JMU vs VCU

[Anonymous]

DD having a hard time choosing. Her intended major (Art Education) is strong at both. VCU obviously top ranked art program but both offer her specific major and have 100% placement. JMU has edge for campus and atmosphere. Here are her questions and we’d love to hear from people with firsthand experience.

Those with kids at JMU:
—What options exist for on-campus housing for upperclassmen? Do any upperclassmen actually live on campus? Are any off campus apartments within walking distance? She doesn’t love the idea of “commuting” to class.
—What do kids do for fun other than drinking/parties? Do clubs and other groups have social activities? She’s a little concerned about all the social life revolving around Greek life and parties.

For those with kids at VCU:
— what options exist for upperclassmen housing on campus? Do upperclassmen live on campus? Are there off campus apartments within walking distance?
— What do kids do for fun? Is there a sense of community on weekends or does everyone kind of do their own thing?
— How is security/safety in the area around the campus? If one is aware and vigilant is there any reason to be concerned about crime and safety?

[Anonymous]

JMU

[Anonymous]

JMU : Yes there is limited upperclassman housing on campus. Believe Honors college has first option. Off campus is close, about 90% live off after freshman. Lots of free college & public transportation, most off campus don't drive in. If campus life living is of interest, VCU is not a good fit for that. It is a college shoved & mixed within a city.

There are something like 400+ clubs at JMU.

The college campus experience could not be more different. JMU is traditional campus, VCU would be like living in an apartment (even if a dorm) and taking classes.

[Anonymous]

Oh, and crime at VCU. Well, she is living in a city that has college buildings scattered around. The closer she stays to the densest student population is safest. But college kids like to go to bars, restaurants, venues.

[Anonymous]

Has she toured VCU? She really needs to do so to understand the "campus". Outside of the interior physical college buildings, there are as many non-students as there are students on the "campus"

[Anonymous]

OP here. She has toured both, two times each - as prospective student and once admitted. She is really torn between the wonderful art program and facilities at VCU and the beautiful campus and atmosphere at JMU. If it was any other major she’d easily pick JMU but the art program (rightly) is a big draw.

[Anonymous]

At JMU the offf campus apartments are ALL students. It is basically llike another set of dorms with more private bathrooms. some are walkable, all are on the bus lines. this is really a non issue and it is quite likely your child would want to move off, even after sophomore year if she stays two years on campus.

parties are not greek focused. though you can be in the greek scene if you want. greek life is an extra, not a central part of JMU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. She has toured both, two times each - as prospective student and once admitted. She is really torn between the wonderful art program and facilities at VCU and the beautiful campus and atmosphere at JMU. If it was any other major she’d easily pick JMU but the art program (rightly) is a big draw.

Me again, that is hard. Honestly, if she is only weighing the programs, VCU. Richmond is an artsy town and much more opportunity. Usually kids love or hate a type of campus, if the city campus isn't an automatic no, then VCU.

[Anonymous]

How likely is she to stick with her major? If she switches to a different area of interest sophomore year, would she still like them equally, or would one hold more interest?

If she didn’t do art education, would she do studio art? Or other education/other humanities?
Thus question would drive the decision for me, personally.

[Anonymous]

OP here - I think she is very likely to stick with the major. She would not likely be interested in education without the art focus, and not likely to do studio art without the education component unless she could add possibly psychology and shift gears to art therapy. She has expressed interest in psychology but I don’t see her doing it as sole major. Maybe as a dual major or minor.

[Anonymous]

Lone time N Arlington resident. I would go JMU over VCU. I’ve never met or even heard of a VCU student going on to success. Lots of drugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lone time N Arlington resident. I would go JMU over VCU. I’ve never met or even heard of a VCU student going on to success. Lots of drugs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:At JMU the offf campus apartments are ALL students. It is basically llike another set of dorms with more private bathrooms. some are walkable, all are on the bus lines. this is really a non issue and it is quite likely your child would want to move off, even after sophomore year if she stays two years on campus.

parties are not greek focused. though you can be in the greek scene if you want. greek life is an extra, not a central part of JMU.

+1
Exactly this. Some students stay on campus through sophomore year. There are a couple of sophomore only dorms and others are a mix of freshmen and sophomores. There are also Grace St. Apts. - just across the street from campus and for sophomores/juniors/seniors. Usually after sophomore year, everyone is pretty much in off-campus apartments or townhouses - which are all students. Greek life isn’t a dominant presence. The majority of kids do not go Greek, but it’s there for those who are interested.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Lone time N Arlington resident. I would go JMU over VCU. I’ve never met or even heard of a VCU student going on to success. Lots of drugs.

What does living in N Arlington have to do with anything? And what a weird take.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:At JMU the offf campus apartments are ALL students. It is basically llike another set of dorms with more private bathrooms. some are walkable, all are on the bus lines. this is really a non issue and it is quite likely your child would want to move off, even after sophomore year if she stays two years on campus.

parties are not greek focused. though you can be in the greek scene if you want. greek life is an extra, not a central part of JMU.

+1
Exactly this. Some students stay on campus through sophomore year. There are a couple of sophomore only dorms and others are a mix of freshmen and sophomores. There are also Grace St. Apts. - just across the street from campus and for sophomores/juniors/seniors. Usually after sophomore year, everyone is pretty much in off-campus apartments or townhouses - which are all students. Greek life isn’t a dominant presence. The majority of kids do not go Greek, but it’s there for those who are interested.

OP here - thanks PP and others for your insight.