Why Pick JMU if GMU is Ranked Higher and Easier to Get Into?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:To get out of the DMV bubble and experience something new. NOVA is dull, and boring, and a rat race. There's something to be said for doing college outside of the place, just for the experience. You'll have the rest of your life to sit in 2-hour traffic jams and be a stressed-out wage slave for some employer. Take the opportunity to see something else before you do. It will make you a more well-rounded person.

Oh hell no. You trying to take the wind from the sails of the hater threads? All kids and adults should stay here and only here, forever, no excuses. Never leave. Ever. Not for vacation, or college, or anything. Ever. 20 mile radius only, no exceptions.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because you do not need stellar grades to get into JMU. Kids can check the box for getting the traditional college experience and the parents are relieved.

Or GMU.

Which is fine, but don't give bad information.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I’m considering Virginia state schools for my child and looking at GMU closely. GMU is ranked 105th nationally by US News, while JMU is ranked 124th. GMU also seems easier to get into and excels in STEM programs. With all these points in GMU's favor, I'm curious why anyone might still go for JMU. Does JMU offer something unique that I’m overlooking? Would love to get some thoughts from anyone familiar with these schools as of recently. I know GMU was a commuter backup school a decade or more ago but it seems things have changed.

Who looks at rankings when making these comparisons?

To answer your question, JMU offers a more traditional college experience including a larger on-campus cohort experience (i.e. living on campus, in a college town), for one thing.

But rankings? Especially comparing 124 to 105? Like, who cares?

+1

[Anonymous]

My kid is only applying to GMU. White male. Not interested in football or fraternities. Com Sci kid. Couldn't care less about the social scene in high school or college. Plans to live on campus first year, even though we live about 20 min. away.

Other kid goes to a VA state school that also does not have a football/party/fraternity culture. There are a lot of kids these days who have friends from all over the country who get together on line. Many kids are not into the "traditional" rah-rah college experience.

Why go to one vs. the other, OP? Just because one feels more interesting/right to you! That's really all there is. To the extent you are seeking a com sci degree, if you want an "easier"version of that b/c you are not strong in math, then JMU is the way to go. They don't require as much math as GMU. Otherwise, you do you.

By the way, I know everyone likes to poop on GMU b/c it's the local school... but even at the top FCPS high schools, GMU is the #3 college choice of graduates. VT and NVCC flip flop from year to year for 1st and 2nd. Then there's good 'ole GMU in the #3 spot year after year.

I actually went to UVA for law school, after attending two mid-west big state U's. I actually kind of prefer a university that is more "open to everyone, but you'll have to prove that you can stay" mindset. Being in a college/university where everyone is a 4.5 gpa gunner, just doesn't sound fun at all. I like the way the big-state-U's are pretty liberal with admitting people, and then, of course, if you don't have what it takes to get through the hard classes, you don't stay.

I've encouraged my kid to look at VT or other universities, but he just says "why?" I'm choosing to look at it as a positive! I'll get to see my kid more often, and it's so much more convenient to move in and move out when you live nearby. Plus, it's easier to help when he gets sick, and he can keep his same doctors/barber/dentist/etc.

OP, there isn't one answer to your question. It's just really what makes sense to you.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because you do not need stellar grades to get into JMU. Kids can check the box for getting the traditional college experience and the parents are relieved.

Grades are higher at JMU than GMU

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid is only applying to GMU. White male. Not interested in football or fraternities. Com Sci kid. Couldn't care less about the social scene in high school or college. Plans to live on campus first year, even though we live about 20 min. away.

Other kid goes to a VA state school that also does not have a football/party/fraternity culture. There are a lot of kids these days who have friends from all over the country who get together on line. Many kids are not into the "traditional" rah-rah college experience.

Why go to one vs. the other, OP? Just because one feels more interesting/right to you! That's really all there is. To the extent you are seeking a com sci degree, if you want an "easier"version of that b/c you are not strong in math, then JMU is the way to go. They don't require as much math as GMU. Otherwise, you do you.

By the way, I know everyone likes to poop on GMU b/c it's the local school... but even at the top FCPS high schools, GMU is the #3 college choice of graduates. VT and NVCC flip flop from year to year for 1st and 2nd. Then there's good 'ole GMU in the #3 spot year after year.

