The Other VA publics: CNU, GM, JMU, Radford, ODU, UMW, VCU

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:My DD is a senior applying early action to JMU and CNU. She's undecided/arts/humanities. I'm hopeful she'll be accepted to both (4.2 weighted 1300 SAT), but she may have a tough decision to make. She likes both a lot but for different reasons. I'm reading this thread with interest...

Your daughter should apply to UVA. She'd be in the running.

I feel like it wouldn't be impossible, but it might be tough. Plus, she didn't even want to look at the school. We toured W&M though and she didn't like the vibe or the campus at all. Oh well!

Same with my kids. Similar stats as your DD, but uninterested in either UVA or W&M.

Uninterested, or unwilling to take the risk of applying and being rejected? If the latter, that's too bad. She'd be in the running.

For my daughter (the one with the stats listed above), she was just uninterested in UVA - I honestly couldn't tell you why and I don't feel the need to push it. Especially since she's undecided. I think JMU and CNU will suit her and her personality. She's smart and driven, but she works all the time and is so stressed. I think she probably feels like UVA would be a continuation of the stress/pressure/academically competitive attitudes of Fairfax County and I think she wants to take a step away from that and experience something different. She's applying to the honors colleges at both schools, so hopefully that will work out.

DP. Good luck to your daughter - she sounds like she knows exactly what she wants and needs. Lucky that she has lots of in-state schools to choose from!

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:My DD is a senior applying early action to JMU and CNU. She's undecided/arts/humanities. I'm hopeful she'll be accepted to both (4.2 weighted 1300 SAT), but she may have a tough decision to make. She likes both a lot but for different reasons. I'm reading this thread with interest...

Your daughter should apply to UVA. She'd be in the running.

I feel like it wouldn't be impossible, but it might be tough. Plus, she didn't even want to look at the school. We toured W&M though and she didn't like the vibe or the campus at all. Oh well!

Same with my kids. Similar stats as your DD, but uninterested in either UVA or W&M.

Uninterested, or unwilling to take the risk of applying and being rejected? If the latter, that's too bad. She'd be in the running.

For my daughter (the one with the stats listed above), she was just uninterested in UVA - I honestly couldn't tell you why and I don't feel the need to push it. Especially since she's undecided. I think JMU and CNU will suit her and her personality. She's smart and driven, but she works all the time and is so stressed. I think she probably feels like UVA would be a continuation of the stress/pressure/academically competitive attitudes of Fairfax County and I think she wants to take a step away from that and experience something different. She's applying to the honors colleges at both schools, so hopefully that will work out.

Ok. I can see why she wouldn't be interested in the W&M pressure cooker, but I've had two go to UVA and it wasn't like that for them. It was easy, but they did well, made good friends, and had a great time. And now they have a UVA diploma.

Yes, it is easy. This is what I've heard from several UVA grads.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Big companies still go to all of these schools

After your first job no one cares where you went to school anyway

I went to JMU 10 years ago and I had a lot of fun

Now I make over 6 figures and I would have done just as well as any of the other colleges on this list

Again, we know that. There's nothing wrong with JMU. I'm just saying that if you're from NOVA and truly are a borderline UVA admit, as was my daughter, it can be a let down to have to go there. Her high school probably sent two or three dozen kids there, including some good friends, none of whom performed as well as she did academically.

2017-2018 Freshman Enrollment from Fairfax County

GMU - 1,031
VT - 959
UVA - 680
JMU - 600

More likely to run into kids from your same high school at UVA than JMU.

I'm not the poster who said JMU is high school 2.0. The point is that our daughter was a better student than the two or three dozen of her classmates who went to JMU, and she wanted something better for her efforts.

I'm the poster who said people might go OOS to avoid high school 2.0. I didn't mean literally that you'll see the same folks as those in your high school all the time, but rather the population will reflect a lot students with similar backgrounds as you knew in high school. I actually think this is MORE true at UVA, GMU and W&M which are more NOVA-heavy than JMU.

Blah blah blah. Here are the actual numbers:

UVA: out of state 33 percent
JMU: out of state 27 percent

UVA from Fairfax/Loudoun/Arlington: 26 percent
JMU: 23 percent

So, both more out of state at UVA and more from NOVA. A wash out. And those OOS students at UVA are wicked smart -- a lot smarter than what you'll find at JMU.

Based on what metric exactly? I guess we will just take your word for it.

