<p>My only real contribution to this debate is: W&M and UVA are both fine schools, and no one could go wrong attending either one. But W&M is unique among the top publics in that it is much smaller than any other public school in the top 20 in rankings. It has much more of a LAC feel to it. Does that make it better? I guess it depends on what you are looking for in a school.</p>