What is William & Mary Like?

TTG
Fri, 29 Mar 2019 01:17:25 +0000

I’m not sure when it opens, but will be soon, I believe. I couldn’t find anything about it by googling right now, but saw it laid out in a presentation.

My own definition of class size would be Under 20: discussion-based seminar type class; 20-40: small lecture, probably with discussion, depending on professor; 40-80 mid-size; 80-200 large; 200+ very large.

I can’t say definitively right now, and maybe somebody will correct me, but generally speaking, at most universities, intro classes in a lot of areas will be large or very large. I don’t believe right now W&M has very many very large (my definition) classes. The large classes would be for intro economics, chem, etc. That makes sense in that it’s really important, fundamental but basic info/knowledge that’s being delivered to students. Even at LACs these classes will often have 40-80 students and still be lecture format. I say often, not always.

After first-year, intro type courses, classes will be mid-size or small or seminar classes. Some mid-size classes might be required, and maybe more than a few in some departments, but students can control a lot. Besides a few classes in their major department, they can choose whatever they want to take. And lots of classes are very small or even research based. For example, students often get credit for lab work, where they are working in a lab, sometimes with a dozen students, sometimes only the professor and a few other students.

I know a current student who is majoring in a social science department. I don’t think they’ve had more than 40 students in any of their major classes. If there is one that had more, I’m sure it was under 80. They’ve gotten lots of credit for research in a lab and have had at least 3-4 seminar style discussion classes. I don’t think they’ve had more than a 100 or so for any class at W&M, and that for intro science classes.

So it varies a lot. I think W&M compares favorably with a lot of large universities. It does offer a lot of research opportunities also, which often means academic credits working in small groups. A student could get smaller class sizes at some LACs, but fares well in general, and certainly in comparison with lots of larger universities. And you’ll control a lot.