May 1^st is a big day. For current W&M students, it means the start of two hectic weeks of finals and one more semester is coming to a close. It means stress and late nights and catching up with friends before we all head our separate ways for the summer. But for some, May marks the end of their last semester as undergraduates at the College. In just two short weeks, the members of the 2012 senior class will walk back through the Wren Building to symbolize the conclusion of their time at William and Mary. It’s a time of sadness, but more importantly it is a time of celebration. With each year, the members of the Class of 2012 have left their mark on this campus. In turn, they have been forever touched by the community found here.  They will venture into the world strengthened by the education and unending support that accompanies being a member of the Tribe. And there is no doubt that their presence will be missed on this campus.

May 1^st also marks a beginning.  May 1^st marks the deadline for college decisions and they day we finally solidify the incoming Class of 2016.

For some incoming students, May 1^st is a relatively unimportant date. Early decision students have know as far back as December, and other deposits have come in consistently since letters went out in late March. But for many, the decision hasn’t been quite so easy. For those students, the last month has meant long talks with guidance counselors, teachers, parents and friends searching for advice and visiting campus after campus trying to find a place that clicked. Meanwhile, the May 1^st deadline crept closer and closer.

And now, the wait is almost over. For those students who choose to attend other institutions, I wish you the best of luck. I hope you have found the right home for you, and that you fully embrace the next four years of your college experience. I also hope that you will look back fondly on your experience with William and Mary. Although this wasn’t the place for you, I hope that you enjoyed exploring the campus getting to know the Tribe.

For those who have chosen to join the Class of 2016 – I cannot express how proud and excited I am to welcome you to William and Mary. Those of you I have had the privilege to meet are so incredibly talented, enthusiastic and passionate about this school. I cannot wait to see what you will bring to this campus, and I have no doubt that it will be extraordinary. As you enter the semester in the fall, I know you will shape this campus community into an even better place than before. But also realize that this place will shape you. The people you will meet here will challenge and inspire you beyond anything you could imagine.

So as I watch the seniors say goodbye to this campus in a few short weeks, I will undoubtedly be sad. Not only will I greatly miss their presence on this campus, but their departure also marks the halfway point in my own college experience. But that moment of sadness will be accompanied with great excitement—I’m excited for the new group of fantastic students that will soon be starting here at William and Mary. For as the college experience of the Class of 2012 is ending, the experience of the Class of 2016 is just beginning.

-Erin

As an Admission Intern, talking with newly admitted students is part of the job. Actually, it’s why I applied for the position in the first place. Being a student liaison to bridge the gap between the campus community, Admission, and prospective students is kind of the whole point of the internship. So now, after decisions have been released and senior year is winding down, I get a lot of questions from newly admitted freshmen about deciding where to go. I’ve spoken with numerous students who are (understandably) anxious—how are you supposed to decide the next four years of your life based on just a few visits?

This is where I get a lot of questions about my personal college search experience. Where else did I apply? Why did I know W&M was right for me?  Was I nervous about my decision? At this point, I always smile, because my college application experience was a little different than the rest.

I visited Williamsburg for the first time when I was about five years old. My dad went to the business school back in the day, and since then my parents always loved the area. We came down at least once a year, always on Thanksgiving, every year afterwards.  That November, standing in front of the Wren building in my new W&M t-shirt and tri-cornered hat, I decided I was going to William & Mary.

At my fifth grade graduation, as part of my “future plans”, I said I wanted to be either a country singer or a forensic anthropologist (I said this mostly because it was the most complicated phrase I knew at the time, and it sounded really cool). Either way, I said I wanted to go to W&M. Throughout middle school, I continued to collect William & Mary t-shirts, sweatshirts and accessories until most of my room showed bits of green and gold. Before my friends even thought about college, I had the rest of my life figured out, and W&M was always a part of it.

By high school, with some serious encouragement from my parents, I realized that I needed to do a real college search. So, during spring break, we packed up and made a road trip to over a dozen colleges in Tennessee, North Carolina, and Virginia. I spent hours pouring over college search websites, comparing campuses and academic rigor. I talked to older friends and their siblings, trying to get some idea of the type of college I wanted. I went into the process open minded, and my top three choices changed constantly. W&M wasn’t always number one on my list (I had a bad habit of liking the college I visited most recently the best), but it was always in the back of my mind.

My decision was made on a Saturday in September of my senior year while unloading the dishwasher with my dad. I had been stressing for weeks about my decision and had just about had enough. I asked myself the same question I’d been asking for weeks, “Where can I picture myself?” If I couldn’t envision myself lounging on a campus on a warm spring day, or grabbing a meal at a dining hall with friends, then I knew it wasn’t the right place for me. So right there in my kitchen, in between stacking freshly cleaned dinner plates, I decided that my five-year-old self had been right. The only place I could see myself was William & Mary.

