Christopher Newport v. JMU and GMU

[modernmom4]

Our daughter is trying to decide between these three schools. She is liberal, shy, and diverse. By the numbers, CNU seems like a less over-whelming option with only 5k students; however, we've heard it is has conservative leadership and a more conservative student body. JMU gets great reviews but is 22k kids. GMU about the same. Is CNU conservative? And what do is conservative mean at CNU? Can a shy kid be happy and thrive at JMU or GMU?

[Anonymous]

Can't speak to CNU, but don't be deterred by the size of JMU. It's a very friendly campus with lots of extracurricular options, so she will find her tribe.

[Anonymous]

JMU is a great school, very friendly culture for a shy kid.

[Anonymous]

I think JMU sounds like a good fit for your daughter.

[Anonymous]

Agreed on JMU. One of my best HS friends is really shy and she loved JMU.

[Anonymous]

What sort of majors are under consideration?

[Anonymous]

JMU, or GMU over CNU which is too conservative, less diverse and seems heavy on religious groups.

[Anonymous]

CNU’s President is a Hampden-Sydney alum. So I’d assume it’s conservative. Also the surrounding area really sucks.

[modernmom4]

Undecided on her major.

[Anonymous]

The surrounding area of CNU has beaches and lots to do. Don’t listen to that poster. It’s a beautiful campus, I drive by it every day.

[Anonymous]

Isn’t GMU conservative, too? They take lots of money from the Koch Bros and even renamed their law school after Scalia.

[Anonymous]

Re CNU: close family friends have DC there. We have received nothing but horror stories, with an expression of real regret at the choice. Hazardous area. Exceptionally conservative. Such poorly-staffed faculty that students are routinely unable to get course placements that satisfy major requirements - so they get involuntarily extended, at considerable expense, and take more than four years to complete their programs. We've heard these observations and reports from sources that are known to us. We won't be looking there at all.

[modernmom4]

Good point...

[Anonymous]

I'm from the Tidewater area, where CNU is. I've never been to the campus, and only knew a couple of high school friends who attended. It's in Newport News, often referred to by locals as "Bad News" for being a rough area. If I had the choice, I would definitely pick JMU or GMU over CNU.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:The surrounding area of CNU has beaches and lots to do. Don’t listen to that poster. It’s a beautiful campus, I drive by it every day.

+1
We loved CNU. Our child is currently trying to make a similar decision. You can't go wrong with any of these three schools. Also, you will find liberal and conservative types at most schools. Certainly, these three aren't heavily one way or the other.