Why hasn't GMU surpassed UVA, W&M, VT?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's still viewed as largely a commuter school. It doesn't have the beautiful campus of a VT or UVA. It's boring Fairfax County.

VT is not beautiful! Thanks.

Totally disagree. Not to mention, the mountains and area around Blacksburg are gorgeous. -DP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It attracts the righter side Econ department

And law. It's law school is right leaning. No thanks!

A slight rightward lean is far preferable to me than the hard left turn of most schools. Far more balanced.
DP

[Anonymous]

It's strange people are calling GMU "Maga" -- to my dismay, my wife was adamant that we cross them off the list due to their obsession with DEI and reputation of accepting basically anyone (90% acceptance rate). One look at the kids in public school and you immediately know why you don't want to attend a university with a 90% acceptance rate.

It's a terrible approach for a university that otherwise has potential to be a strong school. I'm sure they have their strongpoints, but until they stop pandering to an outdated Affirmative Action approach, and stop being the "13th Grade" with a 90% acceptance rate, they are just shooting themselves in the foot.

"We proudly accept nearly 90 percent of undergraduate applicants, because we believe in inclusivity over exclusivity."
https://www.gmu.edu/freshman/apply

"George Mason University and its President are fully committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, and support the successful implementation of the University's Affirmative Action Program"
https://oacc.gmu.edu/eeoaa-statement

"George Mason University recognized for commitment to access, diversity and inclusion"
https://www.gmu.edu/news/2024-10/george-mason-university-recognized-commitment-access-diversity-and-inclusion

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It's strange people are calling GMU "Maga" -- to my dismay, my wife was adamant that we cross them off the list due to their obsession with DEI and reputation of accepting basically anyone (90% acceptance rate). One look at the kids in public school and you immediately know why you don't want to attend a university with a 90% acceptance rate.

It's a terrible approach for a university that otherwise has potential to be a strong school. I'm sure they have their strongpoints, but until they stop pandering to an outdated Affirmative Action approach, and stop being the "13th Grade" with a 90% acceptance rate, they are just shooting themselves in the foot.

"We proudly accept nearly 90 percent of undergraduate applicants, because we believe in inclusivity over exclusivity."
https://www.gmu.edu/freshman/apply

"George Mason University and its President are fully committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, and support the successful implementation of the University's Affirmative Action Program"
https://oacc.gmu.edu/eeoaa-statement

"George Mason University recognized for commitment to access, diversity and inclusion"
https://www.gmu.edu/news/2024-10/george-mason-university-recognized-commitment-access-diversity-and-inclusion

What’s wrong with a school that is accessible to many students? Especially students who historically were excluded from an affordable and solid education.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's strange people are calling GMU "Maga" -- to my dismay, my wife was adamant that we cross them off the list due to their obsession with DEI and reputation of accepting basically anyone (90% acceptance rate). One look at the kids in public school and you immediately know why you don't want to attend a university with a 90% acceptance rate.

It's a terrible approach for a university that otherwise has potential to be a strong school. I'm sure they have their strongpoints, but until they stop pandering to an outdated Affirmative Action approach, and stop being the "13th Grade" with a 90% acceptance rate, they are just shooting themselves in the foot.

"We proudly accept nearly 90 percent of undergraduate applicants, because we believe in inclusivity over exclusivity."
https://www.gmu.edu/freshman/apply

"George Mason University and its President are fully committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, and support the successful implementation of the University's Affirmative Action Program"
https://oacc.gmu.edu/eeoaa-statement

"George Mason University recognized for commitment to access, diversity and inclusion"
https://www.gmu.edu/news/2024-10/george-mason-university-recognized-commitment-access-diversity-and-inclusion

What’s wrong with a school that is accessible to many students? Especially students who historically were excluded from an affordable and solid education.

Everyone here on the DCUM university board knows what's wrong with it. It GMU wants to be a community college dressed up as a university, that's their call. But as to why they aren't competitive with VT, UVA, WM ... well, this is exactly why.

[Anonymous]

who cares? my DH graduated GMU and makes 600k/yr and i graduated uva and make 200k. GMU has been good to us.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:who cares? my DH graduated GMU and makes 600k/yr and i graduated uva and make 200k. GMU has been good to us.

