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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]There is an earlier thread on W& M. I don’t disagree that it is in a worse position than a generation ago.  But I think it has unique attributes that could save it.  First, I think the history and tradition can’t be replaced (oldest academic building in the US) and lots of kids are looking for that sweet spot size in a temperate climate.  Plus, close to DC/still on the east coast corridor.  And, you still need good stats to get in (much better than Miami of Ohio).

I think the Commonwealth should allow it to take more OOS kids and I think you could compete with midsize schools, either Notre Dame/Vandy/Northwestern/Tulane/BC or bigger SLACs such as Middlebury or Bowdoin.  They should lean in to the teaching college/liberal arts curriculum and really focus on grad school outcomes etc.

The top 25 are really hard to be admitted to these days.  Only follows that 25-50 should get the kids who get shut out of the top but are still impressive.

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I agree W&M will remain in good shape.  The in state student pool from DC area will continue to support them well.  Even if it was just everyone's second in state choice that still works with how selective UVA is.  Many from out of state will continue to be interested in a top 50 school - especially those not on a STEM track.  Frankly the non STEM focus could be a nice differentiator.  W&M also has a small enrollment so doesn't need that many top students to fill out each class.[/quote]
The issue is that maintaining one's place in the rankings requires constant improvement, because every other university above and below are investing heavily in order to improve rapidly as well.

W&M was once considered the more serious school for top academic Virginia students compared to UVA. Then it became about equivalent to UVA. Now it's firmly cemented as second-choice for top Virginia in-state students.

If W&M just stays the course, as it has done for the past 30+ years, it will decline further. There are plenty of universities ranked between 40-70 that have risen greatly in popularity and will only rise further - Boston University, Case Western, Tulane, Northeastern, Pepperdine, RPI, Santa Clara, Miami, George Washington, WPI, Southern Methodist, etc. These schools embody the current favorable trends for colleges as well: all of them are in or near major cities, many have inherent advantages in STEM, and most of them are in sunbelt states. W&M conversely, has none of those three traits.

Rankings are a self-fulfilling prophecy - good schools have higher rankings, and high rankings attracts better students and faculties which make the school better. The opposite also holds true. [/quote]

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