Anonymous
Post 03/20/2024 08:53     Subject: UMD or W&M
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Money matters but not the most important consideration. I was under the impression that UMD is on upward trajectory whilst W&M is moving opposite direction. I have been wondering about that.


W&M alum here. I was shocked at the lower ranking it has now so went down the rabbit hole on looking at why it was dropping. Big reasons are parts that to me don’t feel like defects impacting my kids: ratings no longer value smaller class sizes but I think my kid would do well in smaller classes; ratings value higher Pell Grant attendee numbers but my kid isn’t eligible for that so it’s irrelevant for me and I don’t see a “barbell” student body make up as desirable. In short, it doesn’t sound like W&M has changed the fundamentals of its education. Rather it sounds like USNWR changed what it prioritized in ways that seem to advantage top end private schools and very large public flagships.


Stop blaming the rankings when your school drops and others don’t or even go up. The true top schools didn’t go anywhere in the rankings, however, schools that for years gamed the rankings to try to go up saw a large drop.



Dp, but your Liu t is nonsensical when USNews totally revamped the rankings last year in a way that clearly benefits large public schools.


Your point is nonsensical.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2024 08:50     Subject: UMD or W&M
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Money matters but not the most important consideration. I was under the impression that UMD is on upward trajectory whilst W&M is moving opposite direction. I have been wondering about that.


W&M alum here. I was shocked at the lower ranking it has now so went down the rabbit hole on looking at why it was dropping. Big reasons are parts that to me don’t feel like defects impacting my kids: ratings no longer value smaller class sizes but I think my kid would do well in smaller classes; ratings value higher Pell Grant attendee numbers but my kid isn’t eligible for that so it’s irrelevant for me and I don’t see a “barbell” student body make up as desirable. In short, it doesn’t sound like W&M has changed the fundamentals of its education. Rather it sounds like USNWR changed what it prioritized in ways that seem to advantage top end private schools and very large public flagships.


Stop blaming the rankings when your school drops and others don’t or even go up. The true top schools didn’t go anywhere in the rankings, however, schools that for years gamed the rankings to try to go up saw a large drop.



Dp, but your Liu t is nonsensical when USNews totally revamped the rankings last year in a way that clearly benefits large public schools.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2024 08:36     Subject: UMD or W&M
Anonymous wrote:DC is accepted to UMD Carillon (in-state) and W&M Monroe Scholars program. Wants to be Econ major. Has a slight preference for a smaller college. Any thoughts/insights appreciated!

UMD has a T20 econ department. W&M does not. This is a no brainer.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2024 08:34     Subject: UMD or W&M
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Money matters but not the most important consideration. I was under the impression that UMD is on upward trajectory whilst W&M is moving opposite direction. I have been wondering about that.


W&M alum here. I was shocked at the lower ranking it has now so went down the rabbit hole on looking at why it was dropping. Big reasons are parts that to me don’t feel like defects impacting my kids: ratings no longer value smaller class sizes but I think my kid would do well in smaller classes; ratings value higher Pell Grant attendee numbers but my kid isn’t eligible for that so it’s irrelevant for me and I don’t see a “barbell” student body make up as desirable. In short, it doesn’t sound like W&M has changed the fundamentals of its education. Rather it sounds like USNWR changed what it prioritized in ways that seem to advantage top end private schools and very large public flagships.


Stop blaming the rankings when your school drops and others don’t or even go up. The true top schools didn’t go anywhere in the rankings, however, schools that for years gamed the rankings to try to go up saw a large drop.



Yeah if you think W&M, a school that was in the top 30s for decades was gaming the rankings, you need to step out and let the adults talk.


Sorry…it likely dropped for good reason. Funny all the cry babies when a school drops.

Sounds like you are one of the little babies.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2024 08:32     Subject: Re:UMD or W&M
Anonymous wrote:No contest. W&M definitely.


absolutely
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2024 08:28     Subject: UMD or W&M
Our kid transferred from a large state school to W&M this past fall, specifically because of class sizes. I am guessing UMD would have a similar issue. Our student has been very happy with their decision.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2024 08:25     Subject: Re:UMD or W&M
^ ok forget what I said--just saw your son wants a smaller school. WM definitely. And each class is taught by an actual professor.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2024 08:23     Subject: Re:UMD or W&M
It's a no brainer. Go in-state.

My son (VA) is in at UVA and WM, didn't even apply OOS to UMD. No desire to be in College Park and school too big.

He's gotten into a few T20s, a top SLAC, and waiting on Ivies. Right now WM Monroe is his frontrunner--likes a smaller size school.

I think unless Harvard/Princeton/Yale--it will be WM or UVA.

I don't think I'd pay the price differential to go across state lines. Save your $. Your child will get a fantastic education at either place.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2024 08:23     Subject: UMD or W&M
Too many wealthy students and not enough high-potential, low income students
that’s why they love the OOS $$$ with highest tuition in the entire country amongst public institutions
W&M has few scholarships that would cover costs effectively
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2024 08:21     Subject: UMD or W&M
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think they are equal in reputation so would let student pick which they prefer, assuming cost is similar.


