Purely anecdotal, but some of the happiest HS seniors I met in real life while my S24 was applying to colleges were the kids who had applied to their favorite college EA or ED and then got admitted. They could shut down applications, didn’t have to worry about post-offer visits and such, they just enjoyed the rest of their senior year. Obviously if you don’t have a favorite or want to compare offers, this isn’t possible. But if it works out, it is clearly great.
This is distinct from some kids I encountered online who applied strategically to an ED college not necessarily their favorite and got admitted. Some started to realize it might be a real financial burden for their family. Some started to think if they got admitted to this college ED, maybe their ACTUAL favorite would admit them. And so on.
So I don’t advise ED lightly. But I don’t advise against it lightly either. You have to know yourself and what you would really feel if admitted.
I have a few comments to add here, because we had a similar situation with my oldest….
As another posted commented, W&M’s reputation in state is very different from out of state. I’m sure you are living this. At our larger NOVA public school, there is a perception that if you are going in state, the “smart” kids apply and get into UVA. The next tier down go to W&M. Tech is another beast, so I won’t bring them into it. I get the perceived pecking order of state schools and their reputations that you are dealing with. However, put it aside, because you aren’t going to college with your entire high school. You will be joined by kids from all over, and as others have said, W&M is HARD to get into from out of state. Its reputation is really great, all around the country.
I also totally understand your hesitancy to jump into an ED for a school where you are almost guaranteed to get in. You are probably wondering why you busted your butt for four years, taking the highest APs you could, while doing a zillion ECs and studying for the SAT. Did you have to do all of this if you were going to choose W&M from the start? I have four kids, and two of them have done this same soul searching. I just want to acknowledge your perspective. It’s a real feeling, and I totally understand it. I would have you look at it from another perspective, though….all that work made your dream school totally attainable. If you didn’t do as much, W&M would be a high reach. And you may not get in. In addition, while your stats do line up with other schools that are ranked higher, those schools are much more competitive, and just having the stats does not mean you’ll get in. I want you to hear that. Higher ranked schools have single digit acceptance rates. They have many, many more kids applying, and most of them have your amazing stats. So, it’s harder to stand out. Much harder.
I say, kudos to you for doing the hard work and making, what seems like your dream school, totally attainable. You did a great job! It’s up to you to now decide if thats where you want to be in the fall or not. Try and push away the noise of everything in between now and then. Where do you want to be living next fall? That should help answer your question. Good luck to you!
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Definitely feeling that “smart kids go to UVA” pressure in my NoVA public school district as well— I honestly don’t get the hype, but maybe that’s just me. When I visited, it felt… underwhelming and a little snobby, but also rather sterile, sports-focused, and unfriendly. Color me confused haha…
Also, thank you for the second point— really relevant. It’s easy to feel like the work I’ve put in has more or less been overkill for my actual goals, and burnt me out to boot. I’ve officially sent in my ED app to W&M. Thank you all for the advice— if you have any more to share, I’d be happy to hear further opinions.
I’ll say this - no one in life will care if you went to UVA or W&M - or a host of other schools.
It’s your life - and you’ll do great because you are great. W&M is smaller than your typical flagship, of course, and it’s not in the big athletic conference like UVA.
Forget US News, I think W&M is thought of as the equivalent of the top tier of schools in the country.
It’s always been that way.
But your success will be bred on you - not W&M or Wesleyan, UVA or Vanderbilt, etc. Or even if you went to CNU or JMU.
You will drive your future.
So choose where you want to be, not where you think others want you to be. If it’s W&M, that’s awesome - if it’s truly in your heart, that’s what you should do - whether ED ) or otherwise (the otherwise just prolongs your decision making process). Looks like you did do the ED so congrats. No one can say for sure but I suspect you’ll be able to stop thinking about the where in the not too distant future.
Purely anecdotal, but my S24 (from Western PA) visited both UVA and W&M, and only applied to W&M. He was fortunate enough to get the “postcard” (their version of a likely letter), and it was a huge relief that immediately knocked out several other colleges on his list.
He did ultimately go a different direction, but my point is that thing about people not from Virginia potentially having no specific UVA v. W&M ranking in mind is quite real. At least from an outside perspective, Virginia basically has three flagship level universities in W&M, UVA, and Virginia Tech, and the choice between them is not a matter of generic rankings but of interests and fit.
Congratulations on making your decision! W&M is a wonderful school, and it sounds like it’s a great choice for you! I would also just add that, where you decide to go to college is such a big deal when you are a senior in high school. Kids wonder where everyone is applying. There are big Instagram announcements. T-shirts are worn. Kids are celebrated. It’s a little bit of overkill IMHO. Once you graduate, though, your entire senior class is all in the same boat, buying sheets and meeting new roommates. The best you can hope for is that you chose a school where, when you walk onto campus for the first time in August/September, you feel like you belong. Best of luck to you!
As others have said this sort of pressure will go away once you get on campus in September.
Exactly!
I have been very fortunate to have met a number of very smart people in my life and my career. The reality is that they go all over the place – to a huge range of universities for a wide range of reasons. There will be very smart, very good students at W&M, and at UVA, and at a lot of other universities.
I think that you have made a great choice. Plan to stay way ahead in your homework once classes start in September. Best wishes and I expect that you will do well.
FWIW, I have Virginia relatives who swear by all three flagships and from a distance it certainly seems to boil down to fit. Of the three, VTech has risen the fastest in terms of reputation. At the same time, I can’t imagine the same person being drawn to both VTech and W&M. To me, it’s like being drawn to both Georgia Tech and Wesleyan. Sure, you’re young; you’re flexible; you would probably find a way to flourish at either place. But why second-guess your gut feeling? It’s not worth it. As for UVA? Meh. The NoVa connection is well- established. Again, it’s a bit like comparing an Ivy to a NESCAC college; some people prefer UVA’s buttoned-down, pre-professional mien (and glide-path to government jobs) to W&M’s more intellectual vibe. I went to a LAC and wound up pursuing a professional career, so I’m a little biased.
W&M alumna and current parent (and current parent to a student at another of the VA schools discussed here). I have my fingers crossed for you! W&M is a really special place.
Update: I got in! Definitely reduced stress only having to do one college app… feels strange now that it’s over, but is it ever a relief!! W&M Class of 2030, here I come~