The State of Virginia Colleges

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish I had studied these Virginia schools when our kids were little and invested in prepaid tuition.
We toured VCU, JMU, VT, UVA, W&M, CNU, GMU, and UMW.
Each one had great things about them.
We told our kids that they will be going instate only.
So our kids are in 2 of these schools.
We have amazing options here in Virginia.

We have a kid at WM with 8 semesters pre-paid. We”re saving $7,500 a year or $30,000 over 4 years. Talk about lucky. We had no idea in ES when we open the account where they would end up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Again, I think there are spots at state schools for VA students - many just feel anything below JMU is too crappy for THEIR child ;p

God forbid their snowflake have to consider Mason, VCU, UMW or CNU

Longwood, Radford or ODU? Oh, the horror!

This is so true. My friend was really mad/frustrated that her kid (3.0 -- FCPS) did not get into VT or JMU (non-stem). Kid/parents were not willing to consider GMU, UMW, VCU, Rad, or anything else in VA. So, they, like many others, ended up at WVU. The big-rah-rah U atmosphere was really important to them ... more than the academics or financial side of it.

To be fair, I think a lot of other states have big-rah-rah-Universities that pretty much anyone with a 3.0 and above can go to. In the case of VA, that would be GMU and VCU --- it's just that GMU doesn't have a football team or college-town aspect to it. And VCU doesn't have that dedicated sense of location/college town. So, I do understand why people really want their kids to go to UVA, VT, and JMU. But, a 3.0 isn't going to cut it... and it's crazy when parents think it should be a legit option.

Just have to be realistic about what schools your kid can get into, right?

FWIW, there are plenty of schools out there that aren't actually that crazy expensive even OOS. Many offer merit, like WVU and Bama.

Do your research. Maybe consider starting at the community college. Plenty of kids do.

Just don't complain that there aren't spots for your kids. There are - you just don't deem the schools with spots acceptable to you.

This. I have two students at WVU, and with the scholarships WVU offered, paid slightly less than what we would have paid to send them to the schools you mention (GMU, VCU, etc.) Two of my kids also were given excellent scholarships at Alabama which would have made tuition less than those schools.

Why should we pay MORE to go to a school that is less of a good fit, just so they can be "in state?"

As I said, research

You don’t have to stay in state. There are options.

Fwiw, Radford and ODU are possibilities for our child…as is Slippery Rock in PA and Northern Michigan. Due to a new major, we might be adding SUNY-Fredonia. We also considered Stockton (NJ), UNC-Greensboro, WI-Stevens Point, Rhode Island College, Bridgewater State (MA), Akron (OH), SEMO and Illinois State. (No, my kid doesn’t have a shot in hell at the top tier VA schools)

NP. We’ve lived in PA since 2016 and my child goes to West Chester. I think it is roughly equivalent (academically) to CNU? Radford? They were admitted to PSU’s main campus but it wasn’t possible financially. DC is very happy there for for multiple reasons. Haven’t looked at what it costs OOS but maybe check it out!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Again, I think there are spots at state schools for VA students - many just feel anything below JMU is too crappy for THEIR child ;p

God forbid their snowflake have to consider Mason, VCU, UMW or CNU

Longwood, Radford or ODU? Oh, the horror!

This is so true. My friend was really mad/frustrated that her kid (3.0 -- FCPS) did not get into VT or JMU (non-stem). Kid/parents were not willing to consider GMU, UMW, VCU, Rad, or anything else in VA. So, they, like many others, ended up at WVU. The big-rah-rah U atmosphere was really important to them ... more than the academics or financial side of it.

To be fair, I think a lot of other states have big-rah-rah-Universities that pretty much anyone with a 3.0 and above can go to. In the case of VA, that would be GMU and VCU --- it's just that GMU doesn't have a football team or college-town aspect to it. And VCU doesn't have that dedicated sense of location/college town. So, I do understand why people really want their kids to go to UVA, VT, and JMU. But, a 3.0 isn't going to cut it... and it's crazy when parents think it should be a legit option.

Just have to be realistic about what schools your kid can get into, right?

FWIW, there are plenty of schools out there that aren't actually that crazy expensive even OOS. Many offer merit, like WVU and Bama.

Do your research. Maybe consider starting at the community college. Plenty of kids do.

Just don't complain that there aren't spots for your kids. There are - you just don't deem the schools with spots acceptable to you.

This. I have two students at WVU, and with the scholarships WVU offered, paid slightly less than what we would have paid to send them to the schools you mention (GMU, VCU, etc.) Two of my kids also were given excellent scholarships at Alabama which would have made tuition less than those schools.

Why should we pay MORE to go to a school that is less of a good fit, just so they can be "in state?"

As I said, research

You don’t have to stay in state. There are options.

