Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:W&M wants people who want it. They will let in someone with somewhat lower stats if they can see a lot of demonstrated interest and knowledge of what kind of school it is.

W&M is great for kids who would like a more artsy, less rah-rah, hype squad scene. So many of the people who choose W&M are not interested in UVA so it isn’t some kind of back up choice. [/quote]


All true, because W&M is more of a slac feel. But the reality is that parents in Virginia need their kids to get into UVA and W&M (my kid wasn't even a contender - went to one of the others). So often students will apply to both because so many of us Virginians can't afford $81K a year for other institutions and have paid mightily for decades in taxes for our wonderful system. Both UVA and W&M are relatively small compared to the giants of other state's schools, so if you have a high-stats kid they will usually apply to both because both are a financial windfall.

My DS is a rising senior who is interested in both UVA and W&M. He recognizes that they are far from being identical and felt a different 'vibe" in touring both campuses. But he really liked aspects of both schools (there were other aspects of both he wasn't crazy about) and thinks he likely would be happy at either. I don't think this is that unusual - we know lots of kids at UVA and W&M who seriously considered both options. Of course, getting into only one of them makes the choice a lot easier!

+1 Many kids like both. They both have a historic feel, attract students with a very strong academic profile, similar in-state costs, Greek life, strong liberal arts core and are both larger than a LAC but smaller than the average state school.

+1