CNU vs UMW

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I think every kid I know at UMW is very happy there. More a mixed bag from the CNU kids. And my impression from the kids I know is that more politically liberal ones go to UMW and conservative ones to CNU.

Thanks. DD is interested in public policy, very liberal, and not at all into frat life.

Ok.. then you should already know, right?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I saw a good analogy once that I think is generally true - UMW is like a mini version of W&M, CNU is like a mini version of UVA/JMU.

Yes but that doesn’t capture its feel...
Interesting because CNU was founded as an extension of the College of William & Mary and remained such until 1977.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I saw a good analogy once that I think is generally true - UMW is like a mini version of W&M, CNU is like a mini version of UVA/JMU.

Interesting because CNU was founded as an extension of the College of William & Mary and remained such until 1977.

That might be true but the vibe is totally different. for example CNU has a great marching band and good football game attendance and strives for more of a classic school spirit. In these day-to-day social ways, it feels more like a small university whereas William and Mary and Mary Washington have more of a LAC feel.

"When I came 20 years ago, in truth, Christopher Newport was going out of business," Trible said. "The enrollment had been in decline for many years, and you didn't have to be a rocket scientist to realize we had to strike out in a different direction. So I said, 'Look, we were born out of the College of William and Mary. Let's return to our roots, let's embrace the liberal arts and sciences, and let's pursue a traditional student population.' -- Paul Trible, President of CNU

Nice PR quote to capture where CNU wanted to signal the importance of academics but the other posters are totally on target regarding the university spirit that Trible worked toward as well, which affects the day to day feel.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

Hmm! I haven’t read a comparison of these 3 schools but that would be really good! They seem similar in many ways so it would be nice to hear from people who know all three.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Hmm! I haven’t read a comparison of these 3 schools but that would be really good! They seem similar in many ways so it would be nice to hear from people who know all three.

SMCM is higher ranked, has a beautiful location and has a lower student/faculty ratio than the other two with good opportunities for research. Unless you can go to CNU or UMW for free, I’d stick with SMCM.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Hmm! I haven’t read a comparison of these 3 schools but that would be really good! They seem similar in many ways so it would be nice to hear from people who know all three.

SMCM is higher ranked, has a beautiful location and has a lower student/faculty ratio than the other two with good opportunities for research. Unless you can go to CNU or UMW for free, I’d stick with SMCM.

What if you’re a VA resident and paying sticker price for all three? Thanks to those who know all three...

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

Hmm! I haven’t read a comparison of these 3 schools but that would be really good! They seem similar in many ways so it would be nice to hear from people who know all three.

SMCM is higher ranked, has a beautiful location and has a lower student/faculty ratio than the other two with good opportunities for research. Unless you can go to CNU or UMW for free, I’d stick with SMCM.

What if you’re a VA resident and paying sticker price for all three? Thanks to those who know all three...

+1
We’re VA residents but I think my DC would love SMCM. We can’t afford OOS, though - and I doubt we’d see any merit aid.
DP

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

EA notifications will be out by Jan. 31 (according to the website). My DD got her EA acceptance early by attending an open house. Good luck!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CNU and UMW were my daughter's top 2 picks last year. She chose UMW and has been very happy. To be honest, both schools are very similar in size, student body makeup, etc, so she's likely to be happy with either. UMW perhaps has more emphasis on traditional liberal arts, while CNU really emphasizes its business and public policy offerings. UMW tends to draw more from the Northern Virginia and outer suburbs, while CNU has more students from the Tidewater region. That, and the fact that the CNU president (who is very high profile at the school) is a former Republican senator means that the school skews slightly conservative. UMW seems fairly apolitical. One disappointment has been that many UMW students go home on weekends, which makes the weekends a bit dull, even for my non-partier kid.
I would totally leave it up to your kid, since she's likely to get an equivalent education at either.

Your daughter's scores actually seem a bit higher than the typical UMW/CNU student. Is she looking at W&M as well?

Her grades and scores are not competetive for W&M, especially a female from NOVA.

What I love about this comment, is how kind and utterly accurate it is.

[Anonymous]

Based on what I’m reading in this thread, sounds like the consensus is that CNU and UMW are on par with each other academically? So it just comes down to personal preference for the student?

We looked at SMCM as well but decided it was too small and too remote (and OOS). Very beautiful though!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Based on what I’m reading in this thread, sounds like the consensus is that CNU and UMW are on par with each other academically? So it just comes down to personal preference for the student?

We looked at SMCM as well but decided it was too small and too remote (and OOS). Very beautiful though!

They are on par, but CNU has had more momentum recently. UMW was the women's college of UVA and that association and the name has perhaps held it back. CNU has a lot of shiny new buildings in comparison to almost all other public schools in Virginia, and that has helped attract students.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote: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.

CNU seems like the clear winner here. Carz, chix, and fratz. Also not in the middle of frigg'n nowhere.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote: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.

CNU seems like the clear winner here. Carz, chix, and fratz. Also not in the middle of frigg'n nowhere.

You make it sound like the USC of the Virginia Peninsula.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:OP here. Thank you for all of the replies.

I’m not being obnoxious, so please read knowing this.

Her scores are just below 1500 SAT and above 4.0 gpa. CNU and UMW are her safeties, and we really like both.

She really wants a solid education where she can grow.

She’s a quiet child, introverted, loves to read, with a great group of friends.

I liked CNU because it’s got that newish feeling, super clean, close to the beach (I know-but I’m being honest), and has the Oxford opportunity. I liked UMW because it’s got that traditional look, is in Fburg, and is closer to home (again, I’m just being honest).

We will definitely have her go back for student acceptance day (when are those?) so she can get a better feel.

Hi OP. We may be in a similar situation and DC has similar stats and interests. would love to hear about merit aid offered. Can you please share how much? Thanks

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:CNU and UMW were my daughter's top 2 picks last year. She chose UMW and has been very happy. To be honest, both schools are very similar in size, student body makeup, etc, so she's likely to be happy with either. UMW perhaps has more emphasis on traditional liberal arts, while CNU really emphasizes its business and public policy offerings. UMW tends to draw more from the Northern Virginia and outer suburbs, while CNU has more students from the Tidewater region. That, and the fact that the CNU president (who is very high profile at the school) is a former Republican senator means that the school skews slightly conservative. UMW seems fairly apolitical. One disappointment has been that many UMW students go home on weekends, which makes the weekends a bit dull, even for my non-partier kid.
I would totally leave it up to your kid, since she's likely to get an equivalent education at either.

Your daughter's scores actually seem a bit higher than the typical UMW/CNU student. Is she looking at W&M as well?

Her grades and scores are not competetive for W&M, especially a female from NOVA.

Who is this troll who posts on every thread????