WVU

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can someone please describe the vibe at WVU? What kind of kid from NOVA would fit in there?

In most cases, a poor student who likes to party. It is a non-intellectual environment. An intelligent, hard-working student should be able to find a much better school. Environment matters.

(I wrote the above post.)

Her is an article about WVU's improved retention rate that acknowledges tutoring and other remedial measures have helped to retain first year students:

https://wvutoday.wvu.edu/stories/2024/09/20/wvu-poised-for-historic-freshmen-retention-rate

FWIW I love the natural beauty of West Virginia and homes are affordable, but extreme poverty remains throughout the state. The University has been experiencing financial difficulties which have led to cutbacks resulting in fewer options and in larger class sizes. Merit scholarships help to attract above average students.

[Anonymous]

I'm the Band mom from this thread on the WVU Forensic Science program.

My experience/data point is exactly one, as we knew no one there, but I will try to answer as truthfully as I can (with little hard data to back it up....but that tracks with all the other posts in this thread so far :p ).

Anonymous wrote:It’s pretty decent.

Hilly though. You’ll get a workout just walking back and forth to classes

True. Do not get in a contest with your child on Apple Health Challenges for "steps" (probably true for most freshman college students though). The Elevation @ 1000ft+ is no joke either (and you'll pass thru 2500+ in MD getting there on I-68).

Anonymous wrote:Its sort of similar to VA Tech but without the engineering kids.

Not exactly true. WVU has more than 10 ABET accredited engineering programs with over 2000 students (link), just not as many (# or %) as VT.

Anonymous wrote:I think a lot of kids that don’t get into Tech or UMD but want an affordable big school option land there.

True. It is affordable, even OOS w/generous, defined merit with a big(ger) school athletic vibe. Not quite SEC (what is? :p ) or Big10....but lots of school spirit and reasonably competitive sports teams.

Anonymous wrote:We visited and liked it a lot more than we thought we would. Seemed like a place where nice, fun, outdoorsy kids could be very happy. And kids who aim high (Honors program, etc.) can get a very good education.

Very true.

Anonymous wrote:Is the student body lower/middle class?
Conservative or liberal?
What's the drug usage like ? (I fully understand there is drug usage in most colleges)
Does it lean crunchy or would a lululemon preppy girl fit in?

Like most college campuses, it's "liberal" but that's relative. It'll still be more conservative than any urban area within 500 miles.
Drinking is prevalent, esp on Frat Row/High Street but DC hasn't run across the drug crowd even though Ruby (the hospital), unfortunately gets its share of ODs (most from the surrounding community rather than students).
Not crunchy. At all. Just Country. And Small Town (whether it's from WV, OH, PA, or VA).
My honest assessment? A lululemon/preppy girl might struggle to find a friend group (although one of DC's group's is from NOVA and fits right in).

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:In most cases, a poor student who likes to party. It is a non-intellectual environment. An intelligent, hard-working student should be able to find a much better school. Environment matters.

Do you have a student at WVU?

Yes, I have a student there.

I'm, eh, on the "non-intellectual" environment. It depends on the program and an individual student's focus. DC's classes have been taught by professors and three of her friend-set were their HS's valedictorians (not just Top Whatevers, and not at schools where everyone has a 4.0 like there seem to be in NOVA and RVA). They are intellectuals (and nerds!).

I also believe an intelligent, hard-working student should be able to find a "better" school but it's not always about rankings. If you're going for engineering, their programs are ABET accredited and, as has been discussed many times here on DCUM, for most....that's good enough for undergrad. WVU is also an R1 university with a Level 1 Trauma teaching hospital on-campus -- neither of which are shabby distinctions.

It's not for everyone but neither are grinder schools. Sometimes, it's OK to want to be the Big Fish in a Little Pond. Better to know that's your groove then reach too high for something that'll make you miserable.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Is the student body lower/middle class?
Conservative or liberal?
What's the drug usage like ? (I fully understand there is drug usage in most colleges)
Does it lean crunchy or would a lululemon preppy girl fit in?

A lulu preppy girl would be better off looking at Alabama, Ole Miss, Tennessee, South Carolina. WVU is blue collar

[Anonymous]

Friend’s daughter is there. She was a 4+ GPA kid from NOVA with good ECs and a very compelling personal story. Very extroverted. Loving it so far.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A number of majors, programs and faculty were cut in 2023 due to declining enrollment and financial concerns. Ask the right questions and do your own research. https://mountainstatespotlight.org/2023/09/15/wvu-board-cuts-degrees-layoffs/

As is trend everywhere. Indiana Univ is one

NOT the trend everywhere. Buyer beware.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:A number of majors, programs and faculty were cut in 2023 due to declining enrollment and financial concerns. Ask the right questions and do your own research. https://mountainstatespotlight.org/2023/09/15/wvu-board-cuts-degrees-layoffs/

As is trend everywhere. Indiana Univ is one

NOT the trend everywhere. Buyer beware.

"Unprecedented Program Cuts" says Forbes in 2023. Do your homework. https://www.forbes.com/sites/michaeltnietzel/2023/09/18/the-cuts-at-west-virginia-university-trend-setter-or-outlier/