JMU vs VA Tech Campus

[Anonymous]

Hi all- We're from out of state, and I was hoping someone could help describe the differences between JMU and Virginia Tech's campuses. My daughter is looking for a school with tons of school spirit, big football games, and a strong Greek life. She also wants to be somewhere with plenty to do off-campus—restaurants, shopping, and other activities. Based on those preferences, which school would be a better fit? She has the stats for both.

[Anonymous]

Tech

[Anonymous]

SEC colleges would be better for what you’re describing. VA kids know this and are going out of state.

[Anonymous]

She wants to base her college decision on...off campus shopping?

[Anonymous]

If she has the stats for both, Tech is much more appealing in terms of reputation and location. It’s a tough admit these days though!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:SEC colleges would be better for what you’re describing. VA kids know this and are going out of state.

PP is yanking your chain, OP. The only Virginia kids going OOS are those who can't get admitted to Virginia schools for whatever reason.

The short answer to your question is Blacksburg and Harrisonburg aren't that different in terms of what you're looking for. They're both a haul from any airport (Harrisonburg about two hours to Dulles, Blacksburg about four and a half). Blacksburg itself has an off-campus strip of shopping and plenty of retail in nearby Christiansburg. Harrisonburg is a small town; JMU itself is bifurcated by (I-81). Blacksburg is about 40 minutes from Roanoke. Harrisonburg is about an hour from Winchester.

Tech would offer a much BIGGER tailgate experience, being in the ACC. It's "Big Time" football and basketball. But JMU is up and coming.

JMU is a little more undergraduate teaching focused. Tech is a major research university.

But no, Virginia students aren't exactly clamoring to go OOS to universities in the south. That's just not a thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She wants to base her college decision on...off campus shopping?

Availability and accessibility of off-campus activities is a reasonable factor in a college decision. Plenty of people choose not to attend remote schools in the middle of nowhere because they want to be closer to a town or a big city.

[Anonymous]

BTW, I'm the poster above.

Generally speaking, I don't really think either Tech OR JMU is worth paying OOS tuition for, unless there's some academic program you're interested in. But based on the criteria you're describing, then, yeah, maybe pp IS right that you're more likely to find what you're looking for in the SEC or even the Big 10 if you're willing to waste money going OOS. Surely your state has a flagship?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:BTW, I'm the poster above.

Generally speaking, I don't really think either Tech OR JMU is worth paying OOS tuition for, unless there's some academic program you're interested in. But based on the criteria you're describing, then, yeah, maybe pp IS right that you're more likely to find what you're looking for in the SEC or even the Big 10 if you're willing to waste money going OOS. Surely your state has a flagship?

SEC flagships offer generous merit and academic Common Market guarantees in-state tuition. They are cheaper and offer better football. Plenty of kids in at JMU and VT choose the SEC or even the Big 10; Auburn is not competing with Radford for students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BTW, I'm the poster above.

Generally speaking, I don't really think either Tech OR JMU is worth paying OOS tuition for, unless there's some academic program you're interested in. But based on the criteria you're describing, then, yeah, maybe pp IS right that you're more likely to find what you're looking for in the SEC or even the Big 10 if you're willing to waste money going OOS. Surely your state has a flagship?

SEC flagships offer generous merit and academic Common Market guarantees in-state tuition. They are cheaper and offer better football. Plenty of kids in at JMU and VT choose the SEC or even the Big 10; Auburn is not competing with Radford for students.

But the problem is then you have to go to school in those places and you learn WHY they have to offer that merit aid. The southern hick culture permeates even those towns, moreso than the hick culture surrounding Blacksburg and Harrisonburg. And, let's be honest, no one wants to live in the South. Nasty.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:She wants to base her college decision on...off campus shopping?

Umm, did you read the post? Why are you focusing on that one thing?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:BTW, I'm the poster above.

Generally speaking, I don't really think either Tech OR JMU is worth paying OOS tuition for, unless there's some academic program you're interested in. But based on the criteria you're describing, then, yeah, maybe pp IS right that you're more likely to find what you're looking for in the SEC or even the Big 10 if you're willing to waste money going OOS. Surely your state has a flagship?

SEC flagships offer generous merit and academic Common Market guarantees in-state tuition. They are cheaper and offer better football. Plenty of kids in at JMU and VT choose the SEC or even the Big 10; Auburn is not competing with Radford for students.

But the problem is then you have to go to school in those places and you learn WHY they have to offer that merit aid. The southern hick culture permeates even those towns, moreso than the hick culture surrounding Blacksburg and Harrisonburg. And, let's be honest, no one wants to live in the South. Nasty.

[Anonymous]

I was always surprised by NJ and PA kids who attended Tech and JMU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she has the stats for both, Tech is much more appealing in terms of reputation and location. It’s a tough admit these days though!

More appealing if you like being five hours away from a major city.

FWIW my kid loved the JMU campus and hated VT. She thought it was too big and medieval looking.

[Anonymous]

VT has significantly more students than JMU if that is a factor for her. But for the most part students love them both. I would visit both and see which one she finds more appealing.