I applied to W&M and was accepted early decision. Although I committed to school months earlier than most of my friends, I still had to make a decision. So when newly admitted students ask me about my application experience, I always say the same thing. Go with your gut. It’s cliché for sure, but it’s honestly the best advice I can give. At the end of the search, it’s not your parents, or your counselors, or your friends who can make your college decision—it’s all you. So follow my trick, close your eyes, and envision the campuses you’ve seen. Cut out the clutter of what everyone else is telling you. Where can you picture yourself?

And then, my friends, go with your gut.

-Erin

Hey Class of 2016! Here’s a welcome from each of our undergraduate Admissions Ambassadors!

Erin Spencer:

Let me be one of many to say I am SO EXCITED to welcome you all as the newest members of the Tribe. My time at William & Mary has just been incredible, and I hope you all are thrilled to think of the adventures you have ahead of you. From late night bonding with your freshman hall mates to cheering on the Tribe at fall football games, your time here will be better than you could have ever imagined.

Most importantly, I want you to know that you are now part of a strong community that few have the opportunity to be a part of. Know that people at William and Mary look out for each other, through both the good times and the not-so-good times. And know that the students here are beyond excited to welcome you here in the fall with open arms.

For now, enjoy the remainder of your senior year! Stalk the W&M website, buy as much green and gold gear as you can, and come to the Day for Admitted Students! CONGRATULATIONS!

Justin Fitze:

CONGRATULATIONS! You should be very proud! Go crazy! Set your Facebook status! Run around the neighborhood! Be at Day for Admitted Students on April 14! We are so excited to welcome you into the Tribe!!!!

Kate Maccagnan:

Dear Class of 2016,

I would just like to say welcome home!!! Home can be defined as “a place where one lives” or “a dwelling place with the family” or  “an environment offering security and happiness”. I kid you not when I say William and Mary will become your home. So Welcome Home! We are so happy to have you!

Lora Faris:

Welcome, to the Class of 2016.

Welcome, to the next and best four years of your life.

With arms outstretched, we welcome the Class of 2016. Welcome home.

Welcome to Homecoming, Charter Day, Yule Log, Commencement, Grand Illumination, football games, late night Wawa runs and everything else that is uniquely Tribe.

These will be great years.  I promise.

As your four years begin, mine are coming to a close.  And, as excited as I am for my coming years, I must admit that I’m a bit jealous. So, for the next few months stalk the admitted students’ page, fill out all of your forms, ask us questions and get excited!

I have no doubt that you will all be amazing members of our Tribe.  In fact, I have no doubts.  This summer, interviewing for the Office of Admission, I met some extraordinary high school students.  Now, many of those students are future William and Mary members and I couldn’t be prouder of our Alma Mater.

So, to the students I have already met, to the students I will meet on Day for Admitted Students and to every other wonderful member of the class of 2016… congratulations and welcome home!

Jonathan Hulme:

“Class of 2016!” How awesome does that sound? Pretty amazing, considering the overwhelming pool of strong applicants to the College. But YOU, you are the new class of 2016! What does this mean? This means, you are now a part of the William and Mary community: those we call family and hold dearest to our hearts; those hands we hold as we face the challenges of the next four years together. Congratulations and welcome to the Tribe, Class of 2016!!

Here’s a video made just for you. Welcome, Class of 2016.

What’s a Wren Ten, you ask? Well, (almost) every Wednesday night, one of W&M’s eleven a cappella groups takes about 20-25 minutes to perform their newest, silliest, craziest, and most beloved songs in a casual setting. Well, why the name, “Wren Ten,” you are probably wondering. Clever as it probably appears to you, the Wren Ten gets its name from the time and place of the performance occurring at 10 p.m. on the Wren Portico!
One of the best parts of the Wren Ten is that you get to see your friends (and family) perform in a casual setting that usually includes much joking, crowd participation, good music, and an overall good time. The acoustics are phenomenal, and surprisingly the portico allows for a large amount of seating. With the highest a cappella per-capita ratio of any school, the Wren Ten makes Wednesday night one of the most anticipated nights of the week, without a doubt. While making for an excellent study break in-between doing your daily reading or studying for your midterms, many students enjoy grabbing a hot chocolate and kicking it, relaxing, and listening to their favorite a cappella groups perform!

-Jonathan

Today, my schedule for the Fall 2012 semester was created! I am really excited to be taking six business courses towards my Accounting major. Even more exciting is that all of my classes are in Miller Hall!

Miller Hall is the beautiful and new as of 2009 academic building which houses both the undergraduate and graduate schools of business here at the College. Some of the building’s perks include a business library, the Boehly Café, a career center, and a financial markets center. Additionally, the lounge on the first floor with the big fireplace is one of my favorite places to study on campus. Next year, I’ll never have to or will want to leave!

