Checking back in to share that my son is excited to have been selected as one of 35 who will be considered in the next round for the W & M 1693 Scholars program. He has to do an interview with two graduates of the program, and then he will need to do an 8 minute virtual presentation to a faculty panel, followed by 10 minutes of Q & A. Those tests will determine the next cut (down to 15). The 15 finalists will be brought to campus, where maybe there will be in-person interviews? Then around 9 students will be chosen. Seems a little like Survivor!
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It is kinda crazy such a process exists, but it is great he has gotten so far already!
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Congrats.
I’m just looking at the title - Bowdoin or Carleton for ED and reading through the first few posts.
Not sure if he ED’d anywhere? And if so got in or not. I assume not, or you wouldn’t still be continuing with W&M.
But look at how things turn. That’s why I hate ED - things change quickly and this can be a hugely wonderful opportunity for him.
Congrats.
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Thanks! Yes, this has been a twisty-turny process for sure. He initially was leaning toward EDing to Bowdoin. I really thought Carleton would be a better fit for him. Then he fell in love with Brown, ED’d there, and was deferred. With EA, ED, and RD, he ended up applying to a ton of schools (maybe 18? Too many! Including Bowdoin and Carleton but also some Ivies an ivy-ish places). He kind of got swept up into the prestige thing (which is not my thing). William & Mary is not his top choice, but it seems to be such a great place, with an academic and friendly culture. We’ll see what happens. He’s already gotten in, and with nice merit, to St. Olaf, Macalester, Oberlin, and Rochester. Also got into Pitt, but no indication yet about merit there. I’ve been grateful for this forum. Everyone’s been so generous with support and encouragement.
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It really does seem to be a bit over the top. But I’m glad he decided to give it a shot, if only for the experience of putting himself out there. And it could be good practice for future competitive challenges.
I think W&M is as well respected by most everybody as any school in the country. It doesn’t show up in the top ranked but when you mention it, people act like it’s Harvard. It’s smaller - so no longer stands with the UNCs, UVAs, UM, UCs - but in the old days it did. It just no longer has the press.
But frankly and it’s your money, a 1693 turned down vs. a Brown full pay, etc - no brainer.
The W&M name is known and respected by - really everyone.
I think it punches, perception wise by society, well above what US News says…to the point of Ivy or near Ivy level.
A UNC might be higher ranked - but I think if you put the two names out there, more “respect” would be given to W&M…..that sort of thing.
Just my opinion. I definitely wouldn’t dismiss the school based on prestige - because it’s got it in spades….far better known than a Mac, Rochster, Oberlin or St. Olaf and if not on par, very close to an Ivy.
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Absolutely. Never bad to get some experience with high-stakes interviews and such.
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Interestingly, I have gathered W&M might be seen a little differently out of state than in-state. OOS, the circles I mostly spend time in, W&M is seen as a great option for academicky kids looking for a smaller, more undergraduate-focused university than, say, UVA. So, “If you like colleges like Brown, you should also look at W&M,” is the exact sort of thing people say in those circles. And we joke about how everyone gets an automatic merit scholarship at W&M (the “joke” being that even at full pay OOS, it costs less than comparable full pay privates).
To the extent some kids in my circles might prefer, say Wake Forest, it could be because W&M might be a little TOO academicky for some kids. Not that Wake is not also good academically, but it has more of a preppy/jocky/pre-professional sort of reputation, whereas W&M has more of a nerdy/quirky/academicky reputation. And in fact UVA has a more similar branding to Wake than W&M in my circles.
Of course in the end, all these schools can be whatever a kid really needs them to be. But I feel like at least outside of region, W&M has a fairly unusual branding for a public, enough to put itself on lists for kids who are looking for a certain specific type of college vibe.
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I definitely have College Confidential to thank for bringing William & Mary more onto my radar. I knew the name but not much about it–other than the Jefferson/Colonial Williamsburg connection. I think my son would be happy and challenged there. Yes, nice that even OOS tuition is less than many private colleges. If by some chance my son were selected for the 1693, we would pay the difference between OOS tuition and in-state tuition. For Virginia residents it’s a full ride, but not for OOS. Still, an amazing bargain.
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I have been following along with this thread because your child sounds similar to my current junior. I am curious if your son receive the 1693 scholarship for WM and has he made his final decision on where to attend?
Hi! I apologize for dropping off the map. My son has asked that I stop posting about him in CC forums. I will share that he ended up with numerous great options. He was asked to attend the 1693 scholarship finalists’ weekend at W&M and was about to do so, but then he got an acceptance that he was over the moon about, and so he decided to take himself out of the running for the 1693. Wishing the very best to your son and to all the juniors heading into the application season. Many thanks to all in this forum for their input, encouragement, and guidance. I’m happy to communicate through DM if anyone wants to reach out with things I might be able to help with.
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Congratulations to the moon and back!
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Thank you for checking in and sharing the great news! Congratulations to your son!
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