Rank these VA public universities

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Top 3 schools in the state

UVA
W&M
Tech

The rest are like a consolation prize. Everyone gets a medal

Has JMU slipped? I've seen this posted before which I find surprising because back in the 90's when I graduated HS, JMU was on par with Tech.

No, JMU hasn't "slipped." These rankings are all completely subjective. Everyone has a different opinion of these schools. Personally, I give top rankings to the schools that suit my kids best.

I think JMU got trendy for a while and had a reputation (or created one) of being the alternate UVA. It is closer than Tech and not as big and not as science focused so the comparison was not ridiculous. Then Tech somehow managed to get lucky with its football program. Prior to the early 1990s, it wasn’t a big time program. It was a big science school far away. Then things happened and lots of people think Michael Vick was the beginning but it actually started before that. So Tech was suddenly a nationally known school. I recall the sports announcers kind of gushing about this upstart school with its amusing Hokie bird and total lack or pretension and amazing campus. And that is kind of Tech in a nutshell. It’s students are very aware that by most standards and in most circles, they are viewed as not attending or graduating from the best school in Virginia and they don’t care. They love the school and its architecture and its scenery and its culture. People at Tech mostly want to be there. They aren’t there because they didn’t get in someplace better or if they did, the chose Tech. I went there and turned down Lehigh and Wake Forest. I didn’t apply to UVA. So the notion that JMU is tied with Tech doesn’t make sense to me. People grow up Hokies and want to go there. I haven’t really met people who know from an early age that JMU is where they want to be. I think that has a bit to do with the history of the schools. Tech has been a University for a century plus and has admitted women way longer than JMU has been admitting men. JMU was a teaching college. It is a fine school but it is in no way comparable to tech for many reasons including the alumni network.

Ok, the thing is when I graduated HS in 1990. The top schools were hands down UVA, W&M, Tech, and JMU. The kids going to tech/jmu weren’t at the tippy top of their classes, but a bit below. They were certainly above average students, even for those who were college bound. Now 30 years later it seems that Tech has firmly kept its place, but I see many posters lumping JMU along with GMU, VCU, CNU which was absolutely not the case when I was in HS which makes me wonder if JMU has slipped in prestige from the 80’s.

This is exactly what I was thinking. I went to HS in NOVA in the 80's. At that time the rankings were distinctly in the order of UVA, Wm&M, VA Tech, JMU. Now my kids are in NOVA HS and I'm seeing a blur between UVA and Wm&M, followed by VA Tech with Tech engineering distinctly ahead of UVA (with many sci/math kids choosing Tech engineering over UVA after getting into both), and most surprisingly people talking about GMU & CNU as up and coming. Not much buzz around JMU among my kids' peers.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Top 3 schools in the state

UVA
W&M
Tech

The rest are like a consolation prize. Everyone gets a medal

Has JMU slipped? I've seen this posted before which I find surprising because back in the 90's when I graduated HS, JMU was on par with Tech.

No, JMU hasn't "slipped." These rankings are all completely subjective. Everyone has a different opinion of these schools. Personally, I give top rankings to the schools that suit my kids best.

I think JMU got trendy for a while and had a reputation (or created one) of being the alternate UVA. It is closer than Tech and not as big and not as science focused so the comparison was not ridiculous. Then Tech somehow managed to get lucky with its football program. Prior to the early 1990s, it wasn’t a big time program. It was a big science school far away. Then things happened and lots of people think Michael Vick was the beginning but it actually started before that. So Tech was suddenly a nationally known school. I recall the sports announcers kind of gushing about this upstart school with its amusing Hokie bird and total lack or pretension and amazing campus. And that is kind of Tech in a nutshell. It’s students are very aware that by most standards and in most circles, they are viewed as not attending or graduating from the best school in Virginia and they don’t care. They love the school and its architecture and its scenery and its culture. People at Tech mostly want to be there. They aren’t there because they didn’t get in someplace better or if they did, the chose Tech. I went there and turned down Lehigh and Wake Forest. I didn’t apply to UVA. So the notion that JMU is tied with Tech doesn’t make sense to me. People grow up Hokies and want to go there. I haven’t really met people who know from an early age that JMU is where they want to be. I think that has a bit to do with the history of the schools. Tech has been a University for a century plus and has admitted women way longer than JMU has been admitting men. JMU was a teaching college. It is a fine school but it is in no way comparable to tech for many reasons including the alumni network.

