College of William & Mary offers unique historical setting

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Tarna Zander-Velloso

The Crim Dell Bridge, one of the most scenic spots on the William & Mary campus.

The College of William & Mary in Williamsburg, Virginia, was the last college I visited this Thanksgiving Break. The historical, intellectual, quaint city that it is located in holds a special charm, especially for lovers of American history. The natural beauty of the little town with Colonial Williamsburg nearby sets this college, the second oldest in the nation, apart from all others.

Why should you attend the College of William & Mary?

  • Borderline small/medium-sized university with about 6000 undergraduates
  • Suburban setting in historic downtown Williamsburg, VA
  • Busch Gardens theme park located about ten minutes from campus
  • Phi Beta Kappa fraternity, the nation’s first academic Greek society
  • Many unique traditions, such as the ringing of the Wren bell by graduating seniors in the Sir Christopher Wren Building, the oldest college building in the nation
  • Known as a “Public Ivy,” one of only eight in the nation
  • Best Undergraduate Business Program for Marketing and second best Undergraduate Business Program for Sustainability , according to Bloomberg BusinessWeek 2013
  • Ranked third for undergraduate teaching, according to 2014 News & World Report
  • Undergraduate education rooted in the Arts & Sciences with the opportunity for majors in the School of Business and School of Education
  • Interdisciplinary majors and the chance to design your own major
  • Over 45 percent of undergraduates study abroad in their W&M career
  • St Andrews William & Mary Joint Degree Programme

Why should you not attend the College of William & Mary?

  • Since W&M is a public university, the tuition for out-of-state students is more than triple the tuition for in-state students per semester: $16408 versus $5214
  • The overall cost for out-of-state students is also significantly higher per semester: $25788 versus $14165
  • If you are a sports fanatic, W&M may not be the ideal university for you; my tour guide said that if one aspect of the W&M experience could be improved, it would be the student body’s support of the athletic teams

I was incredibly excited to visit W&M as I recalled my nine-year-old birthday celebration at Colonial Williamsburg. I still attest that W&M’s location is perfect for the history buff; one can work part-time at Colonial Williamsburg, stroll the campus that presidents Thomas Jefferson, John Tyler and James Monroe walked and live in one of the nation’s most historic colleges and small towns. For adventure seekers and roller coaster enthusiasts, Busch Gardens theme park is located a mere ten minutes away, allowing for weekly trips. Even though the  price for out-of-state students is glaring, I’d recommend a visit if you happen to pass through the area. The beauty of the area will be well worth it.