JMU or CNU

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My DC liked both CNU and JMU but ultimately chose JMU - absolutely loves it.

I hope that my DD chooses JMU ultimately, however the decision is hers. I'm wondering if it would be better to take her to visit on a regular student day or visit during the admitted student days.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only on DCUM can a campus be criticized for being nice looking.

For me, the odd feeling at CNU comes from the fact that everything was either built or extensively renovated at the same time, so there’s an almost jarring uniformity that you don’t see on other campuses that were built up over centuries. It’s like someone really got into the college campus aesthetic and added a few too many cupolas and archways so that it feels like a theme park version of a campus.

Plus that it’s plopped down in Newport News, which is not exactly known for its uniform opulence. It’s just feels weird there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My daughter was rejected at UVA and waitlisted at VT. She was accepted at JMU, VCU (Honors) and just recently CNU. CNU also accepted her into their Honors College and their PLP Program. She is very interested in the CNU Program, but I feel that the school is too small and that it might be harder to find friends and she will be a bit isolated in her program. It also requires a considerable amount of extra leadership classes and community service in order to remain in the program and receive the scholarship. Does anyone have any insight into this program and the school? We liked the campus, but it also seemed a bit like a 'hotel' inside. I was impressed with JMU and she was so excited for JMU and hoping to be accepted until CNU accepted her into this program. She has ruled out VCU because she wanted a campus feel. Her program of interest is in the health sciences (PT). Both schools (JMU and CNU) offer a pre-professional track for PT. Her major would be biology.

72% choose JMU over 28% CNU on parchment.com if you are interested in that sort of thing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only on DCUM can a campus be criticized for being nice looking.

For me, the odd feeling at CNU comes from the fact that everything was either built or extensively renovated at the same time, so there’s an almost jarring uniformity that you don’t see on other campuses that were built up over centuries. It’s like someone really got into the college campus aesthetic and added a few too many cupolas and archways so that it feels like a theme park version of a campus.

Plus that it’s plopped down in Newport News, which is not exactly known for its uniform opulence. It’s just feels weird there.

+1 my DD had a negative reaction to the CNU campus too. Overly pristine and manicured with no soul (in her opinion). She much preferred the UMW campus.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only on DCUM can a campus be criticized for being nice looking.

For me, the odd feeling at CNU comes from the fact that everything was either built or extensively renovated at the same time, so there’s an almost jarring uniformity that you don’t see on other campuses that were built up over centuries. It’s like someone really got into the college campus aesthetic and added a few too many cupolas and archways so that it feels like a theme park version of a campus.

Plus that it’s plopped down in Newport News, which is not exactly known for its uniform opulence. It’s just feels weird there.

+1 my DD had a negative reaction to the CNU campus too. Overly pristine and manicured with no soul (in her opinion). She much preferred the UMW campus.

We also visited the UMW campus and she liked it, but ultimately did not apply there.

[Anonymous]

72% choose JMU over 28% CNU on parchment.com if you are interested in that sort of thing.

This is VERY helpful. Thank you!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Only on DCUM can a campus be criticized for being nice looking.

It’s beautiful, but in that “cover of Architectural Digest” way. It doesn’t feel real or lived in. My kid just could not see themself there.

It’s something they’ve always had an awareness of, so it tracks. When visiting high schools, Field (which is in a gorgeous repurposed mansion) got the critique “it just doesn’t feel like a school.” CNU got the same reaction.

There are 4000 colleges. If a student doesn’t like one because it feels like a hotel, that’s nbd.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Only on DCUM can a campus be criticized for being nice looking.

For me, the odd feeling at CNU comes from the fact that everything was either built or extensively renovated at the same time, so there’s an almost jarring uniformity that you don’t see on other campuses that were built up over centuries. It’s like someone really got into the college campus aesthetic and added a few too many cupolas and archways so that it feels like a theme park version of a campus.

Plus that it’s plopped down in Newport News, which is not exactly known for its uniform opulence. It’s just feels weird there.

+1 my DD had a negative reaction to the CNU campus too. Overly pristine and manicured with no soul (in her opinion). She much preferred the UMW campus.

DC loved UMW! Ended up doing their pre-college camp thing last summer and now it’s in their top 3.

[Anonymous]

I’m not familiar with CNU, but I love JMU. It’s a great place to get an education and grow as a person.

[Anonymous]

My kid graduated from CNU Spring 2025 and was in the PLP and Honors program. They had a great experience at CNU. I was skeptical at first bc of the size, but really it was big enough to have options for activities and friends but small enough that you didn't get lost. FWIW my kid ended up double majoring, got the minor in leadership through PLP (which a lot of kids drop out of) had an internship between junior and senior year which resulted in a full time job offer on graduation. Easy access to professors and advisors who actually have time/interest in working with students. CNU also just opened a brand new engineering building and they've got a pipeline to Jefferson Labs. My kid had a great friend group, plenty of social life and it's a really good D3 sports school ie no weekend revolving around the football game. Bonus is you probably know someone who played on a national championship team. Hate on it all you want, but for my kid it was a great choice.

Oh and I love JMU and probably would have pressured my kid to go there if they'd applied.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My kid graduated from CNU Spring 2025 and was in the PLP and Honors program. They had a great experience at CNU. I was skeptical at first bc of the size, but really it was big enough to have options for activities and friends but small enough that you didn't get lost. FWIW my kid ended up double majoring, got the minor in leadership through PLP (which a lot of kids drop out of) had an internship between junior and senior year which resulted in a full time job offer on graduation. Easy access to professors and advisors who actually have time/interest in working with students. CNU also just opened a brand new engineering building and they've got a pipeline to Jefferson Labs. My kid had a great friend group, plenty of social life and it's a really good D3 sports school ie no weekend revolving around the football game. Bonus is you probably know someone who played on a national championship team. Hate on it all you want, but for my kid it was a great choice.

Oh and I love JMU and probably would have pressured my kid to go there if they'd applied.

OP here. Thank you for this. It is very helpful to hear a first hand experience from the parent of a student. What did your student major in? How involved was the PLP program and do many students drop out? I saw a Reddit post that said 60% of students drop out within the first year

[Anonymous]

Study abroad at JMU is excellent, if that appeals to her. My dd is a junior and doing her 4th study abroad program.

[Anonymous]

From what I have heard, CNU athletes seem to enjoy their experience at the school. The non-thletes we know, have transferred to JMU.

[Anonymous]

Which is better for a liberal?

[Anonymous]

It’s hard to compare the two schools because one is a large football school and the other is trying to create an SLAC experience. I would just go with the vibe that they like best.