What's the best route to visit these 5 colleges: UVA, Richmond, W&M, Wake Forest, UNC-Chapel Hill?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What's everyone's reason for skipping W&M?

Don't skip W&M. My DD much preferred it to Richmond. It has a beautiful and unique campus that you need to see in person.

especially if you're instate, don't skip W&M. It has a particular vibe that your DC is either going to love or hate. I think it's important to determine that as it's a great in state option.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We tried to do W&M and Richmond on the same day and missed our tour time. It’s very aggressive to do two on one day.

We did a tour of Richmond in the morning and W&M in the afternoon and it was fine.

and it wasn't for us so... what's your point? Sure you can physically do it but my kids wanted to get a sense of the community and not rush around. We did W&M tour in the morning and just ran out of time and didn't make the Richmond tour. We drove through and walked around but thats all we could do. If you are purely, park, tour, leave, sure you an do it but it was important to my kids to understand what is around W&M as far as the town so we stopped and ate lunch etc. Unfortunately, they did decide the W&M community was way too limited so I am glad we took the time to look around. We actually came Sunday, did Colonial Williamsburg, had a nice dinner and then did the first tour in the morning, so really did get to immerse a bit.

What, do you have triplets or something?

[Anonymous]

My only suggestion is to make sure that these schools are within reach for both students before you go. Touring schools is like trying on wedding dresses, you don’t want to fall head over heels in love with “the one” if you can’t have it.

[Anonymous]

It is hard to do two official tours in one day, in the heat. But schedules might mean we have to. We did Richmond and W&M in one day. Richmond info session and tour was seriously impressive. W&M student led tour was good. But W&M info session before the tour, was AWFUL. BORING, used tons of jargon, no video or visuals -did not represent the school well. We stared at a blank wall and day dreamed about it being over.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We tried to do W&M and Richmond on the same day and missed our tour time. It’s very aggressive to do two on one day.

We did a tour of Richmond in the morning and W&M in the afternoon and it was fine.

and it wasn't for us so... what's your point? Sure you can physically do it but my kids wanted to get a sense of the community and not rush around. We did W&M tour in the morning and just ran out of time and didn't make the Richmond tour. We drove through and walked around but thats all we could do. If you are purely, park, tour, leave, sure you an do it but it was important to my kids to understand what is around W&M as far as the town so we stopped and ate lunch etc. Unfortunately, they did decide the W&M community was way too limited so I am glad we took the time to look around. We actually came Sunday, did Colonial Williamsburg, had a nice dinner and then did the first tour in the morning, so really did get to immerse a bit.

The point is that it we were able to do it so perhaps someone else, OP for example, could do it as well. Apparently, you think your way is the only way. It isn't.

[Anonymous]

Personally this is how I'd do it but I like to wander and take my time:

Day 1: Drive to W&M take a morning tour then hit Bush Gardens and spend the night in Williamsburg. Some great restaurants by campus are Blue Talon Bistro, Dog Street Pub and Berret's Seafood...also a lot of great options in New Town not far from Campus.
Day 2: Drive up to Richmond for morning tour then move on up to UVA for an afternoon tour. Spend the night in C'Ville at one of the many options by the corner (Draftsman, Courthouse Marriott, Residence Inn) so you can get dinner at the Downtown Mall (Whiskey Jar and Zocalo are great options) grab a late night cookie at Insomnia Cookies.
Day 3: Grab breakfast at Farm Bell Kitchen or Bodo's Bagels get another feel for UVA by walking around again on your own. Visit Carter Mountain Orchard and pick some peaches and head home. Do the NC schools another trip.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:UNC is a super hard admit out of state. Unless your DC is a legacy, maybe skip that one? Or add a day.

Good point. I mainly had it on there because it's so close to WF and because my BFF lives there and I haven't seen her since before Covid, but you're right - might be a waste of time. Do they consider demonstrated interest? That might be the only reason to visit.

So then you need to add in "Hang out with BFF while in Chapel Hill" and then something else will need to fall off the list.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Do not do three tours in one day. You'll be exhausted by the end and it won't matter how great the third tour guide is, you're not going to be into it.

I was going to say this too. Especially in summer! The heat will wear you out. We did UNC and Duke in one day in August and we crawled back to the hotel covered in sweat.
This was our route, which was dictated by what tours we could get on:
Sunday night: stay in Charlottesville
Monday am: UVA tour
Monday afternoon: drive to Winston-Salem, walk around Wake that afternoon/evening (no tour)
Tuesday am: tour UNC and Duke
Weds am: drive to Richmond, afternoon tour
Weds pm: drive home

I am the PP who recommended the same route, but basically in reverse. We did it last year and this route (whichever direction is ok) worked really well for us. It was like a giant loop, and it was about the right pace for my DD, it was busy but not overwhelming and she enjoyed each school visit.

We did W&M as a separate trip (drove down Sun early and took kids to Busch Gardens that day. Monday toured W&M in the morning, had lunch in colonial williamsburg and drove home).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Personally this is how I'd do it but I like to wander and take my time:

Day 1: Drive to W&M take a morning tour then hit Bush Gardens and spend the night in Williamsburg. Some great restaurants by campus are Blue Talon Bistro, Dog Street Pub and Berret's Seafood...also a lot of great options in New Town not far from Campus.
Day 2: Drive up to Richmond for morning tour then move on up to UVA for an afternoon tour. Spend the night in C'Ville at one of the many options by the corner (Draftsman, Courthouse Marriott, Residence Inn) so you can get dinner at the Downtown Mall (Whiskey Jar and Zocalo are great options) grab a late night cookie at Insomnia Cookies.
Day 3: Grab breakfast at Farm Bell Kitchen or Bodo's Bagels get another feel for UVA by walking around again on your own. Visit Carter Mountain Orchard and pick some peaches and head home. Do the NC schools another trip.

I love these recommendations - thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It is hard to do two official tours in one day, in the heat. But schedules might mean we have to. We did Richmond and W&M in one day. Richmond info session and tour was seriously impressive. W&M student led tour was good. But W&M info session before the tour, was AWFUL. BORING, used tons of jargon, no video or visuals -did not represent the school well. We stared at a blank wall and day dreamed about it being over.