My freshman year, I took Principles of Accounting in Miller. The classroom was amazing and was filled with state of the art technology. On the way to class, I would pass by a dozen study rooms each equipped with a television making doing group projects an easier task. One thing that the business school stresses is working as part of a team. During the Integrated Foundation Semester (first semester in the business school), you are placed in a group. You take all of your Foundation classes with your team and do all of the group projects together. From the feedback I have been getting from juniors and seniors who have completed the Foundation, I am really excited for next semester!

When constructing the building, William & Mary wanted to keep it as green as possible and as a result, Miller uses 23.5 percent less energy as compared to a similar sized building. Equally as impressive, Miller Hall has received a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council!

For potential business majors or minors, I suggest taking the video tour. Prepare to be amazed!
Justin

Meet the Admission Interns in their film debut! The Interns are frantic as they rush to prepare the campus for Day for Admitted Students 2012!

It’s that time of year again in Williamsburg. The weather is warmer, the sun stays out longer, and the trees are in full bloom. William and Mary students emerge from hibernation, eager to take advantage of the campus in spring. Compared to a month ago, it seems like the student body has doubled in size as we all try to spend as much time outside as humanly possible.

On warm spring days like today, it feels like a crime to be holed up in the library. But with my to-do list ever growing, I had to get some work done. Of course, I’m lying to myself. I know I can never get a much work done while outside; I just get distracted far too easily. Nevertheless, I boldly ignored my voice of reason and promptly set out to find a study spot where I could enjoy the weather (and trying to get some resemblance of a tan). With my books, iPod, and sunglasses in tow, I ventured out of my dorm into the mid-morning sunshine.

My first destination was in the heart of Old Campus – the Sunken Garden. This infamous spot is a favorite of students, and even at 11am I had to search for a spot of my own. I set down my bag, pulled out my highlighters, opened my book … and quickly decided the grass was too soft and the sun was too warm for anything other than nap. There’s no better feeling than closing your eyes to doze off in the warmth of the mid-morning Virginia sun. My sweet escape didn’t quite last … I was awoken fifteen short minutes later by a close call with a rogue Frisbee. Maybe the Sunken Garden wasn’t the best spot for me to study.

In a second attempt to be somewhat productive, I made my way to the Terrace. The chairs and tables there allow for outside studying without the chance of dozing off. I grabbed a coffee from the Daily Grind, scouted out a table, and once again cracked open my book. I made it a whole two sentences before my friend Liz walked by on her way back from class. We hadn’t caught up in a while, and we were both hungry, so naturally this encounter resulted in an impromptu lunch date. Somehow my poor book was pushed aside to make room for a chicken salad sandwich and a large iced tea.

After lunch, with a full stomach and book in hand, I left the Terrace. It’s the easiest place to run into friends, which is great for socializing but not so great for my Marine Science homework. Clearly, I needed to find a spot away from people. I decided to make the trek to the far end of campus by the Keck Environmental Lab. It’s nestled behind one of the large freshman dorms and sits right on the edge of Lake Matoaka. There, I have a favorite picnic table, which is placed right next to the dock in the shade. It’s quiet, secluded, and absolutely beautiful.

So here I sit. At my favorite picnic table by the lake. The sun peeks through the tree overhead, and there’s a light breeze blowing from across Matoaka. The only sounds come from the rustling of squirrels in the leaves around me and the occasional splash of fish looking for a snack at the end of the dock. The chances of me making any headway on my Marine Science reading is essentially zero, but that’s ok. With upcoming due dates and other commitments, it’s easy to get caught up in your to-do list. That’s why when a Virginia spring day is calling, you’ve got to give yourself a break. Today, I soaked up the sun, reminisced with a friend, and got a little time to myself.  And that’s something we all could use every once in a while.

The work will have to get done eventually. But for now, my picnic table awaits.

-Erin

This is a semester of lasts.  Last Charter Day, last midterms, last Spring Break and my very last Campus Golf.

In case you don’t know what Campus Golf is (I’m talking to you, prospective students), it is a game of campus-wide golfing … in costume.  And let me tell you, I have seen it all.  Over the past few years I have seen toy soldiers, Tetris, Jamaican bobsled teams and 101 Dalmatians (or at least 50 of them).

I love campus golf.

I love the costumes.  I love the fact that we are playing golf with tennis balls.

But mostly, I love campus golf because it is one of those days that the campus feels small, in the best possible way. We all rush the Sunken Garden, armed with golf clubs and tennis balls.  We run to the center of campus, ready to play.

