Which is the better VA university: VA Tech or JMU?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:JMU has made a much bigger jump in the rankings lately than Tech has. I am not sure any one cares or even knows about Michael Vick. But if it takes a felon to bring fame and "prestige" to a university, whatever.

+1000
Is someone here actually touting Michael Vick as a draw for VT? I think s/he has been drinking too much rendered pig fat. Clearly, it really is true that "all back roads lead to Tech". No thanks.

Vick was the most electric player in the NCAA at the time and the National championship game made VT a household name outside of Virginia. Similar to the effect of GMU making the final 4.

His reputation now is immaterial, because his impact was back in 2000. The more recent dogfighting issues didn't help, but that was 10 years later and doesn't really concern the university, just like Tiki's domestic issues didn't help UVA and Sharper's allegations don't help WM.

[Anonymous]

Vick is not even a graduate of VT. He is a dropout.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:JMU has made a much bigger jump in the rankings lately than Tech has. I am not sure any one cares or even knows about Michael Vick. But if it takes a felon to bring fame and "prestige" to a university, whatever.

+1000
Is someone here actually touting Michael Vick as a draw for VT? I think s/he has been drinking too much rendered pig fat. Clearly, it really is true that "all back roads lead to Tech". No thanks.

Vick was the most electric player in the NCAA at the time and the National championship game made VT a household name outside of Virginia. Similar to the effect of GMU making the final 4.

His reputation now is immaterial, because his impact was back in 2000. The more recent dogfighting issues didn't help, but that was 10 years later and doesn't really concern the university, just like Tiki's domestic issues didn't help UVA and Sharper's allegations don't help WM.

Frankly, I can't even imagine judging a school on the clout, or lack thereof, of its sports teams. That's not even on my list of things to look for in a college.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:JMU has made a much bigger jump in the rankings lately than Tech has. I am not sure any one cares or even knows about Michael Vick. But if it takes a felon to bring fame and "prestige" to a university, whatever.

+1000
Is someone here actually touting Michael Vick as a draw for VT? I think s/he has been drinking too much rendered pig fat. Clearly, it really is true that "all back roads lead to Tech". No thanks.

Vick was the most electric player in the NCAA at the time and the National championship game made VT a household name outside of Virginia. Similar to the effect of GMU making the final 4.

His reputation now is immaterial, because his impact was back in 2000. The more recent dogfighting issues didn't help, but that was 10 years later and doesn't really concern the university, just like Tiki's domestic issues didn't help UVA and Sharper's allegations don't help WM.

Frankly, I can't even imagine judging a school on the clout, or lack thereof, of its sports teams. That's not even on my list of things to look for in a college.

Their loss, I am sure, since the over 40 crowd is the sweet spot of the US undergrad market. Sports are another way for a school to be seen, kids become sports fans, watch games, go to camps. Not sure how likely a person is to apply to a school they have never heard of. Academic rankings, sports teams, etc all factor in. Not saying it's the smartest way to do it, but you will find few people saying teenagers make the best decisions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:JMU has made a much bigger jump in the rankings lately than Tech has. I am not sure any one cares or even knows about Michael Vick. But if it takes a felon to bring fame and "prestige" to a university, whatever.

+1000
Is someone here actually touting Michael Vick as a draw for VT? I think s/he has been drinking too much rendered pig fat. Clearly, it really is true that "all back roads lead to Tech". No thanks.

Vick was the most electric player in the NCAA at the time and the National championship game made VT a household name outside of Virginia. Similar to the effect of GMU making the final 4.

His reputation now is immaterial, because his impact was back in 2000. The more recent dogfighting issues didn't help, but that was 10 years later and doesn't really concern the university, just like Tiki's domestic issues didn't help UVA and Sharper's allegations don't help WM.

Frankly, I can't even imagine judging a school on the clout, or lack thereof, of its sports teams. That's not even on my list of things to look for in a college.

Their loss, I am sure, since the over 40 crowd is the sweet spot of the US undergrad market. Sports are another way for a school to be seen, kids become sports fans, watch games, go to camps. Not sure how likely a person is to apply to a school they have never heard of. Academic rankings, sports teams, etc all factor in. Not saying it's the smartest way to do it, but you will find few people saying teenagers make the best decisions.

