The Other Virginia Colleges: VCU, ODU, GMU, CNU, UMW . . . .

[Anonymous]

Very surprised not to see any substantive mention of VCU. I didn't go to VCU, but I know a number of grads, ranging over the last 20 years, and I've been there any number of times. Thirty-plus years ago, not too many people had heard of VCU; it's a merger of two previously-unrelated state schools and a public medical school. They've really stuck to the institution-building down there. It's quite astoundingly cosmopolitan; the city-feel permeates everything. They've really expanded undergrad housing, both quality and quantity; in just about 12-15 years, it's become very predominantly residential among the F/T undergrads. The academic rankings in several key areas have soared, you can do an actual liberal arts major with a business or ed minor (which is apparently the key undergrad goal now) and the graduate programs are highly recognized by the specialists. At one point in the last few years, VCU's city campus was viewed as a bit dicey in terms of safety, but I understand that VCU has very aggressively addressed this.

I post this not because I have any VCU affiliation (like I said, I don't, at all), but because I'm so surprised to hear VCU mentioned more by colleagues, friends, friends with HS soph-through-senior kids -- almost everybody -- than I hear VCU mentioned by people around here. I appreciate the snob factor, and I've been accused of perpetuating it myself. But I think VCU seems to be beginning to pass the snob test.

I think VCU is the largest consolidated, single undergrad school in the state. Any other comments out there? It would be a useful reality check for me, as well as responsive to the OP.

Thanks -

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Very surprised not to see any substantive mention of VCU. I didn't go to VCU, but I know a number of grads, ranging over the last 20 years, and I've been there any number of times. Thirty-plus years ago, not too many people had heard of VCU; it's a merger of two previously-unrelated state schools and a public medical school. They've really stuck to the institution-building down there. It's quite astoundingly cosmopolitan; the city-feel permeates everything. They've really expanded undergrad housing, both quality and quantity; in just about 12-15 years, it's become very predominantly residential among the F/T undergrads. The academic rankings in several key areas have soared, you can do an actual liberal arts major with a business or ed minor (which is apparently the key undergrad goal now) and the graduate programs are highly recognized by the specialists. At one point in the last few years, VCU's city campus was viewed as a bit dicey in terms of safety, but I understand that VCU has very aggressively addressed this.

I post this not because I have any VCU affiliation (like I said, I don't, at all), but because I'm so surprised to hear VCU mentioned more by colleagues, friends, friends with HS soph-through-senior kids -- almost everybody -- than I hear VCU mentioned by people around here. I appreciate the snob factor, and I've been accused of perpetuating it myself. But I think VCU seems to be beginning to pass the snob test.

I think VCU is the largest consolidated, single undergrad school in the state. Any other comments out there? It would be a useful reality check for me, as well as responsive to the OP.

Thanks -

I travel to Richmond occasionally and definitely get the sense that the university has expanded. The fact that it's located in what used to be an "iffy" part of Richmond between a nice residential district and downtown probably made it easier for the university to acquire properties and build in the area. A lot of kids in Fairfax schools view VCU as a safety school, but the kids that end up going there are a fairly decent mix of kids who'll do quite well and others who'll party too hard and never graduate. Very strong reputation in the graphic arts, too, so it has a hipster vibe that you won't find at any other school in the state. Like CNU, it gets mentioned more often because JMU and GMU have become more selective.

[Anonymous]

"Hipster vibe" ... that actually seems exactly right. Sunny, inexpensive, NYU feel.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Very surprised not to see any substantive mention of VCU. I didn't go to VCU, but I know a number of grads, ranging over the last 20 years, and I've been there any number of times. Thirty-plus years ago, not too many people had heard of VCU; it's a merger of two previously-unrelated state schools and a public medical school. They've really stuck to the institution-building down there. It's quite astoundingly cosmopolitan; the city-feel permeates everything. They've really expanded undergrad housing, both quality and quantity; in just about 12-15 years, it's become very predominantly residential among the F/T undergrads. The academic rankings in several key areas have soared, you can do an actual liberal arts major with a business or ed minor (which is apparently the key undergrad goal now) and the graduate programs are highly recognized by the specialists. At one point in the last few years, VCU's city campus was viewed as a bit dicey in terms of safety, but I understand that VCU has very aggressively addressed this.

