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Comparable Schools'
Diversity Grades:
College Prowler Take
Students cite the lack of visible diversity as one of the major downsides of William & Mary. There isn’t much racial diversity, which comes as a bit of a shock for some students, especially those who come from urban areas with diverse high schools. The lack of out-of-state students is also an occasional complaint, but as William & Mary has one of the highest out-of-state student ratios of any public university, the college can’t do much more without upsetting Virginia taxpayers. While the student body does seem somewhat homogenous to many, all students agree that there is a unique diversity of opinion and outlook at W&M that has given them new perspectives and enriched their experiences at the college. Though the lack of diversity is somewhat disappointing at W&M, the number of minority students is on the rise, and the administration has embarked on an ambitious plan to increase the number of qualified minority students with every incoming class. This past year’s admissions profile reflected this focus, as the admissions office reported a 17 percent increase in minority students last year and an additional 7 percent increase this year. The school seems to make an honest attempt to draw in students from different backgrounds, but it is a slow process. Cultural organizations on campus are very active and help foster a more multicultural feel, in spite of the lack of minority students themselves; unfortunately, however, they can’t fully compensate for the college’s diversity problem as a whole. Students Speak Out
Love your school more than free food? Hate your school more than term papers?
Somewhere in between? Show the world what YOU think of YOUR school:
eea1509 says: College of William & Mary 2016 Undecided  |
I came from an International...
I came from an International school and I thought coming in to william and mary that I was going to be surrounded by white upper middle class. However, I was surprised in a good way. Although there are a lot of virginians, many of them have lived in another country for a few years or originally came from a different country and have obtained an american citizenship. In my group of friends, only 2 are virginians and only 3 out of 10 are white. It's really more diverse than you anticipate it to be, and it's improving more and more every year!
Diversity: December 20, 2008
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Anonymous says: |
Superficially, diversity could...
Superficially, diversity could improve. However, the diversity of the way people think, how they’ve grown up, their outlooks on life—definitely something that has helped me grow. We have over 300 student-run organizations on campus, some of them cultural, some of them religious. Some groups I can think of are the Filipino-American student organization and the Indian Cultural Association. |
Anonymous says: |
Not terribly diverse in some ways...
Not terribly diverse in some ways (racially) but rather diverse in terms of opinions and social backgrounds. |
Anonymous says: |
The campus is pretty diverse. Lots...
The campus is pretty diverse. Lots of people from lots of backgrounds, which is really cool. But then again, my Indian and black friends say it’s not so diverse. So I guess it depends on who you ask. |
Anonymous says: |
If you’re talking about people’s...
If you’re talking about people’s experiences growing up, campus is really diverse. I have almost nothing in common with my friends as far as our home lives are concerned, and I really like that. Religiously, most students are Christian (half Catholic, half everything else), but the Muslim and Jewish student organizations are pretty active. |
FactsEconomic Status
Though there is some diversity in this area, most students seem to be middle or upper-middle class. However, the new “Gateway Program” scholarship and other financial aid programs have recently expanded William & Mary’s socioeconomic reach, allowing students whose families make less than $40,000 a year to attend the college for free.
Gay Pride
There is a large gay community on campus, and they are mostly accepted by other students without conflict. The gay and lesbian group Lambda Alliance is very active and meets often. There is also an anonymous, faculty-led gay support group that meets weekly.
Minority Clubs
Cultural organizations have a significant presence on the William & Mary campus. They hold performances and events in addition to the usual club meetings, and everyone is encouraged to join and participate in the organizations. Many minority groups are represented, from the Black Student Organization to the Chinese Student Organization to the Middle Eastern Club.
Most Common Religions
There are several active Christian organizations on campus, as well as a Jewish organization (and fraternity), a Muslim organization, and a Unitarian organization, among others.
Political Activity
The Young Democrats and College Republicans are the two main political groups on campus. In addition, there are political activist groups such as a chapter of Amnesty International and the Feminist Majority Leadership Alliance. A few heated sociopolitical debates have sparked up recently on campus, making national news--—namely the removal of the Wren Cross and the annual showing of “the Sex-Worker’s Art Show.” The fact that these spark major controversies indicates that William & Mary is not as liberal an institution as students often think. A large majority of students on campus are liberal, but there are plenty of people speaking for all sides of any political debate. Aside from campus politics, all students are encouraged register to vote in Williamsburg, a process that the Student Assembly makes very easy.
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