Perceptions of VCU?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I was born and raised in Richmond and lived in the Fan (next to VCU). VCU is very well respected and has an excellent career placement record (which is super important). The city of Richmond is a fun and vibrant place to live, especially for young people.

I have VCU on my list for my teens to consider. I would be very happy if either of the attended.

Why OP, who’s in Nebraska, would be worried about what her snobby and racist fake liberal friend in Nebraska thinks about VCU is beyond me. Who GAF about that person’s opinion? Also if you already visited VCU but still don’t understand how your kid will get home, I’m confused. How did you visit? How did you get home? Did you fly out of the Richmond airport, did you teleport?

This OP isn’t making sense.

Nebraska PP, welcome to VA. Be prepared to explain that the entire state isn't just cows and cornfields to people who are so sure of themselves yet still wrong.

Ha! This is the Nebraska PP, we moved around a lot lived in DC for about 5 years but never really explored VA/Richmond area. When i found out our next move was to Nebraska i went kicking and screaming but have been pleasantly surprised. Great public schools, welcoming communities. My biggest compliant is the airports. That’s why i was wondering if students use the Amtrak to fly out of DC as there are no direct flights to Richmond from Nebraska

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I know it's in the city of Richmond, which I don't love, and I know a target checker whose daughter went there, so my perception is...not great.

A “Target checker”? And since their (low class) daughter went there, you think VCU sucks? YOU suck, man. Wow. This is a new low, even for DCUM college forum.

[Anonymous]

Richmond is not a big city. VCU is in an urban location and seems safe. Richmond has gotten a little less sleepy in recent years but it is not a big place

[Anonymous]

How does VCU compare with Temple?

I think Temple has a nice campus. I also think we can all agree that the area surrounding Temple is not nice.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't call it ghetto but the neighborhood outside of it has a homeless population that might scare some people.

I live in Richmond and have to laugh. VCU borders the most expensive real estate in the city. It’s about as scary as Georgetown.

Georgetown isn't great with crime either, and Georgetown is a lot nicer than Richmond.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't call it ghetto but the neighborhood outside of it has a homeless population that might scare some people.

You find homeless people scary? Weird.

I absolutely find homeless people scary. People in their right mind aren't usually living on the streets. They are either mentally ill or drug addicts.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't call it ghetto but the neighborhood outside of it has a homeless population that might scare some people.

I live in Richmond and have to laugh. VCU borders the most expensive real estate in the city. It’s about as scary as Georgetown.

Georgetown isn't great with crime either, and Georgetown is a lot nicer than Richmond.

Richmond is a very nice city. Georgetown is way overrated.

[Anonymous]

VCU is a minority serving institution (MSI), designated by the Dept. of Education. It's student population is 85% in state, with many commuter students. The 4-year graduation rate is low (under 50%). There are homeless people in the areas around campus, and it's important to be aware of your surroundings when walking around town. The medical campus is sketchier than the Monroe Park campus.
It is primarily known for its arts program and medical school. I know many VCU grads and have lived in Richmond for 20+ years.

[Anonymous]

If your child wants to experience college in the heart of a city, but city-cities like Philly, NYC, Chicago, Atlanta are more than they really want, VCU in Richmond is perfect. It’s a manageable city. My DS is at VCU and is having a good experience.

[Anonymous]

We are in NoVa, visit Richmond often and are considering it for retirement. There are a lot of things to do, it is a wonderful and vibrant city especially for the arts. We are a couple of years from DD’s college apps but it is a likely candidate for application based on its programs and I would not hesitate to support DD if she were to choose VCU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Richmond is not a big city. VCU is in an urban location and seems safe. Richmond has gotten a little less sleepy in recent years but it is not a big place

I wouldn’t call it safe. But it’s not as bad as some locations.

[Anonymous]

I went to VCU a long time ago. I had just graduated from a very preppy all-girls college. It was a bit of a shock to my system because most of the students were "artsy." I made great friends, and they all had different majors. I loved living in Richmond because it was a lively, fun city, but not too big. The fan district had cafes on almost every corner, which we enjoyed, but you had to watch out for crime if you lived there, which is to be expected in a small city. If you are looking for something preppy with more of a campus feel, check out University of Richmond. Nothing at VCU was "ghetto," and I'm not even sure what that is supposed to mean.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:VCU is located in a city and the undergrad enrollment is over 15% Black. That’s what your friends mean when they call the school “ghetto.” They mean your child might meet a Black person there.

+100

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:I wouldn't call it ghetto but the neighborhood outside of it has a homeless population that might scare some people.

You find homeless people scary? Weird.

I absolutely find homeless people scary. People in their right mind aren't usually living on the streets. They are either mentally ill or drug addicts.

Bless your heart. You need to get out more, maybe volunteer at a homeless shelter or soup kitchen.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I went to VCU a long time ago. I had just graduated from a very preppy all-girls college. It was a bit of a shock to my system because most of the students were "artsy." I made great friends, and they all had different majors. I loved living in Richmond because it was a lively, fun city, but not too big. The fan district had cafes on almost every corner, which we enjoyed, but you had to watch out for crime if you lived there, which is to be expected in a small city. If you are looking for something preppy with more of a campus feel, check out University of Richmond. Nothing at VCU was "ghetto," and I'm not even sure what that is supposed to mean.

This is true. DC goes to VCU and likes it. We were just there visiting and popped into a corner cafe for something to eat. Very vibrant. Definitely feels safe but always be mindful of your surroundings and your belongings because if it's not nailed down, it will be stolen. Mail seems to get "lost" all the time, too. Don't send cards to your student even to the dorms, since they don't make it there. The only shipments that got there were Amazon but now that DC is in an apt, everything is shipped to a locker because packages left alone tend to disappear. We don't have this issue with our other DC who goes to school in another city.