William & Mary, America’s Alma Mater
Summary:
William & Mary, founded in 1693, boasts an impressive list of successful graduates. Known for research, it also offers unique learning opportunities for pre-college students.
Key Points:
- Founded by King William III and Queen Mary II of England.
- Boasts close ties with the Founding Fathers.
- University graduates include Presidents George Washington, Thomas Jefferson, and James Monroe.
- First Greek letter society Phi Beta Kappa.
- The first law school in America.
- Students work alongside professors on research projects.
- William & Mary offers enrichment courses in STEM, business, and law.
William & Mary is a public university that was founded in 1693 by King William III and Queen Mary II of England. The campus sits on 1,200 acres in Williamsburg, Virginia. According to U.S. News & World Report, William & Mary ranks #53 in national universities. With an enrollment of 6,797 (fall 2020), in-state tuition fees are $25,041, and out-of-state-fees are $48,841, which is one reason why William & Mary ranks #139 in best value schools.
The ten most popular majors at William & Mary include:
- Social sciences
- Business, management, marketing, and related support services
- Biological and biomedical sciences
- Psychology
- Multi/Interdisciplinary studies
- Physical sciences
- Park, recreation, leisure, fitness, and kinesiology
- Mathematics and statistics
- History
- Computer and information sciences and support services
William & Mary also offers combined degree programs, such as:
- Higher education and MBA
- Higher education and public policy
- Business and public policy
- Computational operations research and public policy
- Education and public policy
- Law and American studies
- Law and business
- Law and public policy
- Marine science and public policy
- Engineering degree with the Columbia School of Engineering
More than just solid academics, William & Mary is recognized for the many “firsts” that come from its hallowed halls.
William & Mary, the alma mater of the nation
The college earned this name thanks to its close ties to America’s Founding Fathers. A 17-year-old George Washington got his surveyor’s license through William & Mary, and would eventually become its first chancellor. In addition, Thomas Jefferson did his undergraduate work there, as did presidents John Tylor and James Monroe.
William & Mary is also renowned for its firsts:
- The first U.S. institution with a royal charter (a document that gives an organization legal standing and is issued by a monarch).
- The first Greek letter society (Phi Beta Kappa, founded in 1776).
- The first to adopt a student honor code.
- The first college to become a university (universities, by definition, have elevated nuances, such as number of schools within it).
- The first law school in America.
- In 2020, William & Mary was named a top producer of Peace Corps volunteers for the 12th consecutive year.
Beyond the “firsts,” William & Mary is also renowned for its research credentials.
William & Mary’s many celebrated research centers
A recognized research institute, William & Mary supports 20 research centers in the humanities and social sciences, professional schools, as well as the natural and computational sciences. Faculty mentor undergraduate students in their academic projects. Students work alongside professors on research, often co-authoring papers or presenting findings at national and international conferences.
But college students aren’t the only ones who benefit from learning with William & Mary — high school students can also study with William & Mary through their online pre-college program.
Get started with William & Mary while you’re still in high school
William & Mary college prep includes a wide array of online courses designed specifically for teens. William & Mary online STEM programs are among the most popular courses, in addition to medicine, business, and law. Here’s a quick preview:
STEM
Medicine: Disease, Diagnostics, and Interventions delves into infectious diseases and the role they play in modern medicine. You’ll focus on biological causes: viral, bacterial, and parasitic. You’ll learn how diseases jump between hosts, and see how doctors are using microbiology, biotechnology, and gene therapy to change the landscape of medicine.
Cognitive Psychology: How the Brain Works looks at language, behavior, memory, problem solving, and decision-making. Learn the history of cognitive psychology from its origins to its current uses in robotics. Study regions of the brain and draw a diagram showing which areas are most important for memory and decision-making.
Business
Entrepreneurship and Venture Capital: From Idea to Investment introduces you to venture capitalism, a $330 billion business. Discover how start-ups get funds to launch innovations. Take on the role of entrepreneur and write up a convincing pitch to potential investors.
Law
Constitutional Law: We The People gives you a thorough grounding in the U.S. Constitution. Learn how judges and attorneys use the Constitution to support their cases. Hear from renowned constitutional scholars and law professors as you consider a future in law or government.
To learn more about enrichment courses for high school students, check out the Prelum, Powered by Kaplan’s website with all of our online programs.
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