William & Mary c/o 2016 Applicants (2012-2013) Forum

[Aroldis105]

Took a tour, sat in on a class, and had lunch with a 3L today. WOW. What a fantastic, amicable, and personalized presentation. The campus was also really beautiful. W&M just moved to number 1 on my list.

[Rolltide52]

ive been impressed with them throughout the admissions process too... they've sent me a lot of stuff and got back to me with an admissions decision within about two weeks. I do feel like they low balled me with the scholarship offer though... but overall their attentiveness has been impressive and it's really made me consider WM as a top contender too. Aroldis what did you think of the campus with it being from what i've heard in the middle of nowhere.

[Aroldis105]

ive been impressed with them throughout the admissions process too... they've sent me a lot of stuff and got back to me with an admissions decision within about two weeks. I do feel like they low balled me with the scholarship offer though... but overall their attentiveness has been impressive and it's really made me consider WM as a top contender too. Aroldis what did you think of the campus with it being from what i've heard in the middle of nowhere.

Williamsburg is not NYC or Miami, I don't think anyone would claim it is. However, it is also not a town that exists purely because there is a college there (i.e three bars, two shitty restaurants, and a McDonalds).

There are essentially two parts of Williamsburg. The first is "Colonial Williamsburg", this part of town is what surprised me most. I was expecting a lot of butter churning and novelty shops, that was not the case. While the architecture is colonial, the shops and restaurants are all modern and quite nice. There are local, unique dining options and places like chipotle. Overall it has what I would describe as a "Chesapeake Chic ©" vibe.

The second part of the town is municipal Williamsburg. This town is much larger and nicer than it should be because of the impact of tourism. There is a large outlet mall and a slew of various other retail and dining establishments.

If your goal is to practice law in the city where you study, then Williamsburg is probably not a good fit for you (then again, neither is Cornell, UVA, or Duke). However, if your concern is being stuck in a cornfield for the next three years (as was mine), then I would not hesitate to look at W&M. My best advice would be to take the time to take a visit. As you said, W&M has been extremely quick and cordial in their communications throughout the process and that attitude and efficiency is present on campus as well.

[Abbey]

Took a tour, sat in on a class, and had lunch with a 3L today. WOW. What a fantastic, amicable, and personalized presentation. The campus was also really beautiful. W&M just moved to number 1 on my list.

did you get a feel for the student body and atmosphere of the classroom? For example did it feel competitive?

[Aroldis105]

Everyone I spoke to was incredibly friendly. They seemed normal and diverse, nothing overly alarming or noteworthy.
The socratic method was used in the classroom, but in a very non-threatning manner. Students were chosen at random to participate, but they were not chided or embarrassed if there answers were less than satisfactory. The opinion of the students seemed to be valued and the professor facilitated and directed the discussion as opposed to dictating it. The class as a whole seemed informed and comfortable. Obviously this was only one class, but the students I spoke to said the class was representative of the other classes as well.

[kaf5250]

JW, has anyone had any success negotiating scholarships with W&M?

They increased mine by a few thousand the first time I asked !

[Abbey]

Everyone I spoke to was incredibly friendly. They seemed normal and diverse, nothing overly alarming or noteworthy.
The socratic method was used in the classroom, but in a very non-threatning manner. Students were chosen at random to participate, but they were not chided or embarrassed if there answers were less than satisfactory. The opinion of the students seemed to be valued and the professor facilitated and directed the discussion as opposed to dictating it. The class as a whole seemed informed and comfortable. Obviously this was only one class, but the students I spoke to said the class was representative of the other classes as well.

always good to hear! I will be visiting sometime in March, unfortunately cannot make it for the ASW.

[teiswei]

Withdrew acceptance and $45k! Good luck to the rest and I hope the money and acceptance can help someone.

[turn left]

Withdrew recently with 39k, best of luck to everyone.

[CJ007]

Does anyone know when W&M starts to reject people each cycle?

Sent 11/30/12
Received 12/3/12
Complete 12/6/12

My numbers are below on W&M's range - so I'm expecting to get rejected. But it would be nice to know when I can expect a decision.

[ivonmx]

Not necessarily, my numbers are both below on UIUC's range and I got admitted.

Does anyone know when W&M starts to reject people each cycle?

Sent 11/30/12
Received 12/3/12
Complete 12/6/12

My numbers are below on W&M's range - so I'm expecting to get rejected. But it would be nice to know when I can expect a decision.

[wannabelawstudent]

Does anyone know when W&M starts to reject people each cycle?

Sent 11/30/12
Received 12/3/12
Complete 12/6/12

My numbers are below on W&M's range - so I'm expecting to get rejected. But it would be nice to know when I can expect a decision.

mid-march

[changeurfeet]

My numbers are below their average. Does anyone think that a visit might persuade them to accept me instead of denying me?

[espressocream]

My numbers are below their average. Does anyone think that a visit might persuade them to accept me instead of denying me?

same boat. I'll be in the area and would be willing to make the drive.

[gatorgirl2012]

My numbers are below their average. Does anyone think that a visit might persuade them to accept me instead of denying me?

Sames!! I'm also WLed at GW and thought a road trip to VA/DC around cherry blossom time might be nice for my law school prospects, and the soul lol

There's also the issue of preemptive LOCIs. From what I've read on this forum, if you've been UR/Complete for a while at a school, a preemptive LOCI could be a power play. I'm still hesitant though lol

[Aroldis105]

I have no insights into W&M's admission process or any of y'alls chances, however, if you feel like you're headed for the WL then it may be better to wait a bit. I figure if you go now then your visit may be overshadowed or overlooked by an admissions department focused on making decisions and selling their product to admitted students. If you wait, you may be able to distinguish yourself from other potential WLers better. Of course, if you're already in the area, a visit could only help your chances. Again, I have no idea if this is prudent or stupid, just another perspective.