They absolutely aren't


You think they aren’t because you attended one of them. I didn’t attend either and see them as peer schools, albeit different types of schools.


No, it's just a fact. They're definitely not peer schools either, W&M's peers are schools like Wake, Tufts, etc. and Maryland's are schools like UIUC, Ohio State, Rutgers, etc.


Oops no, now you just look silly. I don’t live in either state so I don’t have a dog in this fight, but William and Mary is not in the same stratosphere as Tufts or Wake Forest.


Sorry to burst your bubble but W&M and Wake both identity each other as peers.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2024 08:18     Subject: UMD or W&M
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Money matters but not the most important consideration. I was under the impression that UMD is on upward trajectory whilst W&M is moving opposite direction. I have been wondering about that.


W&M alum here. I was shocked at the lower ranking it has now so went down the rabbit hole on looking at why it was dropping. Big reasons are parts that to me don’t feel like defects impacting my kids: ratings no longer value smaller class sizes but I think my kid would do well in smaller classes; ratings value higher Pell Grant attendee numbers but my kid isn’t eligible for that so it’s irrelevant for me and I don’t see a “barbell” student body make up as desirable. In short, it doesn’t sound like W&M has changed the fundamentals of its education. Rather it sounds like USNWR changed what it prioritized in ways that seem to advantage top end private schools and very large public flagships.


Stop blaming the rankings when your school drops and others don’t or even go up. The true top schools didn’t go anywhere in the rankings, however, schools that for years gamed the rankings to try to go up saw a large drop.



Yeah if you think W&M, a school that was in the top 30s for decades was gaming the rankings, you need to step out and let the adults talk.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2024 08:16     Subject: UMD or W&M
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:OP here. Money matters but not the most important consideration. I was under the impression that UMD is on upward trajectory whilst W&M is moving opposite direction. I have been wondering about that.


W&M alum here. I was shocked at the lower ranking it has now so went down the rabbit hole on looking at why it was dropping. Big reasons are parts that to me don’t feel like defects impacting my kids: ratings no longer value smaller class sizes but I think my kid would do well in smaller classes; ratings value higher Pell Grant attendee numbers but my kid isn’t eligible for that so it’s irrelevant for me and I don’t see a “barbell” student body make up as desirable. In short, it doesn’t sound like W&M has changed the fundamentals of its education. Rather it sounds like USNWR changed what it prioritized in ways that seem to advantage top end private schools and very large public flagships.


Stop blaming the rankings when your school drops and others don’t or even go up. The true top schools didn’t go anywhere in the rankings, however, schools that for years gamed the rankings to try to go up saw a large drop.

Anonymous
Post 03/20/2024 08:08     Subject: UMD or W&M
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think they are equal in reputation so would let student pick which they prefer, assuming cost is similar.


They absolutely aren't

You're right. UMD is ranked higher (46) than WM (53).
https://www.usnews.com/best-colleges/rankings/national-universities


And yet, according to Parchment, when applicants are admitted to both, they choose W&M over UMD-CP 70% to 30%. Revealed preference tells us a lot more than pseudoscience rankings.
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2024 00:30     Subject: UMD or W&M
Although they are in the same region, these are dissimilar schools. UMD undergraduate enrollment is 4.5X as large as W&M. W&M is more similar to size to an LAC or selective private school and is very residential for a public school. UMD is a large research university typical in size for the Big 10. Their settings are very different. What is your kid looking for?
Anonymous
Post 03/20/2024 00:16     Subject: UMD or W&M
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:
Anonymous wrote:I think they are equal in reputation so would let student pick which they prefer, assuming cost is similar.


They absolutely aren't


You think they aren’t because you attended one of them. I didn’t attend either and see them as peer schools, albeit different types of schools.


No, it's just a fact. They're definitely not peer schools either, W&M's peers are schools like Wake, Tufts, etc. and Maryland's are schools like UIUC, Ohio State, Rutgers, etc.


Oops no, now you just look silly. I don’t live in either state so I don’t have a dog in this fight, but William and Mary is not in the same stratosphere as Tufts or Wake Forest.


Not in same stratosphere??? Actual data from 2022-23 Common Data Sets for W&M and WFU:

W&M SAT 75/50/25: 1520/1460/1375 with 52% reporting
W&M ACT 75/50/25: 34/33/32 with 18% reporting
W&M Overall 70% reporting SAT + ACT
W&M Top 10%: 77% with 31% reporting

WFU SAT 75/50/25: 1500/1450/1400 with 28% reporting
WFU ACT 75/50/25: 34/33/31 with 29% reporting
WFU Overall 57% reporting SAT + ACT
WFU Top 10%: 74% with 20% reporting



Stop making this all about your feelings. Op asked about MD and W&M.


It was about getting facts right, not feelings. I know what OP asked and responded previously on that.