Random questions about W&M

fut18000 · 03-29-2005, 09:27 PM

I think I'm gonna apply to William and Mary in the fall and I have a few questions about the school. First of all, why isn't this thread in the top colleges and universities forum??...It seems to me that its more competitive than UVA and yet it's relegated to the w's. Also, I know that W&M is good when it comes to history and most social sciences but what about it's International studies major. I ask because I plan on majoring in both Political Science and International Studies. Finally, how is the music dept. at the college. Although I don't plan to major in music, I'd like to participate in all the music groups I possibly can. And last but not least, do I even have a chance of getting in??

African American Male
GPA: 3.99 (95.533/100)uw (lowest semester GPA since freshmen year was a 96.667) Class Rank: 6/375

ACT w/writing: 31 (32 English 35 Reading 32 Math 26 Science...ick)...retaking...(I got a 28 in science as a sophmore lol)

SAT: 1320 (660math 660Verbal) retaking
SAT II's: Scheduled to take US history, Physics and Math 2c in may

freshmen schedule: Gifted geometry, gift english 1, gift biology, mens chorus, health/PE, honors world geography

Sophmore: AP world history(5 on the exam), gifted englsh 2, gift algebra II, gift chemistry, german 1, adv. vocal ensomble

junior year: AP US history, AP Physics B, gift precal, gift english 3, german II, chamber choir

projected senior schedule: AP Gov't, AP econ, AP European, AP calculus BC, AP Lit, chamber choir, Honors german III

extra curriculars: NHS memeber(next years treasurer), Mu Alpha Theta (President-elect), German club, Mock Trial: Lead attorney, German Honors Society, Tri-M honors society, Student Body VP(running for President next year), Debate Team President, Chorus, Track and Field.

Honors: National foreign language award, National science award, ALL-State chorus every year of high school, Honor Chorus every year of High School, Governors Honors Program as a Vocal Major this summer, American Legion Award, Spivey Hall Honor Chorus, GSU honor chorus, University of Mississipi Summer college, (Hopefully National Achievement Scholar)

Community Service: Work at local co-op ministry, Church outreach projects, Leader of Church Praise team

undecided358 · 03-29-2005, 11:41 PM

first of all, you are right that WMs history and social sciences dept.'s are top notch, especially colonial history, but our international studies are also among the best, if not the best. international relations is a very popular field and the IR club at the school is HUGE. wm is a great school and it doesn't need to be recognized by CC as a "top U" to earn its rep. go on and apply, you look like a great candidate, and you're definitely looking in the right direction for international studies.
I don't know what kind of music you're into, but there are more a capella groups than you've ever seen there and also lots of student bands. so the music scene is there, even if you don't want it to be your focus.

frazzled1 · 03-30-2005, 06:06 AM

Wow - great stats and I don't see how you can miss, particularly if you're in-state. Nice GPA! Your SATs are good and your ACT is even better, though I think it's a good idea to retake whichever test you feel you can improve on most. W & M loves high scores from out-of-state applicants.

I think the CC Top Universities category corresponds with the USNWR top 25 ranked universities (each Ivy has its own board, as you know). W & M is usually ranked right around 30.

untie_the_cows · 03-30-2005, 08:19 AM

Your stats seem awesome. At least, you certainly beat me in many areas and I got accepted, so I think you'll have no problem (and I'm an out of state female). But just so you know- I think my optional submission is what got me accepted, so start thinking of something creative! Don't do a collage like everyone else.

wmrocks · 03-30-2005, 12:14 PM

You should def. apply. W&M is such an amazing school...it feels like a private school. Last semester my writing class only had 5 students in it and I have not had a T.A. yet. I know all of my professors very well and I have even eaten lunch in their offices already. Don't let the ranking of W&M bother you...its number 30, but what is the difference between 30 and 25?!?! I don't like the whole USNews ranking thing, but that's just my opinion. W&M is known nationally for attracting the best and the brightest. It has a great reputation for a public school price. The school is building new dorms and expandin the gym, by the time you come W&M will look amazing.

fut18000 · 03-30-2005, 04:29 PM

untie_the_cows...are you an URM as well.
You guys seem extremely excited about W&M, much more so than people on other boards *cough*UVA*cough*. I'm really excited about my visit next week!!! Does anyone have any suggestions of classes I visit. Preferably in the humanities or social sciences dept...thanks!

untie_the_cows · 03-30-2005, 04:48 PM

nope, I'm just an average white girl from Texas. I'm glad you're visiting, that will give you the best idea if the school is right for you. I took classes there this summer but they were math and science but I liked my teachers a lot...I had Dr. Broadwater (biology), Dr. Griffin (neuroscience), and Dr. Johnson (math). Enjoy your visit, and good luck next year!

soccerguy315 · 03-31-2005, 12:16 AM

The International Studies / Poli Sci is a strong area at W&M. I will be an international relations major myself.

The model UN team is the defending world champions (2004). They are actually defending their title currently. They beat some weird schools that you might have heard of like UPenn, MIT, Oxford and Columbia. =P They also won in 2000.

As for classes to visit, I would recommend emailing a professor in a department that you are interested in... for starters

Micro Econ meets MWF 11-12 in Washington 201.
Psych meets T and Th from 11-3:30 (11-12:20 (social), 12:30-1:50 (natural), 2-3:30 (social)) in Millington 150.

Both of these classes you could just walk into and sit down as they are large lectures. Again, I recommend emailing someone in the department, or if you want to contact me on AIM (same name as here, or email: kdbarrATwm.edu (replace "AT" with "@") with a specific class in mind, I could try to help you find where and when that class meets.

As for music, we have acapella groups galore, as well as choirs. I am in the concert band and jazz ensemble here, and enjoy it a lot.

wmrocks · 03-31-2005, 03:10 AM

Untie_the_cows...I had Prof Johnson last semester...omg she was the best teacher ever! I loved her and her class...she made me wanna major in math! were you in the STAR program this summer?

untie_the_cows · 03-31-2005, 08:45 AM

I did the chancellor academy...but I had Dr. Charles Johnson, her husband, who is just the nicest man ever!

fut18000 · 04-10-2005, 05:35 PM

So I visited the school and I absolutely loved it!!!! I have to go but I'll write more later.

wmrocks · 04-10-2005, 10:52 PM

i'm glad you liked it