William and Mary . . . America’s most prestigious ‘public’ college!
You can’t visit William and Mary (W&M) without being immediately struck by its rich sense of history. In fact, the W&M admissions office is only a mile from the entrance to America’s premier ‘history’ destination, colonial Williamsburg! W&M is actually the second oldest college in America; only Harvard predates it. In fact, as some ‘colleges’ grew and diversified a new name was created for them, they became known as ‘universities’. W&M also holds the distinction of being America’s second oldest university. This time, it was edged out by the University of Pennsylvania . . . but just barely. Although W&M continues to use the term ‘college’ in its name, it technically became a university on December 4, 1779 just eight days after UPenn attained the same status. As a footnote, Harvard didn’t become a university until three months later.
But W&M’s contribution to history isn’t simply that it was founded a long time ago. Three United States Presidents and at least sixteen original signers of the Declaration of Independence were all W&M alums!
The Wren Building at W&M is the oldest building still in existence on an American college campus. As a freshman, you will enter this famous structure and recite the following: “As a Member of the William & Mary community I pledge, on my Honor, not to lie, cheat, or steal in either my academic or personal life. I understand that such acts violate the Honor Code and undermine the community of trust of which we are all stewards.” In so doing you will be continuing the honor code tradition of W&M. Dating back to 1779 when it was created by Thomas Jefferson, this is the oldest honor code at any American college or university.
Finally, most serious students aspire to gain entrance into Phi Beta Kappa, the legendary academic honor society. For W7M students it has particular significance. The Phi Beta Kappa Society was founded at W&M back in 1776.
The most common misunderstanding about this outstanding school is whether William and Mary is a public or private university. That’s right; while most people outside of Virginia believe it’s a private university, W&M is actually America’s most prestigious ‘public’ institution of higher learning!
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