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[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]Top 3 schools in the state

UVA
W&M
Tech

The rest are like a consolation prize.  Everyone gets a medal[/quote]

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. 
  [/quote]

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.[/quote]

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.[/quote]

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.   :wink: [/quote]

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