On the way to my tee time I saw hall mates, classmates, some of my hall from Orientation and a few past teammates.  We were all descending upon the Sunken Garden to play golf, people watch, but mostly, in hopes of reuniting with a friend from the past.

I always like William and Mary, but it is in those moments where you are getting pegged with a tennis ball by your overly-competitive best friend, singing into the golf club like a microphone and accidentally terrorizing your kind-hearted freshman caddy, that you realize that you really LOVE this school.

So, we may have whiffed once or twice, and a few of us may have cheated … but, we never lost the spirit of the day.  What that spirit is, I’m not entirely sure … but, I’m pretty sure we had it.

-Lora

Check out some of our interns and their campus golf teams!!

Jonathan and Kate strike a pose

Lora defending herself in the height of fierce competition

Erin as the Easter Bunny with some other mythical creatures!

Kate and some other seniors as the cast of Bridesmaids

When I saw that the Admission Office was taking applications for their spring internship program, I jumped at the opportunity. I’d never had an internship before, or really any job that requires working in an office. As a sophomore, I’m in the heart of summer internship applications in Washington, DC, so I figured this position would give me invaluable experience. I also love the excitement and anticipation that comes with working with newly admitted students; it reminds me of the unbridled enthusiasm I felt in the months leading up to the start of my freshman year.

After accepting the internship, I was able to meet my fellow interns as well as the members of the admission team. I learned quickly that this is not your typical work environment. Between pot-luck lunches and Wednesday afternoon Nerf gun fights, the office is just so fun and inviting. Don’t get me wrong, there is a ton of work involved, whether it’s organizing volunteers, filing applications, or updating the website. We’re presented with a list at the beginning of the week of tasks to tackle, and it requires some serious teamwork and time management to get it all done. But it keeps me on my toes, and I’m always excited to get started on a new project.

At the end of the day, the work experience is not why I love this job. Of course it looks wonderful on my resume, and I’ve learned so many applicable skills, but there is so much more to this internship. I get to be a part of shaping the future of the College.

In just one month, newly admitted high school seniors and their families will flood the William & Mary campus for the Day for Admitted Students. As interns, we’re responsible for organizing student volunteers, getting groups to perform, decorating the campus and building up the hype for the big day. Through it all, we have the opportunity to shape the experiences of these newly admitted students. By doing our job well, we could have a hand in someone choosing to attend William and Mary. And that is a pretty incredible thought.

So I’m happy to file applications. I’ll make posters and banners until everything I own is covered in marker. And I’ll gladly get up at 5am on April 14th to make sure everything goes smoothly. Because I love my school, and I want every single admitted student who visits next month to love this school too. I know I can speak for my fellow interns when I say this has already been a fantastic experience, and we absolutely cannot wait to meet the newly admitted members of the Class of 2016!

-Erin Spencer

Typically, once a year, each a cappella group at William and Mary goes on a tour, usually over fall or spring break.  Every other year, my a cappella group, the Gentlemen of the College, goes on a spring tour to various colleges in North America that host us, and while we’re there, we have a small concert for their school.  On the years that we’re not ‘touring,’ we’re vacationing.  This year we had the pleasure of going to Puerto Rico for a little ‘vacay.’ In the past couple years we have gone to Costa Rica and Gatlinburg, TN to stay in the mountains.

Puerto Rico was awesome, to say the very least. About three days on the beach taking in the sun, not to mention the scrumptious Caribbean cuisine!  The coffee was definitely a highlight. When my friend and I ordered coffee, the waitress asked if I wanted ‘American’ coffee or ‘Puerto Rican’ coffee. The waitress sort of looked at me like I couldn’t handle it.  Thankfully, I am a coffee connoisseur, and I was able to handle the coffee just fine.  My friend, however, was jittery effective immediately for the next several hours!  Their Puerto Rican coffee, what I ended up finding out, has espresso in it.  Another delectable I was able to discover through local help was ‘Mofongo,’ which is a fried plantain-based dish from Puerto Rico.  It comes either by itself, with meat, vegetables, or just about whatever you can think to put with the dish!  One thing that I did notice, and this is holding the whole over-charging tourists factor aside, was that prices in Puerto Rico were generally more expensive, but oh so worth it!

While we were there, we went site seeing at many special and gorgeous locations, some of which include:  Castillo de San Cristóbal, Castillo San Felipe del Morro, the famous Fuente de los Leones (Lions Fountain), Rio Camuy Caves, the fountain of youth (inside the cave), and also the world’s third largest underground river, Camuy river.  The experience was once-in-a-life-time, and I had more fun there than I can bring back home. That being said, it’s good to be back at William and Mary, enjoying the flux of strangely warm and outrageously cold weather – much better than having a consistent 80 degrees of sunshine every day and crystal clear waters to cool off in.

-Jonathan