I think it is a great option for a teaching degree.

Anonymous wrote:I like the campus and the only red-flag is see is this: https://augustafreepress.com/news/enrollment-decline-for-virginia-universities-puts-radford-umw-at-some-risk-in-the-future/

What is the reason for the decline in these schools?

I’m an alum. One of our kids toured a year ago but ultimately decided they wanted a bigger school.
We know a few recent grads, all of whom loved it and landed great jobs.
The ratio, which I think is similar to when I graduated, was never an issue. I am still friends with many, guys and girls, that I went to school with.
Downtown Fredericksburg is fun. Definitely worth consideration.

Anonymous wrote:I think it’s a great option for kids looking for a small in-state liberal arts setting. I too know a couple very successful and really bright UMW grads.

+1 I really wanted DD to consider it more strongly. She did apply, it has a good program for her interest, and it would have been the least expensive option, but she was really focused on not being that close to home and wanted to be somewhere nobody else from her HS went to. Running into a couple people she knew during the tour (current UMW students) and seeing a lot of familiar faces at the open house didn't help my case that you don't have to see people from HS if you don't want to. She ended up at an OOS LAC that still fit the budget but I think UMW would have been a great option for her.

I think it’s a great option for kids looking for a small in-state liberal arts setting. I too know a couple very successful and really bright UMW grads.

I know five alums who are brilliant and have done incredibly well in their careers (4 executives at name brand companies and one is a senior fed)
My daughter has been admitted to the honors program and received a generous merit scholarship. It currently is topping her list of schools.

She also is introverted, ranked high in her class and looking for a smaller liberal arts college. It ticks all those boxes.

Anonymous wrote:Can a conservative thrive there?

Relatively “normal” conservative here. Sent a relatively conservative daughter. She came out marginally more liberal, but not more political, IYKWIM. Nothing to make me regret sending her. Her only complaint was that the religious groups were “weirdly religious” and not a good fit for believers with non-religious interests. Take that as you will.

I know three students there currently who are all thriving. I'm an alum and my friends from Mary Washington and I are all thriving in our careers and personally. Given your description of your DD it sounds like a fantastic fit. Good luck! They also have generous merit aid.

Anonymous wrote:One of the nicest, smartest, people I know is a umw alum! Did well at a suburban DC high school both academically and socially. Definitely on the introverted/nerdy side. Made some good friends in college and has kept up with them. Found a career that's a good fit and done well in it. So my impression of the school is good!

That’s so cool. The smartest person I ever met (and I grew up in this area) went to Nova community college. This guy was off the charts smart, and makes a very good living today.

Anonymous wrote:Can a conservative thrive there?

It might be very challenging socially.

Anonymous wrote:Can a conservative thrive there?

OP here. This PP isn't me- just want to make that clear. I guess one concern I'd have is the male-female ratio which is definitely lopsidedly women.

Can a conservative thrive there?

One of the nicest, smartest, people I know is a umw alum! Did well at a suburban DC high school both academically and socially. Definitely on the introverted/nerdy side. Made some good friends in college and has kept up with them. Found a career that's a good fit and done well in it. So my impression of the school is good!

I like the campus and the only red-flag is see is this: https://augustafreepress.com/news/enrollment-decline-for-virginia-universities-puts-radford-umw-at-some-risk-in-the-future/

My DD at a large FCPS school toured and liked Mary Washington. She's a quieter kid looking for a liberal arts college, probably on the smaller side. She doesn't like sports so having a large rah-rah school, especially with an emphasis on football, is unappealing to her (no knocks on that- I have another kid who will seek that out). Her preference is a city environment or at least something not "in the middle of nowhere" (JMU fit that bill to her).

Just looking for people with recent experience to weigh in with their thoughts. Thanks!