Question about VA state schools....

[Anonymous]

I went to Virginia Tech from Maryland. The other schools I considered were SLACs and Lehigh and Wake Forest. Tech is gorgeous and has a vet school and after I visited, the rejection letters went out to the other schools.

Tech is very large and it has all types. It has a large crunchy crowd but not so much artsy but more nature-y. The area is very conducive to outdoor activities (hiking, biking, lakes, river). The school has a reputation for engineering and computers and science (nerdy types) and it attracts people interested in life sciences and these days that includes fun stuff like equine science and viticulture (vets, forestry people, aspiring local farmers) --not just dairy science. Politically, it seemed less "into it" than other places. I am sure there was an active College Democrats and College Republican club (and all others) but I think that is less of a thing at Tech--probably because it is big. No single thing takes over. Greek is very active but only 20% of the students participate. Lots and Lots and LOTS of people come from NOVA and Richmond and Virginia Beach and those are the more liberal areas of Virginia. As a comparison, I went to law school in DC and the atmosphere of the school was political. Maybe it was DC, maybe it was the school, but it was very liberal and I am more middle of the road and found the liberal mentality stifled discussion. For what it is worth.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:
OP, are you from Virginia? I am from another state and I find that none of the VA state schools are as liberal as the ones from my home state---small town or not. There is just a more "traditional" culture here. But, as another poster stated, you can probably find a range of students at these schools.

Did you ever read The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch. I always wondered why he left UVA to go to Carnegie Mellon. He never stated it, but I surmise that his ideas were too "different" for UVA. He just seems like the kind of professor a school should try to keep. They lost another good professor to a previous attorney general's attempts to get rid of climate science (Ken Cuccinelli). These are the kinds of things that make me wonder about UVA (among others).

http://www.roanoke.com/news/former-uva-climate-scientist-awarded-damages-in-foia-case/article_dbf259e4-dc70-5962-81f3-be4483cbff5f.html

That is definitely true for GMU's econ department. It is funded by Koch Industries. They are frequently tapped for the "conservative" view on NPR and other media.

GMU is known for having right-leaning Economics and Political Science departments. Not a criticism, just an observation.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't feel safe sending kids/girls to UVA.

You do know Jackie lied, right?

Where there's smoke...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:If you look at voting records, there are blue circles that surround the three Universities you mention.

This is probably true pretty much anywhere in the U.S.

[Anonymous]

One of the reasons I'm a fan of larger universities (instead of SLAC) is that it's possible to find the group of people that share your views and interests, while also simultaneously gaining an understanding of the many different types of people and opinions that are out in the larger world.
I say this as a liberal arts major. I just think that larger universities are a better dress rehearsal for the "real world" than a SLAC.

[Anonymous]

One of the reasons I'm a fan of larger universities (instead of SLAC) is that it's possible to find the group of people that share your views and interests, while also simultaneously gaining an understanding of the many different types of people and opinions that are out in the larger world.
I say this as a liberal arts major. I just think that larger universities are a better dress rehearsal for the "real world" than a SLAC.

Your opinion. What "real world" are you in now? Inside the beltway? Thought so.

I went to one of these colleges and I have worked in some of the "most real" places you can imagine . . . I don't think there is any "dress rehearsal" at any college, big or small, for that. Unless you had felons and gang bangers and addicts at your big university.

[Anonymous]

I went two years to a SLAC and two years to a big university. I encouraged my son to go to a SLAC.

[Anonymous]

Honestly, I think VA has great options for state schools. There is are liberal arts options ranging from W&M to UVA-Wise. There is a teachers college like Longwood. Big state school experiences like JMU or Tech. Urban schools like ODU or even UMW. That's one thing I really like about VA, so many unis. to choose from. You will find all kinds of people at these schools.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
I went two years to a SLAC and two years to a big university. I encouraged my son to go to a SLAC.

+1 with the caveat...the SLAC is for a certain DC. If they are bit more on the quite type and less into living in a big pond.. SLAC I the way to go. Smaller classes; relationships with professors (who later write recommendations for your graduate school etc.)._

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Honestly, I think VA has great options for state schools. There is are liberal arts options ranging from W&M to UVA-Wise. There is a teachers college like Longwood. Big state school experiences like JMU or Tech. Urban schools like ODU or even UMW. That's one thing I really like about VA, so many unis. to choose from. You will find all kinds of people at these schools.

I agree, though UMW isn't an urban school. It's in a quaint, historic town.

[Anonymous]

Where there's smoke...

Don't kid yourself. This stuff happens on every college campus. At least that story made UVA address it.

My Christian university sweeps these issues under the rug so fast it would make your head spin. If you ask the administration, rape doesn't happen there, but we all know it does.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Where there's smoke...

Don't kid yourself. This stuff happens on every college campus. At least that story made UVA address it.

My Christian university sweeps these issues under the rug so fast it would make your head spin. If you ask the administration, rape doesn't happen there, but we all know it does.

What is a Christian university?

[Anonymous]

Look into reciprocity. No doubt your kid will be majoring in something obscure and crunchy that Virginia state schools don't offer but Maryland state schools do. You can thus get in-state tuition. Basket weaving comes to mind.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Where there's smoke...

Don't kid yourself. This stuff happens on every college campus. At least that story made UVA address it.

My Christian university sweeps these issues under the rug so fast it would make your head spin. If you ask the administration, rape doesn't happen there, but we all know it does.

What is a Christian university?

Liberty?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Look into reciprocity. No doubt your kid will be majoring in something obscure and crunchy that Virginia state schools don't offer but Maryland state schools do. You can thus get in-state tuition. Basket weaving comes to mind.

Friends had their kid with average stats get into a good program at the University of Tennessee through reciprocity.
However, this locks the student into their major, so if the kid realizes s/he doesn't want to weave baskets anymore (happens VERY often!), they are SOL.