Fwiw, Radford and ODU are possibilities for our child…as is Slippery Rock in PA and Northern Michigan. Due to a new major, we might be adding SUNY-Fredonia. We also considered Stockton (NJ), UNC-Greensboro, WI-Stevens Point, Rhode Island College, Bridgewater State (MA), Akron (OH), SEMO and Illinois State. (No, my kid doesn’t have a shot in hell at the top tier VA schools)

NP. We’ve lived in PA since 2016 and my child goes to West Chester. I think it is roughly equivalent (academically) to CNU? Radford? They were admitted to PSU’s main campus but it wasn’t possible financially. DC is very happy there for for multiple reasons. Haven’t looked at what it costs OOS but maybe check it out!

Looked at WCU (which is adorable, and not far from where I grew up), but they don’t have the particular program mix we are looking for

It is more expensive than SRU

[Anonymous]

We also researched a few of the Cal States (sounds like that is pointless now, though), CO Mesa, NV-Reno and NM

Honestly, the best curriculum in the country for what my child wants to do can be found at…University of Wyoming. No, seriously-Wyoming! She’s not going there, for so many reasons, but she could maybe replicate the curriculum elsewhere.

I also discovered a couple interesting schools in UT, of all places. Put UT Tech on my kid’s radar-it’s apparently in the desert part of the state, right next to AZ and about an hour from NV. Another long shot, but so fun to research options

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Again, I think there are spots at state schools for VA students - many just feel anything below JMU is too crappy for THEIR child ;p

God forbid their snowflake have to consider Mason, VCU, UMW or CNU

Longwood, Radford or ODU? Oh, the horror!

This is so true. My friend was really mad/frustrated that her kid (3.0 -- FCPS) did not get into VT or JMU (non-stem). Kid/parents were not willing to consider GMU, UMW, VCU, Rad, or anything else in VA. So, they, like many others, ended up at WVU. The big-rah-rah U atmosphere was really important to them ... more than the academics or financial side of it.

To be fair, I think a lot of other states have big-rah-rah-Universities that pretty much anyone with a 3.0 and above can go to. In the case of VA, that would be GMU and VCU --- it's just that GMU doesn't have a football team or college-town aspect to it. And VCU doesn't have that dedicated sense of location/college town. So, I do understand why people really want their kids to go to UVA, VT, and JMU. But, a 3.0 isn't going to cut it... and it's crazy when parents think it should be a legit option.

A 3.0 is not going to get you into any state flagship that is similar to UVA/VaTech. Might get you into Mich State OOS but definately not UMich. Not getting you into Penn State main campus. Not getting you into any UCs, or UTAustin, UWash Seattle, UNC, GAtech, etc.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I have a friend who was genuinely shocked that her son was not admitted to VT Engineering. White male at a top 5 FCPS school, with great SATs, but a 3.9W after junior year. He has been admitted to a couple of safeties, but they feel confident he will get into one of his outstanding schools (EA deferral or RD): CMU, UVA, GT or UC Davis (this was a few weeks ago, some may be out by now).

Highly educated seeming savvy parents. But, there is clearly some denial going on.

You have to base a college list on the kid you have, not the kid you wish you had. The family eliminated GMU, JMU, Pitt, Ohio State, Penn State, Purdue, etc as not prestigious enough.

These parents don't seem to understand that if acceptance rates are less than 20/25% it is a Reach for everyone. Does not matter what your stats are. Feel bad for kids like this whose parents have not helped them identify good safety schools and explained that yes while they are smart and great stats, the top schools are reaches for everyone, so don't expect to get in and don't fall in love with them

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Again, I think there are spots at state schools for VA students - many just feel anything below JMU is too crappy for THEIR child ;p

God forbid their snowflake have to consider Mason, VCU, UMW or CNU

Longwood, Radford or ODU? Oh, the horror!

This is so true. My friend was really mad/frustrated that her kid (3.0 -- FCPS) did not get into VT or JMU (non-stem). Kid/parents were not willing to consider GMU, UMW, VCU, Rad, or anything else in VA. So, they, like many others, ended up at WVU. The big-rah-rah U atmosphere was really important to them ... more than the academics or financial side of it.

To be fair, I think a lot of other states have big-rah-rah-Universities that pretty much anyone with a 3.0 and above can go to. In the case of VA, that would be GMU and VCU --- it's just that GMU doesn't have a football team or college-town aspect to it. And VCU doesn't have that dedicated sense of location/college town. So, I do understand why people really want their kids to go to UVA, VT, and JMU. But, a 3.0 isn't going to cut it... and it's crazy when parents think it should be a legit option.

Just have to be realistic about what schools your kid can get into, right?

FWIW, there are plenty of schools out there that aren't actually that crazy expensive even OOS. Many offer merit, like WVU and Bama.

Do your research. Maybe consider starting at the community college. Plenty of kids do.

Just don't complain that there aren't spots for your kids. There are - you just don't deem the schools with spots acceptable to you.

This. I have two students at WVU, and with the scholarships WVU offered, paid slightly less than what we would have paid to send them to the schools you mention (GMU, VCU, etc.) Two of my kids also were given excellent scholarships at Alabama which would have made tuition less than those schools.

Why should we pay MORE to go to a school that is less of a good fit, just so they can be "in state?"