Ok, the thing is when I graduated HS in 1990. The top schools were hands down UVA, W&M, Tech, and JMU. The kids going to tech/jmu weren’t at the tippy top of their classes, but a bit below. They were certainly above average students, even for those who were college bound. Now 30 years later it seems that Tech has firmly kept its place, but I see many posters lumping JMU along with GMU, VCU, CNU which was absolutely not the case when I was in HS which makes me wonder if JMU has slipped in prestige from the 80’s.

Some possible reasons for parity among many of the colleges that are right up there with JMU:

GMU (On the Rise): They get a lot of grant money from DoD and NSA for tech and computer research; they have been able to leverage their relationships with many government agencies to improve their campus and programs over the years.

VCU (On the Rise): A top art program along with nationally ranked medical and dental programs. VCU has become nationally known and sought by top art students which has improved its prestige over the years.

CNU (On the Rise): A solid small liberal arts school that appeals to many solid NoVA students; great campus, facilities and strong academics; think of a public university with the look and feel of a private school.

[Anonymous]

I think this is something happening everywhere. Florida comes to mind and North Carlina. Both had a couple of good schools and that was kind if it. Now both have many more kids staying in state and thus the lower level state schools are attracting really good kids. In Florida, UF still views FSU as the new kid on the block but now ther are several others too. In North Carolina it was UNC and NC State (and Tar Heels has the edge) and now there is Coastal Caroline etc. Private is to expensive so all of the publics are getting more applicants.

[Anonymous]

Apparently, University of Florida had 40,000 applications this year. Up from 34,500 last year, a 16% increase.

I have an 11th grader and 8th grader. It is going to be a brutal time to gain entry to schools going forward.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Top 3 schools in the state

UVA
W&M
Tech

The rest are like a consolation prize. Everyone gets a medal

Has JMU slipped? I've seen this posted before which I find surprising because back in the 90's when I graduated HS, JMU was on par with Tech.

No, JMU hasn't "slipped." These rankings are all completely subjective. Everyone has a different opinion of these schools. Personally, I give top rankings to the schools that suit my kids best.

I think JMU got trendy for a while and had a reputation (or created one) of being the alternate UVA. It is closer than Tech and not as big and not as science focused so the comparison was not ridiculous. Then Tech somehow managed to get lucky with its football program. Prior to the early 1990s, it wasn’t a big time program. It was a big science school far away. Then things happened and lots of people think Michael Vick was the beginning but it actually started before that. So Tech was suddenly a nationally known school. I recall the sports announcers kind of gushing about this upstart school with its amusing Hokie bird and total lack or pretension and amazing campus. And that is kind of Tech in a nutshell. It’s students are very aware that by most standards and in most circles, they are viewed as not attending or graduating from the best school in Virginia and they don’t care. They love the school and its architecture and its scenery and its culture. People at Tech mostly want to be there. They aren’t there because they didn’t get in someplace better or if they did, the chose Tech. I went there and turned down Lehigh and Wake Forest. I didn’t apply to UVA. So the notion that JMU is tied with Tech doesn’t make sense to me. People grow up Hokies and want to go there. I haven’t really met people who know from an early age that JMU is where they want to be. I think that has a bit to do with the history of the schools. Tech has been a University for a century plus and has admitted women way longer than JMU has been admitting men. JMU was a teaching college. It is a fine school but it is in no way comparable to tech for many reasons including the alumni network.

Ok, the thing is when I graduated HS in 1990. The top schools were hands down UVA, W&M, Tech, and JMU. The kids going to tech/jmu weren’t at the tippy top of their classes, but a bit below. They were certainly above average students, even for those who were college bound. Now 30 years later it seems that Tech has firmly kept its place, but I see many posters lumping JMU along with GMU, VCU, CNU which was absolutely not the case when I was in HS which makes me wonder if JMU has slipped in prestige from the 80’s.

Some possible reasons for parity among many of the colleges that are right up there with JMU:

GMU (On the Rise): They get a lot of grant money from DoD and NSA for tech and computer research; they have been able to leverage their relationships with many government agencies to improve their campus and programs over the years.