This may be a factor for OOS students. Maybe the smarter ones are those paying over $100k less for a degree.
UVA OOS - $65k
JMU OOS - $$39k

Only because JMU's reputation isn't strong enough for it to charge higher OOS tuition. There's not one out of state student at JMU who wouldn't rather be at UVA. UVA's 25th percentile on the SAT (1330) is 50 points higher than JMU's 75th (1280). That's why JMU doesn't really stand for Just Missed UVA. There's simply no overlap bewteen the student bodies at these schools in terms of academic qualifications.

With every one of your posts, your proving yourself even more insufferable than we initially thought. There are TONS of OOS students at JMU who absolutely hoped to go there as their first choice. I have two kids who went there and most of their friends were OOS. It's a very desirable school. Maybe not for you and your ilk, but most definitely for plenty of others. You're really making an utter ass of yourself here, and I can only imagine what you're like IRL.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This thread really feels like it's deteriorated to "mine is bigger than yours" quality.

It absolutely has, thanks to the idiot UVA troll.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:Big companies still go to all of these schools

After your first job no one cares where you went to school anyway

I went to JMU 10 years ago and I had a lot of fun

Now I make over 6 figures and I would have done just as well as any of the other colleges on this list

Again, we know that. There's nothing wrong with JMU. I'm just saying that if you're from NOVA and truly are a borderline UVA admit, as was my daughter, it can be a let down to have to go there. Her high school probably sent two or three dozen kids there, including some good friends, none of whom performed as well as she did academically.

2017-2018 Freshman Enrollment from Fairfax County

GMU - 1,031
VT - 959
UVA - 680
JMU - 600

More likely to run into kids from your same high school at UVA than JMU.

I'm not the poster who said JMU is high school 2.0. The point is that our daughter was a better student than the two or three dozen of her classmates who went to JMU, and she wanted something better for her efforts.

I'm the poster who said people might go OOS to avoid high school 2.0. I didn't mean literally that you'll see the same folks as those in your high school all the time, but rather the population will reflect a lot students with similar backgrounds as you knew in high school. I actually think this is MORE true at UVA, GMU and W&M which are more NOVA-heavy than JMU.

Blah blah blah. Here are the actual numbers:

UVA: out of state 33 percent
JMU: out of state 27 percent

UVA from Fairfax/Loudoun/Arlington: 26 percent
JMU: 23 percent

So, both more out of state at UVA and more from NOVA. A wash out. And those OOS students at UVA are wicked smart -- a lot smarter than what you'll find at JMU.

Based on what metric exactly? I guess we will just take your word for it.

This may be a factor for OOS students. Maybe the smarter ones are those paying over $100k less for a degree.
UVA OOS - $65k
JMU OOS - $$39k

Only because JMU's reputation isn't strong enough for it to charge higher OOS tuition. There's not one out of state student at JMU who wouldn't rather be at UVA. UVA's 25th percentile on the SAT (1330) is 50 points higher than JMU's 75th (1280). That's why JMU doesn't really stand for Just Missed UVA. There's simply no overlap bewteen the student bodies at these schools in terms of academic qualifications.

Do hear how ridiculous you sound? UVA is not for everyone - can you not comprehend that or were you brainwashed during your 4 years there.

I didn't go to UVA. Two of my kids did.

Yes, we know. And you're an extraordinarily obnoxious UVA booster/troll who thinks very, very highly of yourself/your kids/UVA. Too highly, in fact.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:This thread really feels like it's deteriorated to "mine is bigger than yours" quality.

That's not the intent. The intent is honesty on an anonymous board. No kid with UVA caliber stats wants to go to JMU. Or VCU. Or GMU. You get the picture. They just plain don't. You need a very strong record for UVA, and the kids who work hard enough (or are blessed enough intellectually) to accumulate that record are simply aiming higher than the other schools. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the other schools; it's just reality.

But actually, I said earlier that my daughter prefers JMU and is not interested in UVA.

+1
My son actually did apply to W&M and UVA (because we insisted he apply to most of the VA schools). He was admitted to both, as well as Tech, but chose JMU because he absolutely loved it. The smartest kids are the ones who decide where they'll be most happy, period.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread really feels like it's deteriorated to "mine is bigger than yours" quality.

That's not the intent. The intent is honesty on an anonymous board. No kid with UVA caliber stats wants to go to JMU. Or VCU. Or GMU. You get the picture. They just plain don't. You need a very strong record for UVA, and the kids who work hard enough (or are blessed enough intellectually) to accumulate that record are simply aiming higher than the other schools. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the other schools; it's just reality.