+1 If we'd said in-state only, DD would be at UMW. Which would have been fine but not the strongest program in her major and didn't have the specific EC she wanted. So, after merit aid, we pay about the same amount for her to go to a private LAC OOS as we do for DS at Virginia Tech.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We also researched a few of the Cal States (sounds like that is pointless now, though), CO Mesa, NV-Reno and NM

Honestly, the best curriculum in the country for what my child wants to do can be found at…University of Wyoming. No, seriously-Wyoming! She’s not going there, for so many reasons, but she could maybe replicate the curriculum elsewhere.

I also discovered a couple interesting schools in UT, of all places. Put UT Tech on my kid’s radar-it’s apparently in the desert part of the state, right next to AZ and about an hour from NV. Another long shot, but so fun to research options

Utah allows students to get instate tuition after freshman year.

I recall U of New Mexico being relatively cheap OOS?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:3.5 - 3.8 students are still going to great VA colleges. They are still getting into JMU, sometimes VA Tech, definitely CNU, VCU. and there are options that are suitable for those with lower GPAs as well.

Is that weighted or unweighted?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Virginia ranks fourth nationally for K-12 education. You guys seem to forget that ALL of Virginia has VERY strong schools, from Bristol up to Roanoke over to Virginia Beach up to Winchester. Admission into Virginia's colleges and universities isn't just about you in NOVA. Your kids are competing against the students of ROVA (Rest of Virginia) who are very strong, as well. You dismiss them as invisible. But come application time, they are there and they are getting into all the schools. I can see how it's a wake-up call.

+100
The entitlement never fails to astound me.

Can you find a new word, please? Second time in this page alone. Comments like this add nothing to the dialogue. Nothing

And yet, it’s absolutely true. It is the height of *entitlement* to presume that your kid is so special that s/he deserves admission to any VA school (or any school anywhere). They don’t. As the PP said, there are highly qualified kids all over VA and your kid is competing with them.

Pick a new word. It’s grossly overused.

It's used accurately. I'm sorry you don't like hearing it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Virginia ranks fourth nationally for K-12 education. You guys seem to forget that ALL of Virginia has VERY strong schools, from Bristol up to Roanoke over to Virginia Beach up to Winchester. Admission into Virginia's colleges and universities isn't just about you in NOVA. Your kids are competing against the students of ROVA (Rest of Virginia) who are very strong, as well. You dismiss them as invisible. But come application time, they are there and they are getting into all the schools. I can see how it's a wake-up call.

LOL, ROVA...that's a good one. Just remember anything south of Fredericksburg is a bunch toothless rednecks.

Wow. I sincerely hope your kid did not get into one of the top VA schools. You just sound... delightful.
DP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So, it's getting pretty ridiculous in Virginia. UVA and W&M are very difficult to get into. VT and JMU are trending upwards of being very difficult for a lot of kids to get into as well (thanks Covid, Common App, and OOS applicants). Where do kids who have a 3.5-3.8 GPA go? GMU, CNU, VCU, UMW, Longwood? You don't hear about a lot of kids going to Radford or ODU. Virginia had such great colleges, but it's becoming very difficult for a B-B+ kid to get into one of them.

What, exactly, is wrong with going to community college?

Professors have lesser qualifications.

Not very marketable for summer internships at all

Most importantly: cannot obtain a 4 year degree there.

That's why you transfer to one of the 4-yr. schools. This isn't that difficult to comprehend.
DP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Again, I think there are spots at state schools for VA students - many just feel anything below JMU is too crappy for THEIR child ;p

God forbid their snowflake have to consider Mason, VCU, UMW or CNU

Longwood, Radford or ODU? Oh, the horror!

This is so true. My friend was really mad/frustrated that her kid (3.0 -- FCPS) did not get into VT or JMU (non-stem). Kid/parents were not willing to consider GMU, UMW, VCU, Rad, or anything else in VA. So, they, like many others, ended up at WVU. The big-rah-rah U atmosphere was really important to them ... more than the academics or financial side of it.

To be fair, I think a lot of other states have big-rah-rah-Universities that pretty much anyone with a 3.0 and above can go to. In the case of VA, that would be GMU and VCU --- it's just that GMU doesn't have a football team or college-town aspect to it. And VCU doesn't have that dedicated sense of location/college town. So, I do understand why people really want their kids to go to UVA, VT, and JMU. But, a 3.0 isn't going to cut it... and it's crazy when parents think it should be a legit option.

+1
I really don't think a 3.0 would cut it at either GMU or VCU though.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:FWIW, ODU has a football team...that has beaten VT several times

By several times, I think you mean once.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I wish I had studied these Virginia schools when our kids were little and invested in prepaid tuition.
We toured VCU, JMU, VT, UVA, W&M, CNU, GMU, and UMW.
Each one had great things about them.
We told our kids that they will be going instate only.
So our kids are in 2 of these schools.
We have amazing options here in Virginia.

+1
We told our kids long ago that they would be going instate only. It just makes financial sense, considering the range of options VA offers.