Ahh… the challenges of growth!
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Surely you can figure this out on your own. The schools are very similar, but in my opinion, W&L is a hair better in most areas. A bit higher endowment per student, which means more resources (though certainly Richmond’s endowment per student is excellent). W&L has recently joined the handful of schools that are need blind for both domestic and international students, etc.
If I have to convince you that W&L is great, you probably shouldn’t go there, seriously. It’s a great school, but if it is not great for you then don’t go! If it is great for you, you wouldn’t need convincing – you would already see that on your own.
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Thank you for the feedback, and please don’t get me wrong, I also think W&L is an incredible school! The professors are some of the nicest I have ever met, and it truly seems like a school, where, if you desire something, and have passion, they will make it happen. I honestly more so just never thought I would be in a scenario of weighing two full ride offers, and it still is a little surreal.
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Perhaps it would help you to look into the approach each “business” school takes with its curriculum. Which is more interesting to you?
W&L has the Williams School of Commerce, Economics and Politics and stresses an interdisciplinary approach with a foundational liberal arts tradition. (Note it is intentionally not named a “business school”, although it is sometimes referred that way casually.) In addition to typical business school majors/minors, Williams is a key component in interdisciplinary programs such as environmental studies, women’s studies, poverty and human capability studies, etc. My premed chem major’s minor is in Poverty and Human Capability Studies as noted upthread, and she enjoyed her classes in Williams. The professors are very supportive of the interdisciplinary approach; for example, her econ professor allowed her to tailor her class curriculum to focus on her interests and projects for her minor.
U Richmond has the Robins School of Business. I cannot speak to it since I do not have the connections I do at W&L; however, from the website it appears to have a more typical business school experience. And there is absolutely nothing wrong with that. That approach may be a huge positive for many students.
Only you can answer which is more appealing to you. Only you can answer which campus feels more at home. Luckily for you there is really no wrong answer. Congratulations!
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All of these schools are in the top 5% of 4 year colleges (~2800 4 year colleges.) I know people typically mean HYPMS+ when talking about ‘prestige’, but top 5%…still great. Outcomes will be similar at the schools you are choosing between.
So…choose the school where you think you would fit best, socially and academically. FWIW and IMO…Richmond is relatively more pre-professional (even though there are plenty of biz students at W&L) and more clique-y than W&L. Greek Life at W&L is much more inclusive, less so at Richmond. You will have to live at each of these places for 4 years, where do you see yourself fitting in best and thriving?
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Thank you, and that is an interesting point, since I am intrigued in combining Economic policy and environmental science (mainly for a focus on current ongoing climate and Arctic policy), so it is great to see that W&L encourages study between various fields!
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The ability to take classes at the Law School may be of interest as well.
If these things are appealing to you at W&L, you can ask about the opportunites to do the same at Richmond. Depending on the answers that may make your choice easier… or that much more difficult! lol
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U.S. News uses a similar description for its “Most Innovative Schools” ranking, in which the University of Richmond placed 13th in its category:
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Committed to Washington and Lee! Thank you for all the support and guidance!
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