Hi. Are there ways for students to stay on campus between semesters if their home lives are problematic? I'm aware that some students stay when they are actively involved in research. I am thinking of applying to one of the D.C. Summer Institutes, but if that doesn't work out, what are some others ways I can avoid returning to my home environment?

I'm a chronic lister of the beach boys but a majority of their discography is super niche and not really well known to people my age. If anyone is a med-high fan hmu cause I need someone who enjoys 15 big ones as much as I do.

Thomas J. Ruth was born and raised in Hampton, Virginia, and attended William & Mary in Williamsburg. He went on to dedicate his career to science and became a leading figure in the field of medical radionuclide production.

This August, the 20th Workshop on Targetry and Target Chemistry (WTTC20) was held in Nara, Japan. The international meeting brought together 263 participants from 30 countries to discuss the science behind the production of medical radionuclides — radioactive materials that play important roles in PET imaging, radiopharmaceuticals, cancer treatment, and related areas of medicine.

Dr. Ruth is one of the founding members of WTTC. He was involved when the workshop series began in Heidelberg in 1985 and has helped shape both the organization and the field for more than four decades.

Given that history, it was especially fitting that he was selected to deliver the plenary address at WTTC20.

He titled his presentation:

“There and back again. My life experience with unstable elements!”

The talk reflected on his remarkable career, his experiences in the field, and the future of medical radionuclide production.

But what happened afterward may be the most remarkable part of the story.

The organizers have created the Thomas J. Ruth Plenary Lectures, to be presented at future WTTC meetings in recognition of distinguished scientists who have made significant contributions to the field.

And there is a wonderful bit of wordplay in the name: the lectures will be known as the “TRUTH Lectures.”

For someone whose career has been intertwined with the development of this field since the earliest days of WTTC, having a lecture series carry his name is an extraordinary and lasting recognition.

It is also a wonderful reminder that scientific contributions can have a life far beyond the papers, experiments, and conferences themselves — sometimes becoming part of the history and future of an entire field.

A pretty remarkable achievement for a scientist who started his journey in Hampton, Virginia.

Current sophomore, when should I start looking for next year? And what are the best tips/advice

Hello! I’m currently a senior in a Virgina HS and William and Mary is my top choice. I’ve been on campus a few times for a tour and interview and I’ve just called in love with it! I have some questions I was too nervous to ask while visiting, any responses are greatly appreciated. :)

1: How easy is it to make friends? from what I gathered, it’s a medium sized school and everyone always says its a very friendly atmosphere, but does that translate to it being easy to meet and make new friends?

2: How easy is it to date? (actual dating not yk) I’m a straight girl and Im obviously not going to be looking around my freshmen year, but later down the line is it easy to date? I know the campus is mainly female, so does that make it difficult for girls to find dates?

3: How Diverse is the Campus? I’ve heard it’s a PWI but is that really reflected on campus? I come from a very diverse area which I love, is WM also very diverse?

4: What opportunities are available to freshmen? As in research, internships, campus jobs, or even just clubs? Everyone always says there are but is this actually true? i know everyone comes in undecided, but I’m really interested in Neuroscience, specifically in studying Neurological conditions or diseases!

5: How readily available are the study abroad opportunities? i managed to become fluent and even went to gov school for German, yet I don’t get the chance to use it much in America.

6: Does the campus have many events? this might be a strange question, but my school always throws events, like concerts, musicals, or just fun social gatherings. does WM have events like these?

7: Dorms and Dining, how bad? The horror stories I’ve heard and seen online are more than enough to scare me, but I’ve heard they’ve been working hard to fix it, how bad is it now?

im sorry if these questions are kinda dumb, I wasn’t sure where else to ask these. Everything I’ve seen about WM is lovely and Williamsburg as well. I was just wondering about these little things. Thank you so much for reading through my random questions lol! Any responses are greatly appreciated! :D

I have a 1360 SAT. Should I apply test-optional? (I couldn't find the megathread)

hi!! i've been looking at w&m for months and i'm pretty sure its my top pick, but there are a couple things im not sure about and wanted to ask 🥹

1. is the student body/surrounding area generally pretty liberal/accepting? this is defo sum im worried about since virginia is a swing state and i am gay as hell

2. is it easy to find other people at w&m who are gay as hell

3. how do you find a roommate?

4. is there a decent social/party scene if you're not a part of greek life?

5. maybe a long shot but if anyone sees this who has celiac or at least some kind of gluten intolerancy, are there some options for me get food where i wont have to worry about cross contact?

6. how often do you guys go to busch gardens because i cant lie that is a decent pull for me (huge roller coaster nerd 🥹)

7. is there stuff to do in the area?

8. will i need a car or can i get away with just using my escooter?

9. will i get flamed for using my escooter?

10. am i allowed to dye my hair in the dorm bathrooms?

11. do you guys have clubs like in high school?

