Enrollment: 5850
Regular Application Deadline: 01/01
Student Faculty Ratio: 11:1

Average Freshman Total Need-Based Gift Aid: $13,088.00

Top 10 Best Value Public Colleges
Best College Library
Happiest Students
Professors Get High Marks

Students Say - Academics
The College of William & Mary is "the second oldest school in the country," and it has an honor code "that was started by Thomas Jefferson." "Registration can be a lesson in disappointment" but the administration "is very in touch with the student body" and "openly asks for and is responsive to criticism." The faculty is generally tremendous. "Professors are better than I could have imagined," reflects a geology major. "They are the best teachers I have ever had. They are passionate about what they teach." "I am in classes that range from a large lecture of 300 people to a small seminar of 15," adds a first-year student. "I find that all of the teachers teach in the exact same manner, so it seems like all of my classes are in an intimate setting." "Professors are always available outside of class" as well. Be warned, though, that "the academic scene is definitely intense" at W&M. "The amount of work is often unbearable." "You're not going to get a 4.0," cautions an international relations major. "It's absolutely unheard of." Instead, professor "will give you a 'B-,' smiling." "This school is incredibly challenging," concludes a public policy major, "but at the end of the semester, when you reflect back on just how much you've learned, you realize that the sleepless nights of study and stressful weekends spent cramming instead of relaxing were worth it."

Students Say - Campus Life
William & Mary is "small enough where you don't feel like you're swallowed up into a crowd of 30,000 people, but it's also large enough to allow you some anonymity." Food is "greasy and not very good," and parking is really bad, but "the sheer number and variety of organizations is a huge strength." "Most students juggle numerous activities in addition to their school work." "I write for the newspaper, sing, and volunteer with a food kitchen," illustrates a sophomore. "That's pretty representative of the student body." "Fun at William & Mary is not completely orthodox." "A capella groups are more popular on campus than sports teams." "Big traditions" include a campus-wide convocation ceremony in the fall; Yule Log in December, when the school president reads The Grinch Who Stole Christmas; and the well-attended King & Queens Ball in the spring. W&M "can be draconian toward drinking" but there's "a pretty decent nightlife." "If you want to drink, you won't have a problem finding alcohol and, if you don't drink, the parties are still social and lively, without any pressure." "The Greek scene is visible, but is not huge." Fraternities have dance parties every weekend,"and no one is turned away." "Off-campus parties are popular, but they get busted a lot." Students also hang out a lot at a few nearby delis. They're "pretty much bars, but since Williamsburg doesn't allow the title 'bars,' they call them delis." Surrounding Williamsburg is "a town full of people who are old or like to dress up as colonial people." It's "a historical haven," though, and "a pleasant detour from life's stresses" "after tourist season is over."

Students Say - Student Body
There are certainly rich kids here but William & Mary is a state school, and "a lot of people come from more modest backgrounds." Many students come from northern Virginia, "but it's not an epidemic." Students tell us that ethnic diversity could improve. "Minorities feel outnumbered," they say. "Dumb people stand out," too. This is a pretty "intelligent and well read" crowd. "It's not unheard of to get into a theoretical discussion of politics or history or literature while drunk at a party." "The typical student is dorky and slightly awkward but nonetheless very friendly," though there are "never-come-out-of-the-library people" and a few "complete social rejects." On the whole, students at W&M are "crazy perfectionists" who are "involved in different things." They're "eclectic and quirky." "They're warm and welcoming." "Everyone at William and Mary is in touch with their inner nerd and happy with it." "It's mainly people being themselves, unabashed and proud." "That guy who sits next to you in your 300-level science class is a starting linebacker on the football team."

Duke University
Georgetown University

More at PrincetonReview.com