College of William and Mary Top Questions

The size of the school is good. You can always meet someone new, but you see the same faces around quite often. People are usually impressed when they hear you go to W&M. Williamsburg is for tourism and retirement. The city is building a lot of new commercial areas, which will definitely improve the quality of student life in about 1 year. New Town's movie theater and bevy of restaurants saved us from a few hit-but-mostly-miss dining center meals. The administration is a mess. The most loved figure is retiring, and we have no president.

William & Mary's a solid school that's a great alternative to some of the other popular public schools in Virginia-- the University of Virginia, Virginia Tech, etc. Here in Williamsburg, tourists and retirees collide with us students to provide a college life truly unique to William & Mary. It's basically a pretty average place you can't go wrong with. Into English or History? You've got it made here. Computer Science or Biology? Come on by. Sports, music, drama, art? Good choice as well. Even though no particular program or activity really stands out here, you can rest assured that you'll get a good education in whatever interests you. In the center of Ancient Campus lies the famed Christopher Wren building, one of the landmarks here on the College grounds. In a way, it's a symbol of William & Mary's reverence for tradition, history, and prestige. One glimpse at the Wren and you know the William & Mary student is solemn, diligent, and wise. But just a few yards away lies a swamp, a smelly drainage pond that's not all too pleasant to bypass. And this is a metaphor for the College, as well-- if there's one criticism about the William & Mary campus and student body, it's that it's stagnant. People can be slow moving and slow to change. If you're interested in starting a fire here, you'd better provide the spark.

The best thing about William and Mary are the people. You will never find a group of students who are more caring and interested in the people around them. Not too mention, the campus is gorgeous, and the weather is amazing! I would change the fact that there isn't much of a college town at all. Sure, colonial williamsburg is a unique place to go to shop around, but let's face it, going into a tourist trap is not really the idea of a student's night out of "fun". Biggest recent controversy? Nichol, anyone? And yes, there is a lot of "Tribe pride" at William and Mary, although it doesn't necessarily have to do with sports all of the time.

William and Mary is a small public school, mostly for undergraduates, which is remarkable by itself. Most students like the small-school atmosphere, especially when it comes to class size. The college shares the town of Williamsburg with a thriving tourist industry- there's almost no "college town" to speak of. There are many tourist establishments that cater to students as well, but the main attractions for students within walking distance consist of three (3) bars, one gas-station style 24 hour convenience store, and a myriad of overpriced restaurants. Many students also feel that the police in Williamsburg are very anti-student.

The best thing about W&M is the people you meet there. No matter who you were in high school, the popular kids, the jocks, the nerds, you'll find people there just like you. Even though that's true, you'll also meet people you have never come in contact with before. Whether it's living next to a student from Hong Kong, or living down the hall from somebody who leads protests against everything, you can also meet new people. The school is large enough that you can avoid som epeople you don't like, but small enough that you can be involved.

William and Mary is the perfect size school. Campus isn't too large so you can walk everywhere and it's absolutely gorgeous so there's no qualms about it. It's nice that the campus backs right up to Colonial Williamsburg, it's a nice little break from the college world. There isn't much to do around town so if you're looking for excitement, you have to drive to Va Beach or something which requires a car (cars seem to be few and far between since there's no parking --- anywhere.)

The number one reason why white people like not having a TV is so that they can tell you that they don’t have a TV. On those lonely nights when white people wish they could be watching American Idol, Lost, or Grey’s Anatomy, they comfort themselves by thinking of how when people talk about the show tomorrow they can say “I didn’t see it, I don’t have a TV. That stuff rots your brain.” It is effective in making other white people feel bad, and making themselves feel good about their life and life choices. Though these people often fill their time by talking with other friends who don’t watch TV about how they don’t watch TV, looking at leaves, cooking, reading books about left wing politics, and going to concerts/protests/poetry slams. Generally this makes them very boring and gives you very little to talk to them about. It’s important that you NEVER suggest they are making a mistake or that there is a value to owning a TV. You should just try to steer the conversation to allow them to talk about how they are better than you.