VCU (On the Rise): A top art program along with nationally ranked medical and dental programs. VCU has become nationally known and sought by top art students which has improved its prestige over the years.

CNU (On the Rise): A solid small liberal arts school that appeals to many solid NoVA students; great campus, facilities and strong academics; think of a public university with the look and feel of a private school.

So basically the rise of a few of the other VA schools has knocked JMU out of its position, but not Tech? So now in VA there is no longer a big 4 but a big 3?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Apparently, University of Florida had 40,000 applications this year. Up from 34,500 last year, a 16% increase.

I have an 11th grader and 8th grader. It is going to be a brutal time to gain entry to schools going forward.

UVA received 37,500 applicants, 21,000 were EA. http://www.cavalierdaily.com/article/2018/01/uva-accepts-27-8-percent-of-early-action-applicants-for-class-of-2022

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Top 3 schools in the state

UVA
W&M
Tech

The rest are like a consolation prize. Everyone gets a medal

Has JMU slipped? I've seen this posted before which I find surprising because back in the 90's when I graduated HS, JMU was on par with Tech.

No, JMU hasn't "slipped." These rankings are all completely subjective. Everyone has a different opinion of these schools. Personally, I give top rankings to the schools that suit my kids best.

I think JMU got trendy for a while and had a reputation (or created one) of being the alternate UVA. It is closer than Tech and not as big and not as science focused so the comparison was not ridiculous. Then Tech somehow managed to get lucky with its football program. Prior to the early 1990s, it wasn’t a big time program. It was a big science school far away. Then things happened and lots of people think Michael Vick was the beginning but it actually started before that. So Tech was suddenly a nationally known school. I recall the sports announcers kind of gushing about this upstart school with its amusing Hokie bird and total lack or pretension and amazing campus. And that is kind of Tech in a nutshell. It’s students are very aware that by most standards and in most circles, they are viewed as not attending or graduating from the best school in Virginia and they don’t care. They love the school and its architecture and its scenery and its culture. People at Tech mostly want to be there. They aren’t there because they didn’t get in someplace better or if they did, the chose Tech. I went there and turned down Lehigh and Wake Forest. I didn’t apply to UVA. So the notion that JMU is tied with Tech doesn’t make sense to me. People grow up Hokies and want to go there. I haven’t really met people who know from an early age that JMU is where they want to be. I think that has a bit to do with the history of the schools. Tech has been a University for a century plus and has admitted women way longer than JMU has been admitting men. JMU was a teaching college. It is a fine school but it is in no way comparable to tech for many reasons including the alumni network.

Ok, the thing is when I graduated HS in 1990. The top schools were hands down UVA, W&M, Tech, and JMU. The kids going to tech/jmu weren’t at the tippy top of their classes, but a bit below. They were certainly above average students, even for those who were college bound. Now 30 years later it seems that Tech has firmly kept its place, but I see many posters lumping JMU along with GMU, VCU, CNU which was absolutely not the case when I was in HS which makes me wonder if JMU has slipped in prestige from the 80’s.

Some possible reasons for parity among many of the colleges that are right up there with JMU:

GMU (On the Rise): They get a lot of grant money from DoD and NSA for tech and computer research; they have been able to leverage their relationships with many government agencies to improve their campus and programs over the years.

VCU (On the Rise): A top art program along with nationally ranked medical and dental programs. VCU has become nationally known and sought by top art students which has improved its prestige over the years.

CNU (On the Rise): A solid small liberal arts school that appeals to many solid NoVA students; great campus, facilities and strong academics; think of a public university with the look and feel of a private school.

So basically the rise of a few of the other VA schools has knocked JMU out of its position, but not Tech? So now in VA there is no longer a big 4 but a big 3?

Well, I hate to say it, but in the last decade, two things happened.

One was GMU had a Final Four basketball team. The other was Tech had a mass shooting.

It's not fair, but in terms of general perception, I think these events have had a last effect.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I think this is something happening everywhere. Florida comes to mind and North Carlina. Both had a couple of good schools and that was kind if it. Now both have many more kids staying in state and thus the lower level state schools are attracting really good kids. In Florida, UF still views FSU as the new kid on the block but now ther are several others too. In North Carolina it was UNC and NC State (and Tar Heels has the edge) and now there is Coastal Caroline etc. Private is to expensive so all of the publics are getting more applicants.

