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

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. JMU isn't ranked at all on the USNWR list of National Universities (or SLACs). VT is in the 60s last I saw.

2. Ignoring point #1, you know it's easier to "take a bigger jump in the rankings" when you have much more room to jump, right? Saying that JMU is "up and coming" or whatever says nothing to take away from VT. Tech is ranked high and harder to get into for anyone in the DCUM range.

3. Squabble on.

OK I'll bite into this discussion because I actually have kids at both. Warning, I worked for USN&WR back in the 1980s as a data analyst so this perspective might be a little boring

1. Colleges and Universities are grouped in the USN Rankings based on number of Doctoral degrees granted (or more accurately, Carnegie Basic Classification). For example - GMU, VT, VCU and ODU all share similar Basic Classification for larger number of Doctoral Degrees and are ranked together as "National U"s...on the other hand JMU, Villanova, Providence College, Mary Washington, etc. all share similar Basic Classification for smaller number of Doctoral Degrees and are ranked together as "Regional U"s. In its (admittedly tougher) category, Virginia Tech is in the 70's. In its (admittedly easier) category, JMU ranks #5.

2. In point of fact, JMU and VT have both dipped in their respective rankings. Back in the 1980s when Wake Forest U (was always #1), Furman (often switched with JMU for #3) and the University of Richmond (always #2) were ranked as Southern "Regional U"s by US News, JMU was a consistent #3 or 4. VT on the other hand used to rank favorably with schools like UMCP in the "National U"s, but no longer.
3. I love squabbling but they are both fine schools. Over the years the schools have traded off in terms of SAT average of entering class. Currently VT's is about 50 points higher because James Madison has expanded their Entering Class Size from something like 1,000-1,500 in the 1980s to 4,000-4,300 today (and its acceptance rate is much higher than in the 1980s).

Another point of caution for you VT/JMU squabblers. I was looking at JMU's Institutional Research site. They awarded so many doctorates over the past few years that they will have their basic classification changed (just as UR, WFU and others have a decade ago). However, when it changes, it is likely to be grouped by USN in the "National Liberal Arts" Category (like UR) rather than "National U"s. So this debate will likely not be settled...

For the record, my opinion is that VT is better for STEM, JMU for Business and LA for what it is worth.

Hope this helps.

This may be the best post on DCUM...

[Anonymous]

As a hiring manager, I feel VA Tech Business school does a better job getting kids prepared for technical skills required for business world. The kids we hire from Tech are much better equipped with computer and social skills. They seem to have more technical classes than other business schools that prepare them for outside world. They seem to much better well rounded group of kids.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a hiring manager, I feel VA Tech Business school does a better job getting kids prepared for technical skills required for business world. The kids we hire from Tech are much better equipped with computer and social skills. They seem to have more technical classes than other business schools that prepare them for outside world. They seem to much better well rounded group of kids.

VT-Pamplin is a fine school, but James Madison ranks higher (www.businessweek.com) and their business grads seem to have better recruitment/outcomes according to that rankings stats...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. JMU isn't ranked at all on the USNWR list of National Universities (or SLACs). VT is in the 60s last I saw.

2. Ignoring point #1, you know it's easier to "take a bigger jump in the rankings" when you have much more room to jump, right? Saying that JMU is "up and coming" or whatever says nothing to take away from VT. Tech is ranked high and harder to get into for anyone in the DCUM range.

3. Squabble on.

OK I'll bite into this discussion because I actually have kids at both. Warning, I worked for USN&WR back in the 1980s as a data analyst so this perspective might be a little boring

1. Colleges and Universities are grouped in the USN Rankings based on number of Doctoral degrees granted (or more accurately, Carnegie Basic Classification). For example - GMU, VT, VCU and ODU all share similar Basic Classification for larger number of Doctoral Degrees and are ranked together as "National U"s...on the other hand JMU, Villanova, Providence College, Mary Washington, etc. all share similar Basic Classification for smaller number of Doctoral Degrees and are ranked together as "Regional U"s. In its (admittedly tougher) category, Virginia Tech is in the 70's. In its (admittedly easier) category, JMU ranks #5.