But actually, I said earlier that my daughter prefers JMU and is not interested in UVA.

Respectfully, come back here and say that after she's applied to and gotten into both. One year, during a trip to OBX, we proposed making a quick stop at William & Mary just to check out the campus. One of ours kids (not the UVA one) was a entering senior year at the time, but refused to make the stop, saying there was no reason to because there was no interest. But we knew better -- the real issue was fear of liking the school and not getting in. College admissions are tough for kids. I'm sure you know your daughter very well and that she's a great kid, but it takes a truly extraordinary kid around here not to get all worked up, anxious -- and, at times, defeatist -- about the process.

Respectfully, you need to get it through your head that you actually don't "know better," and stop demanding that other parents and kids follow your lead.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:As a told my DD there is a school out there for everyone. The super elite schools can only take so many kids each year.

Some kids (like mine) knew early in high school that she didn't want to get into the rat race. I applaud those kids and parents who have endured it and I wish them all the best when the decisions roll out.

She has had an awesome HS experience without constantly stressing about AP test, SAT scores and class rank.

I have no doubt she will be successful at her less selective school with rolling admissions.

FYI - It is also possible to have received ED results by now from some schools (Wake Forest) so presumption of an acceptance to a school will rolling admissions is misplaced.

+1,000 to all of the above.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a told my DD there is a school out there for everyone. The super elite schools can only take so many kids each year.

Some kids (like mine) knew early in high school that she didn't want to get into the rat race. I applaud those kids and parents who have endured it and I wish them all the best when the decisions roll out.

She has had an awesome HS experience without constantly stressing about AP test, SAT scores and class rank.

I have no doubt she will be successful at her less selective school with rolling admissions.

FYI - It is also possible to have received ED results by now from some schools (Wake Forest) so presumption of an acceptance to a school will rolling admissions is misplaced.

+1,000 to all of the above.

Incorrect. ED1 at Wake Forest IS rolling admissions. Why do they have rolling admissions? Only the schools that need to having rolling do it. The average ACT and GPA at Wake Forest are much lower than most of the VA schools discussed in this thread.

[Anonymous]

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Anonymous wrote:FWIW, the most recommended school (based on “If a friend or family member were considering going to university, based on your experience, how likely or unlikely are you to recommend your college or university to them?” Students gave their colleges a score between 0 and 10 with 0 being “not at all likely” and 10 being “extremely likely”) in the U.S. is JMU.

And VA Tech is #3.

https://www.timeshighereducation.com/student/best-universities/most-recommended-universities-united-states?fbclid=IwAR3suOP9qJvnaHhkgnB5EGSzNoW9PdtGKAc-WHW5C6G_zGGToflHqfkBi58#survey-answer

Covenant College is #5, so...

And Stanford is #2.

Right but Covenant College. Let me illustrate. List of great men: Lincoln, Ghandi, King, Hitler. Being on this list doesn’t say anything about JMU other than the kids like it. Great. Cool. They also love it at Covenant and Stanford and West Texas A&M and Montevallo and Yale. So what point are you trying to make?

Not the poster you are addressing, but I think the point she is trying to make is that JMU (as well as Stanford, and Covenant College) have environments that students seem to enjoy. Obviously Covenant College wouldn't appeal to most students, but if someone is looking for a religious college, knowing that most kids who go there liked it, would be valuable information to have.

Good point, though without knowing why they liked it I’m not sure there’s much value. Liked it because of a stimulating academic experience or easy classes and massive keggers?

You are a moron. #2 is Stanford. #7 is Yale. No UVA. So sad!

That's because you are looking at the wrong category. UVA is consistently rated 1, 2 or 3 best public university by USN&WR, which is the only rankings service that matters.. http://thriv.virginia.edu/ranking-the-rankings-four-new-uva-accolades-you-should-know-about/. https://www.dailyprogress.com/news/local/uva/university-of-virginia-ranked-no-public-university-by-u-s/article_b502d9e8-5597-5526-9634-179d8c0044a8.html

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread really feels like it's deteriorated to "mine is bigger than yours" quality.

That's not the intent. The intent is honesty on an anonymous board. No kid with UVA caliber stats wants to go to JMU. Or VCU. Or GMU. You get the picture. They just plain don't. You need a very strong record for UVA, and the kids who work hard enough (or are blessed enough intellectually) to accumulate that record are simply aiming higher than the other schools. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the other schools; it's just reality.

