The College of William and Mary is an academically rigorous public university.in Williamsburg, Virginia. It has the feel of a small liberal arts college with all the benefits that come with that, but the student population of 6800 undergraduates and 2800 graduate students places it firmly in the category of a mid-sized institution. The campus is gorgeous with many historical buildings still in use including the Wren building, which is the oldest academic building in use in US. There is more history and tradition at William and Mary than I can cover, but here are some nuggets: it's the second oldest college or university in the country. Thomas Jefferson and James Monroe are alumni. Phi Beta Kappa originated here. William and Mary was the first law school in the US. And William and Mary is home to the first student honor code which is still taken very seriously today, as all incoming students take this pledge upon matriculation.

Students get a free pass to Colonial Williamsburg which is literally on their doorstep, and discount passes at Busch Gardens which is 10 minutes away. Even though there really isn't that much else to do in the surrounding community, I'm not sure how many students really avail themselves of those opportunities. This is a very academically serious bunch, and as is common at many small liberal arts colleges, students find a way to let off steam and socialize on campus and at friends' apartments off-campus, as many students move off after the 2-year residency requirement.

Amazingly, 70% of students major in STEM fields. There's also a wonderful joint-degree program with St. Andrew's in Scotland. The first year is spent at William and Mary, the second year is spent at St. Andrews, and the student gets to choose where to spend the last 2 years. It's important to note, however, that this program is limited to 6 majors: English, History, International Relations, Classical Studies, Economics, and Film, and the student must apply into the program when they apply to the college senior year in high school. There's also a great Study in Washington DC program which can be done during a semester or in the summer. Classes are taught by William and Mary professors and include an internship.This program is very popular with Government and International Relations majors but is open to all. There are also grants for students to stay on campus during the summer to pursue research with professors. In fact, 80% of students do mentored research.

To be competitive for admission, don't cut corners.They expect 4 years of math including calculus, 4 years of foreign language, and 4 years of science. Interviews are optional but slots fill up fast.

Sports are Division 1, but it's not a big "game day" crowd. Arts are a big deal here (there's a brand new arts building) and those events tend to be better attended than the athletic events. There are hundreds of student organizations and Greek life still thrives here, but students who opt out do not feel like they're in the minority.

I first visited this campus decades ago when my sister was a student here. While the campus still looks very much like it did then, it's different institution. It's far more progressive and less southern, in my opinion. I think William and Mary is a wonderful option for a high academic, cerebral person. I have a wonderful former student here and while he's pursuing computer science as a major, he is also pursuing his love of philosophy inside the and classroom and chess outside of it. And I think that personifies the William and Mary student in the 21st century.