The State of Virginia Colleges

[Anonymous]

UPitt price matched VT for both my DD and her BFF. It’s a great option when the VA schools don’t pan out.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The consequence will be that schools like VCU, CNU and JMU will continue to “gentrify” and become more desirable as students get shut out of VT, W&M and UVa.

This was my point! It will make it impossible for these students to get into one of these schools because more kids will only have them as an option. Unless you have a senior in a NOVA high school you don't know what I am talking about. Kids with 4.0's not getting into VT, their only option is JMU or out of state because they don't want to go to one of the other schools. Now JMU is becoming harder to get into because kids with 4.0's have to stay in state and JMU is recognized as a strong school. Some parents don't want to spend 100K on a Radford education!

As we, look ahead, my HS Junior (URM) with a current GPA of 3.5 just said to me, mom if I don't make it into JMU or GMU don't waste your money, I'll go to NVCC and then transfer.
He probably will have chances at VCU and CNU among others B+ Colleges but doesn't want to go there.
We certainly don't want to waste 100K in a college he's not happy either.

It is sad that these, still smart, kids are getting shout out as well.

My kid had a great four years at GMU. Don’t sell these other state schools short

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:UPitt price matched VT for both my DD and her BFF. It’s a great option when the VA schools don’t pan out.

Proud UPitt grad (okay, 10 years ago) here!!! Congrats to your daughter and her friend.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Literally thousands go to those other schools.

Is the same person constantly spamming the same dumb advice? Would you send your kid to UDC? University of South Carolina, Aiken? Lindsey Wilson College?

There is a world of options between VT and UDC, and you knew that.

There are not 'thousands' There are a few hundred at best, far less if you cut out commuter campuses half way across the country. US news calls 443 universities national, and another 180 regional. UDC isn't even the lowest ranked regional university, so if UDC is unimaginably lowly, then your real number doesn't even approach thousands

The original post was about VIRGINIA schools, not UDC or other schools across the country. Keep to the topic, people!

PP said there are 'literally thousands of other schools" Are you implying that they were referring to the thousands of colleges and universities in Virginia?

DP. Learn to read! She said: Literally thousands go to those other schools."

I can forgive PP for misreading, because the "thousands of options" poster seems to show up on all these threads eventually....

As a MD resident, I've always been a bit envious of the university options in VA!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The consequence will be that schools like VCU, CNU and JMU will continue to “gentrify” and become more desirable as students get shut out of VT, W&M and UVa.

This was my point! It will make it impossible for these students to get into one of these schools because more kids will only have them as an option. Unless you have a senior in a NOVA high school you don't know what I am talking about. Kids with 4.0's not getting into VT, their only option is JMU or out of state because they don't want to go to one of the other schools. Now JMU is becoming harder to get into because kids with 4.0's have to stay in state and JMU is recognized as a strong school. Some parents don't want to spend 100K on a Radford education!

As we, look ahead, my HS Junior (URM) with a current GPA of 3.5 just said to me, mom if I don't make it into JMU or GMU don't waste your money, I'll go to NVCC and then transfer.
He probably will have chances at VCU and CNU among others B+ Colleges but doesn't want to go there.
We certainly don't want to waste 100K in a college he's not happy either.

It is sad that these, still smart, kids are getting shout out as well.

Your kid is DEFINITELY getting into GMU. And Very likely getting into JMU too. As a URM, he has a pretty good chance of getting into VT as well. I like that your kid is practical... but he doesn't need to sell himself short.

[Anonymous]

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.

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

Well that's not very kind...bless your heart.

[Anonymous]

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.

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

Well that's not very kind...bless your heart.

Just responding in kind to the PP (you?). Bless your heart right back.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The consequence will be that schools like VCU, CNU and JMU will continue to “gentrify” and become more desirable as students get shut out of VT, W&M and UVa.

This was my point! It will make it impossible for these students to get into one of these schools because more kids will only have them as an option. Unless you have a senior in a NOVA high school you don't know what I am talking about. Kids with 4.0's not getting into VT, their only option is JMU or out of state because they don't want to go to one of the other schools. Now JMU is becoming harder to get into because kids with 4.0's have to stay in state and JMU is recognized as a strong school. Some parents don't want to spend 100K on a Radford education!

As we, look ahead, my HS Junior (URM) with a current GPA of 3.5 just said to me, mom if I don't make it into JMU or GMU don't waste your money, I'll go to NVCC and then transfer.
He probably will have chances at VCU and CNU among others B+ Colleges but doesn't want to go there.
We certainly don't want to waste 100K in a college he's not happy either.

It is sad that these, still smart, kids are getting shout out as well.

My kid had a great four years at GMU. Don’t sell these other state schools short

+1
Seriously! There are so many great schools in VA. I can't imagine choosing to attend CC instead of one of them.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The consequence will be that schools like VCU, CNU and JMU will continue to “gentrify” and become more desirable as students get shut out of VT, W&M and UVa.

