What to know about Longwood University?

[Anonymous]

My child is a serious but average to slightly above average student and has a probable athletic scholarship opportunity at Longwood, which as out-of-staters we know little about at this point. We will likely be visiting there as well as other options, but I'm just curious what you can tell me about it, including what type of students it tends to draw. Thanks.

[Anonymous]

A relative recently graduated and he really liked it. He's a nice guy, as is his girlfriend from Longwood, but not sure what else I can tell you. I think it draws a lot of kids from rural Virginia. They've been really working to up their profile, including in the Northern VA, metro Washington area. It is quite rural, but seems like a cute little town.

[Anonymous]

My friend's kid was a freshman this year and really likes it. Some parents around here turned down their nose at his choice, but he's been happy, made great friends and really likes his professors.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:My friend's kid was a freshman this year and really likes it. Some parents around here turned down their nose at his choice, but he's been happy, made great friends and really likes his professors.

And to underscore this, that's the important thing--not an elitist's nose.

[Anonymous]

It used to be an all-women's "teacher's college" with a high percentage of elementary education majors. Now it's a co-ed university, but it (along with Radford and UVA-Wise) tend to draw more students from rural parts of the state, and fewer students from three main urbanized areas (NoVa, Richmond and Hampton Roads) of the state than other Virginia public schools. I think it's fairly close to Hampden-Sydney, an all-male private college, so the social scene may be considered somewhat better for women than men.

[Anonymous]

I just saw on tv that the next presidential debate is being held there.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I just saw on tv that the next presidential debate is being held there.

Vice Presidential Debate

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:It used to be an all-women's "teacher's college" with a high percentage of elementary education majors. Now it's a co-ed university, but it (along with Radford and UVA-Wise) tend to draw more students from rural parts of the state, and fewer students from three main urbanized areas (NoVa, Richmond and Hampton Roads) of the state than other Virginia public schools. I think it's fairly close to Hampden-Sydney, an all-male private college, so the social scene may be considered somewhat better for women than men.

Lots of people from Hampton Roads go there, I know many of them but not so many from NoVa, as the college is much closer to Hampton Roads. Very rural area, only things to do are on campus. Heard the town got a stoplight a while ago though.

[Anonymous]

Does he want to be a teacher?

[Anonymous]

Girls' seminary school, then all-women state teachers' college. Better regarded now than it was 30 years ago, but that's not saying much. Unheard of, outside the region. Good luck.

[Anonymous]

I think a bit differently from PP above.....I do think it is saying quite a bit that it evolved from seminary to teachers college to coed university. Did not go there but was a camp counselor there in the summers and I thought it was lovely.

It appears to be a good, solid school which is trying to grow and meet a need. Our neighbor's DC went on an athletic scholarship and loved it. VA has many good state schools and not enough spots for everyone so it's timely that Longwood is growing and getting more notice. Good for them.

[Anonymous]

Students w/LDs from our Nova HS go there. It works out well for most of them. LW seems to wish for them to succeed and find a profession. The school wants good kids not troublemakers and though that sounds good, I think they are oddly strict. I heard re: a good kid I know that got into ridiculous trouble. She was of legal drinking age with friends, walking home from a party (not driving) and were cited.

[Anonymous]

This school is not well regarded. If you want to teach public school in Virginia you should be okay but otherwise strongly reconsider. Your child should consider playing two years at a JUCO and then transfer.

Even for teaching, I know three ed majors from longwood that failed the praxis. That's not good.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This school is not well regarded. If you want to teach public school in Virginia you should be okay but otherwise strongly reconsider. Your child should consider playing two years at a JUCO and then transfer.

Even for teaching, I know three ed majors from longwood that failed the praxis. That's not good.

And I know even more students from Yale Law who failed the bar. Is that worse?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:This school is not well regarded. If you want to teach public school in Virginia you should be okay but otherwise strongly reconsider. Your child should consider playing two years at a JUCO and then transfer.

Even for teaching, I know three ed majors from longwood that failed the praxis. That's not good.

I taught at another state school that is similar to Longwood. If the student is motivated and wants to learn, they will do well. If they are there to party and do the least amount of work possible, they will not test well in their desired occupation.