Coastal Carolina is in South Carolina.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Top 3 schools in the state

UVA
W&M
Tech

The rest are like a consolation prize. Everyone gets a medal

Has JMU slipped? I've seen this posted before which I find surprising because back in the 90's when I graduated HS, JMU was on par with Tech.

No, JMU hasn't "slipped." These rankings are all completely subjective. Everyone has a different opinion of these schools. Personally, I give top rankings to the schools that suit my kids best.

I think JMU got trendy for a while and had a reputation (or created one) of being the alternate UVA. It is closer than Tech and not as big and not as science focused so the comparison was not ridiculous. Then Tech somehow managed to get lucky with its football program. Prior to the early 1990s, it wasn’t a big time program. It was a big science school far away. Then things happened and lots of people think Michael Vick was the beginning but it actually started before that. So Tech was suddenly a nationally known school. I recall the sports announcers kind of gushing about this upstart school with its amusing Hokie bird and total lack or pretension and amazing campus. And that is kind of Tech in a nutshell. It’s students are very aware that by most standards and in most circles, they are viewed as not attending or graduating from the best school in Virginia and they don’t care. They love the school and its architecture and its scenery and its culture. People at Tech mostly want to be there. They aren’t there because they didn’t get in someplace better or if they did, the chose Tech. I went there and turned down Lehigh and Wake Forest. I didn’t apply to UVA. So the notion that JMU is tied with Tech doesn’t make sense to me. People grow up Hokies and want to go there. I haven’t really met people who know from an early age that JMU is where they want to be. I think that has a bit to do with the history of the schools. Tech has been a University for a century plus and has admitted women way longer than JMU has been admitting men. JMU was a teaching college. It is a fine school but it is in no way comparable to tech for many reasons including the alumni network.

Ok, the thing is when I graduated HS in 1990. The top schools were hands down UVA, W&M, Tech, and JMU. The kids going to tech/jmu weren’t at the tippy top of their classes, but a bit below. They were certainly above average students, even for those who were college bound. Now 30 years later it seems that Tech has firmly kept its place, but I see many posters lumping JMU along with GMU, VCU, CNU which was absolutely not the case when I was in HS which makes me wonder if JMU has slipped in prestige from the 80’s.

Some possible reasons for parity among many of the colleges that are right up there with JMU:

GMU (On the Rise): They get a lot of grant money from DoD and NSA for tech and computer research; they have been able to leverage their relationships with many government agencies to improve their campus and programs over the years.

VCU (On the Rise): A top art program along with nationally ranked medical and dental programs. VCU has become nationally known and sought by top art students which has improved its prestige over the years.

CNU (On the Rise): A solid small liberal arts school that appeals to many solid NoVA students; great campus, facilities and strong academics; think of a public university with the look and feel of a private school.

So basically the rise of a few of the other VA schools has knocked JMU out of its position, but not Tech? So now in VA there is no longer a big 4 but a big 3?

Well, I hate to say it, but in the last decade, two things happened.

One was GMU had a Final Four basketball team. The other was Tech had a mass shooting.

It's not fair, but in terms of general perception, I think these events have had a last effect.

Not sure your point about Tech and the shooting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Top 3 schools in the state

UVA
W&M
Tech

The rest are like a consolation prize. Everyone gets a medal

Has JMU slipped? I've seen this posted before which I find surprising because back in the 90's when I graduated HS, JMU was on par with Tech.

No, JMU hasn't "slipped." These rankings are all completely subjective. Everyone has a different opinion of these schools. Personally, I give top rankings to the schools that suit my kids best.

