JMU vs VA Tech Campus

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Blacksburg and Harrisonburg are similarly-sized towns but Va Tech has a much bigger student population (30,000 versus I think around 20,000 for JMU). Both are in nice towns.
Harrisonburg is in the Shenandoah Valley so really pretty mountain views; Tech has really cool architecture.
Lots of school spirit at both. If you can, come visit.
What does she want to study? JMU is maybe a little more pre-professional-oriented (think Nursing, accounting, etc.); Va Tech has a strong STEM focus, particularly in engineering but it has other programs as well.

Both schools have very good liberal arts colleges as well.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:School Spirit & Football = Virginia Tech

JMU fans are enthusiastic, but it doesn’t quite match the size and tradition of VT football especially on Game Day. JMU does have an upcoming football program, though. Your daughter should check out TikToks of game days.

Greek Life = Both

Neither school has significant Greek Life. Students in sororities and fraternities enjoy it but I don't think it's a big deal on either campus.

Off-Campus Activities - JMU

Harrisonburg offers a more diverse and "cute" small-town shopping and dining experience, especially in the historic downtown district.

One thing to keep in mind if your student is flying into DC is that it's a long drive to Virginia Tech.

+1
Good assessments. I think Greek life at both schools is less than 20% - so it’s there but not dominating in any way.

VT has buses to Dulles, Charlotte, and Richmond airports for OOS students, as well as Amtrak.

I do think Blacksburg has a cute little downtown too for restaurants, shops, etc. And I believe JMU football has become a really big deal recently.

Great opportunities at both schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My not so sporty kid is leaving Tech.
Great academics.

The area is lovely for students who want to party (Greek life) OR who want to study study study and do outdoorsy things.

My kid wants to take a plane somewhere or go a nice dinner or a concert once in a while. That's more JMU.

Getting to Blackburg w/o a car is hard. There are busses but trains are in Roanoke and the airport is far away.

Roanoke does have an airport. It's not always the most convenient flights though. Richmond is the next biggest airport and yes that's a solid 2 hours away.

Charlotte airport is about 2.5 hrs away. My DC’s roommates fly in and out there from Texas and Colorado.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:My not so sporty kid is leaving Tech.
Great academics.

The area is lovely for students who want to party (Greek life) OR who want to study study study and do outdoorsy things.

My kid wants to take a plane somewhere or go a nice dinner or a concert once in a while. That's more JMU.

Getting to Blackburg w/o a car is hard. There are busses but trains are in Roanoke and the airport is far away.

Roanoke does have an airport. It's not always the most convenient flights though. Richmond is the next biggest airport and yes that's a solid 2 hours away.

I went to VT and was from NY. I routinely flew home from Roanoke. It was never a problem. There is super no reason to drive all the way to Dulles!

+1
My DD’s roommate is from NY and flies straight to JFK from Roanoke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Blacksburg is very sleepy. Not much there. FYI

Hokies don’t agree with you!