Non Virginia native asking...Is JMU a good school?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:JMU Alum of '93 Viewpoint: I transferred to JMU...had to live off-campus since transfers are not guaranteed housing. Rode my bike to/from classes...had accident and broke leg. Moved on campus (which means they actually did have space . Had a great experience! Changed majors, studied abroad. Was not into sororities.

Parties? Yes, of course there were parties...Greek Row for on-campus, and off-campus housing had plenty. But unless you are attending a very strict private Christian school (which I"m sure still has parties!) every public university will have party scenes for those students wanting to party. Yes, I attended a few parties...but as I wasn't in a sorority they were usually the off-campus ones. Did I ever get drunk? Yes...I'll admit it. ONCE in all my 3 yrs at JMU....and it wasn't even while at JMU...it was while studying abroad. And I got so sick the morning after that I never got drunk again Lesson learned!

But here's the thing....I actually WANT my kids to attend some parties at what ever college they end up at. IMHO that's part of growing up and socializing in college. But everyone knows their own kids better than anyone else. I have kids who are not partiers at all and neither seem to be interested in joining sorority/fraternity either. My son would likely rather stay in his room and play video games that go to a party and drink. My daughter would likely want to attend a party but she's never been a fan of big/crowded parties so I can see her going to check it out and then leaving early.

What I plan to instill in my kids is to be "smart" at parties...because let's be honest...all kids in college will attend parties. Be smart....make smart choices...use common sense.

94 grad. Partied too much and made no meaningful connections. Regret it everyday, but it's totally MY FAULT. Been a loyal donor to the school for 25 years. Hoping my children will attend a more prestigious institution, but have no problem with JMU as a safety.

WVU alum. Always find it amusing all the fawning over JMU as a party school. LOL I think the schools are probably close in "prestige" with a bit of an edge going to WVU--I think it's more widely recognized, maybe for "good," maybe for not--but the PP highlights a key difference between the two. Almost everyone at WVU parties too much. However, almost everyone makes good, meaningful connections. As an alumni base and student body, we are a tight-knit group even though we are massive. I partied waaaayyy too hard as an undergrad but I graduated with honors and have made it successfully enough through life and in my chosen field. If I'm hiring, a WVU resume will go to the top of my stack--they're at least getting an intro or interview.

Like the PP, I also hope my kids will go somewhere different: more prestigious and/or in-state and/or on scholarship. WVU would not be my top choice for my kids. But I love that place and always will.

As for JMU...if my kids were going to college today, I'd actually more OK with them in Harrisonburg than in Charlottesville. But they're brown. (And yes, I've been to both, I am aware of Harrisonburg's less-than-cosmopolitan locale.) I hope in the future I won't have to worry that, should they get in to the "top" in-state school, their race could be problematic or dangerous.

[Anonymous]

Cmon there is not similarity between WVU and JMU. According to Forbes, JMU is at least one of the top 25 Universities in the South...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:JMU Alum of '93 Viewpoint: I transferred to JMU...had to live off-campus since transfers are not guaranteed housing. Rode my bike to/from classes...had accident and broke leg. Moved on campus (which means they actually did have space . Had a great experience! Changed majors, studied abroad. Was not into sororities.

Parties? Yes, of course there were parties...Greek Row for on-campus, and off-campus housing had plenty. But unless you are attending a very strict private Christian school (which I"m sure still has parties!) every public university will have party scenes for those students wanting to party. Yes, I attended a few parties...but as I wasn't in a sorority they were usually the off-campus ones. Did I ever get drunk? Yes...I'll admit it. ONCE in all my 3 yrs at JMU....and it wasn't even while at JMU...it was while studying abroad. And I got so sick the morning after that I never got drunk again Lesson learned!

But here's the thing....I actually WANT my kids to attend some parties at what ever college they end up at. IMHO that's part of growing up and socializing in college. But everyone knows their own kids better than anyone else. I have kids who are not partiers at all and neither seem to be interested in joining sorority/fraternity either. My son would likely rather stay in his room and play video games that go to a party and drink. My daughter would likely want to attend a party but she's never been a fan of big/crowded parties so I can see her going to check it out and then leaving early.

What I plan to instill in my kids is to be "smart" at parties...because let's be honest...all kids in college will attend parties. Be smart....make smart choices...use common sense.

94 grad. Partied too much and made no meaningful connections. Regret it everyday, but it's totally MY FAULT. Been a loyal donor to the school for 25 years. Hoping my children will attend a more prestigious institution, but have no problem with JMU as a safety.

WVU alum. Always find it amusing all the fawning over JMU as a party school. LOL I think the schools are probably close in "prestige" with a bit of an edge going to WVU--I think it's more widely recognized, maybe for "good," maybe for not--but the PP highlights a key difference between the two. Almost everyone at WVU parties too much. However, almost everyone makes good, meaningful connections. As an alumni base and student body, we are a tight-knit group even though we are massive. I partied waaaayyy too hard as an undergrad but I graduated with honors and have made it successfully enough through life and in my chosen field. If I'm hiring, a WVU resume will go to the top of my stack--they're at least getting an intro or interview.

Like the PP, I also hope my kids will go somewhere different: more prestigious and/or in-state and/or on scholarship. WVU would not be my top choice for my kids. But I love that place and always will.

As for JMU...if my kids were going to college today, I'd actually more OK with them in Harrisonburg than in Charlottesville. But they're brown. (And yes, I've been to both, I am aware of Harrisonburg's less-than-cosmopolitan locale.) I hope in the future I won't have to worry that, should they get in to the "top" in-state school, their race could be problematic or dangerous.

Why in the world would you be more comfortable with them in Harrisonburg than Charlottesville because their Brown.