit from having some city connection. Maybe combining with a campus near Amazon or near the national mall where there could be a large semester or yearlong program in a larger city that dealt with making liberal arts more alive in every day life.

It has a DC Center, and kids live in housing there and do summer/semester classes and internships.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think William and Mary is a love it or hate it place - and both my kids hated it because of the vibe ((seemed) not fun, very academic, town is touristy and not much to do, a lot of talk about pressure and how to relieve stress by our tour guide) - this vibe even carried over in the video they played on the tour a few years ago). All of this said, the school knows who it is and I like that about it - they don't try to pretend to be something they are not to appease the US News BS. Other institutions with similar reputations (U of C) are trying to seem cooler and more relevant to keep their ratings up - and somehow that seems sad to me. Students of all types need a home and that's why when the program works for a W&M student they hit it out of the park.

All true. Virginia is fortunate to have the only public in the United States that, in essence, is a SLAC. That will appeal to those who are going to college to study and learn versus the rah-rah partiers. It's all a good thing. The Commonwealth has 30 public institutions (including community college) to choose from. There is something for everyone.

Not to nitpick, BUT that's not quite true. St Mary's (MD), College of NJ and UNC Asheville come to mind as others. Probably more.

Only US public National (vs regional or SLAC) U.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think William and Mary is a love it or hate it place - and both my kids hated it because of the vibe ((seemed) not fun, very academic, town is touristy and not much to do, a lot of talk about pressure and how to relieve stress by our tour guide) - this vibe even carried over in the video they played on the tour a few years ago). All of this said, the school knows who it is and I like that about it - they don't try to pretend to be something they are not to appease the US News BS. Other institutions with similar reputations (U of C) are trying to seem cooler and more relevant to keep their ratings up - and somehow that seems sad to me. Students of all types need a home and that's why when the program works for a W&M student they hit it out of the park.

All true. Virginia is fortunate to have the only public in the United States that, in essence, is a SLAC. That will appeal to those who are going to college to study and learn versus the rah-rah partiers. It's all a good thing. The Commonwealth has 30 public institutions (including community college) to choose from. There is something for everyone.

Not to nitpick, BUT that's not quite true. St Mary's (MD), College of NJ and UNC Asheville come to mind as others. Probably more.

Only US public National (vs regional or SLAC) U.

William and Mary may be the only national public university that is similar in undergraduate enrollment (and residential nature) to many of the selective, prestigious privates (5-10K). For undergraduate study, almost all prestigious public schools are significantly larger (and less residential) than their private counterparts. William and Mary couples this with having more focus on undergraduate study (and faculty mentored research) rather than graduate programs and sponsored research.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We are no longer interested in W&M because of their students’ verbal attacks on Jewish W&M students and the brick-throwing incident at the (Katherine Rowe, Jewish) president’s home. It is not for us but good luck to everyone else.

Wow, I hadn't heard about these things - could you please tell us more?

https://www.13newsnow.com/amp/article/news/local/virginia/williamsburg/brick-thrown-william-mary-presidents-home-university-spokesperson-confirms/291-0542584c-c566-4999-9bd4-4e10f7931c2e

https://www.wavy.com/news/local-news/williamsburg/jewish-wm-students-say-other-students-verbally-assaulted-them-due-to-war-in-israel/amp/

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:W&M alum and parent of one kid who LOVED W&M and one kid who HATED W&M:
More than most schools, I think W&M is either a school that immediately appeals to you or not. Some kids see the colonial area, old buildings, the school size, the emphasis on liberal arts (even though it has some strong STEM programs), and its serious students as appealing. Others don't. Many of the school's promotional materials say "Those who come here, belong here" and I think that's a pretty accurate statement. Not for everyone, and that's okay. It would never be a school I'd force a reluctant kid to apply to.
I think it's biggest drawback might be lack of name recognition outside of the general area. I recently attended a national conference of university professionals, and my DS's acceptance at W&M came up in conversation. At a table of 10 people, none of them knew anything about W&M.

Thanks for sharing. Very surprising university officials haven’t heard of one of the oldest institutions in the Us.

I guess it would depend on what kind of university professional--there's a ton of staff/hr/admin people who I wouldn't expect to be clued into the larger university landscape more than other business people. I would be surprised if it were faculty though.

I'd be surprised as well, given that W&M is the #1 producer of alumni who earn Ph.D.'s among public universities.