People hear about schools through lots of venues, sports being only one. The Ivies? Not exactly known for their sports teams but definitely known for academics. Those are just examples; there are plenty of other excellent schools that have kids clamoring to get in purely due to their academic reputation. A school with a huge focus on sports is a turnoff for me and for others; it's pretty clear the emphasis is on athletics and not academics.

[Anonymous]

For any student or parent reading this, as a Virginia resident, we are extremely lucky to have a wide variety of great public colleges that residents of other states would kill to have. Encourage your student to pick the right fit university and worry less about what any of these personal opinions say. What employers and graduate schools look for is the whole person...not just where they went to school, but what did they do while they were there. So much of deciding where to go has to do with the fit, the experience the student seeks, what they think they want to study.

You can look at the stats from each school, but remember, they are different schools (for instance, Tech stats are skewed because of their phenomenal engineering program and therefore, the GPAs and SATs, etc. are skewed). As a life long Virginian, I have known VERY successful and happy people who have graduated from JMU, UVA, W&M, GMU, Tech and others.

Your student can't go wrong picking any of these universities. But, having two kids in college now (one at JMU and one at UVA) I'd definitely ask: size of undergraduate classes, who teaches them a TA or a professor, what are the support systems in place for students in terms of tutoring/counseling, etc. (even the smartest kids sometimes need help), etc.

Best of luck and don't worry about these personal opinion posts. Most everyone I know loves the Va school that they went to and wouldn't trade their experience. You can't go wrong with any of these schools.

[Anonymous]

As a JMU grad, I loved my experience there. The professors were great, very caring. I was able to have internships there that really prepared me for my first job. Armed with a great business degree and MBA from JMU, I am now a senior person in a Fortune 25 company.

It was a great fit for me.

P.S. It is such a shame that so many of these posts want to run down the other Va. schools. They are all really good schools in their own right.

[Anonymous]

PPs, I completely agree! As Virginians, we are so lucky to have excellent in-state options. I don't understand those who choose to badmouth certain schools, and for no good reason other than I suppose to make them feel better about their own choices? There is a great school out there for everyone and I'm happy that my kids will have lots of very good options if they want to stay in-state.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:JMU has made a much bigger jump in the rankings lately than Tech has. I am not sure any one cares or even knows about Michael Vick. But if it takes a felon to bring fame and "prestige" to a university, whatever.

+1000
Is someone here actually touting Michael Vick as a draw for VT? I think s/he has been drinking too much rendered pig fat. Clearly, it really is true that "all back roads lead to Tech". No thanks.

Vick was the most electric player in the NCAA at the time and the National championship game made VT a household name outside of Virginia. Similar to the effect of GMU making the final 4.

His reputation now is immaterial, because his impact was back in 2000. The more recent dogfighting issues didn't help, but that was 10 years later and doesn't really concern the university, just like Tiki's domestic issues didn't help UVA and Sharper's allegations don't help WM.

Frankly, I can't even imagine judging a school on the clout, or lack thereof, of its sports teams. That's not even on my list of things to look for in a college.

Their loss, I am sure, since the over 40 crowd is the sweet spot of the US undergrad market. Sports are another way for a school to be seen, kids become sports fans, watch games, go to camps. Not sure how likely a person is to apply to a school they have never heard of. Academic rankings, sports teams, etc all factor in. Not saying it's the smartest way to do it, but you will find few people saying teenagers make the best decisions.

People hear about schools through lots of venues, sports being only one. The Ivies? Not exactly known for their sports teams but definitely known for academics. Those are just examples; there are plenty of other excellent schools that have kids clamoring to get in purely due to their academic reputation. A school with a huge focus on sports is a turnoff for me and for others; it's pretty clear the emphasis is on athletics and not academics.

Ivies are known for the connections and job prospects not academics. Also, sports in the Ivy League are of importance because they help with developing leadership, aka resume bullets when young.

Reality is an average student at any non-top 10 or 20 school has similar odds of success where as an average student at a top school will have more opportunities. However a top student at almost any university will be successful; so your kid should pick what fits and is affordable.

[Anonymous]

Ivies are known for their academics as well. It's simply that many more students could succeed academically at the Ivies than will ever have a chance to attend them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:JMU has made a much bigger jump in the rankings lately than Tech has. I am not sure any one cares or even knows about Michael Vick. But if it takes a felon to bring fame and "prestige" to a university, whatever.