*Best of luck GatorGirl, we've applied to a bunch of the same schools and I like the way you conduct yourself on these forums.

[gatorgirl2012]

I have no insights into W&M's admission process or any of y'alls chances, however, if you feel like you're headed for the WL then it may be better to wait a bit. I figure if you go now then your visit may be overshadowed or overlooked by an admissions department focused on making decisions and selling their product to admitted students. If you wait, you may be able to distinguish yourself from other potential WLers better. Of course, if you're already in the area, a visit could only help your chances. Again, I have no idea if this is prudent or stupid, just another perspective.

*Best of luck GatorGirl, we've applied to a bunch of the same schools and I like the way you conduct yourself on these forums.

Lmao is this a joke?! I was just burnt at the stake on your Nova thread for merely speculating on their peculiar job stats lulz I apologize; your thread got blown out of proportion.

On a more serious note, thank you for your advice on my WL/visiting woes. If I do visit, it would be in late march--I hope I'd have a decision from W&M by then! This is all so frustrating. Sure it's a weak cycle, which is good for applying to reach schools... But these laggy responses from schools are torturous and they change application dynamics. Like other posters have said on this forum, how advantageous has applying early really been this cycle?

Again, I'm ranting... Which is evidently punishable by death on this forum haha Good luck to you as well and all the other frustrated applicants on TLS!

[Aroldis105]

I have no insights into W&M's admission process or any of y'alls chances, however, if you feel like you're headed for the WL then it may be better to wait a bit. I figure if you go now then your visit may be overshadowed or overlooked by an admissions department focused on making decisions and selling their product to admitted students. If you wait, you may be able to distinguish yourself from other potential WLers better. Of course, if you're already in the area, a visit could only help your chances. Again, I have no idea if this is prudent or stupid, just another perspective.

*Best of luck GatorGirl, we've applied to a bunch of the same schools and I like the way you conduct yourself on these forums.

Lmao is this a joke?! I was just burnt at the stake on your Nova thread for merely speculating on their peculiar job stats lulz I apologize; your thread got blown out of proportion.

On a more serious note, thank you for your advice on my WL/visiting woes. If I do visit, it would be in late march--I hope I'd have a decision from W&M by then! This is all so frustrating. Sure it's a weak cycle, which is good for applying to reach schools... But these laggy responses from schools are torturous and they change application dynamics. Like other posters have said on this forum, how advantageous has applying early really been this cycle?

Again, I'm ranting... Which is evidently punishable by death on this forum haha Good luck to you as well and all the other frustrated applicants on TLS!

No I was serious! Everyone on that Nova thread was completely missing the point because it didn't fit their pre-concieved narrative. What are your numbers? I was under for LSAT for W&M and got in, so there is still hope.
High GPA 159 Non-URM Normal Softs

[gatorgirl2012]

No I was serious! Everyone on that Nova thread was completely missing the point because it didn't fit their pre-concieved narrative. What are your numbers? I was under for LSAT for W&M and got in, so there is still hope.
High GPA 159 Non-URM Normal Softs

That does give me hope. I'm 159, URM, but not a stellar GPA. However, I'm in at W&L with money so that was a huge morale boost! This waiting game is brutal. Who would've thought the shortest month of the year could be the most painful?!

[Big Dog]

On a more serious note, thank you for your advice on my WL/visiting woes. If I do visit, it would be in late march--I hope I'd have a decision from W&M by then!

If W&M is your first choice, I'd visit now (if you can afford it). W&M has been handing out acceptances to those above medians within a week or so. If you have below numbers and have been waiting a long time, a visit and then a LOCI (based on what you learned/experienced) could be a plus factor, and help you separate from the other below medians. If the adcoms are gonna have to take a hit to their medians to accept you, at least they believe that you'll come, so you can help their yield.

Just my $0.02.

[changeurfeet]

On a more serious note, thank you for your advice on my WL/visiting woes. If I do visit, it would be in late march--I hope I'd have a decision from W&M by then!

If W&M is your first choice, I'd visit now (if you can afford it). W&M has been handing out acceptances to those above medians within a week or so. If you have below numbers and have been waiting a long time, a visit and then a LOCI (based on what you learned/experienced) could be a plus factor, and help you separate from the other below medians. If the adcoms are gonna have to take a hit to their medians to accept you, at least they
believe that you'll come, so you can help their. yield.




Just my $0.02.

Thanks Big Dog. Yeah I did the preemptive LOCI and would have to drop everything to get out to Virginia but as you pointed out it might be worth it.

[deuceindc]

Anyone else heading to the DC Admits on Thursday?

[danitt]

Have any dings gone out yet? Because I've been complete with no movement for 6 months. You would think they'd have sent me something, anything, by now.

[nba101790]

^^To be honest, that's a little ridiculous given how fast they've turned around some applications, mine included. Have you inquired at all?

On a related note, anyone have any success negotiating scholarships yet?

[wannabelawstudent]

A lot of schools are doing the whole "admits only" until their deadline passes...probably because of the uncertainity in the cycle. Last year they did the same thing and in midmarch a massive stream of waitlists rejections and some admittances came out.