2. In point of fact, JMU and VT have both dipped in their respective rankings. Back in the 1980s when Wake Forest U (was always #1), Furman (often switched with JMU for #3) and the University of Richmond (always #2) were ranked as Southern "Regional U"s by US News, JMU was a consistent #3 or 4. VT on the other hand used to rank favorably with schools like UMCP in the "National U"s, but no longer.
3. I love squabbling but they are both fine schools. Over the years the schools have traded off in terms of SAT average of entering class. Currently VT's is about 50 points higher because James Madison has expanded their Entering Class Size from something like 1,000-1,500 in the 1980s to 4,000-4,300 today (and its acceptance rate is much higher than in the 1980s).

Another point of caution for you VT/JMU squabblers. I was looking at JMU's Institutional Research site. They awarded so many doctorates over the past few years that they will have their basic classification changed (just as UR, WFU and others have a decade ago). However, when it changes, it is likely to be grouped by USN in the "National Liberal Arts" Category (like UR) rather than "National U"s. So this debate will likely not be settled...

For the record, my opinion is that VT is better for STEM, JMU for Business and LA for what it is worth.

Hope this helps.

This may be the best post on DCUM...

Agreed - real information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. JMU isn't ranked at all on the USNWR list of National Universities (or SLACs). VT is in the 60s last I saw.

2. Ignoring point #1, you know it's easier to "take a bigger jump in the rankings" when you have much more room to jump, right? Saying that JMU is "up and coming" or whatever says nothing to take away from VT. Tech is ranked high and harder to get into for anyone in the DCUM range.

3. Squabble on.

OK I'll bite into this discussion because I actually have kids at both. Warning, I worked for USN&WR back in the 1980s as a data analyst so this perspective might be a little boring

1. Colleges and Universities are grouped in the USN Rankings based on number of Doctoral degrees granted (or more accurately, Carnegie Basic Classification). For example - GMU, VT, VCU and ODU all share similar Basic Classification for larger number of Doctoral Degrees and are ranked together as "National U"s...on the other hand JMU, Villanova, Providence College, Mary Washington, etc. all share similar Basic Classification for smaller number of Doctoral Degrees and are ranked together as "Regional U"s. In its (admittedly tougher) category, Virginia Tech is in the 70's. In its (admittedly easier) category, JMU ranks #5.

2. In point of fact, JMU and VT have both dipped in their respective rankings. Back in the 1980s when Wake Forest U (was always #1), Furman (often switched with JMU for #3) and the University of Richmond (always #2) were ranked as Southern "Regional U"s by US News, JMU was a consistent #3 or 4. VT on the other hand used to rank favorably with schools like UMCP in the "National U"s, but no longer.
3. I love squabbling but they are both fine schools. Over the years the schools have traded off in terms of SAT average of entering class. Currently VT's is about 50 points higher because James Madison has expanded their Entering Class Size from something like 1,000-1,500 in the 1980s to 4,000-4,300 today (and its acceptance rate is much higher than in the 1980s).

Another point of caution for you VT/JMU squabblers. I was looking at JMU's Institutional Research site. They awarded so many doctorates over the past few years that they will have their basic classification changed (just as UR, WFU and others have a decade ago). However, when it changes, it is likely to be grouped by USN in the "National Liberal Arts" Category (like UR) rather than "National U"s. So this debate will likely not be settled...

For the record, my opinion is that VT is better for STEM, JMU for Business and LA for what it is worth.

Hope this helps.

This may be the best post on DCUM...

Agreed - real information.

GMU is more selective than VT and JMU these days...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:1. JMU isn't ranked at all on the USNWR list of National Universities (or SLACs). VT is in the 60s last I saw.

2. Ignoring point #1, you know it's easier to "take a bigger jump in the rankings" when you have much more room to jump, right? Saying that JMU is "up and coming" or whatever says nothing to take away from VT. Tech is ranked high and harder to get into for anyone in the DCUM range.

