William & Mary is a public university located in Williamsburg, Virginia. Founded by Royal Charter in 1693, it is the second oldest institution of higher learning in the country. In addition to its long history of excellent liberal arts education, William & Mary also demonstrates a strong commitment to undergraduate research. The school has a student body of roughly 8,000 full-time students with an 11-to-1 student/faculty ratio. U.S. News and World Report ranks the university sixth among all public universities in the country. Known as “the alma mater of the nation,” William & Mary has educated three American presidents:  Thomas Jefferson, James Monroe and John Tyler — with Washington serving as its first American chancellor.