Anonymous wrote:Son is struggling between University of Maryland and William & Mary.

Major = economics
Straight A student in high school
accepted in Scholars at Umd and James Madison scholars at W&M

Worried that there is little school spirit at W&M and there will be little to do other than studying with the high academic rigor often spoke about at W&M.

First impression of UMD was that it was "so big....I'm going to get lost"....but has school spirit. He knows that he will find his way if he went there.

University of Md is our state school but was given some aid to attend W&M.

He needs to make the decision but is struggling. First of many struggles in life, I know. I would love to hear from any parents or students in the same situation. He will make the best of either situation, I"m sure. As his parent, I see him feeling "stuck". Not sure what else we can offer to help him make the decision.

I don't actually think this is the case.

Went to William and Mary (after transferring from UVA) and I will say William and Mary attracts a very specific kind of kid. If you are that type, it’s an amazing place because you feel very at-home. If not, you may find the College kind of hard to fit in.

Most W&M kids are academically-strong yes, but also the type who like being leaders and enjoy volunteering. Class President, leader of a club, frequent volunteer, etc. There is a drinking and frat culture just like anywhere. But weekends aren’t spent tailgating and going to the big game. Instead, it’s things like dropping by the club fundraiser, playing frisbee in the sunken gardens or going to a fraternity social event.

The kids who really struggled were the ones who transferred from big sports schools, hippie/artsy types and people from places like NYC who were bored by Williamsburg. The kids who were really happy were the ones who found an outlet for their many, many interests and enjoyed the security of being around other smart/good kids, while getting to do adult independence. It’s also a place full of normal kids, but also where it’s okay to be a little nerdy or unusual.

OP, here.....just when I was thinking that posting wasn't a great idea, you very kind people came through! Thank you for the insight and great advice. Greatly appreciate it!

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Son is struggling between University of Maryland and William & Mary.

Major = economics
Straight A student in high school
accepted in Scholars at Umd and James Madison scholars at W&M

Worried that there is little school spirit at W&M and there will be little to do other than studying with the high academic rigor often spoke about at W&M.

First impression of UMD was that it was "so big....I'm going to get lost"....but has school spirit. He knows that he will find his way if he went there.

University of Md is our state school but was given some aid to attend W&M.

He needs to make the decision but is struggling. First of many struggles in life, I know. I would love to hear from any parents or students in the same situation. He will make the best of either situation, I"m sure. As his parent, I see him feeling "stuck". Not sure what else we can offer to help him make the decision.

Your kid won't get lost at UMD. While its campus is physically large, it won't matter. He will have classes with same kids over the 4 years.

Not to hijack the thread but can you explain this? Is it just because OP’s kid is in honors? What about kids who aren’t? I went to a school half as big as Maryland and only had the same classmates in a couple of my major classes.

No, not scholars/honors or anything like that (my three kids were in honors for full disclosure). It's just that kids with same majors have to take same classes (different times maybe) over the years. They will see the same kids. Upper classes are not as big either (classroom size). OP's kid may have a couple of classes in large lecture halls but I doubt that many.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Son is struggling between University of Maryland and William & Mary.

Major = economics
Straight A student in high school
accepted in Scholars at Umd and James Madison scholars at W&M

Worried that there is little school spirit at W&M and there will be little to do other than studying with the high academic rigor often spoke about at W&M.

First impression of UMD was that it was "so big....I'm going to get lost"....but has school spirit. He knows that he will find his way if he went there.

University of Md is our state school but was given some aid to attend W&M.

He needs to make the decision but is struggling. First of many struggles in life, I know. I would love to hear from any parents or students in the same situation. He will make the best of either situation, I"m sure. As his parent, I see him feeling "stuck". Not sure what else we can offer to help him make the decision.

Your kid won't get lost at UMD. While its campus is physically large, it won't matter. He will have classes with same kids over the 4 years.

Not to hijack the thread but can you explain this? Is it just because OP’s kid is in honors? What about kids who aren’t? I went to a school half as big as Maryland and only had the same classmates in a couple of my major classes.

Anonymous wrote:Son is struggling between University of Maryland and William & Mary.

Major = economics
Straight A student in high school
accepted in Scholars at Umd and James Madison scholars at W&M

Worried that there is little school spirit at W&M and there will be little to do other than studying with the high academic rigor often spoke about at W&M.

First impression of UMD was that it was "so big....I'm going to get lost"....but has school spirit. He knows that he will find his way if he went there.

University of Md is our state school but was given some aid to attend W&M.

He needs to make the decision but is struggling. First of many struggles in life, I know. I would love to hear from any parents or students in the same situation. He will make the best of either situation, I"m sure. As his parent, I see him feeling "stuck". Not sure what else we can offer to help him make the decision.

Your kid won't get lost at UMD. While its campus is physically large, it won't matter. He will have classes with same kids over the 4 years.

I would talk to other students at the schools. They are very different especially the area and things to do during your free time

Have him read some posted reviews of each school on UNIGO. At least that will give him a sense of the vibe (it has questions like "who should not go here" "describe the typical student"). Perhaps that will evoke leaning in one direction over the other.

Right now he seems to be basing his thoughts on almost stereotypes of each school.

Can he also make an objective pro and con list (cost, travel, grad requirements, course offerings, location, clubs etc). When my DC did that, one school really emerged as superior.

If he likes the feel of w&M then I cannot imagine liking the atmosphere of UMD.

My DC is in the same situation OP. Different schools, but the same dynamic. Very difficult decision when it all comes down to fit and the fit isn't ideal at either. No advice, but good luck. I'm sure it will work out.

Tours can only give limited insight on a good day and deter you from attending on a bad day. You can’t make a perfect decision with these colleges and it won’t make a whole lot of a difference which one he attends, just pick whichever makes him smile and feel enthusiastic, that should set the tone for freshman year.

Have him make a four year plan for both schools and really look through the general ed requirements and major requirements. Sometimes just laying out all of the courses really shows the difference between two programs academically.

And ignore PP - there are plenty of serious students at UMD. If both programs are equally appealing academically, I would go with the less expensive one (UMD). Also, while a big school may feel like a student could "get lost" it also provides a lot of opportunities.

Has he been to W&M and toured? I think visits really make or break that one. It's a completely different feel than UMD. They have school spirit, but no they are not a big sports rah rah campus.

The more serious students go to William & Mary.

Son is struggling between University of Maryland and William & Mary.

Major = economics
Straight A student in high school
accepted in Scholars at Umd and James Madison scholars at W&M

Worried that there is little school spirit at W&M and there will be little to do other than studying with the high academic rigor often spoke about at W&M.

First impression of UMD was that it was "so big....I'm going to get lost"....but has school spirit. He knows that he will find his way if he went there.

University of Md is our state school but was given some aid to attend W&M.

He needs to make the decision but is struggling. First of many struggles in life, I know. I would love to hear from any parents or students in the same situation. He will make the best of either situation, I"m sure. As his parent, I see him feeling "stuck". Not sure what else we can offer to help him make the decision.