Lisa Keegan is William & Mary’s vice provost for enrollment strategy.
U.S. News: What advice can you offer to parents and students as the latter try to find the school that’s right for them?
Keegan: Leave room for the unexpected. Students and families often enter the college search process with preconceived ideas about what a particular school will be like.
- Rankings, social media and the experiences of people we know can all influence our perceptions of a school.
- It can also be common to set rigid boundaries at the beginning of the search process, such as not wanting to go to the same school as a sibling.
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However, it’s essential to approach this process with an open mind and to do your own research.
- Evaluate each school from your unique lens.
- Let your college list evolve as you learn more.
That school you hadn’t considered might just turn out to be your dream school.
U.S. News: Aside from lower costs, are there benefits for students, including those out-of-state, in choosing to attend a public school?
Keegan: Public universities offer a wealth of opportunities, often made possible through distinctive partnerships and research initiatives.
- At William & Mary, for example, students can take advantage of the early assurance programs with Eastern Virginia Medical School and VCU School of Medicine – streamlining their path to a medical career.
- Early assurance graduate programs allow students to apply in the spring of their sophomore year. Those accepted know that if they continue to meet certain GPA and admission guidelines, they will be accepted into the graduate program well in advance of their senior year.
- They also have access to participate in cutting-edge research at the Virginia Institute of Marine Science and the newly established Batten School of Coastal & Marine Sciences.
These are just a few of the many advantages that come with attending a public institution, where collaboration and innovation thrive.
U.S. News: How has the use of the Common App changed the admissions process for William & Mary?
Keegan: William & Mary is a long-standing partner of the Common Application, a platform that allows students to apply to multiple colleges and universities using a single, uniform application.
- This simplifies one key part of the college admissions process, making it easier for students to manage their applications.
- For institutions, it enhances efficiency in reviewing applications, helping admissions teams process materials more quickly for students to receive their decisions as soon as possible.
