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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP,

I'm glad you liked it!  My DD just finished her first year there.  It has been a good fit for her.  To answer your question about why it isn't more popular... I have a few ideas.  In fact, they recently sent out a survey to parents, students, and alumnae to ask what the pros and cons were and what the image is, etc.

Here's my take.  
(1) as a small school, it doesn't have the "big-U"-rah-rah sports image/marketing.  They do have teams and the teams do well (soccer, basketball, volleyball, and clubs for rugby and others).  But, if you as a parent went to a big-state-U type of school, you might steer your kid toward that dynamic.
(2)  this is a big one:  I really think the name "MARY..." turns off young men in the 17-18 yr old range.  Honestly, I told them to LEAN INTO marketting themselves as "UMW" and minimize the "Mary" part.  Yes, I'm a feminist, but in marketing, they need to look at who their audience is, and how the audience perceives them.  Most male teens are not going to want to tell their friends they are going to "MARY..."  Guys are going to want to tell their friends they are going to "Christopher Newport" or "Radford" before they want to say they are going to "Mary... U."

I know the alumni would have a fit if they changed the name altogether.  But, I think in the service of staying relevant and solvent, they should seriously consider renaming themselves to "UVA-Fredericksburg" or "Univ. of Central Virginia" or something else.  Even using JUST "UMW" would be a start.

3.  They DO have a computer science degree... and that's CRUCIAL for attracting guys.  They need to AMP UP the connections for that degree (i.e. internships, etc.)

That said, their biology dept. is very strong.  My DD is in that dept. They have so many great international opportunities.  It IS a lot easier to get to know your advisor and professors, and they do have research opportunities.  If you want to apply to medical, dental or law school, or really any grad program later, having professors who actually KNOW you is going to make a huge difference in the quality of the recommendation letters they can write on your behalf.

My DD likes the size of the campus.  She likes the food.  She likes the size of the classes.  The campus is pretty, and it's easy to get involved in clubs/activities.  It is a campus that is accepting of diversity without the typical "toxic masculinity" that you see at "big-state-U."  They students are just good people.

If you are confident enough to do your own thing and not follow the pressure of the crowd that says "you must go to X, Y, or Z college" then you can have a very good experience at UMW.  If you need Greek life or football Saturdays -- then this isn't going to be a good fit.

[/quote]

Good point on #2[/quote]

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