UVA vs UNC vs W&M

FLVADAD
Sat, 30 Apr 2011 16:15:52 +0000

I don’t think the OP asked us to compare UVa and UNC sports.





but what are the overall strengths and weaknesses of these colleges?



I’d say the question was broad enough to include sports and just about any other topic of comparison. That said, if there are some specific areas interest let us know and perhaps others can comment on those.

As some have alluded UVA and UNC have a lot of similarities. However, UVA is a distinctly more historical environment with related traditions and lore. And both W&M and UVA feel more like private institutions than UNC IMO. W&M, perhaps due to its size and the type of students it attracts, feels like the most “intellectual” environment of the three.

In short I’d say:

W&M = most intellectual/quirky environment, a college, not a university, historical, not much of a college town, have had some serious financial challenges in recent years.

UNC = identifies strongly with sports, great college town, excellent graduate programs, only about 15% out of state population, recent construction projects/improvements look great.

UVA = most balanced between all areas, great college town, historical, excellent graduate/professional schools, about 30% out of state population, recent campus development projects/improvements look great, comparatively large endowment, big on student self governance.

All three = beautiful campus, great academic opportunities, highly regarded