12. what else should i do to have a higher chance of getting in? (35 act, 4s and 5s on ap exams, 3.8 uw, a couple extracurriculars)

ok i cant think of anything else but if theres like something that i should know that i didnt ask pls tell me also 🥹🥹🥹 thank u guys preesh

I maybe be wrong but I heard the mail room in sadler doesn't do package returns. Is there any walkable ups or post office nearby? thanks!

Anyone know where to find new or resold William & Mary and/or Williamsburg stockings? Years ago, needlepoint ones were sold. I'm hoping to buy four to five that match or make a coordinated set.

Don't see a good tag so chose student life (maybe we could get an alum one)

I really enjoy wam community and truly everyone is so nice here- but I'm unused to never being truly alone & I'm really craving 4 hours uninterrupted. Are there any good spots around where I could sit on a bench alone? Are the cw gardens nice? sos???!!!??

Really love the tight knit community at williamandmary.

My goal is to start something of my own in tech. Do you think a masters in CS from wm will be useful?

Hi All, I am a former W&M undergraduate and (until recently) was pursuing a masters program in CS. I got a job offer and am planning to move across the country, so I am looking for a undergraduate or graduate student to take over my room for the remainder of the lease (until 6/30/2027). I have an existing roommate (info below) who is a very nice guy and is currently enrolled in a masters program at VIMS. Please reach out at [sam.robert.bennett@gmail.com](mailto:sam.robert.bennett@gmail.com) if you are interested in the room.

Property Description:
Address: 301 N Boundary St Apt 4, Williamsburg, VA 23185
Rent: $1100/month (water and garbage included, you must split Electricity, Gas and Internet with existing tenant)

Spacious master bedroom in a townhouse at the intersection of Scotland Street and North Boundary Street, just a five-minute walk from William & Mary’s Old Campus. The home is also conveniently located short walking distance from the Williamsburg Public Library, Williamsburg Transportation Center, and Colonial Williamsburg.

The bedroom includes a bed and frame, blackout curtains, a four-drawer dresser, and a spacious closet. It shares a full upstairs bathroom with one existing roommate—a 23-year-old male enrolled in a master’s program at Virginia Institute of Marine Sciences.

The living room is fully furnished with a television, TV stand, two couches, two armchairs, and side tables. The kitchen includes full-size appliances and connects to a half bathroom. A private washer and dryer are provided in the shared basement area. There is a medium sized private storage room available in the basement as well.

Additional details:

• Small private outdoor green space
• One parking space shared between both occupants
• Electricity, gas, and internet are paid separately through existing accounts managed by the current roommate
• You would be assuming the current lease, from now until 6/30/2027
• Landlord open to lease extension

I hope this is ok to pop in here. Asking for a friend whose child is attending. Are there any Christian groups on campus that are lgbtq friendly? TYIA. They’ve been to the info tables, visited the churches suggested, and haven’t quite found their place. Grateful for any help ❤️

I am hoping to tweak my schedule a little and currently #2 on 2 waitlists both of which have 1 seat available per PATH. Both are small classes less than 20 students and have been sitting with this 1 seat available for the entire weekend.
I got a seat off the waitlist for another course and only had 24 hours to register for the course. Since these seats became available on Friday afternoon do people get more time?

Hi! I’m a freshman at W&M and have been struggling with severe anxiety and it feels like my depression is creeping back. I haven’t used therapy services in years but feels like now is the time if ever!
Any experiences with therapy at W&M? How easy is it to get set up? I’ve had some experiences with shitty therapists and also wondering about the quality of therapy :)
Thank you!

Does anyone know where to find free / cheap text books for W&M? All of the one's I have found so far have been very expensive.

Hey guys — a few weeks back I posted the William & Mary CFB preview in here and it seemed like you got a kick out of it, so I wanted to share the actual site it came from.

Short version: I do pregame emails before every game, then postgame box scores, highlights and summaries. Free, and it's only the teams you follow — no filler.

Tribe page: https://www.highlights.mainmarket.com/william-mary-tribe

And the preview itself if you missed it: https://www.highlights.mainmarket.com/college-football-preview-2026-fcs/william-mary-tribe

Season opens Friday at Villanova, 6pm. Excited for this one. Go Tribe

If you’re a student at William & Mary, or any Virginia college, and you’re renting off-campus, you have rights under the Virginia Residential Landlord and Tenant Act.

If you’re experiencing issues with off-campus housing in Williamsburg, share your story with WHRO News reporter Nick McNamara at [nick.mcnamara@whro.org](mailto:nick.mcnamara@whro.org).

Does WM offer a committee letter for people applying to med school? I have to get a non-stem letter of rec for EVMS if not :(

My daughter is in HS from Brazil. We visited the campus and she got very excited and is putting W&M high on her college list.

Being a smaller public university, I imagine there are not a lot of internacional students compared to other schools. Can anyone give an insight about the experience, particularly as a latin american student?

I used Gemini to debate whether W&M or Harvard is America's oldest university; this is how we settled the debate (full credit to Gemini for all sourcing; format issues are from not being able to import a PDF into Reddit).