I post this not because I have any VCU affiliation (like I said, I don't, at all), but because I'm so surprised to hear VCU mentioned more by colleagues, friends, friends with HS soph-through-senior kids -- almost everybody -- than I hear VCU mentioned by people around here. I appreciate the snob factor, and I've been accused of perpetuating it myself. But I think VCU seems to be beginning to pass the snob test.

I think VCU is the largest consolidated, single undergrad school in the state. Any other comments out there? It would be a useful reality check for me, as well as responsive to the OP.

Thanks -

I travel to Richmond occasionally and definitely get the sense that the university has expanded. The fact that it's located in what used to be an "iffy" part of Richmond between a nice residential district and downtown probably made it easier for the university to acquire properties and build in the area. A lot of kids in Fairfax schools view VCU as a safety school, but the kids that end up going there are a fairly decent mix of kids who'll do quite well and others who'll party too hard and never graduate. Very strong reputation in the graphic arts, too, so it has a hipster vibe that you won't find at any other school in the state. Like CNU, it gets mentioned more often because JMU and GMU have become more selective.

[Anonymous]

We have recently moved from NOVA to Richmond - VCU has an awesome presence here. The Art School is amazing but they are gaining in credibility all over. They have really transformed a lot of neighborhoods with new/rehab construction. It is more 'hipster' than preppy (UofR) but fun. DH went there many many years ago when it was more commuter college - no more - it has really grown in reputation.

[Anonymous]

Christopher Newport University (CNU) began as an extension campus of William and Mary in 1961. It became independent of W&M in 1977 and then a fully fledged university in 1992. The president is Paul Trible, a former U.S. Senator and congressman. He recently signed a new multi-year contract. He and his wife, Rosemary, are very active on campus, even going so far as inviting the new freshman class - in small groups - to their home for dessert at the beginning of the new academic year. His vision is to make CNU the public version of Washington & Lee.

Our daughter is a rising junior at CNU and LOVES it. She is in the presidential leadership program and enjoys her small classes, access to professors, and regular meetings with her academic advisor. She lives on campus and the facilities are very nice. Her only complaint has been that she gets tired of her food choices as a vegetarian, but she will live in the townhouses on campus this year and will have her own kitchen. She has had no problem getting internships and even a paying job or two over her time at CNU. She found the campus a bit conservative initially but once she got more involved she found plenty of good friends with similar interests and values. She finds that there is plenty to do on campus but she also loves that there is so much to do in the area when she and her friends want to get away - beach trips, museums, concerts, etc.

While the campus and the area immediately around the school is nice, Newport News is not without its problems. CNU has a wonderful alert system and we always know if there is something going on that might affect the campus. Our daughter is very savvy and safety conscious and the only problem she has had was when her bike was stolen because she forgot to lock it up.

[Anonymous]

Thanks VCU and CNU pps!

[Anonymous]

I posted earlier. My DS is in the arts and is a rising senior. He has already visited VCU and will apply early decision. We loved our visit and hope he ends up there in 2013!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you share any real life current info about your kids' experiences at Virginia colleges, not UVA, W&M, VATech or JMU? Through the years I've just never gotten any sense of the other Virginia colleges and I'm curious to hear about them. With rising junior B/G twins, I know we'll be taking the tours this year. Thanks.

I would put JMU bellow GMU.

GMU 51.7% accepted
JMU 59.9% accepted

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/george-mason-university-3749
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/jmu-3721

You're dreaming. % acceptance rate does not equate to "harder to get in." You would have to include the amount of applicants, which is information that is not provided.
If a school has 100 students, but only 100 students happened to apply, then it has a 100% acceptance rate. Does that mean it's a worse school? Of course not, it just means that it had fewer applicants.

Everyone and their brother applies to GMU (since it is a lot of people's "Safety School"). With all of those applicants, they have to say "no" to more people. That does not make it a "Better" school.

GMU is a factory with 1000s of applicants. I did 2 years at GMU and then tranferred to JMU. GMU is essentially a good community college.

[Anonymous]

Awesome and art were polar opposites, I hope you are either rich our attractive because you will never pay back your student loans

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you share any real life current info about your kids' experiences at Virginia colleges, not UVA, W&M, VATech or JMU? Through the years I've just never gotten any sense of the other Virginia colleges and I'm curious to hear about them. With rising junior B/G twins, I know we'll be taking the tours this year. Thanks.

I would put JMU bellow GMU.

