Thoughts on University of Richmond

[Anonymous]

Our daughter is considering U of R-- experiences good or bad appreciated.

[Anonymous]

Several close family members went, including very recently. Truly lovely campus, very genteel environment, traditional and Southern. It's only nominally "in" Richmond; Westhampton is in the far western extremities, and there is no city feel at all to the campus. No negative comments from the family members, and they're happy alums, but not screaming-crazy about the place and they don't typically seem to get hyper-aggressive talking it up to family and friends looking at colleges. It's not really a "U"niversity - it's a pair of liberal arts colleges with a so-so law school, a business school, and a "graduate school of leadership," whatever that is, and some other programs. Honestly, to us it seemed incredibly steep; it's more expensive than Yale. We passed, but it genuinely could be a perfect place for some students, as long as $ is no issue whatsoever.

[Anonymous]

Expensive and preppy

[Anonymous]

When I visited in high school, I didn't like that boys lived on one side of the lake and girls lived on the other. My dad loved that part. Didn't apply.

[Anonymous]

Do a search for Richmond in the college discussion forum. There was a recent thread where it wasn't the topic, but there were a lot of thoughts.

[Anonymous]

I graduated 10 years ago, before they hiked their prices and when men/women were on different sides of the lake. Back then:

Pros - great professor quality, great education. I don't think our professors had a publication requirement, so they were actually teaching us. I think I took one class my entire 4 years that was taught by an adjunct. Leadership school is top notch. Overall very nurturing and supportive environment. Beautiful campus.

Cons - So small. Felt even smaller once you reduced the peer groups into athletes/greeks/everyone else. By senior year you literally knew everyone. Very cliquey, very privileged kids. Freshman can have cars, and almost everyone did. If you are alternative in any way, you could have trouble fitting in. I was a total prep from New England, so I was in heaven, but my freshman year roommate who was in theatre had a tough time and transferred. Obviously, way more expensive now.

[Anonymous]

The only major is Republican, and it costs much more than a good condo apartment.

[Anonymous]

I know a few people who went to school there, most in their 30's and 40's today. They are productive citizens and rather good at getting things done, but are quite traditional and definitely not rocket scientists.

[Anonymous]

Any other more recent observations? The few people I have known to go there did not fit the preppy/Republican mold at all. DC wants a SLAC experience but doesn't want to go Northeast or very far from home. Is it easier for NOVA students to get into U Richmond than WM or UVA? Thanks..

[Anonymous]

I know two recent graduates. One is female and from a fairly preppy southern family. The other is upper middle class Jewish from the Northeast. Both were involved in Greek life and are above-average students. Not sure about the female but the male definitely isn't Republican and is, if anything, left leaning.

[Anonymous]

In NC it's considered a safety school for the wealthy.

[Anonymous]

The University of Richmond is only a safety school for students credibly applying to top 10 schools. It is ranked #28 by USNews.

[Anonymous]

Very preppy.

[Anonymous]

Really pretty little school. We visited last year with son. If it was not so expensive we probably would have thought more about it. Div 1 athletics is a nice feature for its size.

[Anonymous]

Lovely campus, quite sprawling for such a small school. I realize it pales in comparison to some of its Virginia counterparts but a nice school. Big bucks though!