<p>lastof3,</p>
<p>D just went through what appears to be the same decision your S3 is going through. D has a gregarious personality, is school and community leader, and an athlete. D had similar criteria for choosing as school (school spirit, athletics, the “whole college experience”) and similar concerns (grade deflation, GPA for grad school, “to have a fun”). We visited both campus, during Hokie Focus for Tech and Day for Admitted Students for W&M. </p>
<p>VT: Our only D loved the campus, the Hokie spirit, students were very friendly and outgoing, West End Market has great food, Lane stadium is impressive. However, D is also considering business but is mostly interested in psychology. Since D is not sure what she wants to study, D applied to University Studies to “buy” some time before declaring a major. During Hokie focus we learned that Tech’s business major is restricted, meaning D would have to compete for one of the few spots available after the freshman year. D felt pressured and went to the Registrar’s desk to change her major to business just “to be safe”. No problem, change accepted. D later takes a closer look at Tech’s business curriculum and realized she would have to take business classes from day 1, which is quite a commitment for something D is not quite sure she wants. Mixed feelings about VTEch sink in. </p>
<p>W&M: D best friend (much more extroverted than D) is a freshman at W&M. BF had a tough first semester but she is doing excellent now!. D listened to BF’s “agonies and miseries” for an entire semester, so D became “scared” of W&M (quote: “I feel like W&M will be like IB on massive amounts of steroids”). D went to W&M’s King and Queen Ball with BF last Friday, met current W&M students, and had a great time. D learns that at W&M she does not have to declare a major until junior year, which gives her time to “figure things out”. W&M curriculum allows student to explore areas of interest while fulfilling the pre-requisites for both psychology and business. Although applying to the Mason School of Business is also competitive, the process is based on merit not on limited space availability. W&M has a strong study abroad program which is at the top of my daughter’s list. Finally, in trying to squeeze too many activities during the Day for Admitted Students we missed the Psychology Department presentation. When we got to the room the professor giving the presentation was still there answering questions from other admitted students. When everybody was gone she did not hesitate to go over the presentation again for D and another admitted student, just the two of them. D got a very warm feeling and realized that W&M school spirit shows in unconventional ways. </p>
<p>At the end, D realized W&M is a much better fit for her. D plans to create the “whole college experience” by proudly wearing W&M apparel, support W&M athletics, participate in community service and maybe, just maybe, join greek life. Good Luck!!</p>
<p>PS: Sorry for the long reply! :-)</p>