In all honesty, William and Mary was not my first choice. However, it was the first college that I visited and I never had it far from mind while visiting other schools (Duke, Yale, Princeton, Wake Forest, etc.). I had always wanted to go to Duke University, in Durham, NC, in part because I was, and continue to be, a huge supporter of their men's basketball team. When I visited the school, I fell in love, and upon learning about their strong emphasis on community service work, I felt that it would be a great fit for me. However, after getting jerked around a bit by the admissions office (waitlisted twice, off of early decision), I decided to look elsewhere for school. My first impressions of William and Mary were how beautiful the campus was. It was exactly how I had pictured a university to be: brick walkways, huge green quad in the middle of campus, old brick buildings, with ivy growing on some of them. The student body was the right size, and they had strong departments in things that I was (at the time) considering majoring in, in English and History. The people all seemed friendly, and it didn't seem to be monochromatic in a way that was deterring or unsettling. And of course, William and Mary has a strong reputation for its academics, being consistently named one of the best universities and public universities in America, as well as being one of the 8 members of the so-called "Public Ivies." When it came time to eventually choose a university, I had many great options to choose from, but ultimately, it came down to a visceral feeling I had when visiting William and Mary. Despite the fact that other schools I was accepted to may have had stronger programs, or a more vibrant night life, or better sports teams, I felt instinctually that I could see myself wandering William and Mary's campus much more easily than at any other school. Sometimes, I have to do a reality check and realize that I am now one of the students that walks the storied paths surrounding the Sunken Gardens that high schoolers on tours of the College stare at while taking their own tour. It's an incredible feeling, and good to know that I made the right choice in selecting William and Mary.

As an English major at The College of William and Mary, I have taken many classes that are based mostly in discussion. Because of the large amount of student participation, most of my professors have known the name of at least those students who are most active in class, and most have known the names of a large portions of the class. The work load of most of my literature classes is very heavy, requiring a lot of reading in a short period of time, with a good number of essays due throughout the semester. Most professors are very clearly passionate about their area of expertise and find ways to engage the class, though discussions are sometimes dominated by the most competitive students who feel the need to have a say about any point made in class. The academic requirements cross many disciplines and include a limit on the classes a student may take within his own area of study. This allows students to explore what disciplines other than their major have to offer.

For me, the best place to get work done is in my dorm room. Everyone talks about how great Swem Library is, but for the most part, it is a better place to socialize than to actually study. If you need to do a research paper however, the library is a necessity. For studying, many people go to the Business School and School of Education. I suggest that you find the place you like studying best early in the semester, so you are comfortable studying in that place for the rest of the semester.

Acting, Intro to Psych, Intro to Geology, and anything in the religion department. The first three fulfill general requirements, the last a tradition at the College. Our school was once only the Wren building, and now it's a tradition to take at least one class there before you graduate. As this building now houses the religion department, those classes are popular (also, they're awesome. Sects, Cults, and Small Denominations. Intro to Hinduism. Seriously). There are also top professors, including Baltes, Oakes, Smith, Westberg, Payne, and Polaski.

The living wages campaign; opponents and proponents are quite vocal

As is the case with about a third of campus, I'm involved in Greek Life. For me, it's a great outlet to have a solid base of friends who I know are always a reliable group to hang out with as well as go to with problems, etc. For those not involved in fraternities and sororities, there are club sports that are popular as well as other student groups like Intervarsity, the Christian fellowship group whose members, for example, are pretty closely knit from what I can tell. One of the unique aspects of W&M is that many friendships and friend groups revolve around Freshman halls. During orientation freshman year, a great emphasis is placed on developing relationships with the people around you in your dorm, and that often becomes the basis for many close friendships. It is not uncommon to see a group of students that lived on the same freshman hall at dinner or playing on the same intramural sports team four years later. Fraternities as well as non-Greek organizations host parties that students attend throughout the week and weekend, but those are not the only options. One of the more popular student groups is Alma Mater Productions or AMP which is the student entertainment group. They bring comedians, musicians, and other entertainers to campus and provide alternative activities for students on the weekend who choose not to drink. They also put on a couple of concerts every year that involve big names that are widely anticipated by the student body.

They are okay. Some people are very mean and bad.

Since I'm from New Jersey, I almost expected all of the students to be standard southern preppy people. However, there are TONS of different kinds of people. Some adhere to the classic southern belle/gentleman stereotype, but a lot of students just dress however they feel. Sweatshirts and yoga pants or leggings are common class-wear, but a percentage of students dress fully for class as well. LGBT clubs are present on campus, and people are fee to dress or act as they feel.

About 25% of students are involved in Greek life. If you are not in Greek life you are not segregated from people who are in a fraternity or sorority though. It is not hardcore like a lot of other schools, but you do meet some really awesome people through it.

Sports and exercising are very popular at W&M. Many students go to the gym, run and play different sports. There are a number of student publications and blogs where interested students express themselves. A great number of subject-specific clubs like the marketing, finance, consulting, entrepreneurship and other clubs offer opportunities for students to learn more about those disciplines as well as network. There are a number of subject-specific competitions both within and outside school where students can participate individually or in teams. W&M has a great alumni who are willing to talk to students and help them. In fact, most of our students get jobs through the connections and networking with the college alumni. Besides sports W&M students like outdoor activities such as hiking, camping, kayaking, etc.

