The College of William and Mary

Date: Jul 22 2002
Major: English (This Major's Salary over time)
As a high school senior, I didn't think college be any better or more fun than high school. Then I went to W&M which turned out to be the best four years of my life. I seriously contemplated purposefully failing senior year so I wouldn't have to leave! Academically it is VERY challenging…I went from getting straight A's with little work to getting B's and C's with quite a bit more work. You get used to it, though. Let's face it…you're in school with some really, really smart kids and so if you're just plain smart then you're not going to be at the top! I learned to enjoy my academic mediocrity at W&M and just be satisfied that I was learning and loving doing so. It also didn't hurt that most of the country knows W&M is a very competitive school anyway so they just think it's awesome that you went there…they don't really care about your GPA.

NOW…here is where my opinion differs greatly from the general opinion…SOCIAL LIFE AT W&M…I thought it was great!!! I made tons of GREAT friends and still keep in close contact with many of them. I personally went out at least 3-4 nights a week (possibly explaining many of my C's)at the local "delis" which are cooler than bars anyway. I was also in a sorority which did, I'm sure, partially contribute to my social life but I had many friends who were not Greek and went out just as much. Granted…there aren't a LOT of places to go out, but as long as you're with friends who really cares if it's the same place over and over? I'll never argue that W&M s a top party school…there is a good 50% of the student body that probably never ventures from their dorm rooms, but I would hate for most people to think that there weren't social opportunities for those that wish to engage in that type of activity. There are PLENTY of things to do around Williamsburg…Paul's, College, The Leafe, want to jump the Governor's Mansion wall anyone?, Sunken Gardens streak, etc.

BOTTOM LINE: W&M is full of nerds…but some of us were fun nerds!!!