<p>Certainly a topic of great controversy each year. We certainly understand that all students not admitted to W&M feel some frustration. That frustration is likely heightened among qualified VA applicants and students who are legacies. W&M is very proud of its role as a public university in Virginia and appreciates the qualities (both academic and personal) provided by all if its students. Out-of-state students contribute a lot to W&M in terms of academic merit, geographic diversity, and talent. Yes they also help support the College via tuition dollars but what they contribute as a whole is so much more than that (the same goes for the Virginia students as well). It is the combination of in-state and out-of-state students and the talent that they bring to our campus that makes W&M the smart, dynamic, global campus that it is.</p>
<p>Virginians have one of the best public higher education systems in the country which is both a blessing and a curse. A blessing in that there are several top-notch public colleges and universities to which qualified residents can apply and if admitted, can benefit from fantastic in-state tuition privileges. Also a blessing in that there are 15 public colleges and universities in VA. A curse in that some of these top-notch schools are highly selective and Virginians have no guarantee of admission into them.</p>