I actually went to UVA for law school, after attending two mid-west big state U's. I actually kind of prefer a university that is more "open to everyone, but you'll have to prove that you can stay" mindset. Being in a college/university where everyone is a 4.5 gpa gunner, just doesn't sound fun at all. I like the way the big-state-U's are pretty liberal with admitting people, and then, of course, if you don't have what it takes to get through the hard classes, you don't stay.

I've encouraged my kid to look at VT or other universities, but he just says "why?" I'm choosing to look at it as a positive! I'll get to see my kid more often, and it's so much more convenient to move in and move out when you live nearby. Plus, it's easier to help when he gets sick, and he can keep his same doctors/barber/dentist/etc.

OP, there isn't one answer to your question. It's just really what makes sense to you.

Nonsense post.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I’m considering Virginia state schools for my child and looking at GMU closely. GMU is ranked 105th nationally by US News, while JMU is ranked 124th. GMU also seems easier to get into and excels in STEM programs. With all these points in GMU's favor, I'm curious why anyone might still go for JMU. Does JMU offer something unique that I’m overlooking? Would love to get some thoughts from anyone familiar with these schools as of recently. I know GMU was a commuter backup school a decade or more ago but it seems things have changed.

It’s not. Check back on sept 2024

[Anonymous]

Because it's not a real college experience. It's basically a community college experience with 4 year degrees and good placement.

[Anonymous]

Commuter school vs. real college experience

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because it's not a real college experience. It's basically a community college experience with 4 year degrees and good placement.

+1 That’s it, that’s why

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because it's not a real college experience. It's basically a community college experience with 4 year degrees and good placement.

+1 That’s it, that’s why

Are the classes at GMU comparable to or harder than community college classes?

[Anonymous]

Do not look at rankings. Look at the actual schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Because it's not a real college experience. It's basically a community college experience with 4 year degrees and good placement.

What does this mean? We are in MD and my kid is considering GMU over JMU for poli sci. The poli sci courses offered at GMU make those at JMU, UMBC and Towson look like high school.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My kid is only applying to GMU. White male. Not interested in football or fraternities. Com Sci kid. Couldn't care less about the social scene in high school or college. Plans to live on campus first year, even though we live about 20 min. away.

Other kid goes to a VA state school that also does not have a football/party/fraternity culture. There are a lot of kids these days who have friends from all over the country who get together on line. Many kids are not into the "traditional" rah-rah college experience.

Why go to one vs. the other, OP? Just because one feels more interesting/right to you! That's really all there is. To the extent you are seeking a com sci degree, if you want an "easier"version of that b/c you are not strong in math, then JMU is the way to go. They don't require as much math as GMU. Otherwise, you do you.

By the way, I know everyone likes to poop on GMU b/c it's the local school... but even at the top FCPS high schools, GMU is the #3 college choice of graduates. VT and NVCC flip flop from year to year for 1st and 2nd. Then there's good 'ole GMU in the #3 spot year after year.

I actually went to UVA for law school, after attending two mid-west big state U's. I actually kind of prefer a university that is more "open to everyone, but you'll have to prove that you can stay" mindset. Being in a college/university where everyone is a 4.5 gpa gunner, just doesn't sound fun at all. I like the way the big-state-U's are pretty liberal with admitting people, and then, of course, if you don't have what it takes to get through the hard classes, you don't stay.

I've encouraged my kid to look at VT or other universities, but he just says "why?" I'm choosing to look at it as a positive! I'll get to see my kid more often, and it's so much more convenient to move in and move out when you live nearby. Plus, it's easier to help when he gets sick, and he can keep his same doctors/barber/dentist/etc.

OP, there isn't one answer to your question. It's just really what makes sense to you.

Nonsense post.

Literally everything I wrote is true.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Because it's not a real college experience. It's basically a community college experience with 4 year degrees and good placement.

What does this mean? We are in MD and my kid is considering GMU over JMU for poli sci. The poli sci courses offered at GMU make those at JMU, UMBC and Towson look like high school.

By “real college experience” the PP means “white.”

By “basically a community college degree with 4 year degrees and good placement” the PP means majority-minority.

Welcome to DCUM!