I think JMU got trendy for a while and had a reputation (or created one) of being the alternate UVA. It is closer than Tech and not as big and not as science focused so the comparison was not ridiculous. Then Tech somehow managed to get lucky with its football program. Prior to the early 1990s, it wasn’t a big time program. It was a big science school far away. Then things happened and lots of people think Michael Vick was the beginning but it actually started before that. So Tech was suddenly a nationally known school. I recall the sports announcers kind of gushing about this upstart school with its amusing Hokie bird and total lack or pretension and amazing campus. And that is kind of Tech in a nutshell. It’s students are very aware that by most standards and in most circles, they are viewed as not attending or graduating from the best school in Virginia and they don’t care. They love the school and its architecture and its scenery and its culture. People at Tech mostly want to be there. They aren’t there because they didn’t get in someplace better or if they did, the chose Tech. I went there and turned down Lehigh and Wake Forest. I didn’t apply to UVA. So the notion that JMU is tied with Tech doesn’t make sense to me. People grow up Hokies and want to go there. I haven’t really met people who know from an early age that JMU is where they want to be. I think that has a bit to do with the history of the schools. Tech has been a University for a century plus and has admitted women way longer than JMU has been admitting men. JMU was a teaching college. It is a fine school but it is in no way comparable to tech for many reasons including the alumni network.

Ok, the thing is when I graduated HS in 1990. The top schools were hands down UVA, W&M, Tech, and JMU. The kids going to tech/jmu weren’t at the tippy top of their classes, but a bit below. They were certainly above average students, even for those who were college bound. Now 30 years later it seems that Tech has firmly kept its place, but I see many posters lumping JMU along with GMU, VCU, CNU which was absolutely not the case when I was in HS which makes me wonder if JMU has slipped in prestige from the 80’s.

Some possible reasons for parity among many of the colleges that are right up there with JMU:

GMU (On the Rise): They get a lot of grant money from DoD and NSA for tech and computer research; they have been able to leverage their relationships with many government agencies to improve their campus and programs over the years.

VCU (On the Rise): A top art program along with nationally ranked medical and dental programs. VCU has become nationally known and sought by top art students which has improved its prestige over the years.

CNU (On the Rise): A solid small liberal arts school that appeals to many solid NoVA students; great campus, facilities and strong academics; think of a public university with the look and feel of a private school.

So basically the rise of a few of the other VA schools has knocked JMU out of its position, but not Tech? So now in VA there is no longer a big 4 but a big 3?

Well, I hate to say it, but in the last decade, two things happened.

One was GMU had a Final Four basketball team. The other was Tech had a mass shooting.

It's not fair, but in terms of general perception, I think these events have had a last effect.

Not sure your point about Tech and the shooting.

Yeah, hasn't VT gotten more competitive in the last decade or so? Do you think its number of strong applicants (&,therefore, its selectivity) would have increased even more if not for the shooting? Or do you think the shooting somehow helped it become more competitive simply by increasing its name recognition ?? The latter option seems unlikely, imo.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Top 3 schools in the state

UVA
W&M
Tech

The rest are like a consolation prize. Everyone gets a medal

Has JMU slipped? I've seen this posted before which I find surprising because back in the 90's when I graduated HS, JMU was on par with Tech.

No, JMU hasn't "slipped." These rankings are all completely subjective. Everyone has a different opinion of these schools. Personally, I give top rankings to the schools that suit my kids best.

I think JMU got trendy for a while and had a reputation (or created one) of being the alternate UVA. It is closer than Tech and not as big and not as science focused so the comparison was not ridiculous. Then Tech somehow managed to get lucky with its football program. Prior to the early 1990s, it wasn’t a big time program. It was a big science school far away. Then things happened and lots of people think Michael Vick was the beginning but it actually started before that. So Tech was suddenly a nationally known school. I recall the sports announcers kind of gushing about this upstart school with its amusing Hokie bird and total lack or pretension and amazing campus. And that is kind of Tech in a nutshell. It’s students are very aware that by most standards and in most circles, they are viewed as not attending or graduating from the best school in Virginia and they don’t care. They love the school and its architecture and its scenery and its culture. People at Tech mostly want to be there. They aren’t there because they didn’t get in someplace better or if they did, the chose Tech. I went there and turned down Lehigh and Wake Forest. I didn’t apply to UVA. So the notion that JMU is tied with Tech doesn’t make sense to me. People grow up Hokies and want to go there. I haven’t really met people who know from an early age that JMU is where they want to be. I think that has a bit to do with the history of the schools. Tech has been a University for a century plus and has admitted women way longer than JMU has been admitting men. JMU was a teaching college. It is a fine school but it is in no way comparable to tech for many reasons including the alumni network.