Which just shows that major and career field matters more than choice of school. Your comparison is of limited value unless you have the same major and choice of private versus Fed.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's strange people are calling GMU "Maga" -- to my dismay, my wife was adamant that we cross them off the list due to their obsession with DEI and reputation of accepting basically anyone (90% acceptance rate). One look at the kids in public school and you immediately know why you don't want to attend a university with a 90% acceptance rate.

It's a terrible approach for a university that otherwise has potential to be a strong school. I'm sure they have their strongpoints, but until they stop pandering to an outdated Affirmative Action approach, and stop being the "13th Grade" with a 90% acceptance rate, they are just shooting themselves in the foot.

"We proudly accept nearly 90 percent of undergraduate applicants, because we believe in inclusivity over exclusivity."
https://www.gmu.edu/freshman/apply

"George Mason University and its President are fully committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, and support the successful implementation of the University's Affirmative Action Program"
https://oacc.gmu.edu/eeoaa-statement

"George Mason University recognized for commitment to access, diversity and inclusion"
https://www.gmu.edu/news/2024-10/george-mason-university-recognized-commitment-access-diversity-and-inclusion

What’s wrong with a school that is accessible to many students? Especially students who historically were excluded from an affordable and solid education.

Everyone here on the DCUM university board knows what's wrong with it. It GMU wants to be a community college dressed up as a university, that's their call. But as to why they aren't competitive with VT, UVA, WM ... well, this is exactly why.

Dude - you know nothing about GMU. GMU was below 50% right after the Final Four appearance - the school knows how to play the exclusivity game. It was 60ish % 10 years ago. The school said no to expanding the Basket Ball program when GMU could've raised the most money. The Final Four BB coach didn't even ask for a salary hike - he just wanted upgrade to the existing facilities. Think Duke who rode their Basketball team. Or VT who rode their Football team.

You really don't know the academics of GMU - GMU's CS and Econ department published more papers then either VT or UVA. And GMU law is tied with WM on the latest ranking. Still a community college?

DCUM are filled with snobs that are constantly trying to game the system - they just want bragging rights. We should be proud to have GMU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's strange people are calling GMU "Maga" -- to my dismay, my wife was adamant that we cross them off the list due to their obsession with DEI and reputation of accepting basically anyone (90% acceptance rate). One look at the kids in public school and you immediately know why you don't want to attend a university with a 90% acceptance rate.

It's a terrible approach for a university that otherwise has potential to be a strong school. I'm sure they have their strongpoints, but until they stop pandering to an outdated Affirmative Action approach, and stop being the "13th Grade" with a 90% acceptance rate, they are just shooting themselves in the foot.

"We proudly accept nearly 90 percent of undergraduate applicants, because we believe in inclusivity over exclusivity."
https://www.gmu.edu/freshman/apply

"George Mason University and its President are fully committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, and support the successful implementation of the University's Affirmative Action Program"
https://oacc.gmu.edu/eeoaa-statement

"George Mason University recognized for commitment to access, diversity and inclusion"
https://www.gmu.edu/news/2024-10/george-mason-university-recognized-commitment-access-diversity-and-inclusion

What’s wrong with a school that is accessible to many students? Especially students who historically were excluded from an affordable and solid education.

Everyone here on the DCUM university board knows what's wrong with it. It GMU wants to be a community college dressed up as a university, that's their call. But as to why they aren't competitive with VT, UVA, WM ... well, this is exactly why.

Dude - you know nothing about GMU. GMU was below 50% right after the Final Four appearance - the school knows how to play the exclusivity game. It was 60ish % 10 years ago. The school said no to expanding the Basket Ball program when GMU could've raised the most money. The Final Four BB coach didn't even ask for a salary hike - he just wanted upgrade to the existing facilities. Think Duke who rode their Basketball team. Or VT who rode their Football team.

You really don't know the academics of GMU - GMU's CS and Econ department published more papers then either VT or UVA. And GMU law is tied with WM on the latest ranking. Still a community college?

DCUM are filled with snobs that are constantly trying to game the system - they just want bragging rights. We should be proud to have GMU.

Whether you like it or not people look down on GMU and think of it as "13th grade." No matter the citations per capita, no matter the faculty (neither of which says anything about reputation or student quality), people continue to think lowly of it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's strange people are calling GMU "Maga" -- to my dismay, my wife was adamant that we cross them off the list due to their obsession with DEI and reputation of accepting basically anyone (90% acceptance rate). One look at the kids in public school and you immediately know why you don't want to attend a university with a 90% acceptance rate.