GMU 51.7% accepted
JMU 59.9% accepted

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/george-mason-university-3749
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/jmu-3721

You're dreaming. % acceptance rate does not equate to "harder to get in." You would have to include the amount of applicants, which is information that is not provided.
If a school has 100 students, but only 100 students happened to apply, then it has a 100% acceptance rate. Does that mean it's a worse school? Of course not, it just means that it had fewer applicants.

Everyone and their brother applies to GMU (since it is a lot of people's "Safety School"). With all of those applicants, they have to say "no" to more people. That does not make it a "Better" school.

GMU is a factory with 1000s of applicants. I did 2 years at GMU and then tranferred to JMU. GMU is essentially a good community college.

+1 I always thought of GMU as a large community college. Nothing wrong with that, but that's exactly what it is. It's a great way to save $$, living at home and only paying tuition. We have a few neighbor DCs that have completed two years at GMU and then transferred to VT / JMU / UVA for the last two years.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Thanks VCU and CNU pps!

I agree - thanks! It's interesting that the state colleges and universities in Virginia have managed to create such distinct identities. There are a lot of kids now who could get into Virginia Tech and JMU who, for various reasons, aren't really attracted to either school, but find things to like at other state schools like GMU, VCU and CNU. GMU is closest to DC and has the most international students; VCU has the strong arts programs and the hipster vibe; and CNU feels more like a small, private liberal arts school than any of the others.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:
+1 I always thought of GMU as a large community college. Nothing wrong with that, but that's exactly what it is. It's a great way to save $$, living at home and only paying tuition. We have a few neighbor DCs that have completed two years at GMU and then transferred to VT / JMU / UVA for the last two years.

No dog in this fight - child was admitted to both GMU and JMU and decided to go out of state. But I think what you've posted is out of date. In my child's graduating class, the kids going to GMU and JMU had very similar academic profiles. But the kids from GMU were more likely to come from immigrant families (lots of Asian and Middle Eastern students), while the kids from JMU were bigger partiers and more likely to be involved in sports and other extra-curricular activities.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Can you share any real life current info about your kids' experiences at Virginia colleges, not UVA, W&M, VATech or JMU? Through the years I've just never gotten any sense of the other Virginia colleges and I'm curious to hear about them. With rising junior B/G twins, I know we'll be taking the tours this year. Thanks.

I would put JMU bellow GMU.

GMU 51.7% accepted
JMU 59.9% accepted

http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/george-mason-university-3749
http://colleges.usnews.rankingsandreviews.com/best-colleges/jmu-3721

You're dreaming. % acceptance rate does not equate to "harder to get in." You would have to include the amount of applicants, which is information that is not provided.
If a school has 100 students, but only 100 students happened to apply, then it has a 100% acceptance rate. Does that mean it's a worse school? Of course not, it just means that it had fewer applicants.

Everyone and their brother applies to GMU (since it is a lot of people's "Safety School"). With all of those applicants, they have to say "no" to more people. That does not make it a "Better" school.

GMU is a factory with 1000s of applicants. I did 2 years at GMU and then tranferred to JMU. GMU is essentially a good community college.

Maybe in the 1990s, but in the last 5 years GMU has surpassed or is on par with JMU

http://www.satscores.us/sat_scores_by_college.asp?college_id=232186
http://www.satscores.us/sat_scores_by_college.asp?college_id=232423

[Anonymous]

No dog in the fight either, as neither a student, alumni, or parent of , I can tell you (as a recruiter for a DC-headquartered large company) our recruiting staff looks at JMU as being significantly "higher" on the totem-pole of state schools than GMU. You are correct though, we do see a rising trend of international students coming out of GMU. (Most having hard-sciences degrees.)

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:No dog in the fight either, as neither a student, alumni, or parent of , I can tell you (as a recruiter for a DC-headquartered large company) our recruiting staff looks at JMU as being significantly "higher" on the totem-pole of state schools than GMU. You are correct though, we do see a rising trend of international students coming out of GMU. (Most having hard-sciences degrees.)

Interesting. I have no dog in the fight either, as neither a student, alum, or parent. But I myself would think students going to GMU would have increased opty to, say, make contacts with and get good internships/jobs here in the DC area, than those farther away (eg JMU). For this reason, I have wondered about the possibility of DC going there someday. (She is only 4 so obviously we are a long ways away from this!)