Ok, the thing is when I graduated HS in 1990. The top schools were hands down UVA, W&M, Tech, and JMU. The kids going to tech/jmu weren’t at the tippy top of their classes, but a bit below. They were certainly above average students, even for those who were college bound. Now 30 years later it seems that Tech has firmly kept its place, but I see many posters lumping JMU along with GMU, VCU, CNU which was absolutely not the case when I was in HS which makes me wonder if JMU has slipped in prestige from the 80’s.

Some possible reasons for parity among many of the colleges that are right up there with JMU:

GMU (On the Rise): They get a lot of grant money from DoD and NSA for tech and computer research; they have been able to leverage their relationships with many government agencies to improve their campus and programs over the years.

VCU (On the Rise): A top art program along with nationally ranked medical and dental programs. VCU has become nationally known and sought by top art students which has improved its prestige over the years.

CNU (On the Rise): A solid small liberal arts school that appeals to many solid NoVA students; great campus, facilities and strong academics; think of a public university with the look and feel of a private school.

So basically the rise of a few of the other VA schools has knocked JMU out of its position, but not Tech? So now in VA there is no longer a big 4 but a big 3?

Well, I hate to say it, but in the last decade, two things happened.

One was GMU had a Final Four basketball team. The other was Tech had a mass shooting.

It's not fair, but in terms of general perception, I think these events have had a last effect.

Not sure your point about Tech and the shooting.

Yeah, hasn't VT gotten more competitive in the last decade or so? Do you think its number of strong applicants (&,therefore, its selectivity) would have increased even more if not for the shooting? Or do you think the shooting somehow helped it become more competitive simply by increasing its name recognition ?? The latter option seems unlikely, imo.

I'm saying VT has become less appealing b/c of the shooting.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Top 3 schools in the state

UVA
W&M
Tech

The rest are like a consolation prize. Everyone gets a medal

Has JMU slipped? I've seen this posted before which I find surprising because back in the 90's when I graduated HS, JMU was on par with Tech.

No, JMU hasn't "slipped." These rankings are all completely subjective. Everyone has a different opinion of these schools. Personally, I give top rankings to the schools that suit my kids best.

***In this discussion, I think ithe shooting is a red herring. And so many shootings have happened since. And Tech is known for other things. In this conversation, I don’t think the shooting gives any insight into the relative competitiveness of Tech versus JMU or why JMU is less popular than in prior years while Tech remains popular. One person said something like “has the top 4 become the top 3?” and that that JMU has fallen down. I would argue, as a Hokie, that UVA and W & M think there is a top 2 and then everyone else. Due to the differences in the relative strengths and cultures of UVA, W & M and Tech, and their national name recognition, I think that there is a top 3 with Tech being 3. I do not think that outside of Virginia, James Madison is even a contender.***

I think JMU got trendy for a while and had a reputation (or created one) of being the alternate UVA. It is closer than Tech and not as big and not as science focused so the comparison was not ridiculous. Then Tech somehow managed to get lucky with its football program. Prior to the early 1990s, it wasn’t a big time program. It was a big science school far away. Then things happened and lots of people think Michael Vick was the beginning but it actually started before that. So Tech was suddenly a nationally known school. I recall the sports announcers kind of gushing about this upstart school with its amusing Hokie bird and total lack or pretension and amazing campus. And that is kind of Tech in a nutshell. It’s students are very aware that by most standards and in most circles, they are viewed as not attending or graduating from the best school in Virginia and they don’t care. They love the school and its architecture and its scenery and its culture. People at Tech mostly want to be there. They aren’t there because they didn’t get in someplace better or if they did, the chose Tech. I went there and turned down Lehigh and Wake Forest. I didn’t apply to UVA. So the notion that JMU is tied with Tech doesn’t make sense to me. People grow up Hokies and want to go there. I haven’t really met people who know from an early age that JMU is where they want to be. I think that has a bit to do with the history of the schools. Tech has been a University for a century plus and has admitted women way longer than JMU has been admitting men. JMU was a teaching college. It is a fine school but it is in no way comparable to tech for many reasons including the alumni network.

Ok, the thing is when I graduated HS in 1990. The top schools were hands down UVA, W&M, Tech, and JMU. The kids going to tech/jmu weren’t at the tippy top of their classes, but a bit below. They were certainly above average students, even for those who were college bound. Now 30 years later it seems that Tech has firmly kept its place, but I see many posters lumping JMU along with GMU, VCU, CNU which was absolutely not the case when I was in HS which makes me wonder if JMU has slipped in prestige from the 80’s.