But actually, I said earlier that my daughter prefers JMU and is not interested in UVA.

+1
My son actually did apply to W&M and UVA (because we insisted he apply to most of the VA schools). He was admitted to both, as well as Tech, but chose JMU because he absolutely loved it. The smartest kids are the ones who decide where they'll be most happy, period.

Sure he did

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread really feels like it's deteriorated to "mine is bigger than yours" quality.

That's not the intent. The intent is honesty on an anonymous board. No kid with UVA caliber stats wants to go to JMU. Or VCU. Or GMU. You get the picture. They just plain don't. You need a very strong record for UVA, and the kids who work hard enough (or are blessed enough intellectually) to accumulate that record are simply aiming higher than the other schools. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the other schools; it's just reality.

But actually, I said earlier that my daughter prefers JMU and is not interested in UVA.

+1
My son actually did apply to W&M and UVA (because we insisted he apply to most of the VA schools). He was admitted to both, as well as Tech, but chose JMU because he absolutely loved it. The smartest kids are the ones who decide where they'll be most happy, period.

My son's best friend, who had very high stats, was admitted to UVA, W&M & JMU (and some other schools as well.) He chose JMU because they gave him significant merit aid. He didn't get any from UVA. He'll graduate without any student loans - I think that makes him a very smart kid!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:As a told my DD there is a school out there for everyone. The super elite schools can only take so many kids each year.

Some kids (like mine) knew early in high school that she didn't want to get into the rat race. I applaud those kids and parents who have endured it and I wish them all the best when the decisions roll out.

She has had an awesome HS experience without constantly stressing about AP test, SAT scores and class rank.

I have no doubt she will be successful at her less selective school with rolling admissions.

FYI - It is also possible to have received ED results by now from some schools (Wake Forest) so presumption of an acceptance to a school will rolling admissions is misplaced.

+1,000 to all of the above.

Incorrect. ED1 at Wake Forest IS rolling admissions. Why do they have rolling admissions? Only the schools that need to having rolling do it. The average ACT and GPA at Wake Forest are much lower than most of the VA schools discussed in this thread.

UVA Ranked #25
Wake Ranked #27

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread really feels like it's deteriorated to "mine is bigger than yours" quality.

That's not the intent. The intent is honesty on an anonymous board. No kid with UVA caliber stats wants to go to JMU. Or VCU. Or GMU. You get the picture. They just plain don't. You need a very strong record for UVA, and the kids who work hard enough (or are blessed enough intellectually) to accumulate that record are simply aiming higher than the other schools. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the other schools; it's just reality.

But actually, I said earlier that my daughter prefers JMU and is not interested in UVA.

+1
My son actually did apply to W&M and UVA (because we insisted he apply to most of the VA schools). He was admitted to both, as well as Tech, but chose JMU because he absolutely loved it. The smartest kids are the ones who decide where they'll be most happy, period.

My son's best friend, who had very high stats, was admitted to UVA, W&M & JMU (and some other schools as well.) He chose JMU because they gave him significant merit aid. He didn't get any from UVA. He'll graduate without any student loans - I think that makes him a very smart kid!

Could have saved more at a community college. That would have been really smart. Or do you think some educations are better than others?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:This thread really feels like it's deteriorated to "mine is bigger than yours" quality.

That's not the intent. The intent is honesty on an anonymous board. No kid with UVA caliber stats wants to go to JMU. Or VCU. Or GMU. You get the picture. They just plain don't. You need a very strong record for UVA, and the kids who work hard enough (or are blessed enough intellectually) to accumulate that record are simply aiming higher than the other schools. It doesn't mean there's anything wrong with the other schools; it's just reality.

But actually, I said earlier that my daughter prefers JMU and is not interested in UVA.

+1
My son actually did apply to W&M and UVA (because we insisted he apply to most of the VA schools). He was admitted to both, as well as Tech, but chose JMU because he absolutely loved it. The smartest kids are the ones who decide where they'll be most happy, period.

My son's best friend, who had very high stats, was admitted to UVA, W&M & JMU (and some other schools as well.) He chose JMU because they gave him significant merit aid. He didn't get any from UVA. He'll graduate without any student loans - I think that makes him a very smart kid!

Could have saved more at a community college. That would have been really smart. Or do you think some educations are better than others?

Not sure why I'm still responding to what's clearly a troll, but if a kid wants to get core classes out of the way at Nova before transferring elsewhere to complete a BA, yes, I think that's smart.