This was my point! It will make it impossible for these students to get into one of these schools because more kids will only have them as an option. Unless you have a senior in a NOVA high school you don't know what I am talking about. Kids with 4.0's not getting into VT, their only option is JMU or out of state because they don't want to go to one of the other schools. Now JMU is becoming harder to get into because kids with 4.0's have to stay in state and JMU is recognized as a strong school. Some parents don't want to spend 100K on a Radford education!

As we, look ahead, my HS Junior (URM) with a current GPA of 3.5 just said to me, mom if I don't make it into JMU or GMU don't waste your money, I'll go to NVCC and then transfer.
He probably will have chances at VCU and CNU among others B+ Colleges but doesn't want to go there.
We certainly don't want to waste 100K in a college he's not happy either.

It is sad that these, still smart, kids are getting shout out as well.

Your kid is DEFINITELY getting into GMU. And Very likely getting into JMU too. As a URM, he has a pretty good chance of getting into VT as well. I like that your kid is practical... but he doesn't need to sell himself short.

My kid with a 3.8 is waitlisted at JMU so there's that. Nothing is a sure thing anymore.

[Anonymous]

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.

Is this because half the graduating class has a 4.0 these days? Back when I was in school out of 600 kids maybe 2 did, and only 5% of the class even had an A average. I can't help but wonder if all this grade and test inflation makes it harder to differentiate top students and creates this sense that its harder when it's just harder to identify the top students.

[Anonymous]

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.

Is this because half the graduating class has a 4.0 these days? Back when I was in school out of 600 kids maybe 2 did, and only 5% of the class even had an A average. I can't help but wonder if all this grade and test inflation makes it harder to differentiate top students and creates this sense that its harder when it's just harder to identify the top students.

Same thing with AAP. Nowadays everyone qualifies for AAP.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The consequence will be that schools like VCU, CNU and JMU will continue to “gentrify” and become more desirable as students get shut out of VT, W&M and UVa.

This was my point! It will make it impossible for these students to get into one of these schools because more kids will only have them as an option. Unless you have a senior in a NOVA high school you don't know what I am talking about. Kids with 4.0's not getting into VT, their only option is JMU or out of state because they don't want to go to one of the other schools. Now JMU is becoming harder to get into because kids with 4.0's have to stay in state and JMU is recognized as a strong school. Some parents don't want to spend 100K on a Radford education!

As we, look ahead, my HS Junior (URM) with a current GPA of 3.5 just said to me, mom if I don't make it into JMU or GMU don't waste your money, I'll go to NVCC and then transfer.
He probably will have chances at VCU and CNU among others B+ Colleges but doesn't want to go there.
We certainly don't want to waste 100K in a college he's not happy either.

It is sad that these, still smart, kids are getting shout out as well.

Your kid is DEFINITELY getting into GMU. And Very likely getting into JMU too. As a URM, he has a pretty good chance of getting into VT as well. I like that your kid is practical... but he doesn't need to sell himself short.

My kid with a 3.8 is waitlisted at JMU so there's that. Nothing is a sure thing anymore.

Oh the waiting game... Is your kid UMR as well?

[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.

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

I know of several kids who got into VCU with a 3.0. One even had a 2.9. Just regular students with nothing “special to offer the school.

Well perhaps they were unbeknownst to you first generation because the 75th percentile of accepted students last year had a 4.12; median had a 3.88 and bottom 25th of the class had a 3.31

VCU is not that hard to get into and I have no idea why you are trying to convince me that it is.

[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.

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

I know of several kids who got into VCU with a 3.0. One even had a 2.9. Just regular students with nothing “special to offer the school.

Well perhaps they were unbeknownst to you first generation because the 75th percentile of accepted students last year had a 4.12; median had a 3.88 and bottom 25th of the class had a 3.31

VCU is not that hard to get into and I have no idea why you are trying to convince me that it is.

not PP, but we visited VCU and the smell of weed was ridiculous. I'd rather have my kid go to Community College than VCU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:The consequence will be that schools like VCU, CNU and JMU will continue to “gentrify” and become more desirable as students get shut out of VT, W&M and UVa.

This was my point! It will make it impossible for these students to get into one of these schools because more kids will only have them as an option. Unless you have a senior in a NOVA high school you don't know what I am talking about. Kids with 4.0's not getting into VT, their only option is JMU or out of state because they don't want to go to one of the other schools. Now JMU is becoming harder to get into because kids with 4.0's have to stay in state and JMU is recognized as a strong school. Some parents don't want to spend 100K on a Radford education!

As we, look ahead, my HS Junior (URM) with a current GPA of 3.5 just said to me, mom if I don't make it into JMU or GMU don't waste your money, I'll go to NVCC and then transfer.
He probably will have chances at VCU and CNU among others B+ Colleges but doesn't want to go there.
We certainly don't want to waste 100K in a college he's not happy either.

It is sad that these, still smart, kids are getting shout out as well.

Your kid is DEFINITELY getting into GMU. And Very likely getting into JMU too. As a URM, he has a pretty good chance of getting into VT as well. I like that your kid is practical... but he doesn't need to sell himself short.

My kid with a 3.8 is waitlisted at JMU so there's that. Nothing is a sure thing anymore.

+1
So many parents living in the past and refusing to acknowledge that things have changed.