It's a terrible approach for a university that otherwise has potential to be a strong school. I'm sure they have their strongpoints, but until they stop pandering to an outdated Affirmative Action approach, and stop being the "13th Grade" with a 90% acceptance rate, they are just shooting themselves in the foot.

"We proudly accept nearly 90 percent of undergraduate applicants, because we believe in inclusivity over exclusivity."
https://www.gmu.edu/freshman/apply

"George Mason University and its President are fully committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, and support the successful implementation of the University's Affirmative Action Program"
https://oacc.gmu.edu/eeoaa-statement

"George Mason University recognized for commitment to access, diversity and inclusion"
https://www.gmu.edu/news/2024-10/george-mason-university-recognized-commitment-access-diversity-and-inclusion

What’s wrong with a school that is accessible to many students? Especially students who historically were excluded from an affordable and solid education.

Everyone here on the DCUM university board knows what's wrong with it. It GMU wants to be a community college dressed up as a university, that's their call. But as to why they aren't competitive with VT, UVA, WM ... well, this is exactly why.

Dude - you know nothing about GMU. GMU was below 50% right after the Final Four appearance - the school knows how to play the exclusivity game. It was 60ish % 10 years ago. The school said no to expanding the Basket Ball program when GMU could've raised the most money. The Final Four BB coach didn't even ask for a salary hike - he just wanted upgrade to the existing facilities. Think Duke who rode their Basketball team. Or VT who rode their Football team.

You really don't know the academics of GMU - GMU's CS and Econ department published more papers then either VT or UVA. And GMU law is tied with WM on the latest ranking. Still a community college?

DCUM are filled with snobs that are constantly trying to game the system - they just want bragging rights. We should be proud to have GMU.

Whether you like it or not people look down on GMU and think of it as "13th grade." No matter the citations per capita, no matter the faculty (neither of which says anything about reputation or student quality), people continue to think lowly of it.

When I was 17 - I thought the same. Then started working and my colleagues were from: Ivies, Georgia Tech Engineering, etc. The skill set me apart and the name was the only thing they leaned on. Now - I am looking for other degrees as a mature adult. At this point - I don't care about rankings or what others think. I'm looking for a place that can ramp me up quickly and conveniently. GMU is this gem.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:who cares? my DH graduated GMU and makes 600k/yr and i graduated uva and make 200k. GMU has been good to us.

Which just shows that major and career field matters more than choice of school. Your comparison is of limited value unless you have the same major and choice of private versus Fed.

Yes. But you also shouldn't make conclusions off of a sample size of one.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's strange people are calling GMU "Maga" -- to my dismay, my wife was adamant that we cross them off the list due to their obsession with DEI and reputation of accepting basically anyone (90% acceptance rate). One look at the kids in public school and you immediately know why you don't want to attend a university with a 90% acceptance rate.

It's a terrible approach for a university that otherwise has potential to be a strong school. I'm sure they have their strongpoints, but until they stop pandering to an outdated Affirmative Action approach, and stop being the "13th Grade" with a 90% acceptance rate, they are just shooting themselves in the foot.

"We proudly accept nearly 90 percent of undergraduate applicants, because we believe in inclusivity over exclusivity."
https://www.gmu.edu/freshman/apply

"George Mason University and its President are fully committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, and support the successful implementation of the University's Affirmative Action Program"
https://oacc.gmu.edu/eeoaa-statement

"George Mason University recognized for commitment to access, diversity and inclusion"
https://www.gmu.edu/news/2024-10/george-mason-university-recognized-commitment-access-diversity-and-inclusion

What’s wrong with a school that is accessible to many students? Especially students who historically were excluded from an affordable and solid education.

Everyone here on the DCUM university board knows what's wrong with it. It GMU wants to be a community college dressed up as a university, that's their call. But as to why they aren't competitive with VT, UVA, WM ... well, this is exactly why.

Dude - you know nothing about GMU. GMU was below 50% right after the Final Four appearance - the school knows how to play the exclusivity game. It was 60ish % 10 years ago. The school said no to expanding the Basket Ball program when GMU could've raised the most money. The Final Four BB coach didn't even ask for a salary hike - he just wanted upgrade to the existing facilities. Think Duke who rode their Basketball team. Or VT who rode their Football team.