yes

It seems like everybody is a member of APO, the service fraternity. Only 30% of students are in social fraternities or sororities. I'm on UCAB, one of the largest organizations on campus - UCAB is the University Center Activities Board, and we're the event programming board on campus. We bring concerts, speakers, comedians, etc. I'm on the Contemporary & Cultural Issues committee this year, and have really enjoyed my time on the board. Anybody who is interested in programming or having a behind-the-scenes look at some of the biggest events on campus should definitely apply. Many students do have their doors open, especially in freshman dorms and in special interest dorms, such as the language houses. Athletic events are well-attended, especially basketball and football games. Guest speakers are also very well-attended, as are theater performances, especially the Sinfonicron performances. Dating - what's that? Most students here either drunkenly make out or hook-up at parties or are in a serious relationship. There isn't much in-between, in part because students don't seem to have time. I met my closest friends through study abroad/German, my freshman hall, and through the Daily Grind, the coffee shop that I work at. If I'm awake at 2am on a Tuesday, I'm working on a paper that's due the next day. There are a ton of traditions - the W&M Triathalon (streaking, jumping, and swimming - students learn alllll about it once they get here), King & Queen's ball, singing to the president, and Primal Scream during exams. People usually party on Thursday, Friday, and/or Saturday. Most people only party one or two nights out of the three, but some partake in all three. During finals, people party whenever they don't have an exam the next morning. This past weekend, I went to an international dessert party held for the language houses on Friday night, and did homework all day both Saturday and Sunday - I had two big presentations on Monday and Tuesday, so I needed to buckle down. I'll usually go out on Saturday night or go to Mug Night on Sunday night if my homework load is lighter.

There are many different groups on campus ranging from NAACP to Christian organizations to something that you want to create yourself. A student that does not want to get an education would feel out of place here. Most students wear whatever they feel like to class. Yes, different types of students interact. The tables full of people in the dining hall could be anyone from any sort of group on campus freshmen to 'super senior' or graduate student. The majority of William and Mary students are from Virginia. There is a large portion from Northern Virginia and a good number from the Richmond and Hampton Roads area. There are financial backgrounds of all types here at the college. Students here are very politically active and they are aware of the issues that matter to them. There is definitely a strong left feel to the campus (or at least the one that make the most noise are left), but there are political views of all types. No, students don't really talk that much about what they'll earn one day; more about what they'll do one day, or what sort of impact they will make.

William & Mary is the perfect size, in that you'll see a ton of familiar faces every day, but there is always opportunity to branch out and get to know even more people. However, Williamsburg is not exactly college-friendly. There are three "delis" (our bars), Colonial Williamsburg, and not much else, it seems like from time to time. My freshman year, there wasn't even a mainstream movie theater! Now that Newtown has been built up, it's nice to be able to go to the restaurants, shops, and the movie theater there - Newtown is a bit out of the way, so having a car is much more convenient than trying to walk there or take the bus. William & Mary definitely does carry a lot of name value - people instantly recognize you as being a student of academic merit. Adults will almost always say, "Oh, your parents must be so proud of you!" when you say that you go here. W&M's reputation as a "public Ivy" is well known. This campus has met a lot of controversy recently... we made national headlines when President Nichol removed the Wren Cross from the Wren Chapel, a move that a lot of students agreed with and that a lot of alums and a number of students disagreed with. An alum very publicly revoked a $12 million pledge. We made headlines again over the Sex Workers Art Show, which has toured at several other schools, and once more when President Nichol resigned upon learning that his contract was to be terminated. As a result, there has been a lot of tension between the student body (and the faculty) and the Board of Visitors. One complaint that I hear consistently is how professors assign unrealistic amounts of homework. Most of them do recognize this problem, yet tend to go overboard anyways.

There is some truth to every stereotype, but this one is overly exaggerated. Everyone at W&M take their academics seriously, but not everyone spends Friday and Saturday nights in Swem, the beloved library. 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.

My opinion is that everyone is just really smart and may have been sheltered so it takes them some time to come out of their shell. As for the night life, well, that's Williamsburg's fault, not ours.

Every single day W&M impresses me with the dedication to education. Four years at this college actually means more than just a degree. Students participate in class and outside of class. Professors understand that this isn't quite the real world yet and you are allowed to make mistakes. I never expected to have so may understanding and compassionate people in my life at one moment. The education I am receiving here goes way beyond the classroom into my daily life. For some of those "naturally gifted" folks W&M is a breeze. For others it's hard. Don't come here expecting to make the same grades as in high school--it's just not possible and not practical.

Aside from academics, the most prominent feature of William and Mary is its location: right in the heart of downtown Colonial Williamsburg. Anyone from the area probably took a middle school field trip to see the reenactments and the animals, but you probably never expected to spend four years of your life living among people dressed up like the founding fathers. Naturally, there are ups and downs to this town. At first, living in such a unique area is exciting! Every freshman has strolled down DoG Street, watching the tourists and inhaling the smell of horse manure, and thought about how COOL it is to get to live here full-time. There are ghost tours and secret paths to keep you busy after dark, and there are always events going on in Merchant's Square (farmers markets, Grand Illuminations, First Night, etc). Eventually the novelty wears off. There's only so many times you can take pictures in the stocks or try to catch the Lady Skip-Wythe ghost. That's when Williamsburg takes a turn for the worst. In general, it's a very student-unfriendly city. Off-campus housing is incredibly difficult to find, and as for a nightlife... Well, Richmond is only an hour away. The only thing open past 10pm, besides our poor excuses for bars for the over 21's, is Wawa. Only recently was the movie theatre built, and getting there requires either a friend with a car or being a slave to the bus schedule. Bottom line: Williamsburg is a nice town, but by year 4, the odds of going crazy increase exponentially. Having a car on campus is expensive and inconvenient, but ultimately might be worth it--although friends with cars are always an option too.

W+M is a great place for an education, in a shitty town, with a social scene that needs an overhaul. However, if you are willing to work for your good times (and kill a few brain cells) I would not tell you to stay away, especially if you are a VA resident - the price and quality of education is compelling.