CNU vs UMW

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Admitted Students Day:

UMW
March 21
April 18

CNU
April 4 (with option of staying overnight on April 3)
April 18 (with option of staying overnight on April 17)

Thanks! Where did you find this?

[Anonymous]

Here's where I found it:

UMW:
https://www.umw.edu/admissions/youarein/next-steps/admitted/

CNU:
https://cnu.edu/admission/freshman/toursandevents/admitted/

For CNU, you'll have to click on Register to see the dates.


We're looking at these 2 schools as well so this thread has been really helpful.
I'll have to come back later to share my notes.

[Anonymous]

^^ Thank you.

[Anonymous]

DD accepted at UMW and waiting to hear from CNU....will likely come down to these two schools as well.

[Anonymous]

There's a good comparison of these schools on this thread:

https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/827477.page

[Anonymous]

13:50 here. Just getting back here to post some observations about CNU and UMW. These are our DD's top 2 choices too. 
We probably know a bit more about UMW at this point because we have done 3 visits, including a shadow day. So far 2 visits at CNU.

Some highlights: 

UMW:

- They have a counseling center that provides therapy and group counseling. This is the only school I've seen that has this. Full time students can go to a limited number of therapy sessions at no additional cost. Group therapy is unlimited and they already have established groups that meet on a schedule. 
- I like it that the professors talked about having students eat dinner at their houses. One of the other professors lovingly said "these are MY kids". It was sounded like a really nurturing, supportive environment 
- They will work with you on tailoring your curriculum - for example, scaling back on Math and how you are assessed in Math. You can do a speaking intensive or a writing intensive assessment. 
- The tour guides were relatable and natural, not too scripted or super polished.  Tour guides were all psychology majors.
- The school has a "come as you are" kind of vibe. There was a male who looked pretty athletic and was wearing a long pink dress in the cafeteria. 
- The food in the cafeteria was not great but they just opened up a Panera in campus that is included in the meal plan. 
- The dorms were in very close proximity to the classroom buildings.
- No Greek life.
- The Freshman Seminar Program looked really interesting. They also have really good established programs for transitioning kids in. 
- There's a little beach area in the Rappahannock River. 
- They discourage having a car on campus. Parking garage is not convenient.  
- Lots of wooded areas with mature trees around campus.   

CNU:

-I was surprised that they did not have an Office of Disability Services. I thought that every school has one.  
- The dorm arrangements were spectacular- you can get your own room and your own bathroom in the upperclass apartments.  The dorms were a bit away from where the classrooms were but doable. 
- Lots of white students. I had to ask DH.. is it me or is everyone here very attractive? He said he noticed it too.
Even our tour guides looked like Barbie and Ken. Almost "too cheery" Great smile, perfect teeth. They were very polished, even the jokes were scripted. Most of the tour guides were biology/pre-health majors who were honors students and who did a lot of volunteer work. Rockstar students, almost "out of reach" for my average kid, which made them a bit unrelatable. 
- Seems like nurturing environment but they definitely had a "we need you to be a certain way, this is how we are here and we can help you be this way" kind of vibe. 
- Greek life. 
- The facilities were so shiny and new.  Felt like a really expensive school. The library was really nice and so was the gym. Everything looked so aesthetically pleasing. So clean, the landscaping was very manicured. There were no mature trees around.
- No Freshman Seminar.  Transition activities sounded like regular orientation and the usual "you get an advisor" kind of thing. 
- 45 minutes away from the beach.  They have a sailing team. 
- Cars are allowed and didn't sound like a hassle to park. 
- We did not eat at the cafeteria but I heard from a friend that the food is good. They have a Chick-fila with a limited menu in the campus.
- There is a Kaiser Permanente nearby.

[Anonymous]

Oops correction- The Kaiser Permanente is near UMW, not CNU.

[Anonymous]

I have a kid at UMW (who is very happy there) and your notes are accurate (though not sure about Kaiser bit as we aren't members - but MW Hospital and several urgent clinics close-by). There's a really good on-campus burger place on the meal plan too.

[Anonymous]

My DS got accepted EA to UMW with full scholarship (I have to pay for room & board); however, wants to attend UVA with no merit aid. Go figure. I am not very happy about it. I told him he can to go UMW for a couple of years and transfer to UVA after that. Otherwise, he will be on his own financially if he decides to attend UVA as freshman.

[Anonymous]

Just checking back with the posterson this thread. Which school is your child choosing?

My kid chose UMW.

[Anonymous]

PP - my kid chose UMW too. But it was hard decision.

Key reason was my kid is interested in elementary education with SPED endorsement as she also wants opportunity to teach SPED.
Unfortunately, CNU does not offer SPED endorsement - the head of the teaching department at CNU told her that if she wanted to teach special education she would "need to investigate other schools that offer that licensure track."

That did it.

[Anonymous]

My D21 is trying to decide between these 2 schools (accepted at UMW and will soon hear from CNU). Can anyone comment on how the academics are in comparison to each other? Is one considered harder or “better” education?

From what I’m reading I think UMW may be a better fir for her (politically liberal, down to earth, “average” (based in NOVA standards)).

[Anonymous]

DD (VA resident) has already been accepted at SMCM with a great merit package (makes it less than in-state for our VA schools), but I want her to apply to these two just to see what they’d say.

She’s not interested and says SMCM is better academically, anyway. Wants to major in biology and is pre-med. I think her high stats (3.9 uw, 34 ACT) would get her some sort of merit from UMW or CNU, but EA deadlines have passed, so it might be a moot point at this time.

[Anonymous]

Has UMW released it’s EA decisions??? If so, I will ask my daughter to check tomorrow. In case it’s bad news, not on Christmas. She too is very interested in both CNU and UMW do I will follow this thread.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:CNU has offered merit aid
UMW has offered merit aid

They are offering the same merit aid.

Suggestions? Insight into each one? TIA

Both good schools. Very different vibe. Go with what feels right with your DC.