3. Squabble on.

OK I'll bite into this discussion because I actually have kids at both. Warning, I worked for USN&WR back in the 1980s as a data analyst so this perspective might be a little boring

1. Colleges and Universities are grouped in the USN Rankings based on number of Doctoral degrees granted (or more accurately, Carnegie Basic Classification). For example - GMU, VT, VCU and ODU all share similar Basic Classification for larger number of Doctoral Degrees and are ranked together as "National U"s...on the other hand JMU, Villanova, Providence College, Mary Washington, etc. all share similar Basic Classification for smaller number of Doctoral Degrees and are ranked together as "Regional U"s. In its (admittedly tougher) category, Virginia Tech is in the 70's. In its (admittedly easier) category, JMU ranks #5.

2. In point of fact, JMU and VT have both dipped in their respective rankings. Back in the 1980s when Wake Forest U (was always #1), Furman (often switched with JMU for #3) and the University of Richmond (always #2) were ranked as Southern "Regional U"s by US News, JMU was a consistent #3 or 4. VT on the other hand used to rank favorably with schools like UMCP in the "National U"s, but no longer.
3. I love squabbling but they are both fine schools. Over the years the schools have traded off in terms of SAT average of entering class. Currently VT's is about 50 points higher because James Madison has expanded their Entering Class Size from something like 1,000-1,500 in the 1980s to 4,000-4,300 today (and its acceptance rate is much higher than in the 1980s).

Another point of caution for you VT/JMU squabblers. I was looking at JMU's Institutional Research site. They awarded so many doctorates over the past few years that they will have their basic classification changed (just as UR, WFU and others have a decade ago). However, when it changes, it is likely to be grouped by USN in the "National Liberal Arts" Category (like UR) rather than "National U"s. So this debate will likely not be settled...

For the record, my opinion is that VT is better for STEM, JMU for Business and LA for what it is worth.

Hope this helps.

This may be the best post on DCUM...

Agreed - real information.

GMU is more selective than VT and JMU these days...

What is your deal? Do you troll any thread mentioning either Va Tech or JMU and post this crap for fun? Where does George Mason even get mentioned in the thread title?

[Anonymous]

GMU gets lots of applicants b/c it's local. Lots of the immigrant population commutes or it is culturally unacceptable for them to live away from home or in dormitories. That contributes to the perception that the school is more "selective".

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
GMU gets lots of applicants b/c it's local. Lots of the immigrant population commutes or it is culturally unacceptable for them to live away from home or in dormitories. That contributes to the perception that the school is more "selective".

VT may have a higher selection % but smarter students apply in the first place.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
GMU gets lots of applicants b/c it's local. Lots of the immigrant population commutes or it is culturally unacceptable for them to live away from home or in dormitories. That contributes to the perception that the school is more "selective".

VT may have a higher selection % but smarter students apply in the first place.

GMU has lower acceptance rate than VT/JMU

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
GMU gets lots of applicants b/c it's local. Lots of the immigrant population commutes or it is culturally unacceptable for them to live away from home or in dormitories. That contributes to the perception that the school is more "selective".

VT may have a higher selection % but smarter students apply in the first place.

Uh, no. Wishful thinking on your part.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
GMU gets lots of applicants b/c it's local. Lots of the immigrant population commutes or it is culturally unacceptable for them to live away from home or in dormitories. That contributes to the perception that the school is more "selective".

VT may have a higher selection % but smarter students apply in the first place.

GMU has lower acceptance rate than VT/JMU

Because GMU receives a vast wealth of applications from very questionable candidates.

[Anonymous]

What are the average test scores of admitted as well as enrolled students?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:What are the average test scores of admitted as well as enrolled students?

GMU and VT (and JMU too) are all in the average to mediocre range.

They are all second-tier schools, with Mason being a third tier.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:What are the average test scores of admitted as well as enrolled students?

GMU and VT (and JMU too) are all in the average to mediocre range.

They are all second-tier schools, with Mason being a third tier.

Actually all three are reputable schools. This incessant school-bashing is childish. No one confuses Virginia Tech or JMU with Cal Tech or Amherst, but some very fine students go to both these places.

George Mason has also come a long way; it is no longer fair to deride it as a night school for adults...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UVA

and you are helpful, how?