+1000
Is someone here actually touting Michael Vick as a draw for VT? I think s/he has been drinking too much rendered pig fat. Clearly, it really is true that "all back roads lead to Tech". No thanks.

Vick was the most electric player in the NCAA at the time and the National championship game made VT a household name outside of Virginia. Similar to the effect of GMU making the final 4.

His reputation now is immaterial, because his impact was back in 2000. The more recent dogfighting issues didn't help, but that was 10 years later and doesn't really concern the university, just like Tiki's domestic issues didn't help UVA and Sharper's allegations don't help WM.

Frankly, I can't even imagine judging a school on the clout, or lack thereof, of its sports teams. That's not even on my list of things to look for in a college.

Their loss, I am sure, since the over 40 crowd is the sweet spot of the US undergrad market. Sports are another way for a school to be seen, kids become sports fans, watch games, go to camps. Not sure how likely a person is to apply to a school they have never heard of. Academic rankings, sports teams, etc all factor in. Not saying it's the smartest way to do it, but you will find few people saying teenagers make the best decisions.

People hear about schools through lots of venues, sports being only one. The Ivies? Not exactly known for their sports teams but definitely known for academics. Those are just examples; there are plenty of other excellent schools that have kids clamoring to get in purely due to their academic reputation. A school with a huge focus on sports is a turnoff for me and for others; it's pretty clear the emphasis is on athletics and not academics.

Ivies are known for the connections and job prospects not academics. Also, sports in the Ivy League are of importance because they help with developing leadership, aka resume bullets when young.

Reality is an average student at any non-top 10 or 20 school has similar odds of success where as an average student at a top school will have more opportunities. However a top student at almost any university will be successful; so your kid should pick what fits and is affordable.

This makes me vomit. Glad I'm not your kid collecting "resume bullets". I'm just happy if mine pursue what they enjoy.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:No disrespect, but I would feel weird going to a school (VA Tech) where so many students have been killed.

Does that bother anyone else?

no is probably safer

Good point!

Have you ever toured? We just did. Safety safety safety issues and uniformed ROTC everywhere. We felt very safe. DC never knew about the shootings. Wasn't mentioned by anyone on campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:You might feel weird, but HS seniors are applying in ever-increasing numbers year after year.

Not my DD. She would not even look at the campus. It may seem weird, but she genuinely is scared of Tech and no amount of reasoning would change her view. I am sure she is not alone.

Tech's entering class of 2012 had 20828 applicants.
Last year's entering class had 20191 applicants. That seems to be fewer.

Your facts are incorrect. andthe shootings took place in 2007. It's a very difficult school to get into now. You must select which of 8 colleges to apply. It is most difficult to get into the top four colleges: Engineering being the most difficult.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:So wait. Are all the JMU people just going to ignore the fact that Tech has higher stats? Honestly, if someone said UVA was better than VT and cited those same stats, no one would quarrel with the analysis. But if someone does the same with VT and JMU, there is a whole lot of additional discussion. Can't understand how all the nonsense and perception crap factors in. Those are the scores of the students entering the two schools. End of discussion.

58

We just toured all three (including UVA),tomorrow Wash. & Lee. DC was not at all interested in UVA but thrilled with TECh. He wants to apply to the Engineering College and has learned it is ot going to be easy, even with all his xlnt credentials. Admissions office gave us some great ideas. We were very impressed. Stats are much lower at JMU. He has no interest in attending there either. As for male/female ratio, we were on VT campus two days and I certainly didn't notice anything. The actual stats are 48% women and 52% men due to the ROTC programs, although I saw many women in fatigues. For engineering or architecture it is the top in the state. The campus felt very safe. Clearly the 31,275 students and faculty have moved on. I certainly felt more safe there than my SLAC or Ivy (both in bad areas). Loved the "give back" motto. Students were great. Food is no. 2 on one of the reviews and it was indeed excellent. No, I don't know which college or university ranked no. 1. It certainly wasn't my slac. We came away very impressed and, no, no Hokies in the family.

[Anonymous]

11 pages on this? Both are great schools and I would be thrilled for my dc to attend either one.