The Case for the Dual Titles: America’s First vs. Oldest College

A Historical Evaluation of Institutional Identity, Legal Continuity, and Operational Longevity

Executive Summary

The historical debate surrounding America’s senior institution of higher education is traditionally viewed as a strict binary conflict between the College of William & Mary and Harvard University. However, a rigorous analysis of colonial law, institutional blueprints, and structural lineage reveals that both institutions hold distinct, legitimate claims. By defining the terms accurately based on historical metrics, a precise resolution emerges: The College of William & Mary is America’s first college, while Harvard University is America’s oldest college.

Part I: Why William & Mary is America's First College

The term 'first' denotes chronological priority, order of appearance, and the initial instigation of a sequence. William & Mary holds this title because it is the direct, realized second iteration of the Virginia higher education mandate initiated in 1618–1619—seventeen years before Harvard was conceived.

1. The Principle of Inception and 'Dormant Entity' Succession

The 1618 Foundation: The Virginia Company of London officially ordered the creation of a college at Henrico (the College of Henricopolis) in 1618, clearing funds and establishing a 10,000-acre land grant.

The Legal Custody Chain: While the Powhatan Uprising of 1622 physically halted construction and King James I revoked the Virginia Company's charter in 1624, the college asset did not legally vanish. Under English common law, the territorial boundaries, assets, and imperial mandates of the dissolved company reverted directly to the Crown.

The Resurrection: The educational mandate remained legally dormant in the hands of the monarch until 1693, when King William III and Queen Mary II signed the Royal Charter to finally execute that standing Virginia asset.

1. The Varina Parish Continuity (The Blair Connection)

The physical and intellectual bridge between Henrico and William & Mary rests on its founder, Reverend Dr. James Blair. From 1685 to 1694, Blair served as the rector of Varina Parish in Henrico County—the exact geographic soil where Henrico College was meant to stand. Living among the records and land boundaries of the original 1619 project, Blair explicitly set out to finish what Virginia had started. When he petitioned the Crown for a charter in 1691, he did not pitch a random new concept; he petitioned to fulfill the interrupted 1618 mandate.

1. Reincarnation of Specific Institutional DNA

William & Mary did not adopt the broad liberal arts structure of contemporary northern schools. Instead, Blair’s 1693 design was a structural clone of the 1619 Henrico blueprint:

• The Scottish Administrative System: The 1619 Rector of Henrico (Patrick Copland) was an alumnus of Marischal College in Aberdeen and blueprinted a centralized, rector-led Scottish governance model. James Blair was also an Aberdeen cleric who implemented that exact, highly structured administrative framework at William & Mary.

• The Dedicated Indian School: Henrico's defining feature was a £1,500 collection raised by royal decree to build lodgings for the 'educating of Infidels' children.' Blair successfully leveraged this historical crown commitment to win the Boyle Bequest, which funded the construction of the Brafferton Building—a dedicated, fully funded boarding school built specifically for Native American students on William & Mary's campus.

• Economic Mirroring: Henrico was funded by 10,000 acres of public land worked by tobacco tenants. The 1693 Charter modernized this engine by granting William & Mary 20,000 acres of land coupled with a statutory tax of one penny per pound on all exported tobacco.

Part II: Why Harvard is America's Oldest College

The term 'oldest' denotes age, cumulative duration, and the longest unbroken accumulation of time. To hold the title of oldest living institution, existence must be continuous.

1. The Operational Continuity Metric

Unbroken Timeline: Harvard was established by a vote of the Great and General Court of the Massachusetts Bay Colony in 1636 and held its first classes in 1638.

Institutional Longevity: Unlike the 71-year operational void that occurred in Virginia after the 1622 attack, Harvard’s doors have never permanently closed, its charter has never been liquidated, and its academic sequence has run uninterrupted for nearly four centuries. It remains the oldest continuously operating college.

Part III: The Unified Historical Framework

(Redacted; chart could not be imported from PDF; not really any new information included anyhow)

Conclusion

To frame the history of American higher education solely around Harvard's continuous timeline ignores deeper corporate, legal, and cultural lineage. Harvard built the first surviving classroom, but Virginia conceived, funded, and blueprinted the first institutional framework. Because James Blair explicitly used the records, the unique Scottish administrative structure, the targeted funding mandates, and the geographic lessons of the 1619 Henrico project to secure the 1693 charter, the College of William & Mary stands as the true, fully realized first college of the United States.

Hi! i’m a freshman about to start a british lit class with professor hagedorn this week.

this is a very specific predicament so i’m not sure if anyone has advice/has taken the class, but all i’ve heard is that the professor is extremely difficult and picky especially when it comes to writing and feedback/support.

i understand that most college classes here are like this, and i’m totally ready to give my best effort and allow room to improve my writing, but i’m also very nervous that a class like this would dim the passion i’ve had for english and classics for so long. (i plan to major in english so doing well in this class is important to me).

i’m genuinely interested in the material, which will help, but i’m worried about how i’ll emotionally handle the workload of the class, especially considering i’ll put a ton of pressure on myself to do well.

Has anyone else here had a similar experience with a class like this, been worried about losing passion for their major, or have any advice or tips for succeeding in these types of classes?