Some possible reasons for parity among many of the colleges that are right up there with JMU:

GMU (On the Rise): They get a lot of grant money from DoD and NSA for tech and computer research; they have been able to leverage their relationships with many government agencies to improve their campus and programs over the years.

VCU (On the Rise): A top art program along with nationally ranked medical and dental programs. VCU has become nationally known and sought by top art students which has improved its prestige over the years.

CNU (On the Rise): A solid small liberal arts school that appeals to many solid NoVA students; great campus, facilities and strong academics; think of a public university with the look and feel of a private school.

So basically the rise of a few of the other VA schools has knocked JMU out of its position, but not Tech? So now in VA there is no longer a big 4 but a big 3?

Well, I hate to say it, but in the last decade, two things happened.

One was GMU had a Final Four basketball team. The other was Tech had a mass shooting.

It's not fair, but in terms of general perception, I think these events have had a last effect.

Not sure your point about Tech and the shooting.

Yeah, hasn't VT gotten more competitive in the last decade or so? Do you think its number of strong applicants (&,therefore, its selectivity) would have increased even more if not for the shooting? Or do you think the shooting somehow helped it become more competitive simply by increasing its name recognition ?? The latter option seems unlikely, imo.

I'm saying VT has become less appealing b/c of the shooting.

Somehow my thoughts got embedded above and I don’t want to retype. I will put a star at the beginning.

[Anonymous]

I am just glad that I live in VA and have such great in-state choices. There is a good fit for just about every student- the brightest of the bunch, the best STEM, the ones that may not be as academically inclined all have good options.

[Anonymous]

Actually, VT saw an increase in applications after the shooting. Maybe seeing how their community came together afterwards made people take a second look.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Top 3 schools in the state

UVA
W&M
Tech

The rest are like a consolation prize. Everyone gets a medal

Has JMU slipped? I've seen this posted before which I find surprising because back in the 90's when I graduated HS, JMU was on par with Tech.

No, JMU hasn't "slipped." These rankings are all completely subjective. Everyone has a different opinion of these schools. Personally, I give top rankings to the schools that suit my kids best.

I think JMU got trendy for a while and had a reputation (or created one) of being the alternate UVA. It is closer than Tech and not as big and not as science focused so the comparison was not ridiculous. Then Tech somehow managed to get lucky with its football program. Prior to the early 1990s, it wasn’t a big time program. It was a big science school far away. Then things happened and lots of people think Michael Vick was the beginning but it actually started before that. So Tech was suddenly a nationally known school. I recall the sports announcers kind of gushing about this upstart school with its amusing Hokie bird and total lack or pretension and amazing campus. And that is kind of Tech in a nutshell. It’s students are very aware that by most standards and in most circles, they are viewed as not attending or graduating from the best school in Virginia and they don’t care. They love the school and its architecture and its scenery and its culture. People at Tech mostly want to be there. They aren’t there because they didn’t get in someplace better or if they did, the chose Tech. I went there and turned down Lehigh and Wake Forest. I didn’t apply to UVA. So the notion that JMU is tied with Tech doesn’t make sense to me. People grow up Hokies and want to go there. I haven’t really met people who know from an early age that JMU is where they want to be. I think that has a bit to do with the history of the schools. Tech has been a University for a century plus and has admitted women way longer than JMU has been admitting men. JMU was a teaching college. It is a fine school but it is in no way comparable to tech for many reasons including the alumni network.

I agree and disagree with you. I do agree that VT inspires a tremendous loyalty from alumni, and often their own kids want to go there because they've been raised going to games, Homecoming, etc. Every person I know who attended Tech has absolutely loved it, and as you said, most deliberately chose it over any other school, including UVA and W&M.

However, I'd say the same thing about JMU. I have never met a nicer student body or alumni. JMU students and grads are universally kind, smart, friendly, and inclusive. Their alums are also extremely loyal to the school and rave about their years there. I also know some extremely successful alumni of JMU. Many go on to "big name" grad schools.

At any rate, while these two schools have different campuses and vibes, both are definitely places I could see my own kids going. I'd be thrilled to have either a Duke or Hokie in the family - or both.