I saw your aggressive replies to another thread about a unhappy W&M senior (the DO NOT GO TO W&M thread back in 2014). I understand your desire to defend a school you are clearly like and admire. However, there are many students that are dissatisfied with W&M, and I happen to be one of them. I am sorry I do not share your admiration, but my experiences are real and honest.
When I entered my program, the department head exclaimed, “You’re the UVA girl everyone is so excited about!” My fellow classmates did not receive the same welcome. In fact, every professor referenced my UVA background. I spoke to the Dean of Students and Ombudsman about my experiences. The were worried that the department even “misrepresented the program” by embellishing or exaggerating details and asked if I wanted to pursue that matter further. I chose to drop it because I simply wanted to leave Williamsburg and was planning on transferring anyway.
To add some context to this graduate program, I will say that it is not very highly ranked. It was one of W&M smaller programs that typically fund under 10 graduate students a year. I decided to give it a chance because I heard good things about W&M and I did receive a tuition waiver & stipend. I did plenty of research on graduate schools (but thank you very much for your concern, fallenchemist). I spoke with my adviser and program director several times over the phone before matriculating. I visited the campus and arranged to meet them in person as well. I asked current students and alumni about their perspective. I went into W&M with high hopes and optimism. I was actually hesitant about UVA for undergrad because of the party atmosphere. (I ended up loving UVA though!) I am rather shy and quiet, so I figured W&M would be a good fit for me as well.
Soccerguy, I would prefer not to get attacked in the future. I did not insult or attack you in any way. I merely shared my thoughts on suicide at W&M. I am quite disappointed in W&M’s counseling and support services for students in need, and I can imagine that being a leading issue in the prevalence of suicide. Why are you going out of your way to say “I have some issues” because I had a bad experience with a school? You did the same thing with that unhappy senior student who posted about how he/she regretted going to W&M.