Most people outside of Virginia/DC wont know how prestigious W&M is, that is the biggest downfall. Plus, we need the feather back on our logo.

Williamsburg is pretty much a tourist town, which is nice because we have every restaurant imaginable, but sucks during tourist season. Also, everything besides Wawa closes around 9 pm. But Wawa is our one saving grace and the best place to hang out at 3 am on a Saturday.

Overall a really cool place

There is a ton of pride here. The recent resignation of President Nichol serves as a perfect example of how united we are and the way that we band together we need to. Tribe Pride is alive and well! Best Thing - the professors and all of the amazing people you meet here. When you really take the time to get to know your teachers and peers, they really are some of the most amazing people in the world! Worst Thing - parking on campus (and the fines are huge)... but at the same time, this is Williamsburg and we like to keep it small and historic, so there really isn't much choice. Just make sure that if you are going to have a car that you follow all of the rules.

This place is pretty depressing. Adjustment can be extremely difficult. Sticking it out can also be really rewarding though.

I think one of the best things about the campus is that people are not afraid, and are in fact encouraged, to state their opinions. With the recent drama surrounding President Nichol and the Sex Workers' Art Show, you can see it more than ever. Beyond that, there's always opinion columns in The Flat Hat written by students and professors. When I tell people I go to William and Mary they usually say "good job" or they look excited and tell me they know someone, cousin, friend, whoever, who went there who I should talk to. Honestly, with my schedule this semester, I spend a lot of time in class. And when it's cold, its rare to see people outside in huge numbers. I usually hang out at the rec center, in my dorm, or sometimes in Swem. But when the weather's nice I like to hang out on Sunken Gardens or in this one tree behind Wren. Before the tourists come its also nice to cruise around Colonial Williamsburg. In terms of having a college town William and Mary is somewhat lacking. We do have New Town and the outlets and CW before the tourists come, but nothing that exciting. There are some good restaurants though. I always hear good things about Nawab and Mongo's is really good for all you can eat Asian food.

Among academic circles, W&M is a big deal, but not many other people have really heard of it. I love it here because it's small enough that you can feel the sense of community but big enough that you meet someone new every day. We're a really active campus- everyone is in a few clubs/has a job/internship. There is tons of school pride, but the people that hate it transfer immediately.

The best thing about W&M is the community. It is a small community that seems tight enough that you can get to the people around you pretty well (if you want to). I would like to seem more diversity and or Gene Nichol back as President of THE COLLEGE. It's just right for me but others may think differently. They react like this, " OOOOO Smart kid. What are you doing after college?" I spend the majority of my time in dorm rooms, mine, gf's, or a friends, next would be the gym. College town or "what college town" is a difficult question. Williamsburg, james city area is a lot bigger than people think and it isnt just colonial williamsburg, which we happen to be located next to. Saying that the area is growing and growing.... but there isn't much to do here right next to college but things are becoming available if you can drive 4-6 minutes away. I love Gene Nichol. Interim Pres. Reverly I have no problem with. Rector Michael Powell sucks a big one just look him up ass the pres of the FCC. Other administration are pretty awesome. President Nichol not being renewed and that was a travesty. Not really a lot but people didnt turn out more for the bball games this year (it would help if our football and bball teams won more). I would say people are prideful of w&M but maybe not so much about sports teams. The townies that lurk on campus and are at frat parties some how, start trouble, and sometimes steal the college girls from us. A candle ligh vigil/silent protest of the BOV in support of Pres. Nichol. I will never forget that night and what it meant to the students, faculty, and pres. nichol and wife. There isn't anything to do other than the frats and the delis right next to campus that people can walk to or oroororororororo THEEEEE WORST PROBLEMMMM HAS to be PARKING!!! THERE ISN'T ANY DAMN RESIDENTIAL PARKING, even after they built a PARKING GARAGE!!!!! sorry for that rant.

