Many schools claim to be “public Ivies,” but few deliver on that claim like the College of William and Mary. Not only is W&M one of the oldest universities in the country (second only to Harvard) and one of the smallest public universities (with an undergraduate population of less than 6,000), its academics and research opportunities really are some of the best in the country. “
This summer, I will be going to Kenya for six weeks to go on an archaeological dig. For free,” writes one freshman anthropology major. “
I am able to do this because a professor I had in the fall suggested some names of people to contact. One email later, I was offered a ticket to Nairobi.” Believe it or not, opportunities like this one aren’t an anomaly at W&M. Because the academic bar is set so high and class sizes kept relatively low, students receive a challenging, but most importantly, personalized education. Professors not only know your name, they know what your interests and seek to engage students both inside and outside the classroom. “
I've had professors email me about research opportunities (over the summer) and really go out of their way to get me involved in things they think I could benefit from. I've had professors ask me to do independent studies with them as my adviser because they knew I was really interested in something,” writes a sophomore sociology major.
These perks come at a premium, however—the work load at W&M isn’t easy, and classes are notoriously difficult, leading to the popular slogan: “
W&M—where your best hasn't been good enough since 1693." As a result, W&M students are often perceived as bookish, “
socially awkward nerds” who spend all their time in the library and don’t know how to have a good time. “
There is almost a 'cult of work' here at William & Mary, where friends and classmates' frenzy to work rubs off on each other; and the closer it gets to finals, the less of a chance you'll have to find a quiet spot in the library,” writes a senior majoring in psychology.
While it’s true that W&M kids are studious, the lack of a party scene isn’t entirely their fault. Strict alcohol policies on campus and the school’s proximity to popular tourist attraction, Colonial Williamsburg, means there’s virtually no nightlife and large parties are scarce. “
There’s almost no ‘college town’ to speak of,” one junior writes. “
There are many tourist establishments that cater to students as well, but the main attractions for students within walking distance consist of three (3) bars, one gas-station style 24-hour convenience store, and myriad overpriced restaurants.” Make no mistake though, students still find ways to have fun and unwind even without the keggers. “
Perhaps because Williamsburg isn't the liveliest college town, there are always fun things happening on campus, from parties to comedians to movie showings to concerts and open mic nights. And William & Mary students are creative; you won't find the pastime of rancing on just any campus. Rancing, or running and dancing at the same time with an iPod playing your favorite dance mix, is a favorite stress-relieving form of recreation at William & Mary,” writes a junior majoring in international relations.
Many students tend to stay busy with one (or several) of W&M’s 500 student organizations, and roughly one-third are involved in Greek life. Service organizations in particular are very popular on campus, and students log thousands of hours of community service each year. “
Facebook self-identification put the incoming class at 3:1 ‘liberal’ to ‘conservative,’ and I consider myself in the latter category. A liberal slant is to be expected at any college, but I have found myself pleasantly surprised at how judicious the campus is to be balanced and most of all accurate,” writes a freshman physics major.
As a public school, the majority of W&M students are from Virginia, and a large percentage of those are from North Virginia (NoVa). Though students typically describe their peers as being mostly white, liberal and upper-middle class, most do point out that the school is working on increasing diversity. While there may be a lack of racial diversity on campus, there is no shortage of diverse points of view. “
The campus is extremely diverse... not so much on paper (although we are far more diverse than most), but simply in the vast number of different interests and passions among students. Everyone here brings something unique to the table, which makes discussions and debates inside and out of class a blast!” writes one biology major. Though students are united by their love of learning and passionate pursuit of knowledge, W&M is far from being a school full of geeks. “
W&M runs the gamut on types of people: there are the jocks, the Greeks, geeks, the rich kids, the poor kids, and everything in between. No one feels like they can't fit in here, everyone finds their clique,” writes a freshman economics major.
