I am deciding between UVA, William and Mary, College of the Holy Cross, and Washington and Lee. Right now money is not a factor and I am planning on majoring in Political Science/International Relations. Each school has something great to offer, and I am having difficulty choosing. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
It might come down to your personal preference – small LAC vs small university vs large university. Or large Greek influence vs small or none. I am familiar with the 3 Virginia schools and consider them equally excellent in your major. There may be some small program/curriculum differences that attract you to one over the others, but that is your preference. All have great alumni networks. Have you visited each school? Been to Admitted Student programs? Which feels right for you?
dscottvb makes good points. This should come down to preferences. UVA is considerably larger, W&M midsized, and W&L and Holy Cross smaller. Two are private and two are public. UVA, W&M, and W&L are on a similar level. W&L and W&M will probably offer a bit more focus on undergrad teaching and professor interactions than UVA. Given proximity to DC, all offer pretty strong options in Political Science/International Relations.
I think Holy Cross might be slightly below the other three in perception, but if you are looking for a change of scenery or the type of environment a Jesuit school offers, it would certainly be worth it. Holy Cross is known for having a tight knit community and strong alumni support. It could be a great option if it is a fit.
Just as an update, albeit a few months late, I ended up choosing W&L. I loved the atmosphere when I visited and prioritized their Honor System and Greek influence during my decision making - two factors I originally did not consider much. Thank you all for your help and opinions.
Congratulations, W&L is a great choice!