You really don't know the academics of GMU - GMU's CS and Econ department published more papers then either VT or UVA. And GMU law is tied with WM on the latest ranking. Still a community college?

DCUM are filled with snobs that are constantly trying to game the system - they just want bragging rights. We should be proud to have GMU.

And perhaps it was a better school at that time. Apparently GMU has decided to go the community college / "13th grade" route. No one will be convinced that a GMU degree means anything when they are explicitly adopting a "we'll take practically everyone" approach. Every high school kid can look around his high school and know with certainty that a school that doesn't accept 90% of their classmates, but uses selective criteria to take the best students, is going to be a stronger school academically.

Look -- I genuinely wish GMU hadn't decided to throw open its doors and accept practically everyone. I would love to have a top-tier VA state university right next door as a viable option for my kids. If they turn things around I'll be cheering for them. But they've shot themselves in the foot with this approach and every parent and student knows it.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:It's strange people are calling GMU "Maga" -- to my dismay, my wife was adamant that we cross them off the list due to their obsession with DEI and reputation of accepting basically anyone (90% acceptance rate). One look at the kids in public school and you immediately know why you don't want to attend a university with a 90% acceptance rate.

It's a terrible approach for a university that otherwise has potential to be a strong school. I'm sure they have their strongpoints, but until they stop pandering to an outdated Affirmative Action approach, and stop being the "13th Grade" with a 90% acceptance rate, they are just shooting themselves in the foot.

"We proudly accept nearly 90 percent of undergraduate applicants, because we believe in inclusivity over exclusivity."
https://www.gmu.edu/freshman/apply

"George Mason University and its President are fully committed to the principles of equal employment opportunity and affirmative action, and support the successful implementation of the University's Affirmative Action Program"
https://oacc.gmu.edu/eeoaa-statement

"George Mason University recognized for commitment to access, diversity and inclusion"
https://www.gmu.edu/news/2024-10/george-mason-university-recognized-commitment-access-diversity-and-inclusion

What’s wrong with a school that is accessible to many students? Especially students who historically were excluded from an affordable and solid education.

Everyone here on the DCUM university board knows what's wrong with it. It GMU wants to be a community college dressed up as a university, that's their call. But as to why they aren't competitive with VT, UVA, WM ... well, this is exactly why.

Dude - you know nothing about GMU. GMU was below 50% right after the Final Four appearance - the school knows how to play the exclusivity game. It was 60ish % 10 years ago. The school said no to expanding the Basket Ball program when GMU could've raised the most money. The Final Four BB coach didn't even ask for a salary hike - he just wanted upgrade to the existing facilities. Think Duke who rode their Basketball team. Or VT who rode their Football team.

You really don't know the academics of GMU - GMU's CS and Econ department published more papers then either VT or UVA. And GMU law is tied with WM on the latest ranking. Still a community college?

DCUM are filled with snobs that are constantly trying to game the system - they just want bragging rights. We should be proud to have GMU.

And perhaps it was a better school at that time. Apparently GMU has decided to go the community college / "13th grade" route. No one will be convinced that a GMU degree means anything when they are explicitly adopting a "we'll take practically everyone" approach. Every high school kid can look around his high school and know with certainty that a school that doesn't accept 90% of their classmates, but uses selective criteria to take the best students, is going to be a stronger school academically.

Look -- I genuinely wish GMU hadn't decided to throw open its doors and accept practically everyone. I would love to have a top-tier VA state university right next door as a viable option for my kids. If they turn things around I'll be cheering for them. But they've shot themselves in the foot with this approach and every parent and student knows it.

Truest and most accurate thing I've ever read on this website.

[Anonymous]

Yet the test scores and high school GPAs of first-time freshmen at GMU are virtually identical to those of freshmen at JMU, according to numbers from SCHEV. The quality of GMU students is high. The students with lower qualifications most likely are at community college or other lower-ranked universities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Yet the test scores and high school GPAs of first-time freshmen at GMU are virtually identical to those of freshmen at JMU, according to numbers from SCHEV. The quality of GMU students is high. The students with lower qualifications most likely are at community college or other lower-ranked universities.

IMO, it's just purely due to location. If GMU was not in NoVa, people would respect it more. But, you are right, GMU stats and ranking is higher than JMU, yet people would rather go to JMU than GMU because it has the rah rah college feel, and it's not in your backyard. It has zero to do with academics, really.