JMU or CNU

[Anonymous]

My daughter was rejected at UVA and waitlisted at VT. She was accepted at JMU, VCU (Honors) and just recently CNU. CNU also accepted her into their Honors College and their PLP Program. She is very interested in the CNU Program, but I feel that the school is too small and that it might be harder to find friends and she will be a bit isolated in her program. It also requires a considerable amount of extra leadership classes and community service in order to remain in the program and receive the scholarship. Does anyone have any insight into this program and the school? We liked the campus, but it also seemed a bit like a 'hotel' inside. I was impressed with JMU and she was so excited for JMU and hoping to be accepted until CNU accepted her into this program. She has ruled out VCU because she wanted a campus feel. Her program of interest is in the health sciences (PT). Both schools (JMU and CNU) offer a pre-professional track for PT. Her major would be biology.

[Anonymous]

If she got into JMU, I personally would go there. It’s a well-respected school with something for everyone and students absolutely love it. CNU seems nice too but I don’t know much about it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If she got into JMU, I personally would go there. It’s a well-respected school with something for everyone and students absolutely love it. CNU seems nice too but I don’t know much about it.

I agree, but she seems very excited about the CNU Programs. I did some reading online though and it seems like an intense extra time committment and a lot of students drop out after the first years. I'm concerned about it.

[Anonymous]

Attending admitted student days may help figure it out, and particularly get her enthusiastic again about JMU.

[Anonymous]

Have you visited both? go to accepted student's day esp at JMU. That day changed my dd's decision in the 1st hour. CNU to me was too small but the PLP program was a definite draw.

[Anonymous]

JMU, hands down.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you visited both? go to accepted student's day esp at JMU. That day changed my dd's decision in the 1st hour. CNU to me was too small but the PLP program was a definite draw.

We visited both schools prior to applying. She loved JMU and liked CNU, but wasn't sold. That changed when she received the honor college and PLP acceptance. They really courted her and it worked.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Have you visited both? go to accepted student's day esp at JMU. That day changed my dd's decision in the 1st hour. CNU to me was too small but the PLP program was a definite draw.

I will definitely attend JMU admitted students day with her.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Attending admitted student days may help figure it out, and particularly get her enthusiastic again about JMU.

Yes, I plan on taking her there for admitted student days.

[Anonymous]

All are good. She is entitled to have a preference and she has no need to defend it. However, if I were the parent, I'd consider that very few decide to turn down JMU in favor of VCU or CNU

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:All are good. She is entitled to have a preference and she has no need to defend it. However, if I were the parent, I'd consider that very few decide to turn down JMU in favor of VCU or CNU

Yes, I absolutely agree with you and I'm not going to push her. Ultimately, it is her decision. She also told me that JMU is a party school and that it is mostly for average students. I totally disagree. I think that the school has gotten a lot more competitive in recent years. She has very good stats, but they weren't good enough for VT or UVA. I feel that JMU is the best option.

[Anonymous]

My vote would also be JMU and my kid (and I) are right there with you on the “hotel” feel of CNU’s interiors. It was enough to take it off the list for DC. Just didn’t feel enough like a school, DC couldn’t envision themself living there. Beautiful, but feels like a fancy hotel or museum inside.

[Anonymous]

Can you expound on the CNU/"hotel" thing? Do you mean that the bldgs feel too new/sterile?

Just curious overall about CNU as a possibility for my 2028, would appreciate any feedback.

[Anonymous]

CNU has 5,000 students

It feels like a hotel because so much is new and they took the key ideas from the other VA publics in the campus design and layout

The park nearby with the trail is lovely

That said our son in 2022 got into CNU, JMU, Tech, South Carolina, VCU, Mary Washington, GMU, Roanoke, and rejected from UVA

He chose JMU and has loved it, he’s doing his grad work at UVA

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My vote would also be JMU and my kid (and I) are right there with you on the “hotel” feel of CNU’s interiors. It was enough to take it off the list for DC. Just didn’t feel enough like a school, DC couldn’t envision themself living there. Beautiful, but feels like a fancy hotel or museum inside.

The carpets and furniture felt very hotel-like, especially the design and I didn't really care for the university's library either. It felt limited and out of sight which made the hotel feel even more prominent. The dorms are amazing and my daughter loved them (probably the nicest we have seen). The tour guides were also great and very well spoken. I didn't like the lack of diversity and the guides were all involved with campus ministry which made me think because we aren't a religious family.