Some people are surprised to hear how much prestige W&M has and other are surprised to learn how (financially) accessible it is for its level of prestige. It has both. I have family, friends, and a fiance in Newport News so I tend to go there on weekends and can't really say much about the weekend life. During the week I'm busy with physics work (not typical of all majors). I do hear good things about the college town, but I don't know if W&M would be the place to go if it was your priority. The college has gotten a lot of mixed press as of late. President Nichol removed the Wren Cross and put it in a box. In my opinion here was doing nothing more than restoring it to it traditional Anglican Church architectural theme and responding to complaints of minority religions for the sake of the college. Conservative alumni assumed he was anti-Christian and the BoV failed to renew his contract. His legacy of expanding diversity, financial aid, and undergraduate research remains and for all the hooplah the college remains mostly the same.

William & Mary is the perfect size, in that you'll see a ton of familiar faces every day, but there is always opportunity to branch out and get to know even more people. However, Williamsburg is not exactly college-friendly. There are three "delis" (our bars), Colonial Williamsburg, and not much else, it seems like from time to time. My freshman year, there wasn't even a mainstream movie theater! Now that Newtown has been built up, it's nice to be able to go to the restaurants, shops, and the movie theater there - Newtown is a bit out of the way, so having a car is much more convenient than trying to walk there or take the bus. William & Mary definitely does carry a lot of name value - people instantly recognize you as being a student of academic merit. Adults will almost always say, "Oh, your parents must be so proud of you!" when you say that you go here. W&M's reputation as a "public Ivy" is well known. This campus has met a lot of controversy recently... we made national headlines when President Nichol removed the Wren Cross from the Wren Chapel, a move that a lot of students agreed with and that a lot of alums and a number of students disagreed with. An alum very publicly revoked a $12 million pledge. We made headlines again over the Sex Workers Art Show, which has toured at several other schools, and once more when President Nichol resigned upon learning that his contract was to be terminated. As a result, there has been a lot of tension between the student body (and the faculty) and the Board of Visitors. One complaint that I hear consistently is how professors assign unrealistic amounts of homework. Most of them do recognize this problem, yet tend to go overboard anyways.

William & Mary and W&M students have always impressed others and always will. Everything here is "just right." I love the size--not too big that you are just a number, not too small that you get sick of seeing the same people all of the time. There is always something to do at W&M whether it's midnight adventures in Colonial Williamsburg, a dance party at the frats, or going to a rally for rights you believe in. Our latest controversy involving the resignation of President Gene Nichol shook our campus pretty hard and brought out the activist in all of us. We spent days rallying and having teach-ins about student rights and the future of our college. Instead of wining about how unfair it was we petitioned to get our Board of Visitors to come to campus and explain themselves. The difference between W&M and other schools: when our president is forced to resign--our campus mobilizes to defend not only our rights but all other public universities rights as well.

The best and most unique thing about W&M is the student body. The size allows you to be able to say hi to friends in passing on a regular basis, but still have plenty of opportunities to meet new people. Along the same lines, the students here are very intelligent, accepting, and congenial. Getting in to William and Mary is pretty hard, and everyone here knows that. So, once you're in, it's a very welcoming and tight community. Students respect each other, and are consistently friendly and helpful.

The people are the best thing- everyone is really nice and is involved on campus which I love. If I could change one thing it would be more convenient parking spaces- it's a pain to go park it in the Hall or have to move it every 2 hours on the street. I think the school has just the right amount of people. Class sizes are great and the teachers are very approachable and want you to do well. Most people I tell think that I go to a pseudo-ivy and that it's a private school. I spend the most time on campus in my dorm room. I would rather do work there than go to the library- although it's a great facility with really comfy chairs haha. We do finally have a "college town"- Newtown which has billiards, shopping, movie theatre, food- very nice. Biggest controversy recently was our President's contract not being renewed. I think there is a lot of school pride- but we aren't really known for athletics and not everyone goes to sporting events. One experience I will always remember was getting to eat lunch with the President earlier this semester- that's the kind of faculty we have - they want to get to know us and W&M is definately a great community of people.